Peer Observation
Meet our Peer Observation Partners
Ashleigh Everhardt Queen
Teaching Professor, Health Sciences
About Ashleigh
Courses: Intro to the Human Body, Human Anatomy Lab, Human Physiology Lecture and Lab, Medical Terminology, Microbes in Human Disease Lecture and Lab, HHP Internship
Ashleigh brings a dynamic and inclusive approach to teaching in the Human Health & Physiology program, where she leads both large lecture courses—from introductory to upper-level—and small, hands-on laboratory classes. Her commitment to fostering collaborative learning environments helps students engage deeply with STEM content, while her interdisciplinary mindset encourages the application of teaching techniques across diverse educational settings. As a Peer Observation Partner, Ashleigh is excited to share and learn from pedagogical practices that transcend disciplines and support student success at all levels.
Danielle Horvath Dallaire
Professor, Psychological Sciences
About Danielle
Courses:
PSYC150: The Psychological Study of Children & Families in Relation to Law and Policy; PSYC310: Developmental Psychology; PSYC354: Motivation and Emotion; PSYC406: Service Learning in Developmental Psychology; PSYC410: Research in Developmental Psychology; PSYC470: Topics in Psychology; PSYC660: Proseminar in Developmental Psychology
Danielle teaches a wide range of courses at William & Mary, from COLL 150s on families, law, and psychology to upper-level classes in developmental psychology, motivation and emotion, and advanced research methods, as well as graduate seminars in lifespan development. Her teaching style is marked by enthusiasm and passion for the subject, high academic standards, and strong support for her students. She promotes discussion in classrooms, encourages critical thinking, and connects coursework to real-world issues through applied and service-learning experiences. Danielle was a participant in the University Teaching and Learning Project: Peer Observation Program (AY 24/25) and has observed courses in Psychology, Linguistics, Economics, and Kinesiology. She is excited to partner with colleagues to promote and practice best practices in classroom instruction.
Paul Heideman
Emeritus Professor, Biology
About Paul
Courses: COLL 100’s, non-majors courses, Introductory Biology, Sophomore Biology, Advanced Biology, and 1-credit courses on topics such as Career Development, Practical Aspects of Learning, Writing, and teaching pre-service STEM teachers in the School of Education.
Over his long career, Paul has taught a wide variety of courses: at the undergraduate and graduate levels, across seminar style, discussion-based, lecture, problem-based ‘flipped’, and skill-based courses, of class sizes from 5 to 300+. The greatest changes to his teaching have come from being observed and from observing others. Paul has observed courses in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Data Science, Marine Science, History, English, Economics, Dance, and Law. Paul believes strongly that nothing beats peer observation. What’s especially useful is the focus – occasionally general, but often on just one or two things, perhaps related to pacing activities, the structure of in-class exercises, or improving student engagement.
Be observed by a Peer Observation Partner
Would you like an experienced William & Mary instructor to observe your class and provide confidential, low-stakes feedback on your teaching? Trying something new in your in-person or online classes and want an observer to act as a sounding board for reflection and advice? Our Peer Observation Partners can help!
What you can expect from a peer observation cycle:
- 30-minute pre-observation meeting: Preparing before the observation helps ensure a meaningful observation experience. During this meeting, you will share the class context and teaching goals, identify areas for desired feedback, and select an observation tool that best suits your needs.
- 60-minute peer observation: Our peer observation partner will visit your class at the scheduled time, noting observations without judgment, to provide supportive feedback on the areas you outlined in the pre-observation meeting.
- 45-minute post-observation meeting: Ideally occurring immediately following the observation, this meeting provides an opportunity for both parties to engage in a reflective dialogue, sharing observations, reflections, and actionable strategies.
You can schedule a peer observation cycle through our Bookings page here:
Observe a Partner
Would you value an opportunity to see how another instructor approaches their teaching practice? Peer Observation Partners are available to host you in their classes to observe them teach. Email our faculty partners individually to arrange a visit if this is of interest to you!
Ashleigh Queen: aeeverhardt@wm.edu
Danielle Horvath Dallaire: dhdall@wm.edu
Paul Heideman: pdheid@wm.edu
Engage Your Department in Peer Observation
Is your department interested in developing consistent, research-proven practices for peer observation? Would you value creating a culture where colleagues in your department observe one another regularly to enhance teaching practice? Our fellows are available to facilitate workshops on peer observation practices. To get started, contact kwargo@wm.edu to arrange a departmental training session.
Wanting to learn more on your own about peer observation? Enroll in our asynchronous peer observation module in College Teaching Essentials: Level 3 in Academy by emailing academy@wm.edu.