Weiping Guo, Ph.D.
Guo, a chemistry educator with 20 years of college and high school teaching experience, is passionate about engaging students through active learning.
Weiping Guo, Ph.D., grew up in China and earned a B.S. in chemistry before completing a Ph.D. in physical chemistry at Penn State. She has 17 years of experience teaching college-level chemistry and spent the past three years teaching high school chemistry and physics. She is passionate about using active teaching methods to engage students and support deeper learning.
Q&A with Weiping Guo
Where did you grow up? Can you tell us a little about your educational journey?
I grew up in Qinghai, a province in northwestern China. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Beijing Normal University, then pursued graduate studies at Penn State, where I received my Ph.D. in physical chemistry.
When did you first fall in love with your field of study? What made you decide to work in academia?
Teaching is both my passion and my calling. My interest in science, especially chemistry, began in middle school. I earned a B.S. in chemistry with a focus on secondary education, which laid the foundation for my teaching career. After 17 years of teaching college-level chemistry, I spent the past three years teaching high school to gain a deeper understanding of U.S. secondary education. With this valuable experience, I now feel ready to return to college teaching, where I feel most at home.
Can you explain the focus of your research?
I am interested in exploring a variety of active learning and teaching strategies to engage students, deepen their understanding and help them develop transferable skills that apply across different subjects.
Can you talk a little about your teaching philosophy? What do you most like about teaching?
My teaching philosophy centers on simplicity and clarity. I believe that to teach effectively, an instructor must have a deep and clear understanding of the subject matter. I strive to break down complex concepts into manageable parts and then guide students in connecting those parts to see the big picture. I never assume prior knowledge and always start from the fundamentals, reinforcing learning through constant review and frequent quizzes. Above all, I aim to be patient and kind, creating a supportive environment where all students can grow and succeed.
What attracted you to VCU? What are you most excited about in regards to VCU and Richmond?
During my interview, I had the opportunity to meet the teaching faculty and immediately felt a strong sense of team spirit and support from both the department chair and the college. I felt appreciated and experienced a genuine sense of belonging. Richmond’s rich history also appeals to me, and I’m excited about the opportunity to live in the area and explore the city further.
Can you tell us either a quirky fact about yourself or some of your hobbies?
I collect green stuffed animals and toys; frogs, turtles, avocados, and Yoda are my favorites. The only exception to my green theme is pink pigs!