Teaching

I am passionate about teaching economics as a powerful tool for understanding and solving real world problems.

Teaching Philosophy

As an instructor, my approach prioritizes teaching economics as a useful framework for solving different problems while preparing students to be successful in their future careers. I have noticed that professors who leave a lasting impression share several traits: they are knowledgeable, motivating, and able to connect with students both as a group and individually. This appreciation has shaped the foundations of my own teaching philosophy.

Courses Taught

CSUN

Labor Economics
Fall semesters 2022-2026

CSUN

Economic Development
Fall 2020-Spring 2021; Spring semesters 2022-2026

CSUN

Principles of Microeconomics
Fall 2020-Fall 2021; Spring 2022-Spring 2024; Fall 2024; Spring 2025-Spring 2026

GSU

Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics
Instructor, 2019

Teaching Recognition and Training

Recognition

  • BGS Professor of the Year, California State University Northridge, Beta Gamma Sigma (2025)
  • Distinguished Teaching - Tenure and Tenure Track Award, California State University Northridge (2024)

Selected Training

  • Praxis Community, Faculty Development and Institutional Research
  • Promoting Active Learning, ACUE
  • Inclusive Teaching for Equitable Learning, ACUE
  • Effective Online Teaching Practices, ACUE and ACE

Selected Student Comments

Professor Beltran is undoubtedly the best professor I have had at CSUN. He cares so much about his students and it shows. You learn so much and learn skills through his assignments that you will take with you for the rest of your life. Professors like him make me proud to be a a matador. Take his class! Work hard and listen! You will not regret it CSUN student comment
He's one of my most memorable professors and provides great advice. He's very forgiving overall and is willing to give lots of feedback/examples that will help you get the grade you want. He's accessible through email, office hours, and classroom discussions and provides very practical advice for your career which most professors do not. CSUN student comment
Great professor. Extremely knowledgeable. I thoroughly enjoyed this class, as he made the material engaging and prepares you for quizzes and assignments.Always willing to help and makes himself accessible through email. CSUN student comment
One of the best professors I've taken; extremely professional, but caring after class. classes are not easy, so if you are looking an easy A with only 30min of work every week find someone else. It is a junior-year class so I think the stress and amount of work is acceptable. CSUN student comment
This class one of the best classes I took at CSUN. The teacher was so nice and his lectures were very interesting and he teach everything the easy way and when you asked questions he would always have an answer AMAZING teacher!!! CSUN student comment
For some reason, doing homework and reviews at TopHat made this class a whole lot easier. Each lesson has a set of review questions, WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING because the quizzes and tests are based on those review questions. He even takes time to email each student individually for feedback. Overall, a very caring and friendly professor. CSUN student comment
This class was really difficult. Don't listen to other reviews, he is a very caring professor and wants you to pass!! You have to work for your grade heavily as there is weekly quizzes, unlimited attempts on hw, quiz retakes, 2 midterms and a final. If you don't reach for help, you wont pass. I really had to work for my A but he is a very nice prof. CSUN student comment
Prof Beltran-Silva is truly passionate about what he teaches which makes his class really interesting. There is a decent amount of work but a good amount of time and many opportunities for feedback. Exams are a little difficult but definitely doable! He definitely tries his best to give us as much practical experience as possible. CSUN student comment
This class was really difficult. Don't listen to other reviews, he is a very caring professor and wants you to pass!! You have to work for your grade heavily as there is weekly quizzes, unlimited attempts on hw, quiz retakes, 2 midterms and a final. If you don't reach for help, you wont pass. I really had to work for my A but he is a very nice prof. CSUN student comment
I wanted to let you know that I have greatly appreciated the practice exams and feedback you have provided me with this semester. Since I have transferred to GSU you are the only professor I have had that legitimately seems to want to help students prepare for exams by outlining and providing tools to practice. I tend to struggle with test taking anxiety and this has been extremely helpful for me. Thank you again, and take care. GSU student comment
You truly found a way to make economics interesting. GSU needs more professors like you! Thank you so much for the great feedback, I really enjoyed your class and you were very helpful. GSU student comment