Our Tutors

Joanne J

Teaching Style

My teaching style is student centered and hands-on. I try to get students to recreate what scientists really do in the lab to discover and find solutions to problems, so a lot of time is spent in the lab and collaborating. I also incorporate data analysis in the lab experiences, so a lot of my labs require that students collect and share data, and base their conclusions to a problem on the data, and not a book answer. I think this is the reason why I had so many science fair winners at the middle school level. Often my parents where I amazed at what I could get their kids to create in terms of lab reports.

Experience Summary

I have been teaching for about 14 years. I discovered teaching while I was doing volunteer work bringing science to elementary school children in the inner cities of Philadelphia. I was hooked. I had so much fun and the fact that I could get paid for it was secondary but a bonus. I started out as a middle school teacher and I have been quite successful with them at science fair competitions. One year, 6 of my sixth graders took 6 of the 7 places in city fair. My eighth graders won first place 2 years in a row. One student went on to state competition (he won 2nd place in a category higher than his grade level), and another was awarded and honored at a Spectroscopy Society dinner. I am presently teaching high school Chemistry and General Science, and I love what I do.

Andrew A

Teaching Style

Although my formal teaching tenor is fairly short, starting in high school I often found myself in a teaching role while studying with peers. My teaching style relies heavily on starting very hands-on and transitioning the student into independence. I find it’s very helpful for the student and teacher as well, to make mistakes while doing a problem. When initially explaining a problem, students will frequently be too shy to tell you that they don't understand a concept. Often the best way to coax questions out of students involves them doing problems on their own. Building off of that, I am then able to help construct strategies to highlight their strengths in problem solving and improve on their weaknesses.

Experience Summary

While earning my BS in Chemical Engineering at UC Davis, I became interested in the atmospheric sciences which lead me to graduate school at Harvard University studying Atmospheric Chemistry. At Harvard I was the head Teaching Fellow for an upper division class in atmospheric chemistry. Since graduating last June with an ME, I have picked up tutoring in Los Angeles and currently have one student doing non-calculus based physics. Through my education I have gained extensive experience in mathematics through the calculus level, chemistry and chemical physics, and Newtonian physics.

Nigel N

Teaching Style

I believe that every child is capable of learning and that every child has their own style of learning. As a teacher, I believe in differentiated instruction that allows all students an equal opportunity to learn. I believe in teaching through student exploration. Once a child is able to discover a concept on their own, they are able to better understand and remember it. My approach to teaching is to expose students to practical problems. Once these problems are understood, I introduce a mathematical concept that should allow them to discover a solution to the problem. Throughout this approach, I’m always encouraging and patient. I always stress the importance of making an attempt at solving a problem, as in my favorite quote, “Without struggle, there is no progress.”

Experience Summary

During completion of my undergraduate degree in math, I always strived to achieve excellence in education and to pass on my love for learning. Throughout my college career, I’ve tutored at the undergraduate, the middle and the high school levels. Such exposure allowed me to determine the concepts students have the most difficulty in understanding, and I’m able to prepare accordingly. Upon completion of my degree, I accepted an analyst position with an HR Consulting firm. During these four years, I gained vital experience that allows me to transfer mathematical concepts into real world examples. Such experience has proven to be critical in helping students visualize practical examples of what they learn. I have since left the Consulting firm and entered into teaching. I’m finally doing what I enjoy the most, teaching and passing on a love for learning.

Brittin B

Teaching Style

Briefly: high energy. I enjoy being in front of a class presenting new information to students. Personally, I have had a handful of great teachers and would like to be that type of teacher for someone else. I enjoy being able to answer questions and motivate others. Most of my experience has been in a group setting, but I am just as comfortable one-on-one. I get the most out of applying concepts that seem obtuse to a world that we see every day.

Experience Summary

As a graduate teaching assistant for the Economics Dept. at USF, I led structured help sessions for the students twice each week. I completed my Master of Arts in Economics, a program that was very math-intensive, in December 2008 and am currently instructing classes at Hillsborough Community College. Through high-school and college, I have worked as a private tutor in the subjects of mathematics and economics.

Timothy T

Teaching Style

When I tutor a student, I seek first to understand the student and how he/she thinks. I find it is very important to have good rapport and communication with the student so I understand how he/she views the subject and the difficulties of it. Next I try to make "conceptual bridges" from what they know to what they are having difficulty understanding. This process usually teaches me about seeing the subject from a new point of view. I try to achieve a fine balance between guiding and directing the student’s thoughts on the topic with following the student in their own line of thinking of the subject. The student needs to learn to have confidence in his own thoughts on the subject and in his own ability to master it.

Experience Summary

Over the past four years, I have tutored high school and middle school students in math, algebra, calculus, chemistry, SAT Math, and general study skills. My preference is to tutor math, algebra, calculus, physics, physical science, chemistry, and programming. Math is the subject for which I have the greatest passion. I also participate in the homeschooling of four of my children (13, 11, 8, 6). I have mentored my 13 yr old son in Algebra I & II, Chemistry, Elementary Math, and Middle-school Physical Science, and taught elementary math to my 11, 8, and 6 year olds. Additionally, I read and review history lessons to my kids. I completed my MS in Electrical Engineering in 2006 from The University of Texas at Arlington and my BS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Philosophy from Rice University. I have recent experience as a student having completed Cellular Biology II at St. Petersburg College in Fall 2011.

Claire C

Teaching Style

I am open to teach students of any age or level. I am patient to show students the basics for them to understand more complicated issues. I really enjoy the look in the student's eyes when they realize the answer on their own question. I try to help to build their self-esteem so that they will be more confident in the class room. My main goal is to relieve any pressure about learning and make it fun.

Experience Summary

I graduated from Austin College in Sherman, TX with a bachelor degree in International Economics and Finance. To get this degree, I took many advance math courses such as Calculus I, II, III and Probability Theory. Currently, I attend Texas Tech University where I am pursuing a PhD in Economics. While at Texas Tech University, I am a Teaching Assistant. As a Teaching Assistant, I tutor undergraduates in Economics classes.

Swati S

Teaching Style

My teaching style is highly interactive. I developed and taught an undergraduate seminar at UCLA that was based on role-playing and critical thinking of historical events through intense discussion among students. As a tutor, I ask my students a lot of questions in order to tease out their knowledge and opinion on the subject. I believe that I do not have any right answers but I do have access to resources that will enable students to find the answers that are right for them. My teaching style leads to measurable results by focusing on the process of learning.

Experience Summary

Due to my strong researching and writing skills, I was able to graduate from UCLA with a double major in three years. I have taught college-level classes at UCLA as well as tutored both high school and college students for the past 3 years in English composition and the writing process. My interest in Political Science and Global Studies allows me to contextualize any subject topic to the current happenings, which provides greater relevancy, and thus motivation, to my students.

Jim J

Teaching Style

I believe that the possibilities of learning are incredible, especially with understanding the tools of both teaching and learning whether that is textbooks, computers, or something else. It is important to ascertain how a student learns, and adjust to them. I’ve discovered in my teaching of children that it is critical to create a foundation of understanding then build upon it through repetition of the basic ideals while adding to what is already established. Children are amazingly open to new ideas, and take on new challenges with excitement, so it is my job as instructor to guide them in their journey. I also feel that early learning is fundamental to the way individuals learn later in life, so helping children learn how to overcome obstacles becomes a way of expanding their educational possibilities.

Experience Summary

Throughout my higher educational career, I’ve been driven to learn as much as possible to help satisfy my enormous curiosity. I have earned a bachelor degree in English Literature, and am currently a MFA candidate in the creative writing program at Arizona State University. As part of my graduate funding, I work as a teaching assistant. The program requires constant training, and I enjoy taking part in understanding the way students learn. In addition to teaching at the university, I work with the Office of Youth Preparation—teaching not only the craft of poetry, but helping 4th and 5th graders develop language skills necessary to do well in school. Although I primarily work with the study of English, I study Spanish and have become proficient with the use of the language.