Our Tutors

Ellen E

Teaching Style

I prefer to focus on a child's strengths, even while teaching a subject that may be considered the child's weakest. I believe finding and integrating strengths promotes learning because it creates positive attitudes and a more productive learning environment. While understanding certain systems or theories is necessary, I think it is sometimes easier for a child to grasp challenging material when they see plenty of examples of the theory at work.

Experience Summary

As a recent graduate, with seven years experience writing in a professional environment, I excel at writing and editing because I understand the system of language, and I pay close attention to detail. I have nearly five years experience working with children in a structured environment, in addition to working with children of various ages as a summer camp counselor. I also hold a certificate with significant training in teaching English to non-native speakers.

Jonathan J

Teaching Style

I have learned that in teaching physics and mathematics it is important not only to have a grasp of the broad principles and concepts but to see how they are related and build upon one another. Furthermore, I have seen the success in teaching and practicing physics and mathematics from a problem solving point of view and tend to teach by providing examples to be worked upon and solving problems that typify common physics exam questions. I enjoy teaching to people from all different types of educational background and capabilities and see any subject material as accessible to all provided they are taught in a way most suitable to the individual and strive to find that for every one of my students.

Experience Summary

As a current graduate student of Texas A&M University working towards my PhD in Particle Physics here at Fermi National Accelerator Lab I have had the good fortune to not only experience the passion and interest that research in physics provides, but develop an extensive and diverse teaching experience. With an emphasis on making physics fun and understandable I have had experience in many of the basic physics courses as well as helping develop an outreach course to present the upper level physics ideas (big bang, black holes,...etc) to the mass public in an approachable and understandable way.

Lori L

Teaching Style

I believe that students are wary of mathematics and statistics because they appear clinic and distant, with little to do with the “real” world. To educate I try to create dynamic and above all relevant “uses” for the lessons. My experiences have exposed me to different teaching styles and class formats and allowed me to develop a teaching philosophy that encompasses the best of all these methods. My philosophy is best described with reference to six primary concepts: 1. Knowledge conveyed in a relevant context 2. Interaction with each student and the material 3. Passion for teaching and the subject 4. Adaptability 5. Creativity in teaching methods and 6. Respect between the student and the teacher All students seek knowledge; it’s the teacher’s role to facilitate learning and guide them along the path. A successful lesson is one in which the student comes out seeing the world a little differently.

Experience Summary

During my education and career, the teaching of others has featured prominently in my personal goals and life objectives. While attending high school, I tutored fellow students professionally in subjects ranging from basic algebra to complex calculus. My undergraduate degree was in the field of Mathematics and Statistics with an additional biological statistics certificate and at present I am completing my Masters of Science in statistics. My understandings of these fields lead to my recruit by a number of professors and researchers to provide assistance and advisement on statistical analysis of their projects. In addition to assisting my professors, I was also selected to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and was also selected to conduct "stand alone" courses. I have a strong passion for these subjects and I believe my years of teaching experience have given me the insight, patience and ability to convey the complex world of mathematics and statistics to my students.

Gary G

Teaching Style

My teaching style has been, for the most part, dictated by student response. I am comfortable teaching in a traditional lecture format, in a format that uses a cooperative learning approach exclusively, or in a hybrid format. The goal is for effective learning to take place, and I believe my strongest quality is to be able to adapt in such a way that best helps students reach their academic goals.

Experience Summary

For eight years, I taught freshman and sophomore-level mathematics courses at Arizona State University. These courses included College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Finite Mathematics, and Elementary Mathematics Theory. Additionally, I have tutored students in these courses both in the Mathematics Department Tutor Center, and on my own personal time.

Dana D

Teaching Style

I believe in diversity and development. My experience of coming to this country as a Non-English speaker has taught me a lot about different learning styles that helped me learn the language quicker. I am very patient, easy-going, understanding, and determined. I believe that children are capable of learning if material is presented to them in a right style.

Experience Summary

As an eastern European native, my educational background was always strong and learning was always my number one priority. I have earned my bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, which has enabled me to gain an understanding in many areas of math and science. Furthermore, I have always loved creative writing and in 2001 at University of South Florida, I earned the Excellence in Writing Award. I previously worked as a preschool teacher where I introduced scientific and mathematical concepts to the students. I have peer tutored many fellow students in college and family members.

Stuart S

Teaching Style

As a product of top-notch education I feel that I have become intimately familiar with effective teaching styles and have thereby tried to replicate the best of these styles. I would describe my teaching style as adaptive because I feel a certain teaching style that works for one student may be inadequate for another student. For this reason I strive to first determine how a particular student learns and subsequently derive an action plan. For example, if a student seems to retain information from a book or other types of visual material but not from a teacher's lecture I would deem that student to be a more visual based learner. In such a scenario, I would approach the student in a visual based manner through animations, practice problems, and other visual material. On the other hand, if the student was found to be a more auditory-based learner that student may benefit from descriptive metaphors or a verbal walk through of sample problems.

Experience Summary

As a graduate of Bucknell University and the prestigious Mercersburg Academy, I gained a strong affinity for education and thereby providing quality learning experiences for others. While at the Mercersburg Academy I earned a 700 math score and a 680 verbal score on my SATs. At Bucknell I earned a bachelor's of science degree in biochemistry and cell biology while gaining extensive experience in chemistry, biology, psychology, physics, math, and scientific research. I have also gained extensive writing experience in the form of research papers, lab reports, and numerous other classes at both Bucknell and Mercersburg that required a plethora of writing. During the past year I served as an Honors and Accelerated Chemistry teacher at the esteemed Worcester Academy while tutoring biology, physics, and chemistry students during the evenings.

Karen K

Teaching Style

I believe that with patience and the right tools, children and adults can learn anything. Learning is fun and adventurous once students identify their learning styles. My goal is to guide students through the learning process so that they can problem-solve on their own, away from tutors/teachers.

Experience Summary

I have been fortunate to earn degrees and work in the fields of education and science. I want to help others achieve their dreams in pursuing careers especially in math and science. I graduated with a 4.0 GPA in undergrad/valedictorian, Class of 1994. As the eldest of 5 children, I have always tutored relatives. The love to help others love learning continued into my undergraduate studies and beyond. I have tutored students at the high school and undergraduate levels in various subjects, including Math, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, GRE and GMAT exam preparation.

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.