Experience Summary
I graduated with my undergraduate degree in marine biology in 2002 and then worked as a research biologist for two and a half years before returning to school to pursue my master’s degree. I believe that my hands-on scientific experiences combined with my academic background allow me to convey difficult concepts to students. As a researcher and as a student, I have had to put together many written and oral proposals and presentations, so I have the ability to communicate ideas very effectively. Each semester of my graduate school, I taught two science labs to non-science majors. This job provided me with experience in lecturing, preparing experiments, designing exams, and evaluating students. After my graduate work was completed, I began private tutoring in subjects such as Spanish, algebra, genetics, and social sciences.
Teaching Style
I think the most useful tutor emphasizes critical thinking. I have noticed that many students focus on memorization instead of really understanding the processes behind science, math, and foreign languages. I try to focus on how and why things are, rather than just the fact that they are. I believe that this approach provides students with a deep understanding of the material and an ability to problem-solve on their own. They can then develop better comprehension, and tend to be more interested in learning.