Experience Summary
I returned to school part time in 1998 to work on a degree in physics. As a non-traditional student I was in my 30's, a single parent (three daughters), and working full time as an industrial sales rep. In 2005 I graduated with honors from New Mexico Tech with BS degrees in Physics/Astrophysics and Basic Sciences. Upon graduation I took a position as an instructor, grades 5-12, at a science camp in California for 2 semesters. For the past 2 1/2 years I have been employed as an Astronomer/Observer with M.I.T.'s Lincoln labs LINEAR program, searching for near Earth asteroids. I have wide experience and interests in both math and science. I've also taught undergraduate physics classes, substitute taught K-12, and tutored in a number of different situations.
Teaching Style
I find teaching to be an extremely rewarding activity. I immensely enjoy the process of finding the best ways to reach a particular child, especially one who is struggling with a given subject or concept. Finding ways to remove the fear of math or apathy towards learning in general and developing in the child an appreciation for of a historical perspective the are just some of the goals a good educator needs to have in mind. In my particular areas of interest, science and math, I think it's imperative for the educator to work at developing in the student a respect, understanding, and even love for the scientific process. This is essential in creating a life long desire and excitement in finding ways to understand the world and the universe from the empirical perspective.