Experience Summary
I have always been a driven student, especially in math and sciences. I first discovered my passion for teaching when my high school friends started asking me to help explain chemistry problems. Later in high school, I tutored my first student in chemistry. I continued my scientific education in college and graduate school, earning a BS, MS, and PhD (2008) in chemistry. During graduate school, I served as a teaching assistant, helping professors in undergraduate chemistry courses by providing close student interaction. I supervised students in 5 laboratory courses (Basic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Instrumental Analysis) and lead discussion sections for 4 General Chemistry courses. If my students still had questions outside of the scheduled class time, they were welcome to come to my weekly office hours, where we would work on a more individual basis. I also designed quizzes and graded assignments/exams. I received exemplary evaluations from students, showing a high level of satisfaction.
Teaching Style
I really enjoy working with students on an individual basis. I have found that some students feel embarrassed about asking questions while surrounded by classmates. The one-on-one environment helps the student open up and truly benefits the student. Therefore, it is important to me to create a welcoming setting where the student will feel comfortable. Through my teaching experiences, I have observed that most students have trouble figuring out how to start chemistry problems. I like to help the student create a mental flowchart of how to approach problems. Once the student gets over that initial hurdle, his or her potential really begins to shine.