Experience Summary
I've had a deep enthusiasm for mathematics and physics since an early age, when my father, a professor of physics at Dartmouth College, introduced me to the beauty and elegance of the principles underlying these fields. During my junior and senior years at Hanover High, I took courses for credit in both areas, and continued those studies at Princeton University, although ultimately I settled in a degree in psychology. After graduation, I spent one year teaching high school level mathematics at The Mountain School in Vershire, Vermont, before beginning a career in software engineering.
Teaching Style
One way to inspire a student in these fields is to touch their sense of awe and amazement, another is to instill an appreciation for the usefulness and practicality of what is being taught. With either approach, it is helpful to gain an understanding of the student's interests, attitudes and learning style. Young people are looking for adults they can trust as mentors, and I find my personal interest in them and my enthusiasm for what I am teaching combine to support their learning process. Learning is a great opportunity to build personal confidence. I love young people, adolescents in particular, and find tremendous satisfaction in their intellectual development.