About
Hi there! I am a former scientist who happens to enjoy English and test preparation in addition to math and science. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from Boston University, a PhD in biological chemistry from The Scripps Research Institute, and three years of postdoctoral experience at Harvard University in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The subjects in which I specialize include Test Preparation; Mathematics; General Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; English Writing, Grammar, and Literature; and Introductory Biology . As a tutor, I am patient and adept at identifying areas in which students may need extra help. My style is informal and approachable, and I relate extremely well to students ranging from elementary-school-age to working adults.
About me: I have worked as a part-time Professor of Chemistry at local colleges and universities; I tutor extensively in subjects ranging from science to English to test preparation; and I worked for many years as a scientist--performing experiments and communicating results through written and oral presentations to specialists and non specialists alike. Through these experiences, I have become expert at relating to students of all ages and educational backgrounds.
I have about three years experience in classroom teaching at the college level, but I have always loved one-on-one instruction. For the past three years, I have worked as a full-time tutor and have turored hundreds of different students in math, chemistry, biology, English language and writing, and standardized test prep. Working with individual students allows me to tailor my style and explanations to suit the needs of each student. I especially enjoy inspiring students to do their best and encouraging them to develop a love of knowledge.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
Before I begin to work with a new student, I like to communicate either with the parent of the student or the the student directly to find out more about the student's specific needs. If the student wishes to cover a particular topic, I make sure to review any material that he or she sends me to ensure that I am as prepared as I can be for the lesson; furthermore, I like to find out if the student has any specific needs of which I should be aware, including a desire to overcome test anxiety or a specific way of engaging the student that has proven successful in the past. In a first lesson, I always take my cues from the student to discern which tutoring style would best suit the situation--for example, if the student would benefit from some additional background, if the student prefers to lead the lesson, or if the student would do best with me leading the lesson in a proactive manner.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry and biology from Boston University and a PhD in biological chemistry from The Scripps Research Institute--an institution that is consistently ranked in the top 3 nationwide for graduate studies in chemistry and biology. In addition, I spent 3 years as an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University. As and undergraduate, I worked as a teaching assistant for introductor chemistry and biology, and at Harvard I spent one semester working as a teaching fellow for physical organic chemistry. Subsequently, I worked for 12 years as a Research Chemist for a national laboratory, spent one year as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, and have worked for the past 3 years as a full-time tutor, accruing more that 3,000 hours of experience tutoring hundreds of students. I am a published author of more than 25 article for specialists and the general public, and I have edited and reviewed many manuscripts for publications ranging from prestigious scientific journals to articles in World Book Encyclopedia. Since I began tutoring, I have branched out from science and math to test preparation and English writing and literature.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rate is $80 per hour.
How did you get started teaching?
While working as a scientist for a total of 22 years, I trained five undergraduates and four postdoctoral fellows. I also helped several colleagues that are non-native English speakers to edit and improve their writing. These experiences wet my appetite for teaching and prompted me to change career paths and begin working as an Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Trinity Washington University. While working at Trinity, I found that I preferred one-on-one instruction to classroom teaching, and I began to work as a private tutor.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students of all ability levels and ranging from middle-school-age to working adults. My adult students are typically working to advance their careers, for example, by completing a degree, attending graduate or professional school, or obtaining teaching certification.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Two years ago, I began tutoring a student, initially in prealgebra. This student wanted to become a scientist but said that he hated fractions. Over time, my role as his tutor expanded to include not only math, but also English and French. One day, I mentioned in passing that I keep a special notebook in which I write down words that I do not know, along with their primary, secondary, and sometimes tertiary definitions; in addition, I write an original sentence that illustrates the meaning of the word. One or two lessons later, I used a word with which my student was not familiar. He immediately lept up and grabbed a notebook and recorded the word, telling me that I had inspired him to improve his vocabulary. Recently, this same student told me that he remembers with wonderwent a time when he used to say that he hated fractions.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I recommend that students search lists of tutors tutots on the basis of ratings rather than more ambiguous criteria such as "best fit." I also recommend reading testimonials that the tutor's students have written and talking on the phone with the tutor to guage whether or not the student and tutor would be a good fit for each other.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Students should try to identify specific topics that they would like to cover and dig up copies of old tests and homework assignments to help pinpoint these topics. Students should also think about what sort of teaching style they are looking for; for example, would a tutor who takes the lead in a lesson be better than one who lets the student take the lead.