About
I have a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry and an M.S. in Biology. I have been teaching chemistry and biology courses at the college level as a teaching assistant (TA) for over five years and have outstanding teaching performance reviews. In the Spring 2020 semester at UNC Charlotte I spearheaded the use of virtual teaching tools for the biology lab courses, which turned out to be highly successful and I am very comfortable with tutoring online as well as in-person. I have an electronic drawing tablet and stylus that allow me to write on an interactive white board that is shared with the student via zoom.
I am a genuine science nerd at heart. I love learning concepts at a deep level and also enjoy conveying these concepts on to others to help them truly understand the science and why it's such a fantastic field of study. My favorite courses in college were my physical chemistry courses, but I have also developed a love of biology and my career interests are now centered on biochemical pathways (inflammatory disease) research. After I graduated with a Ph.D. I worked at a pharmaceutical company for three years, became a team leader, and then decided that my true interests lie in research. That is how I ended up back in graduate school, recently completing a Master's degree in biology at UNC Charlotte. I have taken a postdoctoral position at UNC Chapel Hill and so I now live in Chapel Hill. I am happy to meet virtually or in-person on the UNC campus. I look forward to meeting you and helping you learn chemistry and biology. :)
Laura
I love helping students learn science concepts and ideas! We always need more creative and engaged students in the STEM fields. I enjoy connecting concepts to ideas that students are more broadly interested in as well.
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Rebecca P.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I like to first learn about their academic interests and what their future career aspirations are to get an idea of where science concepts may fit into their future. I also like to learn about how much they have so far enjoyed learning science, whether they are currently or are considering becoming a science major in college, and gauge where the student's interest currently is on the course and topics we will be covering together. I hope to of course improve their skills and knowledge on the course material but also inspire them to become a life-long learner and to never stop expressing curiousity, asking questions, and thinking creatively.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I currently hold a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a B.S. in chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill, and in December of 2020 will hold a Master's degree in Biology from UNC Charlotte. I have taught lab courses at the college level for over 5 years and have aways tried to go above and beyond to help my students learn the course material and cultivate an interest in science, whether they are science majors or not. As an aside I have also helped to tutor middle and high school students in my neighborhood while I was in college.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I currently charge:
$37 - 45 minute session
$50 - 1 hour session
How did you get started teaching?
I began tutoring my neighbors during summers while I was in college (working on my bachelor's degree in Chemistry) and while also lifeguarding at the YMCA.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with middle, high school, and college students from many different backgrounds and interests.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would advise searching for someone with a large knowledge base on the subject, and who genuinely enjoys teaching and interacting with students!
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I would simply advise ensuring that the question is asked in a respectful manner. There are no "stupid" questions if the intent is respectful.