Smile And Learn Tutoring
About
I have a B.S. from Santa Clara University in Environmental Science, and a Master's from Cal Poly Pomona in Urban Sustainability. I am a STEM educator and love teaching science, reading, writing, and math.
My goal is to make learning fun and stress-free for students. I want them to enjoy the process of getting to the right answers, not just the end result. I've worked with students of all ages and all different backgrounds, and strive to customize each tutoring experience to what works best for that specific student. I take the time to learn about the student and their learning style before jumping in.
I love those spark moments when a student's eyes shine with understanding. The moment it finally clicks in their head. After being frustrated about not understanding something, but then taking the time to break it down and figure out what doesn't make sense and finally get it. Those are the best moments. I also love being someone that students can look up to and see that learning doesn't have to be stressful or frustrating, it can genuinely be fun!
Highlights
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I love to schedule a call with the parent first to learn the needs of the student, and then have the student join in to talk to me about their learning style and what they want out of the tutoring. I then make a written plan and send it to the family to approve, and once we all agree on the process, we can begin tutoring!
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an Undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from Santa Clara University, and a Master's of Science from Cal Poly Pomona. From 2015-2017 I worked in a 4th grade classroom as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) educator. For the past two years, and currently, I manage a traveling STEM program that goes to over 50 classrooms around the state of Utah each year to provide high-quality STEM programs to students.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
We can negotiate prices based on need, but 30-minute sessions generally start at $12, and 1-hour programs start at $20
How did you get started teaching?
My younger sister and I would always dress up and pretend to be teachers when we were younger, and I'd help her with her homework. As I got older, every job I applied for way always in education. I started as an environmental educator at Penn State, but have since worked many different jobs in the education field, with my current position focusing on STEM.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked with students of all ages and abilities. I worked in an autism-spectrum classroom for 2 years teaching STEM, and since my current position travels to schools all over the state, I interact will a diverse blend of students every day.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Recently I was able to host a virtual engineering challenge with some kids from my neighborhood who were bored at home due to Covid. I challenged them to use certain materials to build a structure up to their knee that could stand alone. One student got so excited about it, she later decorated her structure to be the Barbie-dream-house that her parents wouldn't buy her. I loved the creativity and joy around learning!
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure to have a very honest and open conversation with your potential tutor beforehand. Tell them the areas you struggle in, how you like to learn, any things you might be nervous about. Then listen to their answers. If you like what you hear and you feel like this tutor could genuinely help you learn the way that works best for you, you may have found your match!