Jennifer Mary

Certified Tutor

With over two decades of teaching experience, I bring both depth of knowledge and a calm, structured approach to my work with students. I specialize in high school and college-level biology, with particular experience in anatomy, physiology, and forensic science. Evolution is my favorite topic to teach. It's where cell biology, genetics, ecology, and molecular biology come together to tell the story of life on Earth.

I wasn't always confident in science myself. As an atypical learner, I once believed I wasn't "good at science" until passionate mentors helped me see how methodical practice and curiosity could unlock complex ideas. That turning point shaped not only my understanding of biology, but also how I support students today.

I've taught students in the classroom, one-on-one, and small group settings, both in person and online. My work includes helping students tackle large volumes of make-up work after illness or athletic commitments, using strategies like visualization, note-taking, and outlining to break difficult material into manageable parts. I ask for feedback regularly and adapt my instruction to meet different learning styles.

My academic background includes two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of New Haven (Forensic Science and Biology) and a Master of Science in Biology from Central Connecticut State University, with an emphasis on education. While I completed Connecticut's Alternate Route to Certification, I chose to stay in the private school classroom where I've taught for the past twenty years.

Outside the classroom, I stay closely connected to students' lives through coaching high school sports, including swimming, ski racing, and crew. These roles remind me that academic success doesn't happen in a vacuum, it thrives in an environment where students feel understood, supported, and motivated.