Brian

I have a diverse work background in biology and natural resources, from fighting wildfires to working as a research technician in a Pharmacology lab to wildlife management. I believe the most important skills to pass on to students are confidence in themselves, and the ability to think critically while solving problems on their own. I have 2 semesters' worth of teaching at the college level as well as extensive experience in one-on-one and group tutoring scenarios. I taught a total of 3 sections of College Algebra (MATH 101) at the University of Kansas to undergraduate students in the 2012-13 academic year as an employee of the Kansas Algebra Program; I was responsible for curriculum development, lecture and group work during class time, assigning and grading homework, developing a policy on late work and other behavioral expectations, maintaining office hours, and prompt and professional communication with students via e-mail and private meetings outside of class time. Other responsibilities of this employment include staffing a tutoring room where students from College Algebra or Intermediate Mathematics classes (my students and others) could sit down for tutoring as individuals or study groups, proctoring and grading class exams, and attendance of staff meetings on a weekly basis. I feel that this appointment has given me many tools as a tutor, instructor, and even as a learner myself. My applied experience tutoring and leading classes at a variety of levels combined with my knowledge of student learning styles and pedagogy make me an excellent candidate for tutoring assignments. I have the experience, knowledge, confidence, and patience to manage the needs of a wide variety of students in many fields of both mathematics and the natural sciences. As an undergraduate at a liberal arts University I gained proficiency in a wide variety of subjects including: organismal biology, molecular biology and microbiology, cell structure and function, anatomy and physiology, ecology and evolutionary biology, physics, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, algebra, calculus, and statistics. I truly enjoy helping students become better learners, in the classroom and for the rest of their lives. I am going back to school in the Fall (2015) to finish a teaching certificate so that I can become a secondary science teacher.

Spending time with my family, running, playing guitar, exploring the outdoors, reading, and much more.