Award-Winning Tutors from Northern Illinois University

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Maribel
Certified Tutor
Maribel
MS Northern Illinois University • BA Northern Illinois University
6+ Years Tutoring

Hello!My name is Maribel. I am a graduate student at Northern Illinois University. I have a Master of Arts in English Education with a minor in Business Administration. As a tutor and teacher, I have really enjoyed working with primary and secondary school level students. I am currently working on my second Graduate level degree in Accounting and Taxation. I love learning and helping student reach their academic and life goals.My coursework in the field of literacy, reading, and writing pedagogy has uniquely prepared me to teach primary and secondary level literary criticism and research, and essay composition. As a native Spanish speaker, I also have extensive knowledge in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish and have seen great results when teaching young and adult learners.My teaching philosophy is to help learners become knowledgeable in various disciplines and I take a multi-disciplinary approach to help long-term memorization of valuable skills. I strive to create engaging learning opportunities for students in language arts while focusing on textual analysis and critical thinking skills.I am as a results-driven tutor and hope to be a positive influence in making higher education accessible to all.

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Vahid
Certified Tutor
Vahid
PhD Virginia Tech • MS Northern Illinois University
2+ Years Tutoring

As a dedicated mechanical engineer with a PhD from Virginia Tech, I have over two years of experience in teaching and tutoring, specializing in AP Physics, Calculus, Linear Algebra, and various mechanical engineering courses. My teaching philosophy is grounded in the Socratic method, fostering a dialogue that encourages students to explore concepts independently rather than relying solely on memorization. I find that grasping fundamental principles, such as vectors in statics or tensors in material behavior, is crucial for students to apply their knowledge in diverse contexts. My extensive industry experience, ranging from automotive to medical imaging, allows me to bridge theoretical concepts with real-world applications, enhancing my students' learning experience. I am passionate about creating a supportive environment where students can cultivate a genuine interest in engineering and mathematics. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy exploring technological advancements and engaging in hands-on projects that deepen my understanding of mechanical design.

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Certified Tutor
ShaVonne
BA Northern Illinois University
5+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Northern Illinois University. I received my Bachelor's in Child Development in 2016. Since graduation, I have had many memorial teaching experiences! I have served as a Lead PreK teacher, Kindergarten teacher, and First Grade teacher! While I have experience tutoring a range of elementary subjects, I am most passionate about reading and phonics. I love to read books for leisure, and I love how we can go on adventures in the classroom, using books alone.I firmly believe in active, engaging, education because learning should be fun and memorable! In my spare time I love to practice yoga, read, embroider, and crochet!

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Certified Tutor
Bridget
MS Northern Illinois University • BA Roosevelt University
1+ Years Tutoring

I received my Bachelor of science in Biology from Roosevelt University. I received my Master of Science in Biology and Doctorate in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University. Teaching Biology is my passion. I currently teach Biology at Fayetteville Technical Community College in North Carolina. During my 7 years here, I have taught Anatomy & Physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, organismal biology and general biology. My approach as a tutor is: 1. To identify and tackle the topics where students need the most understanding. 2. To help build students skill set and confidence by teaching study strategies for success in their discipline. 3. To engage the student in practice to prepare for assessment. My goal is to enhance student learning and performance, resulting in higher grades. I believe in the power of education to transform lives and families for generations. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of a student's journey toward achieving their goals.

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Certified Tutor
Kylie
BA Northern Illinois University
4+ Years Tutoring

I am a graduate of Northern Illinois University. I received my Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus in Special Education. I am licensed to teach 1-6 in all subject areas. I am currently a tutor at Huntington Learning Center and a First Grade Teacher at Welch Elementary school in Naperville. I am passionate about making learning fun and applying what is taught to real life situations. It amazes me the different ways students learn and I encourage them to be themselves. There is power in struggle, it can help shape growth mindsets and that is when light bulb moments happen. I make sure my students feel both seen and heard. They will not only gain knowledge on academic subject areas but also their self esteem will elevate.

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Certified Tutor
Kurt
BA Northern Illinois University
1+ Years Tutoring

Teaching, or in other words, motivating people to want to learn is my life's calling. I acquire knowledge for its own sake, and encourage others to do the same. I have been teaching all types of people for nearly 20 years. I was educated via life. I have traveled the world and experienced several cultures. While I did attend college and received extensive training via the military, I tend to remember many details of both the thousands of hours I have spent in the classroom, both teaching and as a student, and the world that I have observed. I believe I can teach almost anything because teaching is an intensely personal endeavor. It is my job to motivate you to want to learn whatever it is you trying to learn. From there, my job is to guide you so you can not only discover for yourself, but keep discovering beyond my influence. In general, my favorite topics to teach are history and science. In history lies the importance of why things are because of us humans. Science is raw objective knowledge.

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Certified Tutor
Kennedi
BA Northern Illinois University
2+ Years Tutoring

I'm passionate about teaching because I love working with students from diverse backgrounds. Each learner brings something unique, and it challenges me to be creative and adaptable. What inspires me most is seeing the growth in each individual, whether it's overcoming a challenge or achieving a goal, that progress fuels my passion. My goal is to ensure that both students and parents are satisfied with the learning experience, and I strive to create an environment where everyone feels supported.

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Certified Tutor
Alexander
BS Northern Illinois University
2+ Years Tutoring

My name is Alexander Cumbo and am a 22 year old undergraduate student studying both Math and Computer Science at Northern Illinois University. I am very passionate about math and programming and hope to share the joy of learning it with others. I am also half Japanese and have been studying it for about 5 years now. Although I am not as good as a native, I am more than comfortable teaching beginners and helping people get started.

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Certified Tutor
Mary
MS National Louis University • MS Northern Illinois University
4+ Years Tutoring

I am currently a second grade teacher with 24 years of teaching experience in grades K-8. I've taught self contained classes, as well as ESL resource. I'm a mom of 2 sons and 4 dogs, and I can't wait to work with you!

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Certified Tutor
Elissa
MS Elmhurst College • BA Northern Illinois University
1+ Years Tutoring

I have had the pleasure of being an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, with a background in Speech and language pathology for the past ten years. I am an enthusiastic, versatile, and compassionate educator, and advocate for my students. I strive to promote the development of all learning styles, by meeting students where they are, and providing them with developmentally appropriate, engaging, and hands-on activities. I believe in helping students become confident in who they are, so that they can achieve the growth in their area(s) of need. My objective is to provide my students with a safe, secure, and nurturing learning environment, so that they can develop a love for learning and acquire the skills to become lifelong learners.

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Certified Tutor
Iwona
EDU Northern Illinois University • EDU Jagiellonian University of Krakow
3+ Years Tutoring

Part-time professor of German and Polish, researcher, published author with a PhD in Educational Psychology and MA in Germanic Studies and Second Language Acquisition. I have 20+ years of teaching and course design experience, building tailored courses for individual needs, and creating learning and teaching materials. I am also a teacher and student mentor and coach.

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Certified Tutor
Ashley
MS Northern Illinois University • BA Northern Illinois University
4+ Years Tutoring

Whether teaching a lower-level or upper-level Spanish course, my approach to teaching Spanish has three main foci: engagement, relevance, and culture. In order for students to learn, they need to be engaged with the materials. I employ a multitude of materials that students can use to enhance their learning that goes beyond only reading from a textbook. By using videos, audio, and short stories to learn from, students are able to see the language used in a variety of contexts which keeps them interested in learning. While providing students with additional materials, I also make sure to learn about their interests so that I can teach them "me-specific" vocabulary. It is important that students not only have knowledge of common vocabulary but also vocabulary that they are likely to use when engaging with Spanish speakers. I believe that including vocabulary that is relevant to the students further increases their engagement and in turn their proficiency in the language. Finally, culture is a huge component of any language and I believe it should be seamlessly included alongside grammar instruction. By including culture into language instruction, students gain insight into idiomatic expressions, customs, and other culture-specific topics that will enrich their language learning experience.Whether in the classroom or online, I believe technology plays a vital role in improving teaching and learning. For additional practice outside of the classroom, I enjoy using web-based applications that allow students to interact with one another via video or voice-chats. This allows students to continue practicing what they have learned and to receive feedback. By constantly participating in communicative activities, students will be able to use their language skills in real-world situations and become proficient Spanish speakers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tutors who attended Northern Illinois University bring insider knowledge of the university's academic expectations, course structures, and teaching styles. They understand the rigor of NIU coursework and can help students navigate specific challenges they may encounter in their major. Beyond academics, these tutors can also share firsthand insights about campus life, study strategies that worked for them, and how to balance coursework with other commitments.

Tutors who graduated from NIU have completed rigorous coursework in their subject areas and bring real-world experience from their time at the university. Many have advanced degrees or specialized expertise in their fields. All tutors are screened and vetted by Varsity Tutors to ensure they meet our high standards for knowledge, teaching ability, and professionalism.

NIU alumni tutors span a wide range of subjects including engineering, business, education, sciences, mathematics, and humanities. Because many have completed NIU's diverse degree programs, they can provide expert support across various disciplines. Whether you're looking for help with core classes or major-specific coursework, connecting with an alumni tutor means learning from someone who has successfully navigated similar material.

Alumni tutors have lived the NIU student experience—they know the professors' expectations, the difficulty curve of major courses, and the specific challenges students encounter. This shared background creates a unique advantage: they can anticipate problem areas, explain concepts the way NIU instructors teach them, and offer strategies that worked for students in similar situations. They're not just teaching the material; they're drawing from their own journey through NIU.

Varsity Tutors makes it easy to get matched with tutors who attended NIU. When you reach out, let us know you're interested in connecting with an alumni tutor, and we'll match you with someone whose background and expertise fit your needs. The personalized matching process ensures you work with a tutor who understands both your subject and your university's academic environment.

Yes—alumni tutors are particularly valuable for course-specific preparation. Because they've taken the same or similar classes at NIU, they understand exactly what instructors expect and what topics are likely to be emphasized. Whether you're preparing for an upcoming exam, working through challenging assignments, or trying to strengthen your foundation before a major course, an NIU graduate tutor can provide targeted support based on their direct experience.

Learning from an NIU alumnus means getting guidance from someone who has successfully completed the same degree path you're on. They understand your university's culture, teaching philosophy, and academic standards in a way that outside tutors simply cannot. Beyond academic support, they can serve as mentors who have navigated the same challenges and can offer perspective on long-term success—both in your major and beyond.

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