My goal is to help students break down the wall that is so often built up against certain subjects. Everyone hits the "wall" at different ages and when most students do begin to struggle, they often say, "well I'm just not good at" whichever subject they are struggling with. I do not believe this is true. I think that sometimes students struggle because each person thinks in a unique way and sometimes the conventional ways subject matter is taught is not compatible with one's thinking. With an undergraduate math and biology degree and while I am pursuing a PhD in Biomathematics, I do know that there are several ways to approach each type of problem; you just have to find what works for you. I am here to share the "tricks" and think outside of the box for those who struggle to understand subjects when taught in a conventional classroom setting. I have hands-on experience tutoring college and high school level math such as Algebra I&II and Calculus I,II& Multivariable Calculus. Through my thesis work I have published peer reviewed papers on statistical methods and have tutored countless students in Statistics. I also have experience teaching high school and college level Chemistry classes from when I was a Teaching Assistant in college. In this position I would run labs and hold lectures and study sessions rather than just observe and grade assignments. I also understand those who have a packed schedule and I have learned how to manage academics, work, athletics, and a social life successfully by pairing my heavy course load in college with teaching assistant positions and being a collegiate athlete. This also allows me to coach students on time management and organization.

My background in the arts, English, Sociology, and Psychology provides me with a unique outlook to offer students. This knowledge enables me to work with students of various backgrounds. In my research and experience, I have found that the understanding of people heightens productivity, the student's understanding of the material, and the their response to the act of learning; education is not merely a necessity for life, but its advocate. For me, teaching is a way of life. My passion for teaching and the arts motivates my students to have similar passion. I encourage students to form their own opinions of their work and the information they are taught. One of the things that makes my teaching unique is my ability to be creative in the classroom. An intrinsic aspect of my teaching, I cross-train my students: cross-referencing course material with historical context, art, social morals and student experience. I expose students to all types of material and lateral ways of approaching it. I believe in empowering students to find their own understanding of material and encouraging a dynamic interpretation through analysis and experience. I take a personal interest in my students, regardless of ability, grade-point average, or seniority. Because I am honest with my students and speak to them frankly and openly, I offer respect, which is reciprocated in turn. It is my goal to inspire my students, provide them with the tools that will enable them to work (including behaving professionally and being responsible), and to assist them in any way with their aspirations. Ultimately, effective, dynamic teaching occurs when the teacher possesses three things: passion for the material and the craft of teaching, creativity, and honesty. My goal is to infuse the community with motivation to learn about, and participate in, life. By incorporating new ideas and integrating various perspectives, I endeavor to bring communities together and encourage self-awareness and growth in individuals.

I will be graduating this Spring from Virginia Wesleyan University with double degrees in political science with a prelaw track and Hispanic studies. I am passionate about legal studies and have made it my mission to expand the prelaw community on my campus and beyond. I am president of the university's prelaw society and host an LSAT study group, leading dedicated individuals in their LSAT preparation. I am equally passionate about my work in Hispanic studies. I was enrolled in a dual-immersion program and began immersive Spanish education in elementary school. I took the AP Spanish test my freshman year of high school, and while at the university, I have tutored over 45 students in their Spanish classes. I have studied abroad in Spain and intend to continue expanding my academic passion for language and culture. Test-taking is a vital skill to master at both the high school and college levels. I have achieved high scores on the LSAT, ACT, AP Spanish, AP Human Geography, AP Psychology, and AP World History exams, and I hope to help other students achieve the same.

I have been a teacher for over 25 years. However, my experience does not hinder my enthusiasm for the learning process. I believe each individual learns when he/she feels comfortable. This allows for mistakes to become stepping stones on the way to mastery and I'm here to guide through each individual process with positive reinforcement, a dash of humor and fun interactions. My passion for learning is echoed in my teaching style. I am a life-long learner and have traveled through Europe, Asia, and Latin America. I have significantly grown through my time living in Bolivia, Italy, Nepal, and Mexico. These international posts gave me the opportunity to expand my cultural knowledge and be more open-minded. I strongly believe that we all, regardless of our age or background, continue to evolve not only academically but also in our day to day interactions with each other and with our surroundings. I enjoy reading, yoga, painting, meditating, hiking, dancing, and drawing.

"I just get it the way you explain it" is a refrain I cherish in my teaching experience. I have taught all middle school academic subjects even though my degrees are in music. A passionate learner myself, I strive to share that with my students. Whether leading a classroom, instructing my own children, or teaching private music lessons, personalizing and customizing the learning experience is and always has been the ultimate goal. I hold bachelor's and master's degrees in music performance which I eventually used to get my teaching certification. I am certified to teach middle school math (including algebra), ELA, and science; math is my passion. When not teaching, I love to travel. On my bucket list are seeing the brown bears in Katmai, Alaska and polar bears in Churchill, Canada as well as Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. I cherish working with learners, facilitating the skills that will help them open doors that will maximize their potential to positively engage in our world.