Kimberly
I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a bachelor's of science in Biology. After graduation I went directly to California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), and I will be finishing my master's of science in Biology this coming spring. My strong background in the sciences has prepared me to teach a wide range of subjects, including math and writing, but I am most passionate about the biological and life sciences. I have a wealth of research experience that helps me bring a lot of the more abstract concepts into real world scenarios. I have more than two and a half years of experience teaching general biology to non-major students, and through this I have learned the importance of making different subjects universally approachable for a variety of learners. I love learning, it is a major reason I am pursuing my advanced degrees with the goal of becoming a professor. By allowing students to grasp the importance of a given subject on a personal level, I hope to make students more excited about the adventure of learning. Life is all about balance, so in my free time I love rock climbing, camping, reading, playing board and card games, and being active.
University of California-Los Angeles - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
California State University-Long Beach - Master of Science, Biology, General
College Biology
College English
Ecology
High School Biology
High School English
Life Sciences
Other
Summer
What is your teaching philosophy?
Teaching independence and how to study without simply memorizing is just as important as teaching the material. In order to learn, the student needs to understand the actual concepts and then build off of those ideas to be able to answer any type of question that could be asked on the subject.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
First sessions usually include going over recent tests and assignments. For me, I want the student to tell me what they are struggling with, and we can build from there. While parents often have a general sense of what the problem is, it is the student who knows exactly what they are struggling with, and asking them directly is much more important to establish that independence needed to feel empowered in school.
