PH.D. CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERISTY CHEMICAL ENGINEER IS TUTORING STEM SUBJECTS FOR STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, AND GRADUATE SCHOOL

My Approach to Tutoring

I was once in the same shoes of many varsity tutors' students. I was struggling to learn my subjects and preparing for the SAT standardized test. I came from a rural high school (DuBois, PA) with no AP classes and I was projected that engineering would be too difficult for me and that I should pursue something less rigorous. I ended up graduating with a Honors degree in chemical engineering and a minor in mathematics from the Pennsylvania State University. I then received a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University doing all of my research work with Sandia National Laboratories. I achieved these goals by setting high expectations for myself and striving every day to meet these expectations.

I am a tutor that predominantly focuses on mathematics, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, and The ACT/SAT math section. I really do not have a favorite subject here. I just enjoy teaching students who desire to learn and improve themselves.

When I was an undergraduate student as well as a teaching assistant in graduate school teaching first semester students, I could take a person the night before the exam that had no clue of what was going on in class and help them achieve a B on the exam the next day.

Standardized tests such as the SAT/ACT exam are comprised of various courses in high school and I cannot teach someone everything they need to know in one night or if a person is weeks behind in the understanding of the course material. Whether it is a standardized test or learning another subject; an assessment must be determined of where the student is currently in their understanding of the material. Next a game plan must be put together to get the student from where they are at to where they want to go. The fact of the matter is unless a student has always struggled in mathematics since kindergarten, they can achieve a perfect or near perfect score on the SAT/ACT mathematics section. The only traits that are required are high level of expectations as well as the desire and effort to achieve those expectations.

When it comes to solving problems, I will always ask the student on how they would solve a particular problem. Their answers can range that they definitely know how to solve it to they have absolutely no idea. I would then guide them along through each problem with the goal to have them understand a correct approach needed and to instill in the student a better understanding of the material as time goes along.

As far as more information about myself, I am a person that enjoys learning and growing in all pursuits and my favorite hobby is working out and lifting weights at my local Planet Fitness.