I have been a student for almost all of my life, and throughout this time, I have found certain things that do or do not work when trying to learn. However, I discovered the most effectively when I teach what I am learning. Because of this, I have started creating study groups for classes with peers to answer their questions about the material. This has led to me being offered to be a Teaching Assistant at Hamline University for Introductory Biology as well as a high school chemistry/biology tutor. These opportunities have led me to be a more effective instructor as well as have helped me during my journey to acquire my Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Genetics, Molecular, and Cellular Biology, which I will get in May 2025.
I want to help students find enjoyment in STEM subjects because while they are difficult classes, they are so satisfying to piece together and help you see the large picture of how the world and the people living in it function. Due to wanting to be a genetics professor, I am able to tutor general biology but also be able to teach more specialized fields of biology such as genetics, cellular, and molecular biology. I do have a specialty in cancer genetics and would love to eventually find target treatments for cancers based on specific cancer-causing mutations. Taking a combination of biology and chemistry classes throughout my degree has led me to be good at seeing how everything fits together on molecular levels, which has improved my ability to teach general biology concepts.
I know I have done my job correctly when students have an Aha moment, where everything clicks into place for them. I also find this to be the most satisfying part of teaching.
I know that I don't know everything, but I am always excited to learn with my students and learn more about biology!