I'm from Citrus County, Florida. I grew up in the Boston area, graduated from MIT in chemical engineering and then worked for many years as a chemical process engineer, so I have a strong background in math and science, especially chemistry and thermodynamics. I've also written several patents and publications that required top-notch English writing skills.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I moved to Florida and did part-time work as a chess tutor, then took a job as substitute teacher in the seven middle and high schools in our district. I enjoyed working with the students, many of whom had had difficulty learning in big classes with many disruptions and stressed-out teachers. I found that I could help these students best, especially in math and science, by using real-world examples and word problems to teach a difficult concept in a new way. Often, the student would then come away with another perspective and a much better understanding of the concept. I was happy to be able to help.