I am a graduate teaching fellow and PhD candidate in literary and cultural studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. As an instructor, researcher and student, I focus primarily on Victorian, transatlantic, fantasy and children's literature, although my research interests are even more varied and stretch to include gender, composition, modernist and animal studies. Although I spend part of my time at Duquesne continuing my education, my most rewarding experiences come from my time as an instructor and writing center consultant. I have spent the past year instructing first-year students in their core English classes, where I used both classic texts and young adult fiction to help engage all of my students. The students used these works of literature to untangle the relationship between fantasy and reality, while also honing their writing, critical thinking and research skills for their future classes and eventual careers. I also had the opportunity to work with faculty members, upper and lower classmen and ESL students in the campus' Writing Center. As a consultant, I helped clients to revise and proofread their work while also helping them to learn how to use the writing skills for themselves.Previous to my acceptance at Duquesne University, I earned my Master of Arts in critical and cultural studies at the University of Pittsburgh. As a student at Pitt, I worked as a graduate student researcher with the Learning Research and Development Center. At this prestigious institution, I had the opportunity to learn and gain exposure to the Center's plethora of educational research, in addition to acting as a teaching assistant, proofreader and researcher. While I completed my master's degree, I also worked with numerous students on the critical reading and writing portions of the SAT, although I also frequently worked with students on college entrance essays and classwork. I began my post-secondary education by completing my Bachelor of Arts in English with a secondary education certification at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. I also graduated magna cum laude and I earned minors in biology and psychology.Although my time in the PhD program gives me ample opportunities to both instruct and learn, I have found myself eager to use even more of my free time to share my love of knowledge with others and learn more along the way. I have a deep passion for knowledge and discovery and firmly believe that they hold the keys to success for all individuals. My enthusiasm and ability to adapt to different individuals' needs allow me to make a connection with all of my clients and help them to not only meet their goals, but to enjoy the process along the way. I enter into all of my client interactions with the goal that I will always bring about a positive effect, which I accomplish by personalizing the sessions for each and every client and working to empower each client with the skills necessary for success and not just the correct answers.I have always loved learning; however, I have many other interests that supplement my professional life. I am a devoted wife to my husband of almost a year and devoted mother to our two Siberian huskies, Isa and Bogie. As a family, we love to spend our free time traveling, sight-seeing, hiking and visiting our extended families. We particularly enjoy visiting museums that focus on Ancient Egypt, paleontology, natural history, WWII, the Titanic and the Victorian Era. We are also passionate about animals and make conservation a large part of our travels, especially by helping with zoo and aquarium education efforts. When I am not enjoying the company of my family though, I read anything and everything that I can and enjoy dancing and playing the violin. Finally, as a true Pittsburgher, I am always rooting on the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pirates and Steelers.

Every student can learn and has the right to learning opportunities that engage them in worthwhile and cognitively demanding tasks. Through such experiences, students develop more than just content knowledge, they grow as thinkers and problems solvers. They grow confidence and a sense of agency.

Tutoring is something that has been a passion of mine ever since high school. I started tutoring in middle school, working weekends at a company called Kumon, which helps students master English and math. When I got into college, I worked as a tutor teaching students biology and organic chemistry. I was also a teacher's assistant for a freshman biology class. Upon graduation, I decided to work in a charter school as a tutor, helping underprivileged students with high school math. Throughout my journey as a tutor, I have learned and valued the differences between each student. I fully believe that my experiences have battle-tested me to the point where I can look at any student and devise an effective plan to foster improvement. When I tutor, I put 100 percent of myself and treat each student with extreme care. I love nothing more than watching others grow, and knowing that I helped a long the way is the greatest feeling.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in mathematics at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, I have worked for two semesters as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant in Introductory Physics for engineers, mainly focusing on calculus-based physics. Outside of Pitt, I have also tutored many private clients in subjects such as calculus, differential equations, physics, statistics, or introductory psychology. In my experience, I have found teaching physics to be the most fun and engaging subject to teach, as it allows for more connections and visualization of topics that many only see in a textbook. My tutoring style aligns with this idea, and I try to find ways to connect the material to real world examples as much as possible. In my free time, I enjoy watching or playing baseball, playing video games, running, or lifting weights.

Hi, I am Nafis. I have Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master degree in Robotics and a PhD in Physics. I received my PhD from University of Pittsburgh, focused on Physics Education Research. I have taught Engineering subjects for about 3 years and worked as a Physics TA/TF fro about 2 years. I like to teach and also like to help students which is reason for my PhD specialization. I teach Physics, Math and Engineering courses.

I've worked as a tutor for about 8 years. I have a BS in Biology, BA in Political Science, and minors in Chemistry and Studio Arts. I'll be attending medical school in the fall.

I believe that is important to foster the social,emotional and academic growth of children in a developmentally appropriate,supportive, and caring manner.

I am a current undergraduate student at the University of Pittsburgh. I am studying Applied Mathematics, with a concentration in Theoretical Statistics and World History. I currently tutor other undergrad students at the tutoring center on campus and have been doing so for the last five months. I enjoy tutoring students in a wide range of subjects, but I have the most fun tutoring students in Calculus 1 and College Algebra. I believe that earning a high score on homework assignments and exams is important, but being able to see a student firmly understand a concept is where I gain my most enjoyment. In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym, reading, and playing video games with my friends.

I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in philosophy, with special honors from the department. Within philosophy, my interests are in logic, the philosophy of math, the philosophy of language, and ethics - each broadly construed. Outside of philosophy, I have interests in writing, generally; mathematics; language in general, but the French language in particular; programming computers; and politics and the law, among others.In my final semester, I was permitted to lead three recitations for an introductory philosophical/mathematical logic course. It was this experience that made me aware of two things: 1) I enjoy teaching and 2) For many students, more is learned in a 1-on-1 setting than in a classroom full of one's peers. This is due, I think, to the personalization of the learning process that is not justly possible in a full classroom. It would not be fair for a teacher in such an environment to answer just one student's questions, and tailor future lessons according to the needs of that student! However, in a 1-on-1 setting, the sole concern of the teacher is to help a single student achieve their academic goals. I am not happy unless my student is happy, which fact is the driving force behind the success of my students.

Hello,My name is Aaron and I am currently a senior at the University of Pittsburgh Majoring in Finance and Business Information Systems and Minoring in Statistics and Economics. I have lots of relevant tutoring experience for math and statistics and I hope to build on that experience with you or you child. Feel free to look at my profile and resume to see my job experience and accomplishments. If you have any questions feel free to reach out.

My parents taught me the value and importance of having a good education. I have learned from experience why that was important to them. It wasn't always easy but making a serious effort and spending quality time on my academic work, often with someone who understood better than I did, made me a better student. It also made me more successful in my life and in my career. For more than 20 years I have tutored, counseled and mentored middle school and high school students and I enjoy spending time with them. In many ways, they have tutored, counseled and mentored me as well. My formal, post-secondary education came from the US Naval Academy, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh in the fields of English, Math, Counseling, Psychology and Administration. I learned a lot about myself and about life from these educational experiences. No one can ever take away from you what you truly know and understand. Everyone can learn.Among my many interests are sports, fitness, all aspects of music, theater, concerts, movies and gardening.

I have been a teacher for 40 years. It is my calling. I enjoy meeting new students and helping them achieve their goals.

Hi! I'm currently a medical student at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. I graduated summa cum laude in April 2020 from the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Neuroscience, B.S. with honors in Psychology, B.A. in French, minor in Chemistry and certificate in Conceptual Foundations of Medicine. I love teaching and tutoring people in topics of all kinds and have done so since freshman year of high school when I began working as a private tutor and a junior teacher at a local learning center. Working with students is a passion of mine since I love learning, teaching and getting to know new people as well. I believe education is an important part of life and strive to give all my students a solid foundation to the best of my ability.

I am a Live Artist, critical writer, and poet. I hold a BA in English Writing with an emphasis on poetry from the University of Pittsburgh. In September 2014, I successfully completed an MA in Performance & Visual Practices from the University of Brighton, UK. From 2007-2013, I taught full time conversational English classes at a public middle school in Seoul, South Korea. While I am comfortable tutoring a range of subjects, I am most passionate about Critical & Cultural Theory, Creative & Critical Writing, Performance Studies, and Theatre. Any subjects or areas involving the arts and culture are of particular interest to me. Teaching is about sharing, so my personal style reflects my work and interests. I am a lifelong learner and view education as an opportunity through which to grow. In my free time, I love to read nonfiction, visit galleries, cook spicy Korean food for my friends, practice foreign languages, and travel.

I am currently attending the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. I have experience tutoring children as small as 3 years of age to 18 year olds in a variety of different subjects. Whether it be tutoring someone in reading comprehension or math or biology, one thing is clear: Learning is easy, as long as you are interested and motivated. All you have to do is stay determined and keep thinking, "I CAN DO THIS!"

Although my Bachelor's Degree is in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and I plan to become a physical therapist, I am passionate about giving back in one of the most important ways that I know: through education. And it is my goal (and hope) to make learning fun! I grew up with School House Rock and many other learning videos that I can still recite, because, for me, it was fun. In the past, I have helped students come up with cheers, chants, rhymes, and even dances to help remember a concept. While in Pittsburgh, I volunteered at the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club for three years, where I had the opportunity to help mentor and tutor elementary- and middle-school aged children. I've helped students tackle subjects ranging from reading comprehension and vocabulary to Algebra and many others in between. I have also helped high school and college students with essay writing and editing, including proofreading for grammar and spelling, syntax, paragraph structure, and maintaining tense, point-of-view, and voice. My tutoring style is very interactive and cooperative, where I allow the student to walk me through their thinking process as I share with them tricks, tips, and mnemonics. I often refer to the quote of "teaching a person how to fish" rather than just giving them the fish.I am very flexible as far as scheduling and availability, I am reliable and punctual, and I am resourceful. In my free time, I love to stay active through soccer, running, and dance. I also really enjoy music whether it's live concerts or performances, videos, or the radio. Since moving back to Atlanta, I am also really interested in exploring all the city has to offer.

I'm a Chemical Engineering graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (Class of 2021)mand received a full tuition merit scholarship to attend. I have tutored high school and college students in Math, Spanish, French, Chemistry, and Physics. I got my start in tutoring in high school when I would help my friends study for tests. I realized how much I liked it, and I continued tutoring through college. My favorite subjects to tutor are Math, Chemistry, Spanish, and French.

Strategy is something that is very important to me. In my free time, I enjoy activities and games which demand focus and forethought. While I was a student completing the IB diploma, a bachelor's in music and Russian literature, and a master's degree in historical musicology, I learned that each project and assignment requires planning and strategic forethought to achieve the best result. In my time teaching music theory and history in the classroom at the University of Pittsburgh, it translated to developing personalized lesson plans to find the most effective means of teaching for students. Individual attention and effective communication are vital for learning, and it is my position as a teacher and tutor to ensure that this happens. In addition to IB and AP music classes, I am available to tutor a wide variety of writing subjects including college essays and the IB extended essay as well as literature and reading comprehension at all grade levels. Additionally, I can help students prepare for the verbal component for the GRE. As such, I will develop a strategy that will best help each individual student with whom I will work. I look forward to being able to support and assist students for Varsity Tutors!

I am a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering, and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Master's in bioengineering. Stemming from my strong childhood interest in biology, I have worked for years in research labs focused on neurology. Writing, editing, and publishing, both research papers as part of lab work and pieces intended for lay audiences, has deepened my appreciation for the importance of excellence in writing - and not just in science. My study of Teaching as Research enabled me to excel as a graduate-level teaching assistant, where I enjoyed one-on-one time with students to help them refine their drafts into carefully-crafted academic papers. I think it is important to understand, to impart upon students, that knowledge is not just about facts; it is about seeing how individual pieces of information fit into larger frameworks, how those frameworks repeat across different fields of study, and how systemic thinking underlies mastery of any subject. In my off time, I volunteer at the Maryland Zoo, and enjoy reading, writing, long walks, and disc golf.

My name is Anameeka (Annu). I completed my high school education at Green Hope High School and the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Currently, I am a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh looking to pursue the pre-med track as a Neuroscience major. In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, playing the piano, writing, reading, listening to music, etc.Teaching is one of my favorite things to do. It is not only a way for me to reinforce my understanding of material, but also a way for me to give back to my community through collaboration and sharing of knowledge. A big reason for my love of teaching is my passion for understanding people's minds and their ways of thinking. I hope we can grow together! :)

I graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Political Science from Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in New England. I am blessed to have done three semesters abroad, the last at the Jagiellonian Universitys School for Polish Language and Culture in Krakow, Poland where the high quality of teaching has been a great example for me in my own teaching. I volunteered for two years as a teachers assistant in an ESL class for adult immigrants. I love languages, especially our own rich English language. Shakespeare has a huge fan in me! As does Vergil; in college, I carried extra credits and after college had private tutoring session specifically because I wanted the opportunity to read The Aeneid in its original language. I am eager to work one on one with students, to evaluate their personal needs and address them, to help them to the joy of understanding and success.

As a two-time graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, I have had the chance to work for several amazing companies and live around the world. I have worked for several great companies like American Eagle, Ford and Disney. I've lived all over, from South Korea, to Southern California to New Jersey. Now back in the city of brotherly love, I work part-time as a marketer, run my own stationery and design business, and care for my young son. Taking care of my son has reawakened my desire to help people learn.While in graduate school and living in South Korea, I tutored students of all ages in grammar, reading comprehension and conversation. This was some of the most rewarding work I've done and I'm so glad to return to it. I think my my patience, creative approach, and ability to connect with students has made me a successful tutor and person. Also, I really enjoy reaching students on their level to help them improve and reach their goals, both academically and professionally.

I am qualified to tutor students in the area of high school and freshman college chemistry because I am a part-time chemistry instructor at King's College and Bloomsburg University of PA. I have been teaching in some capacity for over 20 years. In addition to teaching lecture and lab courses, I also teach on-line courses. In terms of tutoring experience, I have tutored at the high school, college, and post-graduate levels. I also used a chemistry tutor when I was in college, so have been on both sides of the "desk."When not working, I am busy with my family. I am involved with my 3 children's school and extracurricular activities. I was recently hooked on the Bones TV show because of the forensic aspect and interesting characters.

As an educator, I have nearly four years of teaching experience during my Bachelor's. My fellow classmates always enjoyed learning mathematics from me. A Bachelor of Engineer Degree in Biotechnology from PESIT (India), and currently pursuing Master of Science in Biostatistics from University of Pittsburgh, have provided me with the requisite skills to assist students as they grow as academics and researchers. I tutor for mathematics and graduate level statistics. I have worked with students of all ability levels, including those with specific learning needs and gifted learners.My philosophy on education and tutoring is student-centered; my goal is to support students in not only learning and understanding, but in developing work ethic, studying and note-taking skills, and self-advocacy. I have a passion for mathematics.Outside of the classroom, hobbies include reading, running, cooking, baking, badminton, dancing, singing and yoga. I enjoy being physically active and spending time outside.

I'm a first-year med student at Pitt Med. I graduated from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts with a BS in Biology this past May. As much as I love medicine and the hard sciences, most of my tutoring experience is in general ACT prep, in addition to academic and creative writing, middle school math and reading, and high school and college math. Some of my favorite all-time classes were medical sociology in college and AP US Government and Politics in high school. Through Tufts, I taught English as a second language (3 semesters) and citizenship exam prep (1 semester) to Hispanic immigrants and refugees, which taught me a lot about how to gauge students' understanding, teach tough subjects, plan activities, provide flashcards and the best possible study materials, and make the most of the students' time. I love tutoring because I know how much a tutor's patience one-on-one can make the difference. I love sharing my study tips and test-taking strategies so they can study efficiently and make the best use of their time to get that desired result. I want students to feel heard and supported and help them find methods best suited to them. I want to help students enjoy learning and find more confidence in themselves through mastering tough subject matter.

I graduated from Penn State in 2010 with a degree in English and a minor in Philosophy. After Penn State, I attended Pitt for a year to obtain my teaching certification in English and Communications. I am also certified to teach Social Studies on the secondary level. Currently, I am working towards my M. A. in English through Middlebury College's low-residency program, Bread Loaf School of English. I first became interested in teaching and tutoring when I worked at the Undergraduate Writing Center at Penn State, where I worked with student writing in a variety of disciplines. I worked with a range of students, too, from non-native English speakers to struggling writers to honors students and even graduate students. I absolutely love writing--I have written for local newspapers, campus publications, and even a section of a textbook. Working with students at all stages of the writing process is probably the most rewarding work I do. However, I also really enjoy tutoring in reading and have a great deal of experience working to prepare students for tests like the PSSA's and SAT's. I am best at tutoring in these subjects because I love them so much. I read and write for pleasure and believe passionately in the importance of literacy. When working with students, I always bring my enthusiasm for the written word to the lesson because I believe it is important for them to see how much I enjoy the content so that they can engage with it more readily. I also really enjoy science-fiction; I love animals (especially my pet cat); and I love to hike or spend time in nature.

My educational experience includes a Bachelor's in Chemistry from King's College, a Master's in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Master's in Instruction Technology from Bloomsburg University.I've been tutoring and teaching since 1988. I love to work with students in the areas of Physics, Chemistry, and Math.My goal is to help students gain the skills they need to succeed in their courses. Most importantly, I want them to understand the subject, not just to know tricks for a particular test.Outside of work, I enjoy drawing and painting.

Im Alejandro, PhD in Latin American Literature. For the last 6 years I have taught various undergraduate courses including humanities and social sciences. My broad experience in strengthening students skills on writing, speaking and reading helps them comprehend while enjoying Latin American culture and way of life. I challenge my students to become independent learners engaging with them in interesting, real life conversations that diversify, not only their language, but also personal skills.

I'm passionate about helping students succeed in a way that works best for them. I believe in creating a relaxed, non-judgmental space where you can feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and growing at your own pace. No matter your learning style or needs, I'll adapt to find the approach that helps you understand the material and reach your goals.

Learning can be fun! :) I hope I can guide you, expand your knowledge, and mentor you through your journey. I have a Bachelor's in Communication and Rhetoric, with a Theater Minor and Interest in Business. I am currently taking Harvard Business online courses as prep before I apply for an MBA.

My goal is to provide students with as much knowledge as I can through the subjects that I am best at. I am a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a B.S. in Natural Sciences including a disciplinary base in Psychology, concentrations in Neuroscience and Chemistry, and a minor in Sociology. I will be starting a M.S. in Counseling Psychology program in January. I am available to tutor in Biology, Psychology, Algebra, Neuroscience and other subjects.

Hi everyone, my name is Michael. I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. My tutoring strengths are in Mathematics, Computers, and Sciences. I am enthusiastic about teaching and have a background in instructing students of all ages. The pace is no issue, and if you're behind in school, I am willing to spend as much time as necessary to get you up to speed. I am very flexible with scheduling. Please come to me with any questions or concerns you might have. I look forward to meeting you!

As a tutor with Varsity Tutors, I hope to use my knowledge to teach students in need. I love being a tutor because getting to help others achieve academic success is a very rewarding. I enjoy being able to pass along the things that helped me to do well in my classes to other students who will benefit from them. In regards to my tutoring style, I am very big on allowing my students to actively learn. I believe that this is the best way for my students to learn because it helps them pick up on new information and skills quickly.

Welcome to Varsity Tutors! My name is Katherine, but you can call me Katie. I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Moravian College and a Master of Science in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the University of Pittsburgh. I have tutored throughout my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I am currently working at Drexel University College of Medicine as a Research Assistant. Our lab is predominately researching HIV.I have loved science since I watched "Outbreak" as a child. It is so fascinating that something as small as a virus or bacteria can wreck so much havoc on the body. I finish off my nerd pedigree with a love for StarTalk Radio, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and the Big Bang Theory.In my spare time I enjoy running (I've run 5 half marathons and had to recently stop training for a full marathon due to a stress fracture in my foot), hanging out with friends, and exploring Philadelphia.I like to tutor by having conversations with students. I don't pretend to have all of the answers, but together I hope to be able to work through any questions that you may have. Memorization and understanding are two different things, and the more you understand the more you'll remember!

My name is Vivek, and I'm currently a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Neuroscience. My experiences in tutoring have come from working at a nearby center called "Perfect Tutors" and from helping classmates at my after school academic resource center.I really enjoy getting to know and helping kids learn. I've worked with kids from the age of 4 in summer camps up to high schoolers. Whether I'm teaching Math, Science, or Reading, the best part about my job is seeing when a kid understands a concept after struggling for so long.

I am a current third-year student at the University of Pittsburgh studying towards the degree of a B.S. in Health Informatics. I started off my tutoring by tutoring my friends and other students at my local library after high school. During this time, I used to work with 3-4 students by helping them with difficult problems and providing them with very useful tips and tricks to rapidly improve their math scores on the SAT. Later, I went on to start tutoring 1-on-1 through various online tutoring platforms. After seeing the improved results of the students I tutored, I can confidently say that I am very passionate about tutoring in SAT and ACT Test Prep in all sections. As a strong advocate of education, I firmly believe in the necessity of high-quality tutoring for standardized testing, an important factor in obtaining higher education. It is my sincere endeavor to instill this profound appreciation for learning within all my students.

My name is Max Adams, and I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's degree in History, with a concentration in Latin American Studies and minors in Portuguese; Luso-Brazilian Culture and Religious Studies. For over two years, I've served as a policy debate instructor with the Broome County Debate Alliance, where I teach students how to construct arguments, engage critically with opposing viewpoints, and research complex topics. I also specialize in tutoring AP English Language and Composition, AP Literature and Composition, U.S. Government and Politics, and academic writing. My areas of academic writing expertise include argumentative, persuasive, and comparative essays, among others. Drawing on my academic training and teaching experience, I help students navigate the writing process with clarity, confidence, and purpose. I'm passionate about fostering critical thinking and strong communication skills, and I often incorporate my interest in Brazilian social movement history to encourage students to think globally and engage deeply with any given material.

Real Estate Analyst for Crown Castle. Bachelor's in English and Film/Video from Penn State.Experienced GMAT Tutor starting his MBA next year.

Hi, I'm Savannah! I am just finishing the final semester of my undergraduate work at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education where I studied Applied Developmental Psychology. I will be starting my graduate program in the summer at the same school focusing on Instruction and Learning. I have always had a passion for teaching and learning that has been further developed during my time in the CASE program at Pitt where we focused on learning not only how to teach well but also how to serve the overlooked populations of our society through education. My underlying goal as an educator is to bring social change to my classroom, in the lives of the individual students, in the school culture as a whole, and ultimately somewhere within the greater education system. I want each of my students to know their worth and their value, to feel loved and respected, and to feel welcome and safe. I want to teach them how to read, but even more than that I want to teach them how to be successful and equip them with the tools necessary to achieve that success. My goal is to carry over this philosophy in my tutoring too!

I have received a BS in Cell and Molecular Biology with a minor in History from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI. I am currently pursuing a MS in Infectious Disease and Microbiology with an emphasis in counter bioterrorism from the University of Pittsburgh. I first began tutoring a girl with cerebral palsy who was unable to write and worked with her for over ten years and watched her progress to writing letters to full sentences. I also helped her with simple math and reading abilities. In high school I was a part of the National Honor Society and for community service I volunteered at the local elementary school where I helped K-5 with spelling, phonics, reading, math, and science. Students of varying age groups would sit at one table and I would help each one individually, staying on my toes going from one subject to the next. In high school I was also the associate editor of our school news magazine for two years and I took several Advanced Placement classes- US History, European History, English Language and Composition, Biology, BC Calculus, and US Government and Politics. In high school I was also a TA for an AP government and politics class where I helped students with their work in class. At Grand Valley I tutored a young boy in reading for two years, grades 3-5. He was uninterested in the things they read at school, but loved history and bugs; so to improve his reading skills he would read encyclopedia entries about bugs or short history stories to me. I made sure he was enunciating correctly, sounding out words properly, and not skipping over words. I was also a TA for a microbiology lab class, there I taught students how to focus microscopes and assisted with experimental procedures.I have confidence in tutoring a wide range of subjects and ages because I love to learn and love helping others learn. Seeing someone struggle for so long and have them finally ‘get it’ is amazing to watch as their confidence grows and they blossom as a person. My favorite subjects to teach are History, Geography, Cell and Molecular Biology, and Microbiology. I find science in general a fascinating subject because I enjoy understanding how our world functions and how everything interacts. History I enjoy attempting to understand how certain events happened and how those events shaped the future. In general I enjoy understanding how something works at the basic level because I think it gives me a better understanding of things further down the line; whether that be understanding how a cell functions in an organism or how we pronounce certain letters to form a word.I think that the key to successful learning is making whatever subject you are studying relevant to you, or if you are tutoring making that subject interesting and applicable to the student. For example, you can use baseball metaphors in geometry if the student is interested in sports or the functions of a cell to working parts of an engine if the student enjoys cars. I understand that some students are auditory learners and work better with pneumonic devices, while others are visual learners and work best with concept maps or flashcards. It is critical to tailor my style to each student’s needs and interests in order to help them succeed. The way I explained multiplying decimals may not work the next week when I try to explain multiplying fractions, for example, I have to be malleable to the student’s needs.Outside of school and studying I enjoy hiking, nature photography, baking, cooking, and dancing. I also enjoy reading a wide variety of books including biographies, fiction, nonfiction, historical fiction, mystery, war, and romance. My favorite book is Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith because he wrote in such a way that was refreshing and the story line kept you guessing and actively engaged.