Personal Description:

I hold a BSc in zoology and a PhD. in Environmental Biology, both from the University of Guelph. My graduate research was on the population dynamics of the emerald ash borer beetle at Point Pelee National Park in Leamington, Ontario.

I am without question a science nerd; although I excel in biology, I remain fascinated by (and knowledgeable in) the additional intertwined core sciences of mathematics, chemistry, and physics. My main tutoring focus is on helping high school students achieve success in the abovementioned courses, but I am also available to tutor elementary students in their more general STEM classes.

Tutoring Experience:

I have considerable experience in teaching a wide range of ages. From delivering many educational programs at the Toronto Zoo for elementary students, leading tours at Reptilia Inc… teaching assistant positions held during my graduate studies, and presentations at various conferences detailing my research and findings for my PhD thesis, I have disseminated knowledge in a variety of situations. I am in the early stages of my tutoring journey and have quite enjoyed the time I have spent with my students so far!

Tutoring Approach:

I have firsthand knowledge of how it feels to mentally freeze when subject matter becomes confusing. It often not only impedes the intake and processing of any further information the student is presented with, but it can also derail existing comprehension, which can have huge consequences on self-confidence as well as self-esteem.

Everyone has good days and bad days for a variety of reasons, and I like to adjust one-on-one sessions accordingly; on stellar days I try to push students a little further and cheer them on for their success. Conversely, if a student is struggling during a session, I will shift focus or end the session entirely and pick up again on another day.

True learning only happens when the mind is successful; that is not to say it should be without challenge. But there is a significant difference between working hard to understand and accurately apply concepts, which leads to feelings of accomplishment and pride, compared to struggling and often failing to fully understand, which can generate feelings of inadequacy, incompetence, and discouragement. Students who are falling behind on coursework or on building the necessary knowledge to pass their course exams need to be set up for success, not failure, by taking a holistic approach to tutoring sessions. This means considering not only the content to be covered but also the student's frame of mind during each and every session.