Recent College Graduate in Astronomy and English Literature

Ben P.

I started tutoring in an unusual way as an assistant instructor of Tae Kwon Do in high school. That was where I first found my love of teaching and helping others. My instructors helped me develop my style of helping others, particularly inspiring my patience and perseverance, which other supervisors have noted since. I was a model student in high school and consistently challenged myself to achieve and help my peers along the way. I graduated as valedictorian of my high school class and scored highly on the ACT before attending Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania.

In my sophomore year of college, I was asked by the introductory Astronomy professor to join his team of peer assistants/tutors; I helped him and other professors in the Physics Department for the next three years. (My first year as a peer assistant was entirely remote.) In my junior year, I completed additional coursework through my college to attain Peer Assistant Certification. My certifier told me I did an excellent job “meeting students where they are” and “listening to their specific questions and concerns.” I pride myself on my willingness to always follow up with students and ensure they understand the concepts on which they are working.

I worked as a day camp counselor for the University of Nebraska’s Aim for the Stars Science & Math Camp during my summers. The camp I assisted with was dedicated to 3D printing and had sections for children 7-9 and 10-13. I led classrooms in both sections and gained experience working with younger children.

I graduated college with a GPA of 3.9 with a degree in Astronomy and English Literature. My professors and teachers have always found my work to be of the highest standard. I am familiar with a wide selection of subjects, including mathematics up to several variable calculus, science topics such as earth science, physics, and astronomy, reading, writing, literary analysis, and standardized test preparation.