PhD in Chemistry | University Instructor | Experienced Tutor

Alexandra J.

Hi there! My name is Alex, and I have a PhD in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in Biochemistry from Vassar College. I am currently a Visiting Lecturer of Chemistry at the University of Richmond and have also held teaching positions at Montgomery College and Hopkins, in addition to working as a tutor during my time as an undergrad at Vassar. I also completed an ORISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Department of Energy (DOE)-Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), where my work revolved around STEM and university partnerships in the clean energy sector. My academic interests include Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physical Organic Chemistry.

My philosophy is that every student can achieve success in science with the appropriate resources and support, and I am committed to helping my students feel the same way about themselves. To begin, I briefly pre-assess students to figure out where they are in their course, what areas they would like to focus on, and shift them from a fixed- to growth-mindset. A growth-mindset shifts students from believing that their aptitude for science is innate to believing that their abilities grow and develop over time with the right tools and guidance.

Once we have that framework, I like to set clear, achievable, and measurable learning objectives. These generally include problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and analytical techniques with real-life applications. During sessions, I include multiple active learning techniques to keep students engaged, including homework review, break-out groups (if a group session), practice problems, and mini-lectures with leading questions and examples. My specialty training, pedagogical approaches, and mission-driven aptitude make me well-equipped to be your tutor!