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Iowa native - ISU graduate who enjoys Biology, Science, and Education.
Andy S.

4.8 (58 ratings)

115 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $50
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About Andy

Bio

Hello!

I’m a native Iowan, an Iowa State University graduate, and a state-certified Life Science teacher in Iowa. My academic background includes degrees in Food Science & Human Nutrition ( with a Psychology minor) and Biology with a Teaching endorsement.

I have a lifelong passion for all things science and especially enjoy helping students reach those “lightbulb” moments where concepts finally click.

My favorite subjects include: biology, nutrition, anatomy & physiology,...

Hello!

I’m a native Iowan, an Iowa State University graduate, and a state-certified Life Science teacher in Iowa. My academic background includes degrees in Food Science & Human Nutrition ( with a Psychology minor) and Biology with a Teaching endorsement.

I have a lifelong passion for all things science and especially enjoy helping students reach those “lightbulb” moments where concepts finally click.

My favorite subjects include: biology, nutrition, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, basic chemistry, and psychology.

In my work as a classroom teacher, and previously as a personal trainer and nutrition coach, the most rewarding part has always been helping students understand the why behind the science. I use clear explanations, analogies, diagrams, and visuals to make complex ideas approachable and meaningful.

If you have questions or a topic you’d like help with, I’d be happy to assist. I look forward to working with you!

Read more

Education

Iowa State University
Dietetics and Biology
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

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Approved Subjects

ACT Reading

ACT Reading

I have been an avid reader my whole life and enjoy a wide variety of subjects and topics. This has helped me to be able to understand the many ways information is presented to us in the written format. Be it a news article, a novel, a website, or a scientific paper in a journal. In my degree program, not only were the textbook readings required, but my ability to comprehend those, evaluate news, interpret journal articles, and synthesis this information into a cogent argument of support, was required for the projects that I submitted.
Biology

Biology

All my life I have loved the Biological sciences.  In high school I took every biology and ecology class that was offered. And at both the community college and state university that I attended, biology was an continuous part of my course work.  Biology I & II , Microbiology, Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology and Environmental Science were all courses that I excelled in.  From the cellular and molecular level, all the way up to the level of governmental policy and food production practices, I must retain an up-to-date working knowledge of all of these biological areas and how they can impact individuals.
Cooking

Cooking

I recently graduated from Iowa State University, in 2014, with a Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics. There were a number of classes and labs in this curriculum that were centered exclusively around cooking. Quantity Food Production, Food Analysis, Advanced Food Preparation Lab. I have also been cooking, baking, and grilling for myself for the last 10 years.
Earth Science

Earth Science

I help students build a strong understanding of Earth science concepts, including geology, weather, climate, and Earth systems, with an emphasis on how these topics connect to the broader sciences. Drawing on my experience teaching middle school science, and implementing the NGSS in Iowa, I focus on clear explanations, visual models, and cause-and-effect reasoning to make complex processes easier to understand. We identify areas of confusion, review missed concepts, and adjust study strategies as topics and course demands change. This approach helps students develop confidence, improve performance, and better understand how Earth science explains the natural world.
English

English

As a native English speaker, (and Mid-westerner to boot) I feel that I have a powerful command of spoken English and my love of discovering new words (and their meanings) is a constant passion. I feel that this subject goes hand-in-hand with my love of reading. As not a day goes by that I do not read some type of book, novel, series, publication, journal article, or even the packaging that my foods comes in. My English students have thoroughly enjoyed not only practicing their spoken English with me, but the knowledge and insight into American culture that I also provide.
Environmental Science

Environmental Science

I help students develop a clear understanding of environmental science concepts, including ecosystems, biogeochemical cycles, human impacts, and sustainability, with an emphasis on how these systems interact. Drawing on my experience teaching middle school science and working within the NGSS framework in Iowa, I focus on cause-and-effect relationships, data interpretation, and real-world examples to make complex environmental processes easier to understand. My background includes formal science education and classroom instruction aligned with state and national standards, including ecology, Earth systems, and environmental change. This subject reflects content I have taught directly and am comfortable supporting at both the middle school and introductory high school level.
Fitness

Fitness

I worked as an A.C.E. / NASM certified Personal Trainer for 3 years, at a local club in Iowa, and then at Lifetime Athletic in Des Moines. The main things I focused on with my clients were: understanding the what, how, and why they should, or should not, do certain exercises, how nutrition was integral to their progress, and how their bodies work. Measuring, evaluating, and providing insight into improving their exercise form, program, and goals, along with a healthy mix of rapport and understanding how health and fitness would help their entire lives outside of the gym.
Genetics

Genetics

I help students develop a clear understanding of genetics concepts, including inheritance patterns, DNA structure and function, gene expression, and genetic variation. Drawing on my background in biology and experience teaching secondary science, I focus on connecting molecular mechanisms to observable traits using clear explanations, diagrams, and data-driven reasoning. I support students as they work through common points of confusion such as Punnett squares, meiosis, mutations, and probability-based thinking. This approach helps students strengthen conceptual understanding, improve accuracy, and build confidence in genetics-related coursework.
Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows

I have been using Microsoft Windows, in one form or another, for the last 18 years. Originally I used Windows 3.1; back in the 1990s. I have also, many times, installed, and reinstalled the Windows operating system to multiple PCs over the years. I can navigate the file hierarchy, modify system setting, enable or disable operating features, and evaluate and install a variety of programs to make the operating system preform as I want.
Nutrition

Nutrition

In addition to my Bachelor's Degree in Dietetics, I have been working as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach for the past 3 years, and my focus with my clients is on understanding how their food choices play a role in their overall health. Educating my students on what their food is made of, how it interacts in their bodies, and what good nutritional choices look like are the core of what I do. However, there are many other aspects to Nutrition that I also bring to my students attention for the purpose of increasing their awareness of how complex and interconnected their food system really is.
Physiology

Physiology

I have Degrees in Biology and Human Nutrition and soon to be a high school biology teacher, which includes Physiology.
Public Speaking

Public Speaking

In my work as a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach for the past 3 years, I have been in front of individual and groups of people on a daily basis. I am very comfortable standing in front of people and educating, questioning, and interacting with them in a conversational, authoritative, or communal fashion. With my degree, there were a number of times that we had to design, develop, and deliver presentations to our classes and groups outside of the university. I have also taken, and passed, numerous speaking classes over the last 18 years.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I help students develop effective study strategies, time management skills, and workflows that support learning across their coursework, with a particular focus on biology and the life sciences. We focus on identifying specific obstacles to understanding and concentration, then use structured, evidence-based approaches to improve efficiency and retention. I emphasize targeted review, analysis of missed concepts, and adapting study methods as course demands change. This approach helps students study smarter, build confidence, and gain a deeper understanding of scientific material.
Zoology

Zoology

I help students understand core zoology concepts, including animal classification, structure and function, behavior, and evolutionary relationships. Drawing on my background in biology, anatomy, and physiology, I focus on how animal systems work and how they compare across species. I emphasize clear explanations, visual models, and connections between structure and function to support long-term understanding and integration across molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels. This approach helps students build confidence and develop a solid foundation in animal biology.
ACT Science
American History
Anatomy
Ecology
Elementary Math
Elementary Science
European History
General Computer
Geography
Government & Politics
Grammar
Literature
Microbiology
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
Physical Science
Prealgebra
Proofreading
Psychology
Reading
SAT Reading
Vocabulary
World History
Writing
Andy S.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Andy before you book.

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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.8 (58 ratings)
5 star
(53)
4 star
(2)
3 star
(2)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(1)

Reviews

Good listener and supportive tutor/coach

Andy did a great job of both taking my request for subject tutoring and providing good feedback and suggestions for how else he could help my son improve his academic performance. The results we are getting are what we wanted - glad we found him!

Bob, 1 lesson with Andy

Thank god for Andy!

Andy is amazing! He teaches and explains at my pace and always makes sure I am understanding the material. He is very knowledgeable and knows his stuff. I recently started taking a kinesiology course in biomechanics and was completely lost until I found Andy. Just three tutoring sessions in, and I have aced every assignment. I will be referring Andy to anyone who needs assistance from here on out. If I could give him 10/5 starts I would!

James, 3 lessons with Andy

Great tutor

Andy is very knowledgeable and super patient. He can explain things in many different ways to help students understand the concepts much more effectively. Look no further for your tutoring sessions - Andy is the MAN.

Diane, 3 lessons with Andy

Knowledgeable Tutor

Andy is able to explain things very clearly and able to cater to my learning needs. I am a visual learner. He clearly articulates and layout concepts in a way that makes sense to me. I would recommend Andy to any fellow peer!

Avery, 2 lessons with Andy

Andy Is Fabulous

Andy has been with my daughter for several weeks and I already see a great improvement in her grades. She needed his assistance in Physical Science (8th Grade) and he helped her tremendously! He is truly a patient and knowledgeable instructor as well as an expert in the subject matter.

Karen, 5 lessons with Andy

I warmly recommend Andy as a tutor!

He is very personal and easy to like. A great listener who does his best to understand your learning style, and at the same time observant and flexible when things don't work out. His knowledge in biology and psychology, and study technique is helping me be a better student.

Ingrid , 6 lessons with Andy

Very good English tutor

He is very good teacher. He give me big help for improve my English abilities. his class is depending on my requirements and interesting. he carefully prepares for every class. He is patient to correct my pronunciation.

Ye, 25 lessons with Andy

Easy to understand what is being said.

He has changed the way that I look at what I eat. He has helped me with finding foods that are healthy and good for me and also has helped me find recipes that are a better and healthy choice.

Dyanna, 19 lessons with Andy

Great tutor

Very knowledgeable on general computer tutoring!! If you need help with homework or want learn more Andy the right tutor for you!!

Esmat, 6 lessons with Andy
Hourly Rate: $50
Contact Andy