Search
Katie W.'s Photo

Learning and Exam Prep Specialist
Katie W.

5.0 (9 ratings)

23 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $70
Contact Katie
Response time: 7 hours

About Katie

Bio

My educational background includes a PhD in Teaching & Learning, Master's degrees in Science Education and Human Genetics, and Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. I taught high school science for 5 years (General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and have 5 years experience as a learning specialist, instructional designer and exam preparation specialist within the medical and health professions fields.

As a tutor, I am excited to help medical students within DO or MD programs as they...

My educational background includes a PhD in Teaching & Learning, Master's degrees in Science Education and Human Genetics, and Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. I taught high school science for 5 years (General Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and have 5 years experience as a learning specialist, instructional designer and exam preparation specialist within the medical and health professions fields.

As a tutor, I am excited to help medical students within DO or MD programs as they prepare for USMLE Step 1 or 2 and/or COMLEX Level 1 or 2. I have over 4 years of experience coaching medical students through board preparation successes and challenges. This includes work with students who experience challenges in test-taking, recall, and time management as well as those remediating from an exam failure. I can provide coaching on resource selection and usage, practice exam scheduling, score report interpretation, individualized study planning, and time management skills to intentionally build in time for board preparation. I approach tutoring of adult learners through a coaching lens, meeting learners where they are, offering recommendations based on learning science principles, and fostering a sense of self-directedness to support the learner to gain confidence along the way. Moreover, I can support students in optimizing their study approach and through proofreading.

Read more

Education

University of Saint Thomas
Biochemistry
University of Iowa
Masters
University of Iowa
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $70
  • Rate details: My base rate as of 4/22/25 is $70 per hour. However, if a student is unable to pay that rate or if I have worked with a student previous to 4/22/25, the rate is negotiable. Thank you!
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 3/7/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

Interview Prep

Interview Prep

As a former hiring manager, I have been responsible for the hiring process for over 5 job openings in under 2 years, including interview question preparation and implementation of interviews. My insights the interviewer role can help assist interviewees prepare for success. As a job seeker, I have participated in mock interviews and successfully prepared for multiple interviews for professional roles. I can assist other interviewees prepare, practice, and build confidence for a variety of interview types, with an emphasis in K-12 and higher education roles.
MCAT

MCAT

I bring a strong background in test preparation, including MCAT preparation support and transferable skills from medical board exam prep support. I have Bachelors and Masters degrees in science and education, with over 5 years of direct teaching and tutoring experience with undergraduate and graduate students. My foundation in the learning sciences and Adult Learning Theory (PhD in Teaching & Learning) and adept skills at time management and academic coaching ensure my recommendations will effectively support student learning and help them maximize time in their exam studies.
Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365

With over 4 years of experience utilizing and maximizing the functionality of Microsoft Office 365, I am an experienced user of Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Planner, OneDrive, etc. I have trained administrative staff usage of these tools as well. I am adept at calendar and meeting management, email sensitivity settings, data analysis within Excel, basic accessibility within Word and PowerPoint, among other features. As an educator with experience in academic coaching, I also bring an ability to support decision-making around which tool fits the problem best and how to integrate various tools together to optimize the solution.
Proofreading

Proofreading

As a high school science teacher, I supported secondary students in their writing of lab reports and papers. As a graduate student and educational researcher, I have extensive writing expertise in science education and health professions fields, supporting my expertise in proofreading brief and longer form academic writing. Most recently I have coached students in their paper writing for academic coursework in health professions education. I also have served as a peer reviewer for academic journals.
Study Skills

Study Skills

As a graduate student, I successfully managed multiple courses and commitments, including research, coursework and dissertation writing in addition to personal commitments. Through this experience and my background in learning sciences and best practices of study approaches, I have developed an effective approach to coaching students in optimizing their study and time management approaches. Rooted in best practices of learning and study, my coaching begins with gaining an understanding of student strengths and areas of need and offering research-based recommendations tailored to the student. I have over 4 years experience as an educational specialist in medical and health professions education, working with adult learners in their demanding schedules and coursework. With a background in the sciences and extensive experience with a variety of learners and learner needs, I aim to support each student in optimizing their time with effective study approaches, overcoming challenges, and building confidence as self-directed learners.
USMLE

USMLE

With over 4 years of one-on-one and workshop presentation experience with medical students, I’m well-equipped to coach students through high-stakes test preparation and success on exams in medicine and the sciences. Specifically, I have coached hundreds of students (Approximately 220 per cohort) in USMLE exams (Step 1 and 2) and COMLEX (Level 1 and 2) prep from start to finish, including resource identification, test preparation, navigating coursework alongside test prep, interpretation of score reports, and individualized study plan development. I have worked with diverse students with diverse needs, including those experiencing test taking anxiety, attentional disorders, low confidence, and test failure.
Writing

Writing

PhD in Teaching and Learning, published academic writer in education and medical education fields.
Elementary Science
Grammar
Microsoft PowerPoint

Examples of Expertise

Katie has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 1 question submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Katie ’s answers ›
Katie W.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Katie before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Katie
Response time: 7 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (9 ratings)
5 star
(9)
4 star
(0)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Katie was an incredible tutor who helped me with both board prep and board-taking strategies. She stands out because of her experience working with many students, which allows her to recommend strategies that are proven to work and personalize them to fit your needs. What makes her especially effective is how she uses both data and personal experience to tailor a specific plan based on your goals, rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all approach. If you need someone who truly listens and builds a path with you, Katie is the one to ask. She was able to take my COMSAE scores and develop a plan where I can tackle my weaknesses while maintaining my strengths. I definitely recommend Katie as your tutor!

Teddy, 3 lessons with Katie

Knowledgable and Professional

Katie was great! She listened to my needs and came up with insightful tips and strategies to implement into my demanding schedule as a medical student. Will definitely meet with Katie again.

Diamond, 2 lessons with Katie
Hourly Rate: $70
Response time: 7 hours
Contact Katie