Hi! I’m Penelope, and I graduated from UMBC in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Science. During college, I tutored for two years at our Academic Center, both online and in-person, helping students one-on-one and in small groups. This experience not only honed my ability to adapt to individual learning styles but also reinforced my commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment. My own academic journey, which included a high school GPA of 4.28 and a...
Hi! I’m Penelope, and I graduated from UMBC in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Science. During college, I tutored for two years at our Academic Center, both online and in-person, helping students one-on-one and in small groups. This experience not only honed my ability to adapt to individual learning styles but also reinforced my commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment. My own academic journey, which included a high school GPA of 4.28 and a college GPA of 3.43, inspires me to help students overcome challenges in subjects like algebra, calculus, and physics.
Since graduating, I’ve been tutoring online for a year and have worked with around 60 students across 8 subjects, primarily in high school and college. I've always been most excited about taking and teaching STEM classes; they have a reputation for being really difficult, and I love being able to break down concepts into bite-sized components that are easier to think about.
This experience is reflected in my tutoring philosophy, which emphasizes deep understanding rather than short-term memorization. I find that when students are able to grasp the "hows" and "whys" behind complex topics, they are able to apply their knowledge much more easily. For instance, in preparing students for the ACT and SAT—where I achieved a 31 and a superscore of 1440, respectively—I focus on strategies that enhance critical thinking and adaptability. I often present questions in multiple ways to help students see different contexts and think about what the questions are asking and how to problem-solve around new or missing information, which empowers students to adapt when their first idea doesn't work.
Throughout all sessions, I prioritize a collaborative atmosphere where students feel comfortable exploring and growing their understanding. If you’d like to schedule a session or have any questions about my approach, please feel free to reach out!
