Dr. James former University Chemistry Professor

James C.

PhD Medicinal Chemistry The Ohio State University 30 years experience in teaching/tutoring high school and university level general chemistry, college chemistry, organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and biochemistry. My reason for teaching is to share what knowledge I have gained and to help other people learn. I am not an educator if I simply give out information; I am only a teacher if someone learns. I feel that it is my responsibility to present material in such a manner that students can do well. The material must be presented with enthusiasm, clarity, and an awareness of the level of understanding of the students. All too often instructors present material at their level of understanding and forget that their knowledge has come with years of exposure to a particular field. A question or concept that may be very familiar to an instructor is unknown to a student who has just begun to learn. I try my best to avoid what I may perceive as a small jump in logic because it often becomes a tremendous leap for the students.

My responses to questions have a variety of sophistication. I attempt to provide gradually decreasing vagueness as I answer a question. While a student is looking for "the answer", I try to never answer a question on the first iteration. Their question is often met with a little bit of background and a question for them to explore. This may occur several times before student satisfaction is achieved, but they have had to answer their own question when the process is over. Every aspect of my teaching style is meant to provide positive reinforcement to assure students that their questions and contributions are valued and important to their learning.