PhD in Astrophysics | Ivy League Researcher I Expert STEM tutor

Jason Z.

I have a BA in physics from Grinnell College and a PhD in astronomy and astrophysics from UChicago, followed by a postdoctoral research fellowship at Princeton University. My academic training centers around advanced mathematics and numerical modeling in astrophysics.

I have over ten years of combined teaching and tutoring experience across a wide range of student levels. At Grinnell College, I tutored calculus, physics, and Chinese, provided one-on-one homework help as well as review sessions for midterms and finals. While at UChicago, I was a teaching assistant for various introductory astronomy classes, where I led laboratory sessions, and held regular review sessions to help students with assignments, exams, and projects. More recently, I taught credited pre-calculus and number systems courses through Raritan Valley Community College in NJ state prison system and worked with adult learners in a structured classroom setting. I also received positive feedback in a formal faculty observation report for clarity and student engagement. These experiences have given me extensive practice teaching high-school, college-age, and adult students with different learning needs and backgrounds.

My approach to tutoring is centered around helping students understand the “why” behind the methods they use. I focus on identifying misunderstandings and confusions in concepts, guiding students through their reasoning, and connecting fundamental concepts to the types of problems they see on homework and exams. I encourage students to explain their thought process, which helps build confidence and reveals areas where further clarification is needed. Whether working on high school STEM courses, introductory college material, or test prep, I aim to make each session productive, welcoming, and tailored to the student’s goals.