MS science and math tutor with 15 years experience in education

Elisabeth Z.

Hello! My passion is in inspiring curiosity and critical thinking skills in middle school learners. I have a BS in Animal Science and a Master of Arts in Teaching in museum education. Throughout my career I have served students in both classroom settings and out-of-school-time programs within museums. My training in informal education gives me experience in hands-on and inquiry-based learning. I have a background in both environmental centers and science museums, teaching in both the museum and on the trail and river.

I taught 3 - 8 grade science and 6th grade math in the classroom for 3 years. My lessons were project based, emphasizing scientific inquiry. I used storylines and phenomena-based lessons to teach environmental, earth, life, and physical (chemistry & physics) sciences. I have experience with Next Generation Science Standards. I also mentored students in creating Science Fair projects, teaching them about the scientific process. My students placed at regional fairs. I taught 6th grade math (fractions, decimals, exponents, rates, ratios, percentages, coordinate plane, expressions, equations, variables, integers, inequalities, area, perimeter, surface area, graphing, and mean, median, mode) using Big Ideas and Go Math textbooks, as well as IXL.

I also have experience working with community programs for a higher education outreach program for middle school students, where I created engineering based lessons using 3D printers and Adafruit microprocessors. I have basic understanding of MakerBot 3D printers and Circuit Playground Express and block coding.