University of Pennsylvania Lecturer

Joel R.

With a strong academic foundation, I hold both a Bachelor’s degree in Symbolic Systems and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Stanford University. My focus areas during my studies included language acquisition, natural language processing, AI, and Systems programming, grounding me in both theoretical knowledge and practical application. As a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, I teach advanced computer science topics, where my curriculum includes system programming, in C and Assembly. These roles have allowed me to build and deliver challenging, hands-on coursework that deepens students’ understanding of complex concepts. While at Stanford, I taught Probability from the perspective of Machine Learning.

My teaching experience spans various ages and settings, from tutoring 5th graders in foundational STEM concepts to guiding high school and college students in advanced topics. In addition to classroom instruction, I have worked at Khan Lab School, Khan Academy's brick-and-mortar location in Palo Alto. My approach combines exploratory learning with technical rigor, encouraging students to engage with content actively through projects and real-world applications. For instance, I’ve guided students in NLP, sentiment analysis, and computer vision, fostering their critical thinking and technical skills in an interactive, supportive environment.

My tutoring methods focus on clarity, precision, and encouragement. I prioritize developing strong problem-solving skills, where students are guided to approach challenges independently with structured support. My work with diverse age groups has given me a versatile teaching style that adapts to each student’s learning needs, whether in a one-on-one tutoring session or a collaborative group setting. As a result, my students are able to progress confidently, deepening their mastery and appreciation of computer science.