16 years experience chemistry, biology, and algebra tutor

Tracie R.

I have been a math and science educator for 15 years, and I have 10 years tutoring biology, chemistry, and algebra. I currently work as a curriculum writer for middle school and high school science. I am able to blend my experience as a 6th-12th grade math and science teacher, a college professor, and 6 years as a bioanalytical research chemist to explain mathematical and scientific concepts in easy to understand descriptions. My experience earning my PhD in Education in Curriculum and Instruction in STEM Education allows me to ask and write knowledge check questions which can get to the heart of the student’s confusion or misunderstanding. Plus, I enjoy helping students have a positive experience when learning math and science. To connect the dots between confusion and understanding, I find that the following three pedagogical practices maximize the chances students will learn the material successfully: “chunking” material, repetition, and real-world application examples.
First, “chunking” material and assignments involves breaking topics into smaller pieces which can be assembled like Lego bricks into the larger topic. Building knowledge brick by brick allows for multiple opportunities of closure and commitment of material to memory before attention is lost and the information with it. Working through the material in small pieces with knowledge checks helps identify where the gaps and confusion reside. Second, I repeat the challenging concepts in multiple and varied ways to ensure the student understands the material enough to answer straigh-forward and application questions. Third, I use my experience as a research bioanalytical chemist and experience teaching a broad range of science and math courses to relate the material to everyday examples which help students retain information. Students learn better when they can attach new material and memories to knowledge they already possess.