When I was an engineering student there were many nights when I’d spend hours just trying to solve just one or two thermodynamics problems.

Frustration and panic were my constant companions.

After taking my third thermodynamics class and still not feeling confident, I started looking for answers in a different way. One evening, I noticed an incomplete equation in my textbook. A clue, maybe, to what a complete equation could look like.

That spark of curiosity sent me digging through my textbooks, hunting for more clues I might piece together. Several hours later, a single, complete equation formed that made complex problems simple to solve.

From that moment through when I graduated with my bachelor's degree I shared what I had learned with other engineering students, and those experiences shaped the way I teach today.

I start by understanding where each student is coming from: what they already know and what they’re comfortable with. Then, I use stories, analogies, examples, and visuals to connect new ideas to what they already understand. When students see themselves as the expert, they start to explore the subject with curiosity and confidence. And, once that intuitive understanding snaps into place, the rest just becomes a matter of filling in the details.

As a result, my students often see their grades rise, but more importantly, they begin to own their learning. From then on they know that they CAN do it and that success is just a matter of putting in the time and effort to master it.

If you’re looking for a tutor who helps students not only understand their subjects but also themselves as learners, I’d love to help.