Susan M.
Private tutor in Berkeley, CA
Education
UC Berkeley, PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2004 Yale University, BA, English literature, 1985 I majored in English literature because at Yale, the English department was one of the best in the world, and I was fascinated with the way that analysis of English literature encompassed philosophy and art. Since high school, though, biology was one of my favorite subjects, and I ended up going back to school to earn my PhD in it.
Experience
I'm a biology, biochemistry, and English tutor and also teach harp, piano, and violin. I have tutored students of ages from elementary school to college. I'm still amazed at how effective one-on-one tutoring can be. One high school biology student that I tutored went from getting a "D" on a test to scoring 94% on his next test after only a few weeks of tutoring. My approach is to have a dialog with the student instead of just lecturing, and I ask many questions to find out exactly where trouble in understanding occurs, and then focus on those points. After discussing a topic, I have the student explain it back to me or solve a problem on their own to check their understanding. I just love it when the light bulb goes on and a student suddenly understands a concept and says, "Oh!" My PhD is in biology from UC Berkeley and I have worked as a staff scientist at UCSF for several years after getting my PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology. I was awarded a PhRMA fellowship for my postdoctoral research on using bioinformatics approaches to studying and comparing proteases from parasites and humans. Regarding writing and English tutoring experience, I have professionally writing experience when I worked as a public information specialist. In addition, I tutored college and high school students in English and writing for a year at a tutoring center at California State University for an academic year and also for a summer at their intensive college preparatory program for high school seniors. I really enjoy working with students and have been told I am patient and have an excellent and clear way of explaining things. When I was in school, students often came to me on their own for help because I am very friendly, am very effective at helping others learn, and am always respectful because I realize that students are trying hard to increase their understanding of something.
Availability
Weekdays in the evening, Weekdays in the afternoon, Weekdays in the morning, Weekends in the afternoon
Can Meet
Up to 20 minutes away for no additional charge
Hobbies
I enjoy music and dancing and play the harp, violin, piano, and sing. I especially like Celtic music. I seem to have a knack for explaining difficult concepts in a way that makes it easier to understand. My attitude that everyone can learn and this something that I think comes across. When students are working to understand something, I feel it is a serious undertaking and their effort is something I respect. So I think that my students know that even though I am quite friendly and easy-going, that I thoroughly respect them and for working to learn something that is difficult for them.
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