"I am a firm believer in individualized learning styles, and the underlying premise that no subject is inherently difficult, so long as it is presented in a digestible way. This means recognizing and offering multiple approaches to problem-solving. I am deeply passionate about the process of learning, and find it extremely personally fulfilling to help others achieve confidence and awareness of their own academic potential.

My name is Justin, and I hold a degree in chemistry, with minors in biochemistry, and biology. The last two years of my undergraduate career, I worked as a laboratory research assistant, and also as a Supplemental Instruction Facilitator. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an internationally recognized academic support program that offers regularly scheduled study for difficult core courses. Sessions were targeted towards improving student grades and understanding, while increasing enrollment, and reducing attrition.

As a facilitator, I instructed up to forty students, maintained an academic grade book, and was required to uphold the same teaching protocol as faculty. I attended lectures with the students to take notes, model good student behavior, and prepare tailored curricula for my own classroom sessions. In addition, I identified and implemented various learning styles, created lesson plans, worksheets, and lectures, and developed collaborative group activities. I have been a facilitator for General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, and Organic Chemistry I.

I believe in an interactive approach that relies on asking the appropriate questions to lead the student to the answer gradually, by first connecting concepts, and then relying on the student to explain a stepwise solution to me. I have applied this approach to effectively instruct multiple high school and college students across a variety of academic disciplines." less...