I have a Bachelor’s in Statistics and a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Mathematics. There is a reason why I went into Mathematics education after being the sole recipient of Cum Laude in Statistics from Rutgers University: I am passionate about teaching children Mathematics and Statistics. I have over seven years of teaching experience, including at institutions such as the Blue Ribbon School of West Windsor Plainsboro HS, Melvin H. Kreps middle school, and the undergraduate level at The College of New Jersey. I also have over 14 years of tutoring experience. I started tutoring underprivileged middle school students on the outskirts of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where I went to college. I have tutored courses ranging from pre-Algebra through Statistics with students from middle school through post-graduate students. I have logged thousands of overs of tutoring as a highly sought out math coach, and have taught all over the United States, East to West Coast. I have recently authored a book about starting and scaling a successful online tutoring business, available here.
My drive to help my students perform better is evident in my AP scores. 92.1% of my students earned a 4 or above on the 2017 AP Statistics Exam compared to 28.8 % of all Exam takers.
I believe in the growth mindset, which teaches that intelligence can be developed, that the human brain is malleable, and that challenging work is the best way to strengthen the brain. My firm belief is that a student’s underperformance on a test is not a measure of their intelligence but a mere indicator that the child needs help in some way or the other. My teaching philosophy is that every child has the ability to learn and has a unique talent, and as an educator, my endeavor is to help all my students reach their full potential.
While working in middle school, I taught Algebra 1 and a course called Intensive 1. This course was comprised of students with major gaps in their mathematical education. I had to develop a curriculum and adapt it depending on the needs of students with varying abilities. I also taught Geometry Honors to 8th graders during this time. This shows my ability to teach students of varied abilities and help them find success.
I take my work very seriously and have a knack for coming up with problems that test a student’s misunderstandings, correct them, and build knowledge. I ask many pointed questions to check understanding while encouraging my students to ask questions to clarify concepts. My favorite thing about teaching is the feeling I get when a student tells me: “Mrs. T, that makes sense. I get it now!” I am dedicated to helping my students understand the material, find confidence in their abilities and succeed.
