I earned my BS in Mathematics and my PhD in Computer Science from the University of Missouri - Columbia. After completing my studies I had the opportunity to be a professor of Computer Science and Bioinformatics at Fontbonne University. During my studies, I tutored my fellow students in mathematics ranging from Introductory Algebra to Calculus to Ordinary Differential Equations. During my time as a professor, I designed and taught courses in Python programming, C++ programming, Database, and Statistics. After choosing to leave academia, I worked as a Data Engineer where I gained fascinating insight into the application of all that I had learned and taught over the years.
I greatly enjoy teaching all levels of Mathematics and Computer Science but I especially like working with students on fundamental knowledge. There is something truly wonderful about seeing something "click" for a student.
My teaching philosophy is simple: Nobody is simply "bad at math!" Most people have convinced themselves of this, but it simply not true. They simply haven't found someone with the patience and background to guide them to a solid understanding. One of the best ways to help someone on their learning journey is to create a space where they feel comfortable "failing" and asking questions. In order to learn, people need to know that they will not be judged for making mistakes and I certainly do not judge my students for their missteps (like accidentally dropping a negative sign or misspelling a variable name). By creating a friendly, and at times mildly silly, environment where my students feel safe to explore the subject without judgement, I can help just about anyone learn just about anything.