Julie

I am a seasoned educator and tutor with more than 20 years of experience helping students strengthen their academic skills and build confidence. My background in engineering allows me to bring a practical, problem-solving perspective to each session, helping students understand not only how to solve a problem, but why the concepts matter. I enjoy connecting challenging material to real-world applications, making abstract concepts more approachable, relevant, and easier to understand. With decades of experience working with diverse learners, I am able to adapt my instruction to each student's individual needs while encouraging critical thinking, curiosity, and academic independence.

Tutoring Style

I love what I do, and teaching is truly one of my greatest passions! Because many students can feel intimidated by math and science, I use humor, encouragement, and engaging instruction to make challenging subjects feel more approachable. I remind my students that learning math and science is like going to the "brain gym"—consistent practice strengthens their problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

I use a "see, say, do" approach in my tutoring sessions. First, I demonstrate one or two examples. Next, I guide the student through a new problem by having them explain each step. Finally, I encourage them to solve problems independently to reinforce the skill and confirm their understanding. My goal is to help students move beyond simply following a process to developing confidence and true mastery. Nothing makes my day more than hearing that a student has performed well on a test and feels proud of their progress!

Success Stories

One of my favorite tutoring success stories involved a student who had failed her first semester of Algebra II. We began working together at the start of the spring semester, meeting twice a week to strengthen her foundational skills and identify learning strategies that worked best for her. She showed signs consistent with dysgraphia, so I introduced her to practical tools and accommodations, such as factor charts, that could be incorporated into her IEP and used during tests.

When she earned an A on her first test of the semester, it lit a fire under her and gave her a new sense of confidence and motivation. We continued working consistently throughout the semester, and her hard work paid off: she finished the semester with an A and successfully passed Algebra II. Watching her go from struggling in the course to believing in her abilities and achieving academic success was incredibly rewarding.

Hobbies & Interests

I spent most of the summer getting back into playing the piano after not playing for several years. I am self-taught, and using an app on my iPad has helped me refine my skills and rediscover how much I enjoy playing! When I'm not tutoring, I also enjoy metal detecting, coin collecting, and making jewelry. I'm still a nerd at heart and love sci-fi movies and all things geeky.

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