Nero

With over 10 years of teaching experience in classroom and online settings, my passion is to facilitate holistic learning for all ages. I graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Biology and a concentration in Neurobiology. I also attended the Texas A&M College of Dentistry where I served as a dental school admissions prep coach for high schoolers and undergraduates. I specialize in tutoring Science, Math, Reading Comprehension (ELA), and study skills for students ranging from pre-k to post-grad. As a calm and patient tutor, I encourage learners to show up as their authentic selves; working with them to address any obstacles to learning and to help develop their confidence in their own cognitive skills.

Tutoring Style

I'm an enthusiastic yet easygoing instructor who strives to bring out the best in learners through personalized tutoring sessions, tailored to their specific needs. My approach to tutoring focuses on cultivating an environment where the student feels safe to learn from their mistakes, ask questions, build on their strengths, and apply what they're learning to their everyday lives. In my experience, taking the time to build relationships with students and seeking to understand their learning style has consistently led to reports of improved academic success and overall boosts in confidence.

Success Story

Science:

I started working with an undergraduate student who was discouraged by the pacing and workload of her Anatomy and Physiology 2 summer course. She was failing the class and was having a tough time identifying what topics were most important for her to focus on. We met 2-3 times a week to work on her note taking skills and I helped to reinforce important concepts as needed. I also shared with her a variety of practical techniques to help manage testing anxiety. As she persisted through the course her confidence, understanding, and study skills improved. At the end of the semester she was ecstatic to share that she had raised her grade from an F to a B+! For me, the biggest success was watching her growing fascination, curiosity, and appreciation for Science develop in real time.

Math:

I tutored a 6th grader who expressed that he had a standardized test coming up, but did not feel prepared for the math section. He felt that he had a basic understanding of the material but struggled with his accuracy, especially on multiple-choice questions. We worked together to create a study schedule dedicated to building on prior knowledge and developing a deeper understanding of the topics that were the most challenging for him. As we approached the exam date, our focus shifted more towards test-taking strategies and mindset coaching. With continued guided practice and routine concept checks, his accuracy and confidence increased significantly over time. He was thrilled to share that he passed the test, with an above-average score in the math section! Most importantly, he now has a stronger foundation in math that he can continue to build on and apply to his everyday life.

ELA:

During the COVID pandemic, I worked online with a 3rd grader who needed extra support in ELA while schools were closed. She had been out of practice for months and her parents were growing concerned about the lockdown negatively affecting her literacy skills. Since reading comprehension was her biggest challenge, we devoted much of our time towards cultivating strategies to help determine the author's main idea and purpose in a variety of passages. My goal for each weekly session was to create a fun learning space that celebrates curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Her literacy steadily improved throughout the months and when schools reopened, she was reading above grade level! To this day, we still meet and it has been a joy watching her passion for reading grow throughout the years.

Hobbies & Interests

In addition to teaching, I'm passionate about hip hop, nature photography, and watching sci-fi thrillers. I'm also a certified yoga teacher and enjoy practicing with others.