Elina K.
Private tutor in Houston, TX
Education
I have a Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a specialization in genetics from the University of Chicago. I graduated in 2015 with honors.
Experience
I have quite a few years of teaching experience under my belt and have worked for 3 companies as either a tutor or teacher. I have also worked as a teaching assistant for the University of Chicago where I had the opportunity to TA college/grad-level classes as well as a 3-month high school program. Before that, I was a volunteer health teacher for two years. I have experience teaching a wide range of students--from elementary school to graduate school students. I have taught and continue to teach because I genuinely enjoy it. My teaching style is fairly straightforward with a bit of humor incorporated. I'm very patient, which is often necessary for students not to shut down or feel discouraged. I know that the same teaching methods don't work for all students and I've learned to adapt to a variety of students (whether that involves something as simple as drawing for visual learners to building impromptu models out of office supplies for tactile learners). Additionally, I think writing curriculums has given me a unique perspective in terms of teaching. Whether you're looking for a tutor for yourself or for your child, I hope you'll try a session with me! If you're interested in knowing about my background in more detail, please see below: Currently, I work for an education company in Houston where I teach small classes, tutor in one-on-one settings, and write curriculums. I primarily teach math, science, English, and the SAT. Most recently, we just completed our 2 week SAT cram session over winter break. I also work concurrently for Catalyst Prep, where I teach 2-day SAT bootcamps to large student groups and tutor the SAT/ACT. Catalyst Prep definitely has a humor-filled curriculum, which has influenced my teaching style. Prior to that I worked for another company that focused on test prep, where I tutored students in the ACT, the SAT, and biology. After graduation, I was a teaching assistant for a program called RIBS, Research in Biological Sciences, in which I lectured on relevant biology topics, taught and demonstrated biology techniques, and helped small student groups with designing and implementing their final projects. I also graded assignments and exams. I followed-up with struggling students, tutoring them one-on-one. While I was at University of Chicago, I was a teaching assistant for Principles of Developmental Biology in which I taught weekly sessions, graded assignments, and helped create exams. I had both undergraduate and graduate school students in my class. I regularly tutored a few graduate and undergraduate students one-on-one during appointment-based office hours. For my first two years at the University of Chicago, I volunteered with Peer Health Exchange where I taught health-related workshops to 9th grade students in the South side of Chicago. After my first year, I was recruited into the pilot program, where we helped create a curriculum for 10th graders and implement it in order to ascertain the efficacy of a follow-up workshop. Relevant test scores (although at this point the SAT was a while ago and I've spent years tutoring it): SAT reading: 760 SAT math: 720 GRE composite score: 330 (98th percentile) GRE essay score: 6 (99th percentile) My hourly rates are based on the subject you would like to be tutored in: General single subject tutoring: $30/hour General tutoring (more than one subject): $37/hour SAT/ACT prep: $60/hour GRE prep: $50/hour For any standardized test prep, we will talk about your goals in advance. Typically I recommend committing to 10 hours, 18 hours, or 36 hours depending on your needs. I strongly recommend 2 hour sessions for SAT/ACT test prep, even if that means meeting fewer times. If you prefer 1 hour sessions, I can adjust my lesson plans accordingly. If you're looking for GRE prep, I'm more flexible given the age of the average GRE test taker and their large range of needs.
Subject Expertise
10th Grade Reading10th Grade Writing11th Grade Reading11th Grade Writing12th Grade Reading10th Grade math1st Grade1st Grade math1st Grade Reading1st Grade Writing2nd Grade2nd Grade math2nd Grade Reading2nd Grade Writing3rd Grade3rd Grade math3rd Grade Reading3rd Grade Science3rd Grade Writing4th Grade4th Grade math4th Grade Reading4th Grade Science4th Grade Writing5th Grade5th Grade math5th Grade Reading5th Grade Science5th Grade Writing6th Grade6th Grade math6th Grade Reading6th Grade Science6th Grade Writing7th Grade7th Grade math7th Grade Reading7th Grade Science7th Grade Writing8th Grade8th Grade math8th Grade Reading8th Grade Science8th Grade Writing9th Grade9th Grade math9th Grade Reading9th Grade WritingAP BiologyACTACT EnglishACT MathACT ReadingACT ScienceACT with WritingACT WritingPSATPSAT Critical ReadingPSAT MathematicsPSAT Writing SkillsSATSAT Critical ReadingSAT MathSAT MathematicsSAT Subject Test in Biology E/MSAT Subject Test in ChemistrySAT VerbalSAT WritingAlgebra 1Algebra 2Developmental BiologyAP StatisticsArithmeticBiochemistryBiologyCell BiologyCollege EssaysEssay EditingGeneral BiologyGeneral ChemistryGeneticsGRE Analytical WritingGRE VerbalGRE Verbal ReasoningLaboratoryLife SciencesLiterary AnalysisLiteratureMicrobiologyMiddle SchoolMiddle School MathMolecular BiologyMolecular GeneticsPre-AlgebraPre-CalculusQuantitative ReasoningShakespeareTest PrepTrigonometryVocabularyWriting
Availability
Weekends at any time, Weekdays in the evening, Weekdays in the morning
Can Meet
Up to 15 minutes away for no additional charge
Hobbies
While I enjoy teaching, I'm passionate about biology and have spent a few years working in a lab doing research and writing/publishing. When I'm not working or teaching, I spend my time reading, salsa-dancing, writing stand-up, and running. I'm also a very above average baker. I'm a big fan of hiking, although there's not a lot of places to hike around Houston. My last big hiking trip was to Big Bend this summer. I also love to travel (when life doesn't get in the way).
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