PrepNow Tutor - Andrew D.
An enthusiastic tutor, Andrew is committed to supporting his students. He holds a BS summa cum laude in physics with a minor in mathematics from the University of Central Florida and a PhD in physics from the University of Florida.
Andrew has been tutoring since 2015 and has experience tutoring physics and mathematics to students of all ages from elementary school to high school. Additionally, as a graduate student, he taught college-level physics and labs. “I make sure students feel comfortable and know they're in a judgment-free environment where they are free to ask any questions no matter how trivial,” Andrew says. “I have a deep knowledge of all major areas of physics and can provide multiple ways of thinking about problems and ideas.” When tutoring, Andrew explains concepts clearly, identifies points of confusion, and offers multiple perspectives on concepts.
When asked about his teaching philosophy, Andrew says, “Very often students are introduced to a concept and then thrown into exam-level problems before they have built their confidence and understanding. This kills their motivation because they tell themselves 'this is just beyond my ability’. Instead, I like to start with the simplest possible examples and build incrementally from there, giving positive reinforcement of their successes.” Andrew ensures that formulas are not just strings of symbols but physically meaningful. “I think teaching should be a conversation and that it's important to have the student actively learning,” he says.
In high school, Andrew was on the math team and trivia team. He participated in the environmental club in both high school and college. In his free time, he enjoys piano and learning foreign languages.
