PrepNow Tutor - Eric R.
A self-described Jack of all trades, Eric has a diverse background and has been tutoring since 2010. He holds a BS in neuroscience from the University of Michigan and an MS in biology from Chatham University. Eric worked in brain research for four years before pursuing his master’s degree and then entering a career in the restaurant industry. He went from server to bartender to management and ended as general manager of two restaurant locations. Recently, he returned to the world of education and is thrilled to be tutoring test prep.
Eric started tutoring as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, where he led study groups with colleagues. “I found that it helped me master the material and provided some amazing connections and bonds with my fellow students,” he shares. When he matriculated into his master's program, he took on his first paid tutoring position with the university and offered review sessions and individual tutoring sessions. “I have always had a knack for communicating with others, especially about topics that I am passionate about,” Eric says. “Science and the STEM fields have been a constant in my life, and I enjoy watching my students improve their skills and gain mastery of a topic. For me, it has always been about the journey, and watching someone grow as they move down that road is rewarding.”
Eric’s teaching style is down to earth and it is important to him that he and the student interact as equals. “Being approachable and understanding as a tutor is the most important part of the job,” he explains. “As someone who has spent their life in highly competitive academic environments, I understand that it's critical that students feel comfortable speaking up when a topic or idea is unclear.” Fear of speaking up or being honest about not understanding a topic is the biggest issue Eric has seen with students. As such, he prioritizes demonstrating that he is a safe and unbiased resource. In addition to teaching biology at the college level, Eric has worked with many high school students on math and essay writing. “My favorite aspect of teaching students math is to reorient their thinking,” he says. “The purpose of the math section of the SAT and ACT is not to quiz your knowledge of math or memorize answers, it's to test your critical thinking skills. Math questions are a puzzle and the task of solving that puzzle becomes a lot more interesting if the student doesn't think of it as a test.” Eric explains that math is an expression of the world around us and it doesn't have to be a daunting chore but rather a game to test not how much you know, but how you think.
As a high school student, Eric was the National Honors Society Vice President. In college and graduate school, he was involved in ultimate frisbee, the Pokemon League, and ran half-marathons. He enjoys video games, running, working out, reading, and climate change research. He is double-jointed in his elbows and has been growing his hair for the past four years to donate it to charity.
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