PrepNow Tutor - Evelyn R.
A mathematician specializing in functional analysis and partial differential equations, Evelyn is dedicated to helping others and contributing to her community. She describes her teaching style as “inquisitive, encouraging, and patient.” As an undergrad at University of Colorado Boulder she earned a bachelor's degree in both math and physics. She then moved to University of Illinois Chicago for both her MS and PhD in mathematics.
Evelyn’s first experience with teaching came during her time as an undergraduate when she volunteered for a STEM outreach program that hosted after-school science clubs for nearby elementary and middle schools. “I was able to help students perform science experiments and explore STEM topics that they otherwise would not have been exposed to, fostering a love for math and science at an early age,” she explains.
While earning her doctorate, Evelyn worked as a teaching assistant. She taught algebra, pre-calculus, calculus 1-3, linear algebra, and differential equations. After graduation, she was hired as a visiting assistant professor of mathematics at a university in the Northwest. There Evelyn added business calculus, real analysis, and complex analysis to her teaching repertoire.
“As a teacher, I am most proud of the effect that I’ve had on my students’ mentality toward math,” Evelyn says. “I have had many students tell me that they hated math before taking my class, and that I managed to make the subject feel approachable and interesting for the first time.” This success is due in part to her approach to teaching. “I believe that students learn more effectively through hands-on experience than through lecturing.” That is, “understanding the logic behind mathematical problem solving is far more important than memorizing the processes for solving specific problems.” This means that Evelyn spends her time with students working through practice problems and guiding them through new concepts. She explains, “I always work to reinforce this kind of deeper understanding while encouraging my students to solve problems on their own.”
Outside of mathematics, Evelyn is a runner. She ran cross country and did shot put and discus for the track team in high school. In college, she was a member of the running club. As a grad student, she was an avid ping pong player. She also enjoys creative writing and is an aspiring novelist. Evelyn also is interested in horticulture. She has owned and cared for as many as forty houseplants! One day, she would like to build her own greenhouse.
