Lucia L.
Private tutor in Lisle, IL
Education
BSME Illinois Institute of Technology 1981 Ph.D. ME University of Illinois, Urbana 1990.
Experience
I specialize in tutoring physics at all high school and first 3 semesters college level. This includes conceptual physics, AP Physics 1, AP physics C and students in university courses. To ensure sufficient attention to each student, I accept no more than 5 students concurrently. Why do I tutor? I love the one on one interaction with students who are finding subject in the physical science challenging. I accept students who need assistance in high school and entry level physics. I will sometimes tutor existing students in math topics as well. Previous teaching experience: Taught Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics while on faculty at Iowa State University. Taught Gas Dynamics and Thermodynamics/Fluids labs while a graduate student at University of Illinois. I've always gotten great teacher ratings. Previous private tutoring: I began private tutoring in October 2014. In that time, I've tutored 20 students. I've tutored high school students enrolled in Lisle High School, Lyons, Fenwick in Oak Park, Naperville North, and Hinsdale High Schools, Benet Academy, Metea and Nequa Valley High Schools. I've tutored university students at UC Berkely, University of Illinois, Chicago and Northern Illinois University I've even tutored a student embarked on a program of self-study to gain admission to a medical school in Poland. (He was admitted!) Most have increased test scores. One went from test scores of approximately 50% to getting 100% on test after tutoring. Another also achieved 100%, but started in the 80% range. Parents should however be aware: students who will not work any problems by themselves may not improve (though tutoring may help if the alternative is not working on the homework at all.) My approach is flexible. Depending on student need and personality, and parent preferences I may operate as a "homework helper" or bringing supplemental material to clarify concepts. Parents and students should be aware that "homework helper" does help, but less than other approaches. As much as possible or practical I prefer to help students achieve skills to do their own homework by giving substitute problems not merely working on the assigned questions. Because of previous work with students at Benet Academy, Nequa Valley, Metea and Hinsdale Central, I am familiar with the order topics are presented, depth of material students are expected to master already have batches of complementary material. My preference is to introduce subjects just before teachers touch on them in courses, provide introductory problems, and then assist with depth of understanding by discussing the once again after it has been introduced. This can be possible for those who wish two sessions a week. It can also be possible when I am able to obtain the syllabus from the students. (Many teachers are happy to provide these, but find it may be necessary for the parent to obtain these. ) Relevant courses for teaching high school physics include these from the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum: Undergraduate engineering Physics I-III. Electric Circuits, Statics, Dynamics, Controls, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics. I have also taken numerous physics and engineering courses beyond these. However, while topics in statistical thermodynamics, viscous flow, statistics and so on give depth to my understanding of physics, these are not covered in high school physics.
Availability
Weekdays in the morning, Weekends in the afternoon, Weekends in the morning, Weekdays in the afternoon
Can Meet
Up to 10 minutes away for a flat fee, Up to 5 minutes away at my regular hourly rate
Hobbies
I like needlework, sewing and domestic crafts, blogging. Oddly, I'd say tutoring physics has become my main hobby. I like the money. While it is expensive for parents, because of the relatively few hours I can accumulate helping 5 students or fewer concurrently, the income pin money, not bread and butter money. My main income comes from other sources. For what it's worth: because to some extent tutoring physics has become my hobby, a lower income student whose circumstances clearly indicate they cannot afford my normal rates and who is willing to apply themselves could persuade me to charge a lower rate provided they are willing to be tutored near Lisle.
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