PrepNow Tutor - Marcela M.
Marcela is a passionate science educator and researcher with a strong foundation in chemistry and oceanography. A former teaching assistant and undergraduate tutor, she’s adept at breaking complex concepts into manageable parts. She has tutored and taught the following courses: chemistry (general & organic); general science; and mathematics (algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, and statistics). Her strong grasp of how to best teach science and math fundamentals—particularly functions, graphing, and word problems—makes her an asset when it comes to SAT and ACT prep.
After earning a BS in chemistry with a minor in mathematics from Arkansas State University, she earned a master’s in chemical oceanography from the University of Maine, where she taught, performed research, and presented at international conferences.
“My proudest moment as a mentor is every time someone that I am helping grasps a concept, when they have that eureka moment,” she recounts. One of her main goals as an educator is to make STEM engaging, accessible, and inclusive for all students. “Every student deserves access to high-quality instruction and the opportunity to see themselves as capable learners,” she adds.
She describes her approach as “student-centered, inquiry-driven, and supportive.” She’s adept at crafting engaging sessions to demystify tough topics while enticing students’ curiosity. “I’ve seen how curiosity sparks deeper learning and how individualized support can completely change a student’s relationship with a subject,” she explains. Emphasizing critical thinking over rote memorization, she uses questioning techniques, real-world examples, and hands-on practice to foster deeper understanding and greater confidence. “I believe in fostering a growth mindset—helping students understand that mistakes are part of learning and that perseverance leads to mastery.”
As a graduate student, she’s proud to share that she conducted advanced research on nitrogen cycling and environmental DNA, collected field samples, and presented findings at national conferences. As an undergraduate, she developed an electrochemical biosensor for glucose detection and contributed to two peer-reviewed publications.
Marcela has many accolades. On top of presenting her research at the Ocean Sciences Meeting (an internationally recognized conference with over 6,000 attendees), her work was published in two peer-reviewed journals. She garnered the Poster Award at the A-State Research Symposium; her leadership and devotion to STEM outreach got her elected as VP of the American Chemical Society student chapter. Her academic excellence and contributions to marine sciences earned her a presentation spot at the University of Maine Marine Sciences Symposium (2023 & 2024).
In her free time, she loves getting creative and being outdoors. “I love baking, making pottery pieces by hand, and playing the piano when I want to relax,” she shares. She’s also fond of growing her own herbs, veggies, and flowers. Fun fact: she has played the piano since she was four years old!
