PrepNow Tutor - Emily R.
Emily is a science educator and tutor with a background in biology and earth science. She has worked in research, international classrooms, and outdoor education settings. Across these experiences, she has developed a strong interest in helping students build confidence while engaging with challenging concepts. She studied earth and atmospheric science with a concentration in oceanography at Cornell University.
Since completing her undergraduate degree, Emily has worked across outdoor education, classroom teaching, and scientific research. She began as an outdoor educator in the San Juan Islands, Washington, and on Catalina Island, California, teaching visiting school groups environmental science concepts through guided hikes, snorkeling, and other hands-on, experiential activities. She later transitioned to working as a high school science teacher in an international school. This experience highlighted her interest in cellular biology and genetics and ultimately motivated her to pursue a master’s degree. Emily attended James Cook University where she earned her master's of marine biology with a specialization in marine genomics. She graduated with distinction as a result of her strong academic performance and her research thesis in genotyping applications in aquaculture.
Emily’s first foray into teaching was in outdoor education programs. Of the experience, she says “I was struck by how often students responded with curiosity, gratitude, and genuine enthusiasm for learning, which shaped my positive approach to education and mentorship.” Most of her experience in the classroom is with scientific subjects. She’s taught middle school and high school science classes in biology, environmental science, and integrated science. She has also spent copious amounts of time in the field doing science-based field instruction, experiential learning, and student mentoring. She has experience preparing students for standardized exams and as such regularly incorporated standardized-test-style language, reasoning, and question formats into assignments and assessments.
“My teaching style is positive, conversational, and encouraging,” Emily says. She “talks students through problems step-by-step, asks guiding questions, and normalizes mistakes as a natural part of learning.” Emily is of the belief that students learn best when lessons “feel collaborative and even enjoyable, rather than stressful or intimidating.”
Outside of academics, Emily is an avid knitter and enjoys modifying and customizing patterns. She enjoys visual arts, primarily painting. She also loves to swim recreationally. Prince Charming, her Boston Terrier, is a show dog!
