PrepNow Tutor - Courtney G.
Courtney has tutored a host of topics, including science, math, reading, writing, and biology. She describes herself as feeling "especially satisfied doing meaningful work that positively impacts people and the planet." She earned a BS from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where she majored in biology with a concentration in environmental science and a minor in statistics; she later earned an MS in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Arizona.
Since graduating, Courtney has worked for the USDA Forest Service in the Research and Development deputy area, a role in which she churned data into clear, quantifiable carbon counts for the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. In her last position as a temporary employee with the Washington Office, she served as a liaison between research and operations regarding the Forest Service's primary tool for forest management: a forest simulation tool that uses statistical models to project tree growth, mortality, and regeneration.
Courtney started tutoring biology as an undergraduate student; in graduate school, she served as a TA for several courses: Introduction to Biology Lab, Conservation Biology, and Introduction to Climate Change. "Over time, I fell in love with being witness to the 'aha' moment, i.e., when a concept finally clicks for a student. It is super exciting to watch a student enjoy learning and discovering!"
From 2019 to 2021, Courtney also taught elementary and middle school students in a science education program. One of Courtney's proudest moments was teaching a group of elementary students the scientific method. One of the more shy students of the group, who was blown away by the results of an experiment identifying tree sap, exclaimed, "No one knew this, but we figured it out! It's not honey on the trees!" As Courtney recalls, "I knew that she felt empowered to ask more questions about the world around her and that she felt confident she could do her own research!"
Courtney has a facilitative teaching style, where she asks questions and guides the discussion; she starts with easier questions to build students' confidence. "I then increase the difficulty of the questions to find their limits so that I know where to focus my efforts on instruction," she explains. "I try to get to a place where students can teach me because I believe this is the highest demonstration of understanding and helps concepts stick in one's mind."
During her time as a student, Courtney received many accolades: the Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship for graduating as high school salutatorian, Senior of the Year in the environmental science concentration in college, and the College of Science Award in Teaching during graduate school.
While Courtney played volleyball and basketball in high school, soccer was her main sport, which she continued to play in college.
Outside of work, Courtney enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and dog. She loves to cross-country ski in the winter and hike and bike in the summer. "I also keep a sourdough starter alive and enjoy baking."
