PrepNow Tutor - Robert J.
Robert is a trained marine scientist, published author, and tutor. He holds a BS in physics and astrophysics, a BS in applied mathematics, and a PhD in marine science from the University of Delaware. He began tutoring as an undergraduate in 2015, assisting walk-in students in coding, pre-calculus, calculus, physics, and chemistry. He also went on to offer private physics tutoring outside of the University’s tutoring center. After graduating with two undergraduate degrees, he focused on his PhD work, publishing two papers along the way in the arena of experimental fluid dynamics (studying the production of sea spray).
Robert’s tutoring mentality is founded upon the assumption that making mistakes is expected and offers a beneficial way to grow and learn new material. He says, “I know from being a student myself that overcoming a struggle is a wonderful feeling—a real confidence boost. So enabling another person to triumph the same way is quite rewarding.” Robert also understands that differentiated instruction ensures that all students can succeed. Therefore, as he gets to know each student, he provides the student with the raw material needed to attempt to solve a problem. However, he is careful only to guide students toward their learning, giving them space to develop their own approaches, ultimately stepping back as much as possible once students become more independently confident.
Outside of the classroom, Robert has always been a student of music: he played percussion in his high school’s marching and jazz bands, and he toured with a drum and bugle corps across the Northeast and Midwest US the summer before college. He still loves music, and one can find him regularly singing in his church’s choir and playing his alto sax. Robert also revels in the outdoors, often taking day hikes to absorb the natural scenery. Finally, Robert also enjoys any good game: indeed, he is currently a time wizard in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign that has lasted for years.
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