So... hi, I'm a science nerd! 🤓 It's what makes me a great tutor. Enthusiasm has a way of engaging students, even if they aren't particularly excited about the subject matter or are struggling to put it all together.

What sets my program apart? I identify with students who find it difficult to understand and apply scientific concepts, as I too struggled as a student. I am all too familiar with the mental shut-down that can happen when one feels lost in course content. I recognize this process occurring in many of my students, and aim to spread the message that there is no shame in admitting when we're confused, lost, or overwhelmed.

The study of science requires understanding of a lot of facts, problem solving, and synthesis of ideas, and it can be very difficult to be successful if you don't believe that you can. Often taking things a step back or slowing down is all that is required to show students that they can do it. Removing that mental barrier allows them to move on in their learning. y overall approach to helping students can be summed up in the following quote, attributed to Rose Kennedy:

"Neither comprehension nor learning can take place in an atmosphere of anxiety."

Although I did not attend teacher's college, several of my past positions involved education. I not only held several Teaching Assistant positions while I was in graduate school, I also presented my research at many conferences in Ontario and the United States. I also taught children about animals, nature, and the environment through positions in education and outreach at the Toronto Zoo and Reptilia Inc. while I was working toward my degrees.

Further, I took a course in grad school called University Teaching: Theory and Practice, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The theory portion of it was especially fascinating, and provided a great introduction to the pedagogy of teaching, with emphasis on different teaching methods, feedback, and frequent self-reflection while in a teaching role. I learned a great deal about teaching older students in that course, and continue to seek new research and advances in this area to continue to enhance my skills as an educator. 

Academically, I hold a diploma in Biotechnology from Seneca College, a BSc in Zoology from the University of Guelph, and a PhD in Environmental Biology, also from U of G. During the course of my studies I have gained a high level of knowledge on the following subjects:

• General Biology
• General Chemistry 
• Organic Chemistry 
• Physics for the life sciences
• Biochemistry 
• Cell Biology
• Developmental Biology
• Genetics
• Evolution
• Histology
• Immunology
• Mammalogy
• Ornithology
• Herpetology
• Invertebrate Zoology
• Ecology
• Aquatic Ecosystems
• Forest Ecosystems
• Population dynamics

If you'd like to read a ridiculously long dissertation (no one is ever going to read it) on how the emerald ash borer beetle spread through Point Pelee National Park over several years in the late 00's, feel free to have a look at my thesis (I won't hold it against you if you don't).

Thanks for reading! I remain:

Yours in science,

Shelley Carson