Fun Facts

Before changing careers, I was a restaurant chef for twelve years! I prefer cooking for my family of three over cooking for hundreds of people a night these days, however. I have three crazy dogs, a wife and a Minecraft-crazed kid.

About Me

I am a senior science/illinois/chicago">Computer Science major at Northeastern Illinois University, with a minor in Mathematics. After graduation, I'm planning on getting a Master's in Library and Information Science, and then a sweet library job, perhaps in a law library.

Experience

This summer I am working as a peer leader, helping teach a graduate-level class in Python programming to non-CS graduate students. Additionally, in the past year I tutored my thirteen-year old and a couple of their fellow classmates in preparing for Chicago's high school assessment exams. I also enjoy helping my own fellow classmates when they find themselves stuck (and I might have an answer!)

Approach

I think it's important to tailor a teaching approach to the needs of the student, and progress as slowly and as quickly as needed. Starting from areas of comfort and then moving towards more complicated ideas builds confidence. Especially in programming, I like to use real-world ideas as examples, so there is a tangible result to the concept, and reiteration to make sure the ideas stick.