Biography

Hello! My name is Tara and I am a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a B.S. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics (MIMG). I was born here in the Bay Area (at Stanford!), but moved with my Mom and brother to Potomac, Maryland at 6 years old. I spent quite a bit of time traveling between my Mom in Maryland and my Dad in California, and it was in these liminal moments at the airport where I really picked up my love for knowledge. I would read every single book I could get my hands on, embracing all genres and topics.

Although I do still read and enjoy the humanities, my main interest is STEM, specifically Science. I can appreciate how difficult Biology is, but I firmly believe that the subject is essential in understanding the basis of life. From my time in college, I learned how valuable it is to have a teacher and a student work together to accomplish great things. I bring this collaborative mentality to all of my tutoring sessions.

As the oldest daughter, I was always at the dinner table assisting my brother and half-siblings with their schoolwork. I also have a background in sports coaching, as I taught children from 5 – 13 years old basic tennis and soccer techniques. Working with children has helped me develop patience and perseverance, and it is incredibly rewarding to see how much progress a child can make with continual guidance and support. I am also currently a volunteer for the Environmental Volunteers based out of the EcoCenter in Palo Alto. Part of my volunteering involves going into classrooms and teaching elementary school kids about environmental science in a fun and engaging manner. As such, I will bring some of these teaching techniques into the session to encourage the student not to just memorize, but truly learn the material.

My motto in life is respect and compassion. I firmly believe that everyone has a purpose and has talents and strengths unique to themselves. As such, I bring this philosophy into my tutoring. This means that in our tutoring sessions, you can expect you and your child to be heard and to have a tutoring plan adapted to your child’s needs and your parental expectations. My life experiences have taught me how integral education is to the future of our society, and I hope to make a difference here at AJ tutoring!

Although I have a heavy STEM background, I do have a diverse range of interests. I am an avid tennis player, having played on my high school tennis team and briefly on the club team at UCLA. I love to hike and explore nature, and most of my weekends are filled with trips to the beach and exploring local second-hand shops. I make crafts such as friendship bracelets or crochet clothing, and you may see me in a handmade item every now and then!