Need help with Math or Stat? Meet Maria at the Library!

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 17:15:56 -0400

Hi, my name is Maria Packard and I am a senior Math major and Psychology minor. My career goal is to become a high school math teacher, so after I graduate I will stay at UMBC for another year to get my Master of Arts in Teaching. I love to play Ultimate Frisbee, run marathons, watch Game of Thrones, and hang out with friends.

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

At UMBC I am involved with the Sherman Scholars, the Honors College, and the Ultimate Frisbee club teams. Sherman Scholars are all students who want to become teachers, specifically with a mission become culturally responsive educators. This year I have been helping out in a high school Algebra classroom twice a week, where I get to build relationships with students and assist in increasing their understanding of the material.

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

I have been tutoring since high school, so working in the Math and Science Tutoring Center is a good next step towards working in a classroom. Since I want to be a math teacher, I thought that being a tutor would help me to gain experience in helping students to learn and practice my teaching skills.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

My favorite thing about being a tutor is seeing students be successful. It is always a great feeling when students are able to work through a problem and get the correct answer on their own, or when we all work together on a difficult problem and we finally get it right.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

Tutoring is great! I didn’t know anything about the LRC before I became a tutor, but I wish I did when I was taking my Calculus and Computer Science classes. Here in the Math and Science Tutoring Center, we are open for most of the day and students can come whenever they want. Additionally, we have a lot of tutors who cover a variety of classes. This space can also help students to meet other people in their classes and form study groups.

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session?

I think that students have a better experience if they come with a plan of what they want to do. It is beneficial for students to come prepared with questions, or with an idea of what they want to work on. Students should try to review material ahead of time, or attempt homework questions before asking for help. Also, students can use the LRC website to see at what times tutors for their class will be available.

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

If you want to come to me for help in your math classes, I work Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 12 to 2 in the afternoon! I work in the Math and Science Tutoring Center, which is located on the first floor of the library on the right near the printing stations.