Meet Kate Atwell, Meyerhoff Scholar and Tutor

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 16:26:31 -0400

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello! My name is Kate Atwell and I am a math tutor. I am a sophomore math and computer science double major with a music and creative writing minor. I live in Frederick, MD and live on campus during the year. In addition to math, I am a big fan of writing and the humanities, and like to learn a lot about other disciplines as well as my own.

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

In addition to tutoring, I attend hackUMBC workshops and work in a research lab on campus. I am a member of the Meyerhoff and NSA Scholars programs, as well as the Honors College. I am also a Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) affiliate, which I would highly recommend for those who are in technical majors. I am also in Camerata, UMBC's chamber choir, and am planning on getting involved in several other student organizations this semester.

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

Before starting at the Math and Science Tutoring Center, I tutored for Ms. Tighe and Dr. Nanes during their office hours in CASTLE, after a question posed during one of their office hours turned into a regular job. I'd tutored a bit in high school and found it to be really rewarding, and wanted to continue in college. This semester, my roommate applied to the Math and Science Tutoring Center and encouraged me to do so as well, and I was excited to bring my skills to the Center

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

For me, being a tutor is really rewarding, and the best part is when a student comes in a bit shaky on the topic and something you say makes something click for them. Knowing that I had a part to play in that moment makes me feel as though I made a difference and helped them better succeed in that class.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

For one, it's a free and readily available resource; we're open Mondays through Thursdays 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Fridays 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. For another, it will definitely increase your understanding of the topic, even if you're fairly solid on it. If you're not too confident about a certain topic, or don't fully understand it, we'll point you in the right direction and help you master it. Tutors can also give you advice on how best to prepare for quizzes and exams, and helpful tips to succeed in the class in general. The Math and Science Tutoring Center can also get pretty packed, so often students in the same class will get the chance to form groups and meet one another.

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

Generally the people who get the most out of a tutoring session are those who come with specific questions or specific topics they'd like to work on, so I would suggest looking through your notes and your assigned problems and figure out what you're struggling with, whether it's a certain topic or just a few problems that aren't clicking. However, either way we will definitely work with you to increase your understanding of the topic and figure out what it is you need to work on!

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

My hours are 11-1 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-4 on Tuesdays. I tutor MATH 104, 106, 150, 155, 151, 152, and 251, STAT 121 as well as CMSC 201 and CMSC 203. The LRC has the hours of each tutor online, as well as the subject they teach, so if you can't make those hours or are looking for a specific tutor or subject, that's a great way to find people who are available! The LRC is located towards the front of the library on the first floor, on the far right past the RLC.