I was a Neuroscience major with Physics and Chemistry minors before starting medical school in 2020. I graduated from Tulane and am now a pediatrics resident who still enjoys teaching :)

Find out more about Natalie

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I developed an interest in science throughout my life! I remember as a kid, my paternal grandfather was interested in biology. He gave me a loop, which is like a magnifying glass, and it was my most prized gift throughout childhood. I became interested in human biology during my sophomore year of high school when I took a biology class for my first time. In high school, I struggled a lot in physics and came to learn that this struggle was common. I attended an undergraduate where several physicists dedicated their research time to understanding how to make physics classrooms more inclusive. This is something I was interested in on a personal level as well as for others who are underrepresented in the field. I also struggled with math starting in 7th grade and had a father who refused to hear I was not good at math. I tell my students the same. I approach STEM with a growth mindset and the joy of learning. I love to empower my students to not only improve their performance in class but also recognize cool applications of their classes in the real world. I also tutor English Language Learners. I have done this for eight years. I enjoy working with ELL students because the skills that they learn from lessons allow them to better connect with their new community. I also learn from every ELL student I work with. I love to learn and share knowledge of culture and values to expand both my world and the world of my students.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  In Biology and Chemistry, I really enjoy mechanisms and pathways, such as cellular respiration and pushing electrons. I also enjoy topics that are great to learn by analogy, like cell structure. In physics, my favorite topic is the wave-particle duality. I also enjoy working with new chemists on this complex topic. In math, I really enjoy every level of teaching and learning. With English Language Learners, I enjoy working with beginners because the rate of growth is so great. However, I also enjoy working on writing for students that have not had the opportunity to express themselves through the written word in their new language and at times, their native language.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  My parents have always inspired me. My mom was the one who emphasized the joy in learning and my dad, without using the term, instilled the growth mindset. From him, I really learned to not give up and that just because a class is difficult, I cannot say that I am not good at it. Professionally, some of the people I look up to the most include Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Sal Khan, Haifa Younis, Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, Miriam Mirzakhani, Maya Angelou, and T. Collin Campbell. I have also had amazing teachers and personal mentors, including, but not limited to: Dr. Stephanie DiCenzo, Dr. Keith Ferdinand, Dr. Habiba Vaghoo, Dr. Shannon Cohn, Dr. Elma LeDoux, Dr. Sally Meyer, Dr. Neena Grover, Dr. Sonia Malhotra, and Dr. Guenevere Rae. My husband, all 4 of my grandparents, and my mother-in-law have also been huge sources of inspiration.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I think patience and the ability to approach a topic from multiple angles are crucial for a tutor. I also think a passion or at least a deep interest for the subject a tutor is tutoring in is important. Finally, the ability to inspire students to want to learn and feel empowered to do so is crucial. I love the Lao Tzu “Go to the People” quote. I do my best to follow these values both as a teacher and as a medical student.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  As a senior in high school, I had Calculus as my first class in the morning. I recall successfully working through a difficult derivative and then the teacher stating “1+1+1” equals and me answering with excitement “1”. I always tell my students this story to emphasize the importance of paying close attention at every step. Sometimes we get focused on the new or harder parts, we make silly mistakes that can hurt our performance in class. It’s important to laugh at yourself, but also learn from your mistakes.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I often felt as a student that I was not a “natural” at math or the physical sciences. This is why I speak from personal experience when I tell my students that learning is not a race. Our brains are diverse. Sometimes we need more time. Sometimes we need a break and a new way to approach a topic. It is important to push ourselves, be empathetic towards the difficulties, and never give up.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I am passionate about both teaching and medicine! These passions go hand and hand. I could not be a medical student if I did not have a strong education growing up. I like to create these opportunities for my students. There are also a lot of interactions between educational opportunities and health. I strive to empower my students and my patients to do what they can for themselves to become the best students and live a healthful life. As a tutor and a doctor, I am there to support my students, but at the end of the day, it is their hard work that will get them to their goals.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering this interview questions :-P)?

  I think my love for learning and working with people from diverse backgrounds make me a Superprof. I am patient and have a growth mindset and all my students will tell you this.