Tutoring Center
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Meet the Tutors
Amanda Spangle
Computer Science/ Technology
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been a tutor at Rowan-Cabarrus since March of 2022.
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor?
I enjoy getting to see all the different students and finding out what career path they have chosen.
What is your best tip for studying?
Studying really just depends on the person. There are so many different study methods out there. My best tip is to figure out which study method works well for you.
What does academic success mean to you?
Academic success to me means good grades above all. I also think it means getting the most out of your education you can. Ask questions and learn as much as you can.
What was the last thing that you read, watched, or listened to?
Currently, I am watching MasterChef. I am reading different programming books.
Cody Ashby
Math
How long have you been a tutor?
I’ve been with Rowan-Cabarrus for over six years after spending time as a graduate TA at UNC-Wilmington in their math department from 2013-2015.
What is your best tip for studying?
I have quite a few pieces of advice. First, pace yourself, even if you have a large amount of material to cover. Second, I’ve found over time that repetition can serve as a strong memorization technique.
Heather Morgan
Writing
How long have you been a tutor?
I am new to tutoring, but I have always been my friends’ go-to editor!
What is one new hobby you have developed recently?
I have recently developed an obsession with house plants. Now I have a collection of over 70 plants just in my bedroom! Watching them grow and change is so therapeutic. My favorite is my giant monstera deliciosa.
What is your best tip for studying?
I study by taking notes. Anyone who knows me well knows that I especially LOVE taking notes with highlighters. Personally, if something is aesthetically pleasing, I will be much more likely to remember it.
Do you prefer coffee or tea?
I love coffee–my Starbucks order is an iced caramel macchiato with soy milk. You gotta try it!
How do you manage your time most effectively while working from home?
I use a planner, as well as a calendar that I have hanging on my wall. I am definitely a list person, so being able to visually see everything that I need to get done on paper is really helpful to me.
Richard Hendren
Math/Science
How long have you been a tutor?
After taking early retirement from a career in pharmaceutical research and development, I have tutored high school and college students in math and science for the past eleven years. I have worked in the Tutoring Centers at Wake Tech Community College and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and taught general, organic and biological chemistry at Wake Tech, Catawba College, and Rowan-Cabarrus.
What is your best tip for studying?
Identify Key Concepts – Assume that you will need to read the textbook to supplement your lecture notes and your instructor’s PowerPoint presentations. Start by reading the Chapter Summary which outlines the key concepts and their inter-relationships. Next, skim through the chapter, focusing attention on each figure and table and reading adjacent text for explanations of new terms. Use your highlighter sparingly.
Test Yourself – While reading through the chapter, stop and answer any embedded questions, then check your answers before proceeding to the next section. Answer the end-of-chapter questions without referring to the text, then check your answers. When reading tables, cover all but one column or row with a blank index card, try to recall the covered material, then quickly uncover the answer. Use this “cover and test” technique to memorize definitions, equations, or structures. For example, cover the names of anatomical structures or physiological processes on labeled diagrams, trigonometric values on the unit circle, names of polyatomic ions, organic functional groups, or kinematic equations, then uncover the answers to check your learning. Importantly, repeat this process in reverse, i.e., first cover the definition, then cover the name but not the definition. The “cover and test” technique, using tables and figures in the textbook or on instructor handouts, is a quick and easy alternative to making flash cards.
Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Wine
How do you manage your time most effectively while working from home?
Adopt a routine, adhere to a schedule of tasks.
Jaxon Wheeler
Math
How long have you been a tutor?
I’ve been tutoring since I graduated high school in 2020.
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor?
I love explaining concepts to other students because I believe it helps me understand it better.
What is your best tip for studying?
Just keeping up with the homework and asking questions as they come up helps me study best.
What does academic success mean to you?
I view someone as academically successful when they are knowledgeable enough about something to explain it to others.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to?
Stranger Things on Netflix
Justin Howver
Biology
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been tutoring at Rowan-Cabarrus for more than 2 years. With tutoring experience from other schools, I have been tutoring for 5 years!
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor at RCCC?
I like being able to work as a team with other tutors in the Tutoring Center and helping students how to best study for their classes.
What is your best tip for studying?
In the biological sciences, I find it helpful to draw diagrams or use flashcards to break down larger concepts such as organ systems and genetic inheritance.
What does academic success mean to you?
Academic success, to me, means being able to apply learned information/concepts and not just memorize the information.
What was the last thing that you read, watched, or listened to?
I have recently been listening to classic rock music.
Laura Thompson
Writing/Reading
How long have you been a tutor?
I am astonished to discover that I’ve been hanging around Rowan-Cabarrus in some capacity since October of 2004 – It doesn’t seem that long!
What is your best tip for studying?
Read the questions first so you understand what is important to learn from your reading.
What does academic success mean to you?
To me, academic success means more than just good grades and an on-time graduation date. It also means that the student’s academic interest is stimulated so that the student wants to continue to learn and feels comfortable asking questions and investigating different subjects.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to?
Lately, I’ve read Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark and The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly. I’m currently listening to Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz.
Mary Ducksworth
Writing/Reading/Kaplan Writing Test Prep
How long have you been a tutor?
I began tutoring with Rowan-Cabarrus during the Fall semester of 2019.
What is your best tip for studying?
A tip I would give students for studying would be to pace yourself. When studying for a test or exam, stretch out your study time. Break it down into 30-40 minute increments each day, weeks before your test. Learn little by little so that you are actually digesting the information. Cramming at the last minute can make it stressful. Studying isn’t always the most fun task, but you can make it one of your easiest if you plan ahead!
What does academic success mean to you?
A part of academic success is meeting the learning objectives outlined by your courses, but more importantly, it’s about reflecting on what’s going to make you feel like you’re putting your best foot forward. That means asking yourself: what goal do I want to accomplish in this class? How much time do I want to dedicate to accomplishing this goal? What strategies can I use to help me be successful? It’s you who should set the standard for yourself. And know that if it’s met, you’ve earned the right to feel successful.
What is the last thing you’ve watched, read, or listened to?
I love all types of movies and shows! Good movies to watch are “The School for Good & Evil” or “Echoes” on Netflix or good shows to watch would be “Euphoria” on HBOMax, or “Yellowjackets” on Hulu. Currently, I’m waiting impatiently for season 4 of “You” on Netflix.
Marge Galvin-Karr
Chemistry/Kaplan Math Test Prep
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been a tutor since August, 2016.
What is your best tip for studying?
- Read the class material before every lecture
- Attend class. EVERY. . .SINGLE. . . .CLASS
- Review your notes after class and organize in a way that suits you. i.e. color coding, flash cards, etc.
- Ask questions. The only silly/stupid question is the one that isn’t asked!
- Study every day – even if it’s just 10-15 minutes
- Do all practice exams or worksheets
- Practice, practice, practice solving problems. Ask the professor for extra practice or search the web
- Determine areas of confusion. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – from the professor, fellow students, and/or the Tutoring Center
What was the last thing that you read, watched, or listened to?
The last thing I read was My Vanishing Country: A Memoir by Bakari Sellers, and the last thing I watched was The Newsroom a three-season episodic drama about the workings of a newsroom.
Mayra Frommelt
Spanish
How long have you been a tutor?
About 15 years (on and off).
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor at RCCC?
Being part of the team! I enjoy that feeling when the student says, “Oh, I get it now!” or “How many appointments can I make with you?” (Hint: as many as you would like!)
What is your best tip for studying?
Always review your new material taught by the professor on the same day–even if it is just for 5 minutes. Also, never wait until the last minute to seek your tutor’s help!
What does academic success mean to you?
First and foremost, academic success leads to positive outcomes in one’s life journey. Academic success improves confidence, self-esteem, and enhances social engagement. To this end, educators must continue to assess students and augment learning techniques that best suit how a student receives and processes learned material. Encouragement and motivation lead to a student’s mastery of the subject.
What was the last thing you read, watched, or listened to?
Two of the last books I read were: From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks and Finding Me by Viola Davis. I have learned a lot from reading them!
Mya Aun
Math/Science
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been a Rowan-Cabarrus tutor since 2017. My STEM background encompasses natural phenomena and engineered constructs.
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor at RCCC?
I enjoy helping students gain insights into the problems they are tackling as well as equipping them with tools and strategies from mathematics and the sciences to formulate solutions.
What is your best tip for studying?
My best study tip is to make a summary sheet of lecture materials for each exam. This can be in the form of theories, equations, examples, and diagrams.
What does academic success mean to you?
Academic success translates to being able to apply what you have learned in classes to model and solve real problems.
What was the last thing that you read, watched, or listened to?
The last thing I watched was the series HOME where unique homes are showcased alongside the inspirations behind the architects who designed them.
Nathan Nicolau
Writing
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been a writing tutor for two years and hope to do many more.
What do you enjoy most about tutoring?
What I love most about tutoring is helping students from all walks of life by sharing my biggest passion: writing. I love watching students succeed; it’s the most rewarding work out there.
What is your best tip for studying?
Listen to your body. Your body and mind are more connected than you think! If you are too tired or hungry, it distracts you from studying or reading.
What does academic success mean to you?
To me, academic success is more than passing classes or getting high grades. It’s the ability to reflect on all that you’re learning and ask, “How will all of this get me one step closer to my dreams/goals/aspirations?” With that comes responsibility and professionalism, two great traits that get you far in life.
What is the last thing you watched, read, or listened to?
I just finished re-reading Pride and Prejudice. I used to not like that book in high school. But after a second read, I ended up enjoying it a lot more. I hope to read Austen’s entire works soon!
Nicholas Holman
Writing
How long have you been a tutor?
While I just started at RCCC this fall, I have a couple of years of experience tutoring and substitute teaching.
What do you enjoy most about tutoring?
What I enjoy most about tutoring is the opportunity to play a small part in encouraging and assisting individual students in the pursuit of noble goals in academia and life.
What is your best tip for studying?
Know thyself…Socrates’s words, not mine!
What does academic success mean to you?
In my eyes, academic success connotes progress. And while progress is different for different people, I believe academic success can be generally defined as an individual’s positive progression forward in an academic institution. In short, I see academic success as determined by a student’s progress pertaining to and aligning with their personally defined academic goals.
What is the last thing you watched, read, or listened to?
The last thing I listened to was Frank Sinatra.
James Goodermote
Computer Science & Technology
How long have you been a tutor?
2.5 years.
What is one new hobby you have developed recently?
The new hobby I have started is learning to invest in the stock market.
What is your best tip for studying?
For programming reading the entire chapter and typing in the examples in the chapter and running them.
Do you prefer coffee or tea?
I prefer tea.
How do you manage your time most effectively while working from home?
Using time management and setting up a schedule.
Jeremiah Handlon
Writing/Reading
How long have you been a tutor?
I have worked in the English department at Rowan-Cabarrus since 2019 but have only been with tutoring since August 2022.
What do you enjoy most about tutoring at RCCC?
The thing I like most about tutoring is working with students one-on-one and seeing their individual interests shine in their papers.
What is your best tip for studying?
My best tip for studying is to take notes by hand. This helps you retain information better than simply typing your notes on the computer.
What does academic success mean to you?
Academic success means building your critical thinking skills to the point that you are confident in your ability to think for yourself.
What is the last thing you watched, read, or listened to?
The last thing I listened to was “Winter Bear” by V from BTS.
Roger Lee
Math/Chemistry
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been tutoring at Rowan-Cabarrus for about 4 years. I received my Bachelor of Science in chemistry at UNCC after receiving an associate degree in science and biotechnology from the Rowan-Cabarrus in 2012. I worked in manufacturing at IBM in Charlotte, NC for 16 years. I also have a form of muscular dystrophy called Becker’s which requires the use of a wheelchair.
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor at RCCC?
I enjoy helping students to better understand their subject matter, knowing that I have played a small part in their academic success.
What is your best tip for studying?
Studying for shorter time periods more frequently is usually better than one long cram session the night before an exam.
What does academic success mean to you?
Initially, academic success is passing classes with the highest possible grades, but more than that, it is learning skills that will increase the student’s success in their workplace and personal life.
What was the last thing that you read, watched, or listened to?
I’ve been watching For All Mankind on Apple TV.
Sandra Cusack
Writing
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been a tutor for a few months at RCCC, but I also worked as a tutor a long time ago when I was getting my Master of Arts in English from West Virginia University. In the years in between, I have published multiple non-fiction articles in newspapers.
What do you enjoy most about being a tutor at RCCC?
I love being able to help people improve their writing. I love being able to see their joy and relief that they made it through the process!
What is your best tip for studying?
Take good notes–this makes it really easy to study! Also, review your notes after class and ask any questions about things you might have missed at the beginning of the next class or during your teacher’s office hours.
What does academic success mean to you?
Grades are important, but if at the end of the day you have learned something, I count that as success!
What was the last thing that you read, watched, or listened to?
I most recently finished Jason Mott’s Hell of a Book–which is really an excellent read about a man’s struggle with his hallucinations and his alcoholism. I highly recommend this National Book Award recipient. I also have just finished watching The Crown, which is a fascinating deep dive into the life of Queen Elizabeth and her struggles with not just politics, but also her relationships with her family and friends. It will take you a while to watch all of it, but I also highly recommend watching The Crown.
Sean Coyle
Computer Science/Information Technology
How long have you been a tutor?
I’ve been a tutor at RCCC for about a year now.
What do you enjoy most about tutoring?
I enjoy explaining concepts in a field I’m passionate about.
What is your best tip for studying?
The best tip I have for studying is to make sure you take your time and develop a plan to study. Don’t wait until the last minute.
What does academic success mean to you?
Academic success, to me, is where you can understand what you are learning for the long term.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to?
The last thing I read was The Colour of Magic.
Shirley Mercer
Office Administration/Blackboard
How long have you been a tutor?
I’ve been a tutor since the Center first started, in 2008.
What is your best tip for studying?
My best tip for studying is to take a break every 20 minutes. Also, make flashcards.
Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Tea.
Stephanie Clarke
Accounting
How long have you been a tutor?
5 years.
What is one new hobby you have developed recently?
Recently, nothing, however, I love to crochet!
What is your best tip for studying?
Pay attention to when you need a break. A tired mind is like an overly saturated sponge, it will hold no more.
Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Sweet Tea.
How do you manage your time most effectively while working from home?
Alarms. It’s easy to lose time in isolation. I set alarms to move between tasks.
Vilma Perdomo
Spanish
How long have you been a tutor?
I have been a tutor on and off for the past ten years.
What do you enjoy most about tutoring?
I enjoy interacting with the students and seeing their happy faces when they finally understand the concepts.
What is your best tip for studying?
I encourage students to review the class concepts every day for a short period of time.
What does academic success mean to you?
To me, academic success means fully understanding a concept in a course and being able to apply it to your everyday life.
What is the last thing you watched, read, or listened to?
I listened to a weekly podcast called “Hidden Brain.”