Bradie Lee

Biography

A lifelong learner with a curiosity that spans from the tiniest soil microbes to the biggest questions about how we live, I’ve always been drawn to uncovering patterns and making sense of complexity. My passion for education grew from recognizing that learning is fundamentally a collaborative process. Much like the intricate relationships between organisms in an ecosystem, effective education thrives when we work together to create an environment where understanding can flourish.

I was born and raised in Texas, and earned my undergraduate degree in plant biology, with a minor in environment & sustainability, at the University of Texas at Austin before completing a PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. My doctoral work focused on the soil microbiome and next-generation sequencing data analysis, where I learned to break complex problems into manageable steps, which is a skill I now pass on to my students. Graduate school taught me the value of persistence, clear communication, and asking the right questions, lessons I bring into every tutoring session. Perhaps most importantly, my academic journey showed me that struggling with difficult concepts isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the pathway to deeper understanding.

My interest in biology and chemistry tutoring emerged naturally from my research background, where I studied how nutrients cycle between plants and microbes in complex soil ecosystems. I discovered that the analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills I developed translate well onto teaching students. We all have a role to play in the human ecosystem, not unlike the way the organisms in soil coordinate with one another to create a flourishing environment. Tutoring is the place I fit right now within the human ecosystem due to my passion for teaching, from toddlers to young adults, as well as my expertise in these fields as I pursue passion projects (I am writing a sci fi book!) and a change in my career trajectory to another sector in the field of sustainability.

During graduate school, I served as a Graduate Student Instructor for both “The (Secret) Life of Plants” and “General Microbiology Laboratory,” where I led discussion sections, mentored students in lab techniques, and co-created exam materials. I also spent years as a peer mentor in the Freshman Research Initiative at UT Austin, teaching experimental techniques to other undergraduates and helping them develop scientific thinking skills. My teaching experience extends beyond the university setting, where I worked as an intern at both the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and Austin Nature and Science Center. In both of these positions, I created and implemented educational programs and taught elementary age children about plants, ecology, and conservation. Through these diverse teaching experiences, I learned that effective education requires meeting students where they are, not where I think they should be. I discovered the power of asking guiding questions rather than simply providing answers, and I developed techniques for making abstract concepts tangible and relevant across all age groups.

I approach tutoring as a collaborative process rather than a one-way transfer of information. Instead of simply delivering answers, I work to spark curiosity, strengthen problem-solving skills, and help students take ownership of their learning. I enjoy working through problems together, encouraging students to explain their thinking process, and helping them recognize patterns and strategies they can apply independently. I specialize in helping students find excitement in learning, helping them find the motivation to build their minds into effective tools to help them achieve their goals. The 1-on-1 format allows me to tailor each session to the student’s learning style, adjust the pace as needed, and provide the kind of personalized encouragement that builds lasting confidence.

When I’m not tutoring, you’ll find me tending to to my aquatic plants and other critters I collect from nearby ponds and creeks (which I have done since I was 13), surfing the Internet to discover niche subcultures, art, and learn about technology development, and knitting or crocheting.