Jillian McKenzie

Biography

I’ve always been known as a puzzle-solver and furniture constructor. All my life, I’ve enjoyed getting my hands on the pieces and seeing the process of creation through. My early interactions with science and math expanded on this joy of building, and I continued to pursue those subjects by studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of the Pacific. Here, I was able to get my first experiences with helping others see the way our world functions and how we can interact with it.

After earning my bachelor’s and my master’s degrees, I worked in the medical device industry in many different roles (from R&D to manufacturing) before I felt the call to return to the academic setting.

I’m always excited to work with students in a one-to-one environment to help them develop a deeper understanding of subjects such as physics and calculus. I believe that every student is capable of achieving a high level of knowledge, and each one deserves the time, energy, and support to realize their goals.

There is a careful balance between challenging a student to go further and keeping them motivated while they build their skills and confidence. I believe a successful teacher also helps students develop independent problem-solving methods, so that the student can later handle the material on their own, with confidence and an understanding of different approaches.

My hobbies include crochet, reading fantasy books, watching movies, and trying to keep the plethora of plants I’ve inherited alive.