Kaitlin Duffey

Growing up in Denver, Colorado, I loved being outside and collecting plants and small critters. I was lucky enough to have teachers who nurtured this curiosity and challenged me to channel it into a pursuit of science. My high school physics teacher used his absurd brand of humor to make learning fun. It was in his class that I first grasped the idea that we can use math to describe and predict the world around us. Years later, in my freshman chemistry class at the University of South Carolina, our professor brought atoms and molecules to life through relatable metaphors and nifty demonstrations. She encouraged me to do research, and I joined a laboratory where I grew plankton cells and measured their chemical composition. I began to understand that our world is a web of invisible chemical connections. Eager to learn more, I headed to graduate school at UC Berkeley to study atmospheric chemistry. I had many exciting experiences in graduate school, like flying in a plane through the San Joaquin Valley to map pollution; however, my favorite experience was teaching. My teachers had changed the trajectory of my life, and I appreciated the opportunity to propagate their knowledge and  passion. I received my master’s degree and taught chemistry at Merritt College for many years before joining the staff at AJ Tutoring.

I love working with students one-on-one because it creates a safe space for them to think out loud, ask questions, and make mistakes. I strive to get to know my students and to use examples, metaphors, and techniques that are tailored to their unique selves. I truly believe that every student can succeed in science and math, and that learning these subjects should be fun.

When I’m not tutoring, I still obsess over plants and bugs. I also enjoy modern dance and singing, and am learning to play guitar and watercolor.