Nola McCafferty

Biography

Growing up in a small town with few children my age, my time after school was spent at my grandparent’s house, both of whom were retired school teachers. After completing my homework each day, my curiosity quickly spread past the questions on the pages, with more advanced concepts in math and science having piqued my interests. My Grandmother obliged, teaching me concepts through early algebra far before I would encounter them in the classroom. This first experience of tutoring opened the door to what I would soon consider my greatest academic strength, mathematics and eventually the sciences. I would go on to take Calculus 1 my early in high school up through Linear Algebra by the time I began at Cal.

During my time studying Environmental Sciences at UC Berkeley, I found a passion for teaching through club leadership and course instruction. My research on redlining and the environmental equity crisis in the Bay Area led me to take over a student-taught course on the effects of the War on Drugs in California. After one semester of teaching, I saw the critical engagement of the students turn to passion for a subject they were unacquainted with at the beginning of the year. Word spread, and the next semester the class size doubled. Seeing my passion translate and project onto others in a way that spikes genuine care and curiosity drew me toward a career in education.

I believe that a strong foundation in STEM is what allows a student to make their passions actionable, regardless of career path. Tutoring Calculus and Chemistry in a 1-on-1 capacity allows me to foster a student’s skills in what will be the groundwork for a fruitful education in college and beyond.

Outside of the classroom, I have a keen passion for music and have been performing for over half my life. Most recently I’ve showcased my original songwriting at shows and festivals like Echo Park Rising in Los Angeles!