Riley Guttromson

I came to the Bay Area from Washington State to work in chemical labs, but found myself drawn to teaching when I gave a lab tour to a high school chemistry class. I realized how deeply I care about making science accessible and understandable to students.

When I started college, I was intimidated by upper level math and science courses. However, a professor told me the most difficult chemistry course is your first one, and he was right! A strong foundational understanding of the fundamentals gave me the skills I needed to graduate cum laude with a B.S. in chemistry. I believe that anyone who is willing to put the effort into understanding the principles of chemistry can make it through O-Chem or even become a chemist. My goal with my students is to provide them with a solid grasp of the material and to prepare them for future success, whether in chemistry or other disciplines.

When I’m not working, I love to ski, write, paint, and throw ceramics. I have two cats, Popcorn and Pancake, and I am always trying to make the perfect panini.