Ross Rutherford

Biography

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved history and the social sciences. These are lenses through which to parse the greatest repository of human nature ever compiled. If you want to learn more about what’s possible—ways of living together, overcoming hardships, solving problems, even seeing the world—the lived experiences of people who came before us have an awful lot to offer.

After an academically intense upbringing, I entered college with a sincere desire to engage in public service, but little idea of the particulars. Over the course of four years and just as many majors, I realized that I would have more to offer if I leaned into my weaknesses in math. Studying Economics for Public Policy at Brown allowed me to fill out the robust quantitative skillset that I needed to conduct effective policy analysis, while developing my political science ‘soft skills’ on the job.

At AJ, I enjoy tutoring students in AP US History and AP Macroeconomics. With insight that comes from my experience as an instructional assistant and individualized tutor in the public school system, I work with each student to develop their skills and master content in a way that works for them.

The number one thing I’ve learned from my work in education and student organization mentorship is that students generally know more than they think. Using the Socratic method in tutoring catalyzes growth by allowing a student to leverage their existing knowledge base while engaging critically with the material.

I know from personal experience that you can learn while still very much being a work in progress. There’s beauty in growth, no matter where a student might feel they are right now or want to go next. I look forward to meeting with your family to see how I can best assist your learning journey.

Off the job, you can find me backpacking, reading or designing historical board games.