PrepNow Tutor - Dalton Y.
A caring tutor, Dalton is passionate about teaching and learning. He holds a BS in chemical engineering from Tennessee Technological University, an MS in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a PhD in chemical engineering from Yale University. He also completed several graduate-level education courses virtually through Cumberland University as part of the requirements for his teaching license from the state of Tennessee. After Dalton finished graduate school, he spent a brief period conducting academic research. Following this, he worked as a high school science teacher for eleven years, teaching AP and honors-level courses in physics, physical science, and environmental science. In addition to tutoring, Dalton currently virtually teaches both physics and chemistry.
Dalton started tutoring calculus, chemistry, math, biology, and physics in college. “I have always enjoyed helping others learn, even when it was preparing for high school tests with friends,” he says. “I ultimately teach because of this desire to help others learn, to increase or maintain my own understanding, and to share the love of knowledge.” He also loves helping students who are interested in a STEM career prepare for that path and encouraging them to pursue their dreams, regardless of their challenges. “I really do enjoy seeing those ‘ah-ha’ moments when students gain an understanding of a concept, especially if they've struggled with it,” Dalton says. In addition to his tutoring in college, Dalton also taught geology and trigonometry-based physics labs.
“I want students to show me what they do and don't understand,” Dalton says. “My job as a tutor is not to wow students with my knowledge but to help them gain their own understanding.” Dalton aims to accomplish this entertainingly but will use any means necessary, from traditional pencil and paper work to virtual simulations. “I will ask students lots of questions to gain an idea of what they know and where they are struggling,” he explains. “I'll ask them to show me how to solve certain problems. Again, this is because it is not about my knowledge, but how I can use my knowledge to produce those ‘ah-ha’ moments for students.” Dalton is a dedicated life-long learner and wants to instill that passion into all of his students. “If they gain the same enthusiasm for learning as I possess, then they will be more motivated and serious about this process,” he says.
In high school, Dalton was an Eagle Scout and worked two jobs. He was inducted into several honor societies, such as Mortar Board and Tau Beta Pi, while in college and received graduate fellowships from both Tau Beta Pi and Yale University. Dalton loves football, rugby, softball, outdoor activities, cooking, traveling, working around his house and yard, attending games with his teenage kids, and music. “I have always enjoyed singing but can also play guitar, mandolin, and fiddle,” Dalton shares. He is currently helping his son prepare for college while also finishing his high school diploma through an online homeschooling program.
