PrepNow Tutor - Loy P.
A patient, strong communicator, Loy has experience teaching and tutoring concepts in math, from pre-algebra and geometry to college-level linear algebra and calculus. Over the years, she has predominantly taught calculus I and II for a math-focused tutoring company; she has also been an assistant teacher for a 9th-grade summer school math program and a math tutor stationed in various Chicago public schools. In this capacity, she has taught all levels of algebra, AP calculus, and ACT prep.
Loy earned a bachelor’s degree from Scripps College, where she majored in anthropology and minored in mathematics. She began tutoring informally and then as a TA. “I love math and I love school, so helping others with math—and learning in general—was a great way to spend my time,” she says.
One of her proudest moments as a tutor was when one of her 8th-grade students explained to an English-language-learner student (in Spanish) how to solve a one-step equation. “This was the topic she and I had been working on all week, and it was incredible to see the concept finally click for her so well that she could explain it both in another language and to another student!”
Loy’s tutoring philosophy revolves around the concept of learning from mistakes. “Allowing the student to demonstrate all they know or don't know before jumping in makes it easier to see what parts of a problem they actually need help on,” she posits. She keeps sessions relaxed and fun to help students enter the right state of mind for deeper learning. “I like to have a good back-and-forth with my students. This means making the occasional joke, allowing students time to talk about interests or their day, anything that will keep the student more engaged when we return to the topic at hand,” she explains. Her encouraging, affable nature helps motivate students so they can develop the confidence to tackle tricky concepts on their own.
At Scripps, Loy was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, earned the Best Senior Thesis Award in anthropology, and graduated summa cum laude. She was involved in rowing, ultimate frisbee, and various Jewish student groups.
She’s an avid reader of “all things from fantasy to politics” and reads at least a book a week! Playing the violin, listening to various genres of music, thrift store shopping, and exploring nature are some of her favorite free-time activities. Interesting name origins: she was named after the actress, Myrna Loy!
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