PrepNow Tutor - Penny J.
Penelope, who goes by Penny, has been a teacher and tutor since 1972 but is now retired from the classroom; she loves teaching and tutoring. She holds an MA in curriculum and instruction from Phoenix University and a BA in mathematics education with K-12 certification from Rider University. For 47 years, Penny taught high school math. She retired in 2021 and has been tutoring math and test prep since. “Teaching is my passion,” Penny shares.
Penny has always loved helping students learn and went to college specifically to become a teacher. “I love tutoring—especially because I love the one-on-one teaching experience with students,” she reflects. “It is exciting watching a student progress to understanding problems and knowing how to solve them on their own. The ‘light’ in their eyes as they progress is very rewarding.” Throughout her career, Penny has taught and tutored algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, AP Calculus AB, college algebra, SAT prep, and more.
Penny describes her teaching approach as student-driven. “I am a facilitator as I listen to what the student asks and share my teaching strategies with them rather than immediately giving them the answers,” she says. Penny's goal is to help her students become self-reliant. “I feel my teaching style can be considered hybrid as I determine the individual student’s needs and if they are struggling I provide necessary demonstrations and examples,” she explains.
As a student, Penny participated in National Honor Society, Mathematics Club, and basketball. As a teacher, she also acted as the cheerleading advisor, National Honor Society advisor, department chairperson, and golf coach. She loves jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, doing activities with her grandchildren, and watching sports. “My husband and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary,” Penny shares.
