About Me

Hi! I'm Danielle

Howdy! I'm Danielle, owner and operator of Under The Microscope tutoring services. This section is all about me so allow me to brag about myself....

I have a Master of Science in Molecular Pathology with a specialization in Genetics and Infectious Disease from Texas Tech Health Science Center.  You're probably wondering what's that? Basically, I'm a scientist who researches and develops clinical diagnostic tests for the laboratory.  I also have Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and English from Texas Tech University. Red Raider for life!!! My additional accomplishments include:

Currently, I'm a professor of Biological Sciences where I teach Biology, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology.  Prior to becoming a professor, I have worked in multiple sectors in the health care industry: clinical diagnostics laboratory, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals as a scientist and healthcare project manager. By working in these sectors, I have expanded my expertise, knowledge, and skills that allowed my to have a robust career and even become a healthcare project manager. Throughout my time in corporate, one thing has always remained constant: teaching. I found myself being asked to teach and mentor in all of my roles, adding more value to the work I have done. I'm truly grateful for the opportunities I have had in my diverse career and am looking forward to continuing to teach full time.

Teaching Philosophy

Teaching Approach

I have always loved learning about living things from humans to plants and the delicate but powerful balance between our world and each other. I am enjoy teaching Biology from the cellular level to the macro level and everything in between. As a teacher, I believe in creating a safe, open and welcoming environment that supports the learning style of each student and encourages engagement with my and their peers.  My teaching approach includes hands-on learning  opportunities using 3-D models and I incorporate videos and interactive tools; I find these items provide great visualization opportunities for advanced and challenging concepts. Additionally, I incorporate real-world research, case studies and student specific interests in my sessions to show how the concepts are applied in life today. It also answers the infamous questions - "When will I ever need to use this?".

I believe that enthusiasm for the content, for the students, and for the opportunity goes a long way toward creating an effective learning experience. I believe interaction and engagement are both key to successful teaching and learning. This allows for engagement through class discussion, identifying commonalities and differences, and supports critical thinking in both individual and group settings.  Moreover, teaching is more enjoyable when you can engage in a dialogue instead of just “pushing” knowledge to the learner.

Communication

Students are encouraged to ask questions throughout my lessons; there are no bad questions! By asking questions, I can ensure  my students  have a good understanding of the topic we are discussion, identify areas that need additional clarification, and promote a growth mindset that supports students now and in their future careers.  I believe in open, honest, and transparent communication with students and parents; please don't be afraid to reach out! I am truly invested in seeing my students succeed and grow.