Alena Vasquez, PhD.
EDUCATION
PhD in Organometallic Chemistry
The Scripps Research Institute
Graduate Research with Prof. Keary Engle
Laboratory Outreach Coordinator/ Lab Manager
BS in Chemistry - Oregon State University
Research in Organocatalysis with Dr. Rich Carter
Teaching Assistant for General Chemistry, General Chemistry Lab, Organic Chemistry for undergraduate chemistry majors
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
R&D Chemist
Conducted research and development in order to manufacture an oncology drug for clinical studies.
While I had been teaching and working in education throughout my academic career, it took working in industry as a professional research and development chemist to make me realize that my passion for chemistry is more about education than it is about bench chemistry. My mission is to make STEM tutoring better for both students and educators so that everyone can reach their goals.
My motivations and commitments
For Students
On traditional tutoring platforms, students need to pay a lot of money in order to work with a random person online that hasn’t had advanced education or training in modern pedagogy. The students go through a lengthy trial and error process, leading to frustration with their chosen subject and no guarantee that they are getting an education that is worth their financial investment. Students that would prefer to work with a female or queer tutor have even fewer options as the STEM tutoring industry is dominated by men.
At Steps to STEM Tutoring, all of our educators receive paid training in DEI, pedagogy, and effective tutoring strategies. This ensures students can pick from our team of educators and trust that their goals will be met. Steps to STEM was founded by women and we strive to center those non-traditional to STEM fields, ensuring students have diverse representation in the tutors they choose to work with.
For Tutors
Given that there is no training for educators available on traditional tutoring platforms, tutors find themselves unable to meet the needs of their students and do many, unpaid, first lessons without seeing retention. Additionally, if the tutor is able to set their own rates (often they are unable to), these companies take huge fees (up to 40%) and do not invest that money back into the educator.
At Steps to STEM, we recognize that our tutors are providing a valuable service and are treated accordingly. Our tutors are able to set their own rates, within our transparent pricing tiers, and charged a flat commission of 20%. This low commission is reinvested to the tutor through continued training/ education, business management, and more.
Student Name