Physics with Matti N.

My name is Matti Niemisto and I can't wait to meet you and help with whatever academic subject is troubling you! I have been a long-time high school and college math/science tutor and a current STEM high school teacher. I have taught/tutored: -Physics (HS, AP, MCAT-level, Radiation, Quantum Mechanics) -Mathematics (Geometry, Algebra I + II, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations) -Biology (HS, AP, MCAT-level) -Chemistry (HS, AP, MCAT-level) -Philosophy (HS, College) -Astronomy (HS) With over 380 college and graduate school credits, I have experienced a wide array of courses and curricula. As a lifelong learner, I have successfully employed effective teaching methods that build critical thinking, creative exploration, and active engagement with concepts that connect to and enrich the student’s life. My journey along, and connections with, people from many walks of lives, and diverse communities, have taught me humility, compassion, the importance of holistic approaches, and the value of education in elevating individuals and the wider community. My teaching philosophy is built on three core principles. 1. Exploration ~wherever it goes~ Stimulating the organ of curiosity is one of the most critical elements in almost all aspects of human development, from professional to personal, no matter the age. We whole-heartedly engage with questions within, around, and beyond the subject matter as keeping the flame of curiosity lit is so much more valuable than blankly providing, extinguished memorizing, and rigidly confining answers. Alone, this principle is conceptually a wonderful and ideal schema that in practice quickly crumbles without the following crucial principle. ​2. Connection ~through subject to inner core~ Why does the study matter, not just to society or the universe, but to you personally? For some, this may be clear, which brings the opportunity to further tie and extend more important branches of one's value system that can still bring new and exciting revelations. For others, uncovering and building a personal connection to the subject of study, in combination with exploration, leads to successful engagement. These altogether pave the way for the subsequent goal we strive for. 3. ​Elevation ~of the greater you and the wider community~ In all my experience, I have found that no matter what the content is, there always exists the connecting threads that can sew together the new patches of knowledge with intrapersonal growth. Incorporating and abstracting the specific content details to the broader picture is a way to elevate you in your wholesome entirety. This in turn elevates the community you are interwoven with, and, without appearing pretentious, the grand tapestry of existence.