Celena

Certified Tutor

I am a graduate of the University of Florida, Florida Gateway College, and the University of West Florida. I received my Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from UF, my teaching certification from FGC, and my Master of Education in Educational Leadership from UWF. I began my career working for NASA but due to family health issues, I moved to a rural area of Florida with no opportunity to continue working in the space industry. I then decided to enter the teaching profession so I could inspire young people to do what I did - get over their struggles with math and accomplish whatever it is they wish to do with their life.
Since entering the profession, I have taught and tutored many levels of math from 5th grade up through AP Calculus. As is said, knowledge is power, and I am passionate about helping students of all ages attain success in math. Mathematics is so much more than processes and algorithms. It is patterns, structure, and connections. I believe students need to understand the why behind the math so they can develop meaningful and lasting understanding. This last statement probably captures my teaching philosophy best, as I enjoy engaging students in meaningful discussions about mathematics to support their learning. I truly believe education is the most powerful tool we have for both personal and societal growth and improvement and I enjoy helping my students along the way.

In my free time I enjoy reading and spending time with my children, husband, and dogs. On the weekend, you can often find us on the Suwannee River, enjoying nature. I also coach robotics and color guard.