Lara Palombi - Online tutor

About Me 

Hello there! My name is Lara Palombi and I am  Hudson Valley-based tutor. I have experience as a full-time software developer and 5+ years of experience as a tutor. I offer in-person tutoring sessions for students in between Saugerties and New Paltz as well as remote tutoring via Zoom.

I strongly believe that every student has the potential to succeed in any level of math or science. It sounds cliche, but here is why: I once was so "bad" at math that they held me back. However, I ended up graduating high school with a 5 on the AP Calculus exam and the "Excellence in Mathematics" award. 

Many of my students believe they are "bad" at math when they are really just missing a small fundamental rule. A student may fully understand the concepts of AP Calculus, but struggle because they forgot how to solve a logarithm, or properly combine polynomial fractions. Especially after the COVID pandemic, many of these small rules did not get cemented into the student's heads, making math seem so much more overwhelming than it already was. I am here to help get students back up to date. 

I find that in a large, classroom setting, teachers tend to move quickly through each individual problem rather than spending more time teaching the students the core, conceptual reasoning behind the material. 

If a specific style of teaching is no longer effective, I take the time to check in the student about what is and isn't working. Questions I may ask are: 

• Is there any cloudiness in your current understanding? 

• Are you able to identify what specifically is confusing you? 

• Explain back to me why we solved it in this way. 

• I would like to avoid over explaining. Is my current explanation working for you? 

• Do you need more visuals? 

• ... Etcetera. 

I remember being in math or physics and feeling confused because everything felt disjointed. There were so many rules to memorize, and so many types of problems that it was difficult to apply any of the information I had learned. However, once I patched the gaps in my fundamental understanding of the subject, it was easier to view my classes as something more logical and fluid rather than random bits of isolated information. I aim to help my students do the same. 

I work with students one-on-one or in a small group to identify the specific place where the their understanding of the topic is lacking. I help to rebuild the foundation of comprehension which will help the student reframe their mind for problem-solving and strengthen their innate scientific mind. These skills will assist them in areas beyond the classroom. 

As a young person in my 20s, I am a relatable, compassionate, reassuring presence for struggling high school students. I was there, I understand the stress, and I can help you get through this. Whether it’s algebra, AP Calculus, or Physics—I gotcha covered. :)