Award-Winning Tutors from Texas State University-San Marcos

Tutoring individuals and small groups is a passion. I love when I am able to teach my students simple memory tricks and other skills that they can use in other parts of their lives as well. I use all four learning modalities simultaneously: seeing, hearing, feeling, and movement.

As a teacher, I believe in teaching children and young adults how to think for themselves through critical thinking and knowledge of the liberal arts. When it comes to education and pedagogy, I follow the philosophical traditions of Plato and Aristotle. While acquiring my Master's Degree in Philosophy from Texas State, I learned and thought a lot about pedagogy and the best way to communicate and interact with students. My unique education background allows me to take a different perspective in teaching kids, and this is often what is needed.Throughout my higher learning I have both struggled and been successful. I think the struggles I faced academically and overcoming them gives me unique insight in helping students, and that's why I'm passionate about teaching them.

My current career path as a future educator can all be traced back to a moment that, at the time, I had not given much thought to. As a sophomore I was stopped in the hallway by a teacher I had never met before; he went on and on about how a few of my teachers had come to him and told him that I needed to be a part of his program. I immediately began to panic. Was I not doing well in my classes? He then explained that he ran a peer tutoring program through the school that matches students selected by the staff with other students who needed a little extra help. I had often answered my peers' questions in class as we worked and thought nothing of it, but apparently all my teachers had noticed. These teachers all saw something that I could not yet see for myself. Five years later and I am about to graduate from Texas State University as a Special Education teacher. I have had several years of experience working with high school students in areas of algebra, geometry, English, Reading and Science, as well as working with special populations. I believe every student, no matter what their challenge, deserves the right to the best educational experience possible.

Hi, I'm a lecturer at Richland College. I have an MFA in Creative Writing and Pedagogy at Texas State University with a BA in English and Psychology at Texas Tech with over 9 years of teaching experience. I was in the military for 5 years and taught in South Korea for 6 years: 3 years teaching middle school, 1 year high school, and 2 years teaching adults. Moreover, I worked at the Texas State Writing Center as a teacher and tutor. I have experience and I'm qualified to teach all forms of writing, ELL, TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, and English literature. Fortunately, after many years of diligent writing, editing, and persistence, my poetry book was published by an American publisher.I'm a constructivist style teacher, adjusting to the needs of my students. I understand that each student has their own unique personalities so it's important to have a teaching structure but be willing to adjust to the personal learning style of each student.I had to have a tutor in math when I was in middle school so I know what it's like for students. With tutoring experience and a caring attitude, I can provide a good teacher to student connection for a better learning environment with patience, care, and genuine care for the student's learning process.My main strength as a tutor is my ability to assess a students' learning style and adjust my teaching style to suit their needs. The most rewarding aspect of tutoring is witnessing my students' growth, helping them build their skills, confidence, and knowing that I played a role in their success. Also, I enjoy and appreciate students for their own unique perception.I look forward to meeting and studying with you.

Hey there!My name is Bleu and I am here to tutor you.My philosophy on education is that it should be a fun adventure into new thoughts and ideas!

I'm a child care director with an extensive background in teaching and tutoring. I'm here to help you with your writing and reading, from elementary all the way to college-level work. I'm also fluent in Spanish and can tutor both beginners and advanced level students. I look forward to working with you!

Hi! My name is Grace. I graduated from Texas State University with degrees in Psychology, Studio Art, and Honors Studies. I currently teach and write curriculum for geography and social studies for grades 3-8 at a local private school (arguably the most fun subjects). Being around students truly fills my cup. I teach for the love of it while I save to pursue my master's degree in occupational therapy. Before entering the classroom, I worked as an advocate and community skills teacher for adults with disabilities. That experience shaped one of my greatest strengths as an educator: adapting to each learner's needs so they feel valued, capable, and included. I believe one of the biggest challenges in education today is helping students discover what sparks joy and curiosity for them. As a tutor, my goal is to reignite those flames! This means building confidence, fostering genuine interest, and helping students feel excited about learning again.

I have seven years of teaching experience, including teaching both AP and IB English courses. I also work as an essay examiner for the International Baccalaureate program. I hold a bachelor's degree in English Education, a master's degree in Rhetoric and Composition, and I am currently pursuing a PhD in Rhetoric at the University of Texas at Austin. I also teach first- year composition at UT-Austin.I enjoy working with students on an individual basis as we engage in the labor and joy of writing together. I especially enjoy working with students on college application essays, whether personal essays or applicationstatements, and I am also experienced with on-demand writing tasks that appear on tests like the SAT or the AP Exams. With seven years of classroom experience and three years of experience working as a grader for the International Baccalaureate program, my unique blend of both teaching and professional writing experience allows me to effectively help students reach their full potential.

I am a Certified teacher and tutor with over seven years in education. I teach English II and Reading Intervention in High School. I have worked with elementary, middle, high school, and college level students. I have a Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Kentucky, where I was privileged to be a student-athlete. I also have a Master's of Science in Family Studies. I am also a trainer and coach and help girls develop their basketball skills.I have lived abroad in Spain, where I was able to study Spanish. I discovered my passion is to learn new things, meet new people, and help others to reach their goals.My teaching philosophy is to meet students where they are and help them to confidently get where they want to go with my energetic and enthusiastic personality.I look forward to helping you reach your educational goals! Together, we can make it happen!

I have been tutoring for a little over two years. My strengths based approach allows students to build their self-esteem, while teaching them study habits that nurture their independence. I am passionate about every student knowing their worth, and that they are smart.I am currently a senior working toward my BA in Psychology at Texas State University. I plan on pursuing my Masters degree in Social Work within the next year.I have tutored grade school students to graduate students. My specialties are essay writing, essay editing, and psychology. I am a strong advocate for education being a means to a meaningful life; I try to give my appreciation of learning to every student I work with.When I am not tutoring or going to class I enjoy reading, painting, and walking my dog.

I have a Master of Education in Reading and extensive experience instructing reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. I truly enjoy reading challenging literature in my spare time. My love of reading allows me to be passionate about teaching students to appreciate books and develop a lifelong love of learning through reading. I also have experience as a Kindergarten and ESL teacher in teaching phonics and early reading skills. I currently teach Family and Consumer Science as well as health and want to propel students to higher knowledge in a wide variety of life skills.

Hello! I'm a retired early childhood educator with three decades of experience! Throughout my career, my enthusiasm for fostering a love of learning has laid a strong educational foundation for hundreds of children. I have consistently dedicated myself to three key areas: maximizing student performance through joyful and innovative methods, inspiring families of young learners to create a print-rich home where learning is integrated into their daily lives, and encouraging daily reading to or with your child. I have a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas San Antonio & a Masters in Special Education from Texas State University.

I am a former elementary Dual Language Teacher with a passion for learning. I graduated from Texas State University in 2019 with my Bachelor's in Spanish, with minor in International Relations. I immediately continued on to graduate school and completed my Master's degree in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics, specializing in Language Acquisition at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona in December 2020. My Master's thesis investigated a student's second language learning abilities depending on differing teaching platforms: face- to- face vs. live video lessons. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring natural areas, yoga, and rock climbing.

My name is Alex Kinney. I am currently a student at Texas State University going to school to obtain a bachelors of science in the field of manufacturing engineering. I am very patient when tutoring and I have been told I'm good at explaining concepts in a simple manner.

My name is Cynthia Isaac and I am a graduate of Texas State University. I received my Bachelor of Science in education with a minor in Early childhood. I currently have 31 years of teaching. I have taught many different grades and I can say the joy of teaching has always been so rewarding regardless of the grade. The best part of teaching is when a teacher has a former student come back after 20 years and they thank you for everything they learned is truly a blessing. My passion is teaching students how to read and develop a joy for reading. Reading is the key to many opportunities. I have been able to help many students that struggled with reading. Preparing students for the New Version of the state test 2027, is essential to promote confidence.

I'm a Computer Science student who's been teaching all my life. From tennis camps for kids to an engineering physics class for college kids, I really enjoy helping someone discover for themselves what they are capable of! Please let me know if there's anything you'd like me to help you with.

My interest in tutoring arises from a love of learning and a background in education. I received my Bachelors degree in Theater from Southwestern University and am earning my Masters degree in Education from Texas State University. I am a certified teacher EC-6th Grade all subjects with an additional certification in ESL. I currently teach fourth grade ELA and Social Studies. I am eager to work with students who want to learn but need a little extra attention and help with certain subject areas. I am a patient and encouraging tutor and get results because I am willing to go the extra mile to find a style of teaching and way of breaking down information that fits what a student needs. My areas of expertise include teaching Elementary core content areas and the Spanish language. I also have a wide range of expertise in History (American and Texas History as well as World Cultures) and Theater including Theater History and coaching acting. I look forward to working with you!

Hello! Hola! I am excited to be here! I love to teach; it is my passion! I believe a child's education is very important. They all have different styles of learning and are unique in order to make them successful. I also believe in one-on-one teaching as a great resource to help a child succeed in the area they are most needed. I am here to be apart of your child's success and will do all in my ability to accomplish their educational goals. Thank you for this opportunity!

I graduated from Houston Community College in May 2015 with an Associate in Science, and from Texas State University in May, 2018 from with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. I founded the Chess Club at Texas State University in fall of 2015, and was president of that organization for a year and a half. I contributed in writing the organization's constitution, code of ethics, grant proposals, and executive board member's handbook. I had the pleasure of coordinating a trip to the Southwest Collegiate Championship in spring 2017, where I trained and took two teams of three individuals. Along with this, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Queretaro, Mexico in summer of 2016 for a month. I also mentored for two years through P-16 Initiatives and Personalized Academic and Career Exploration at Texas State University. I have also worked as mathematics instructor at Mathnasium, and as a permanent substitute for a Math vacancy in San Antonio Independent School District from Dec. 4, 2018 to Jan. 18, 2019. Outside from teaching, I enjoy yoga, biking, and spending quality time with my loved ones. I am an enthusiastic well rounded individual who is ready to educate the future in the best way possible.

I am a graduate of Texas State University-San Marcos. I received my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. As part of my degree program I am certified to work with ESL students. Since graduation, I have been working at a charter school as a 3rd grade teacher. I also tutor some of my former, as well as incoming students. I am passionate about working with kids in a hand-on learning environment. I believe that students better retain information when they can physically work with what they are learning (ex. Games, foldables, ect.). I love working with students on reading and writing. I spend most of my normal teaching day working on those two things. I believe that in order to be successful in all other academic areas you need to have a concrete reading ability. I have a lot of experience working with students on test prep as well. I have many hands-on activities to help with this, so that it is not boring and redundant. I like to think of my teaching style as hands-on and lots of fun! In my spare time, I love being outdoors and watching football. Go Texans!

I am a substitute teacher as well as a Masters Student of Political Science. I have a passion for teaching and really love to help students reach their end goals.Every student is unique in their own way and my teaching style accommodates accordingly.Knowledge is power and as said best by Plato, "if you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools".

I currently am attending the University of Houston in the pursuit of a PhD in Economics. After finishing three years in the program I currently have two more left and really look forward to reaching my goal.As far as tutoring is concerned, I have taught for a number of years and through the process have come to recognize a few key principles to learning.I understand that a lot of students have various difficulties in school, but most of them boil down to a small number of causes which are completely fixable. The two which I try to isolate in my tutoring sessions are the fact that Math and Economics seem COMPLICATED and BORING to students.Math is complex and overwhelms a number of students. Many students get a problem incorrect before they even begin to work towards the answer simply because they freak out after reading it. I remember back before I learned one little precept by which I now live my life, I used to stare at some Math problems and think "How will I ever solve this, it is impossible!" What I didn't realize then, but do now is that Math is EASY if you split it into steps. Just like pro golfers will say "I just take it one hole at a time", Math experts take each problem one step at a time. And, after you put the steps together you will be surprised with how simple the most complex problems can be.Math is also boring, to most. Yet, it can be surprisingly entertaining to some and the difference is driven by one's ability. Getting problems incorrect is certainly no fun, but when you reach the level of solving 90-100% of the problems correctly, it begins to grow into a passion. And, you start making the connections to how Math is actually important in your every day life. I like to emphasize to my students how it feels to work out problems completely correctly and the sense of accomplishment that one gets from a perfect answer.I realize this sounds extremely Utopian , but it is the true story of how I went from an average Math student in high school to scoring perfectly on the Quantitative portion of the GRE. And, my goal as a tutor is to impart some of what I have learned over many years of schooling onto my students in the hope that they will enjoy school as much as I have.Tutoring/Teaching Experience:Tutor- Texas State Student Learning Assistance Center (2008-09)Tutored upwards of 30 students a day in a variety of college coursesTutor- University of Houston Athletics (2010-11)Tutored athletes in 1-on-1 sessions in Math and Economics coursesInstructor- Principles of Macroeconomics at the University of Houston (2011-2012)I currently teach Economics courses at the University of Houston. My classes range from 50-80 students. I have just finished my third term.

I have over thirty years experience as a mechanical design engineer, engineering analyst, and engineering manager in the aerospace, semiconductor equipment, and automated electronic test equipment industries.I also have over fifteen years teaching engineering courses at the community college and university levels.I am looking forward to helping you with your skills development as you prepare for your career goals.

I've been a classroom teacher, one-on-one tutor, and small group instructor since 2005. I love connecting with students and helping them pinpoint and break through their obstacles. Looking forward to meeting you!

I have been tutoring students in both high school and college in everything ranging from basic algebra to advanced calculus. As a student pursuing a degree in mathematics I am passionate about the study and enjoy sharing my passion and my knowledge with others. I am well equipped to help improve a student's understanding and ability in a variety of fields of math. I have flexible scheduling availability and can work around a variety of schedules.

I am a graduate of Texas State University and received my Bachelors of Science, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies (EC-6). I have experience in teaching a wide range of age groups (Pre-K to 5th Grade) and experience working as a Special Education teacher. I am most passionate about History and ELAR, but I also enjoy Math and Science. I am a versatile, enthusiastic worker. I believe all students have potential and are naturally curious. I strive to meet each students' individualized needs to make learning an enjoyable process.

Thank you for considering me as your tutor. I am an educator and former teacher. I have taught reading and math at the elementary level and middle school math. In addition, I have tutored in reading and coached speaking events. Most of my experience in education has been working with struggling learners. My favorite story to tell is about a student I met in middle school who was in a special education math class. She was very unsure of herself but after working with her for two years, she was able to transition into a general education math class with accommodations. She will be starting college this fall. Her story and many like it, are the reasons I strive to work with students.Math is my favorite subject to tutor because of it's progression from concrete to abstract concepts and real world connections. I use Socratic questioning to find points of confusion and assist students in clarifying those areas.I currently hold the following certifications: Special Education (Early Childhood-12th), Generalist (4-8), and Principal Certification and earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees at Texas State University.

Being an educator has always been a dream of mine. When I began my college career and taking all of the needed courses to obtain my Bachelor's degree in Education, I truly new that my dream of being in the classroom was about to be a reality. Seeing that look on a students face when they "get it", is one of the most rewarding feelings of being a teacher. Having students come up to me that I taught years ago and having them tell me how much they enjoyed having me as their teacher is also a feeling of accomplishment in my career as a teacher.

I received my Bachelors in Finance and Masters in Secondary Education at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. During and after my studies, I have been tutoring and teaching high school math students for the past five years. I am a certified Math teacher in the state. Algebra II has been my favorite class to teach and tutor! I believe the skills and reasoning learned in Math will take you a long way in life.Outside of teaching Math, I enjoy playing volleyball and hiking!

I love working with students, particularly tutoring because it allows me to watch them blossom over time. I am a personable, easy-going tutor who wants students to feel comfortable working with me. I'm starting a PhD program in the fall and looking for a few tutoring opportunities to supplement my fellowship.

I have 13 years of teaching that includes both the surrounding Houston areas and abroad in Chengdu, China for 5 years. My teaching experience includes ages Pre-School, Pre-K, Kinder, 1st grade, 2nd grade ELA and Social Studies, and 3rd grade Reading and Writing. I also have experience with teaching English Second Language students as well.My goal is to help you reach your goals and succeed! We are a team though. Effort from the student and tutor are a strong formula to instill growth and success. Hope to be of help to you!

I am honored to be a part of the Varsity Tutors family! My amazing journey as a lead learner in education began 27 years ago and has encompassed teaching each of the grades kindergarten through the sixth grade both in person and virtually, as well as leading an elementary school as a campus principal. I eagerly look forward to supporting our Varsity Tutors students and their families.When I am not supporting students, I am homeschooling my 14-year-old son, watching him play golf, or spending time with family and friends. I have a weakness for cherry Dr. Pepper and my mom's famous chicken enchiladas, and I am happiest when I am teaching.

I am a great tutor because when I am finished tutoring a student, they not only get their work done, they understand the concept they were having trouble with. I tutored at Austin Community College for two years, I taught Secondary Mathematics for three years, and I taught at a career school for over 3 years, where I taught College Algebra, among other general education courses.

Hello! My name is Melissa and I am a Teacher Assistant. I am currently working on my teaching certification so that I may teach in Elementary and/or Middle schools. I graduated from Texas State University Spring of 2020. I have been an AVID tutor for three years, as well as an AVID student for four.

I am a proud educator and lifelong learner! I am driven to help others empower themselves with the knowledge to live and grow in today's modern world. I am a graduate of Texas State University with a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Texas A&M University with a M. Education-Counseling. I specialize in working with students ages 3-21. I have extensive experience and knowledge in advising students through their educational career, supporting academic excellence, college and career development, language development (ESL), reading, writing, and math tutoring. I have experience working with diverse populations in person and online/virtual settings. I have worked with special populations that include: Special Education, Section 504, Gifted and Talented, English Language Learners, Military families, Homeless students, and At-Risk students. I understand the importance of developing a positive relationships with students, parents, and staff to provide a comprehensive service.

I'm thrilled about the chance to be your tutor. As a certified teacher with many years of diverse educational experience, I am committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. My approach to education goes beyond simply imparting knowledge; it's about nurturing curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and instilling a passion for learning. What I find most fulfilling about tutoring is the ability to positively impact a student's life. There's nothing more rewarding than seeing a student grasp a new concept or achieve a long-sought-after goal. Tutoring provides the unique opportunity to form significant bonds with students, supporting them on their academic path, and sharing in the joy of their growing confidence, their triumph over obstacles, and their journey towards realizing their full potential. Let's embark on this learning adventure together!

I attended Yale University and the University of Texas at Austin where I majored in English and minored in Philosophy. I recently completed a Masters in Professional Counseling at Texas State University. I first began tutoring while teaching ESL for two years in Taiwan after college. It was a great experience! Alongside teaching classes, I tutored individual students and adults in English language arts, and led SAT prep and humanities study groups at the Princeton Review. I love teaching and tutoring and am passionate about what my father, a former university professor, calls "the world of ideas." In particular, I am interested in literature, poetry, and the mechanics of writing, as well as issues related to psychology, philosophy, economics, and history. My long-term career goals include bringing together my training as a therapist and my background in education by working in higher education counseling settings.

I graduated from Texas State in San Marcos and I have traveled extensively, including a summer teaching in China. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Language Arts Writing, and Critical Thinking. In my experience in helping struggling students prepare for Standardized Tests, I see a lot of progress in all subjects when I weave in games with skills practice. I am a big proponent of individualized lesson plans that focus on the child's strengths, interests, and areas that need improvement. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, yoga, walking trails, and the fun, free events in Austin.

I am currently a graduate student at Texas State University, pursuing a specialist degree in School Psychology. A major deciding factor in my career choice was the field's emphasis on helping all students do their best at school and at home, which directly applies to my approach to tutoring. I love to learn and I love helping others feel successful in their classes. I have been informally tutoring peers and my younger siblings from a young age, and continue to do so today.In high school, I was recognized as a National Merit Finalist by the College Board for my PSAT and SAT scores. I took nine different AP exams (World History, US History, European History, Physics B, English Lit, English Comp, Biology, Psychology, and Statistics) and thus became very familiar with how those tests work, as well as what goes in to preparing for them, emotionally as well as academically. I graduated in June 2012 as the third in my class of over 600 students and continued my education at Texas A&M University as a psychology major with minors in neuroscience and Spanish. I graduated from Texas A&M with a Summa Cum Laude distinction in May 2015 and went straight into my graduate coursework.Given my own testing experiences and the value I place on higher education, I love to help others feel as confident as they can when they walk into that testing room, whether for AP, ACT, SAT, or GRE exams. The process of applying to colleges and graduate programs can be very stressful at times, so if I can help you feel prepared to do your best, I would love to do so! That being said, I enjoy working with all ages and as I am a Liberal Arts person at heart, my favorite academic subjects are psychology, history, and any English class that gives me an excuse to reread a Jane Austen novel. Though I do not promise to know all the answers, I can guarantee that I will do my best to help students know where and how to find them. I believe that tutoring is most effective when a student comes to acknowledge and utilize the strategies that are best suited for their learning style, which they can then take with them into other subjects and in their future academic endeavors.Outside of the academic arena, I love to read, watch movies, spend too much money on craft supplies at Michael's, and volunteer with kids.

I attended Texas State University, where I earned two Bachelor's of Science, one in Mathematics and the other in Physics, and I continued on to earn my Ph.D. in Mathematics Education. I have been tutoring students in mathematics and physics since 2008, so I have been learning about and refining my teaching methods for over a decade.I view mathematics as a great, inverted pyramid, wherein each new idea is built upon a foundation of interwoven concepts. However, throughout my twelve years of experience working with students, I have found that many students seem to believe that mathematics is merely an ever growing list of discrete facts and that learning mathematics is a matter of just memorizing these facts in preparation to regurgitate information for exams. In my view, students who have been exposed to this disconnected view of mathematics are often overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and seek to memorize only the particular steps and equations necessary to solve each type of problem, rather than trying to understand the overarching structure and reasoning that can be applied in a wide variety of contexts to solve many different problems. Therefore, I deliberately and explicitly focus my teaching on: connecting mathematical ideas, and modeling reasoning about structure.Connections: I explicitly connect the current topic to prior mathematical content. For example, during integral calculus courses when discussing integration through trigonometric substitution, textbooks often present a table showing three categories of algebraic expressions along with their corresponding trigonometric substitution and reference triangle. Rather than show these to my students and encourage them to memorize these particular examples, I instead prefer to show how we can use the Pythagorean Theorem to build a right triangle based on a given algebraic expression and then, using knowledge of the trigonometric functions, how to find a useful trigonometric substitution. I find this to be a more useful way to approach these problems because this method allows my students to apply the same reasoning to all integration by trigonometric substitution problems, thus affording students greater opportunity to be successful when they are working on their own. Moreover, this approach can help students avoid common memorization pitfalls, such as using a trigonometric substitution and a reference triangle that do not match.Modeling Reasoning about Structure: To help my students develop problem solving and reasoning skills, I provide a model of appropriate mathematical reasoning by thinking aloud as I work through problems, discussing things such as which features of the problem stand out and indicate possible solution methods. In order to help my students try to imitate my cognitive processes, I organize my problem solving methods around a series of questions that I ask myself about the problem in order to determine how to progress. In the example of working on integration by trigonometric substitutions, I first discuss how each other method of integration (e.g., substitution, by-parts) would be inappropriate, and then examine which form of the Pythagorean Theorem resembles the algebraic expression in the problem. I then use this information to build a right triangle that describes that form, and finally use this triangle to choose an appropriate substitution. As my students work, rather than tell them the next steps, I instead first refer back to these organizing questions and try to get them to find answers themselves. I prefer this approach because I believe, and explicitly discuss with my students, that understanding the rationale underlying the steps in a process is better than merely memorizing the steps for two reasons: the rationale's structure reflects and reinforces the structure of the content, and using a process consistent across examples reduces the amount of information that students need to know in order to be successful on assessments.I have also worked with future teachers as an instructor of a first course in foundational mathematics content. In this context, it is of paramount importance that my students understand why the mathematics works like it does and how the various topics are interconnected so that they are able to provide instruction to their future elementary and middle school students in ways that emphasizes the connections among various models, between models and algorithms, and between prior and new content. For example, while discussing the base-ten number system, we explore how manipulatives (e.g., toothpicks, beads) can be iteratively bundled into groups of ten to demonstrate how place value is used and that this process can continue forever. Then, with non-integer real numbers we capitalize on this pattern to justify the idea that we can, similarly, divide a single unit into 10 smaller pieces (i.e. into 10 tenths) and that this process also continues indefinitely. This understanding of bundling and unbundling groups serves to emphasize the consistency of the base-ten structure across all place values, and also provides a basis for the "carrying" and "borrowing" actions present in the standard algorithms for addition and subtraction. By showing these future teachers connections among mathematics, and by modeling reasoning about structure, I hope to affect change in their views of mathematics as a discipline as well as provide an example of how we, as teachers, can help guide our students by relying on the structure of mathematics and through responding to student questions with carefully chosen questions of our own that encourage students to think for themselves.