Spotlight Stories

Read more student spotlight stories from current SDSU students who are involved with MSTI tutoring at local middle schools and high schools.

Megan Grimsley

Mathematics Education

Hi guys! My name is Megan and I’m a 3rd year in the process of changing my major from engineering to Math teaching! Here at SDSU, besides tutoring through MSTI, I’m part of the Supplemental Instruction program as a leader for Chem 200. My hobbies include spending time with family/friends/my funny dogs, camping, hiking, volunteering, going to Disney and also buying super cool socks (I own way more printed/ holiday socks than regular socks)! Right now I’m tutoring algebra and chemistry at Helix and I love it! I wanted to become a tutor at the beginning of the semester because I wanted to see if teaching would be a good career path for me, as it’s VERY different than engineering. Now, after doing SI for 4 semesters and actually getting to work with high school students through MSTI, I’m confident that I do want to change my major to teaching! My favorite part is how funny and unique all of the kids are, so getting to joke around with the kids while still helping them learn is a lot of fun. Sooo yea- shoutout to MSTI for indirectly helping me choose my major & introducing me to some great teachers and great kids! :)

Ellyn Brouillette

Environmental Engineering & Women’s Studies (minor)

My name is Ellyn, and I'm in my second year at SDSU majoring in environmental engineering and minoring in women's studies. I am in SDSU's Associated Students Sustainability Commission, Green Love, and I also work in the Women's Resource Center here on campus. My favorite hobbies include making soap, making kombucha, and letting young women and other gender oppressed people know they are intelligent, capable, and valued. I am tutoring freshman math and AP Calculus AB/BC at Helix Charter High School. Again, I really enjoy empowering the young people I work with and that is probably my favorite thing about working there. As a Helix alum, I was inspired to help my former math teacher by starting an after school AP Calc tutorial for her students.

Christine DeMartini

Biology

My name is Christine DeMartini and I am a second year Biology major at San Diego State. I am also involved in the SDSU Marching Aztecs and the SDSU Best Buddies club. This is my first semester working with MSTI and I am currently helping in Ms. Wylie’s honors biology classroom at Helix high school. One of my favorite things about working there is seeing how creative the students are when they do group work/projects. I was inspired to become a MSTI tutor because I knew one of the other tutors (Ellyn) and she told me that it was a good experience.

Zahira Chayeb

Civil Engineering

My name is Zahira Chayeb, I am 20 years old, and I am a 3rd year civil engineering major. At SDSU I am a part of SWE (Society of Women Engineers) and ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). Some of my hobbies are going to the gym, playing with makeup, and dancing (although I'm not very good).
I am working at Bonita Vista High School, and I am in Integrated Math 3, Pre-Calc, and Calculus AB classes. I really enjoy the students, and the flexible hours, as well as my co-workers. I was previously a tutor at CVHS, so when I heard about the tutoring opportunity through MSTI I thought that I would really enjoy it.

Sarah Salcedo

Biology & Psychology (minor)

Hi! My name is Sarah Salcedo and I’m 21 years old! I’m a biology major and a psychology minor. Right now, in life, I’m volunteering as a chair side assistant through the UCSD pre-dental society and volunteering at Monarch School!
As far as tutoring goes, I am tutoring at HSHMC (Health Sciences High and Middle College) in an amazing biology classroom! I love love love the students I get to work with! The classroom itself is so inviting and I love how the teachers encourage the students to think further and accept all their unique ideas and thoughts! I was inspired to start tutoring through my experience at Aztec Science Camp. I had the opportunity to work with middle school students and while there were some rough times, it was so rewarding to share my little bits of knowledge with them and to be able to see how much they took from their camp experience! Okay, that's all from me!

Elleny Slipich

Liberal Studies & Biology (minor)

Hi there! My name is Elleny Slipich, I am 20 years old and I am a junior here at SDSU. I am a Liberal Studies major with a minor in Biology. I am currently working in a seventh grade life science classroom at Parkway Middle School. I love this class because they are focusing on genetics, cells, and other topics that relate heavily to my minor and classes this semester. The link between my classroom and current classes make me more motivated to learn and try in what I am currently learning! I was motivated to become a tutor because I love science so much that I want to try my hardest to pass this enjoyment on to others. My other hobbies include surfing at local spots around San Diego and going to as many concerts as I can.

Sashiel Vagus

Applied Mathematics

Hello! My name is Sashiel Vagus I am 19 years old and an Applied Math major. Currently, I’m working with MSTI and tutoring 6th grade math at Farb Middle school. What I like most about working there is the learning environment and the fact that I am making a positive impact on the students. I have tutored before, so I felt like being involved in MSTI would be a good experience for me and I have really enjoyed it so far!

Miriam Maldonado

Public Health

My name is Miriam, I'm 20 years old and I'm a third year Public Health major at San Diego State University. Currently, I'm not a part of any clubs at SDSU, but I do plan on joining the Students 4 Public Health club next semester. One of my favorite hobbies is going on bike rides because it's very relaxing, and it helps me deal with stress.

At BVHS I tutor students in Integrated Math III and Pre-calc. Working at BVHS is great because the hours work out perfectly with my schedule. I really enjoy working as a tutor because it's very rewarding when students understand a concept after having explained it to them.