Lavontria Aaron

I am a 2nd year Planetary Science Ph.D. student at Johns Hopkins University researching organic minerals on Mars using remote sensing and in-situ spectroscopy. I currently do my research at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory where I work with the CRISM team performing Martian spectroscopic analysis of the surface. I received my bachelor’s in Earth and Environmental Science from Wesleyan University and my master’s in Geographic Information Systems from Sam Houston State University. I’ve worked at NASA Langley as a Planetary GIS consultant, creating a collaborative tool that can help scientist identify future landing sites for future crewed missions to Mars. I’ve also worked at Carnegie Geophysical Laboratory in DC where I started the research project I am currently working on as a part of my PhD dissertation. When I’m not at Hopkins or APL, I’m a Lead Volunteer at the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution and a DC STEM Network Ambassador at Carnegie Institution for Science in DC. With the help of a few colleagues, I was able to create and disperse a students of color resource database in google docs to help those looking for resources involving GRE, fellowships, internships, scholarships, and mentorships designed to help students of color. I’m also one of the founders of The WOC Project which is dedicated to support women of color in the application process, survival, and work/life balance of graduate school. I’m also working on a number of initiatives with some cohorts involving educating DC students about astrobiology.

My passion for science and math combined with my teaching and tutoring skills has helped hundreds of students in the last 8 years. I conduct classes in an interesting way and hence always meet 100% attendance. I have 4 years of experience with SAT, PSAT, ACT, and GRE tutoring and item test writing. During that time, I have authored entire math and science lessons in adherence to a detailed lesson outline and style guide, that included a student-facing portion and a teacher-facing portion. I have analyzed SAT Math content in order to build lessons that are faithful to the test, while communicating regularly with my editor in regard to deadlines, feedback, and transparency on work progress. I have produced revisions on all work as necessary prior to the completion of assignments and attended paid training to meet the quality expectations for all writing assignments.

I make lessons fun so that they are exciting, easy to grasp, and hard to forget. Classroom management, personalized learning programs, and innovative educational techniques are just a few of my areas of expertise. By teaching students in a wide range of ages and situations, I have honed my communication, creativity, and motivational skills. My inherent passion for fostering collaborative and engaging educational environments has successfully encouraged and developed productive, thoughtful, and accomplished students.