As we continue to highlight our amazing private tutors here at Piqosity, we would like you to meet Riya Gorry. Riya is committed to fostering academic excellence by being organized and collaborative with her students. Discover her unique tutoring style, her approach to personalized sessions, and her passions beyond the classroom.

What subjects and classes do you help our students with?

I have been tutoring basic sciences since high school and matriculated to tutoring engineering courses in college. I am versed in tutoring for subject preparation through College level Calculus, Chemistry, and Biology as well. Alongside continuing these, I mostly help middle and high school students prepare for standardized exams like the SAT and ISEE.

What is your educational background?

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Biomaterials and Cellular Engineering along with a minor in Biology from the University of Texas San Antonio. I am currently working as an MA at a health clinic and planning to apply to medical school.

What is your favorite subject to tutor?

My favorite subjects to tutor are calculus and chemistry. Both offer more than just academic content—they teach students how to think logically, break down complex problems, and approach challenges methodically.

With calculus, it’s not just about solving equations; it’s about helping students develop a way of thinking that applies far beyond math class. Chemistry, similarly, connects abstract concepts to real-world processes, which makes it both challenging and fascinating.

What does a typical test prep tutoring session with you look like?

  • A typical 60-minute test prep session with me starts by asking if the student completed their assigned work from the last session and whether they had any trouble with it.
  • We address any confusion by reviewing difficult questions and clarifying related concepts.
  • We reinforce understanding by working through a new set of practice questions on that same topic. I encourage the student to explain their reasoning so I can give targeted feedback and correct any misunderstandings.
  • In the second half, we shift to a new topic—either pre-planned or chosen by the student—where I provide guided instruction and support as they try problems on their own. I step in to explain concepts or offer strategies whenever needed. The goal is to strengthen past learning, build new skills, and develop test-taking techniques tailored to their exam.
  • Each session ends with a clear plan for what to practice before the next meeting.

What does a typical subject prep tutoring session with you look like?

  • We begin by reviewing what the student worked on since our last meeting. I ask whether they finished their homework or project tasks and if they ran into any trouble.
  • If there were problems, we go through them together, clearing up any confusion and reviewing the key concepts involved. Depending on their needs, we might spend this time completing homework, checking over their work for accuracy, or correcting any errors together.
  • Once we’ve addressed the previous material, we dive into a new set of questions or continue working on the current assignment to deepen their understanding. I encourage the student to talk through their process so I can catch and correct any misunderstandings in real time.
  • We usually introduce a new concept in the latter part of the session, where I offer instruction, model problem-solving strategies, and guide them as they try similar problems.
  • We wrap up by setting goals for what they’ll work on next.

What’s your typical approach with working on executive functioning with students?

Most of the students I work with are typically middle school to high schoolers preparing for college or major exams—so I’ve found that struggles with time management, organization, and task initiation often cause more stress than the actual subject material.

In our sessions, I help students break down large assignments into manageable steps, create study plans, and build routines that work for their unique schedules and energy levels. We also talk about prioritizing tasks and how to stay focused during study time. These skills don’t just impact school—they carry over into everyday life, helping them feel more in control and less overwhelmed as they take on increasing responsibilities and prepare for independence in college.

How do you view your role as a tutor?

I see my role as both a teacher and a mentor, though it depends on each student’s needs. While I focus on helping them understand content and build academic skills, I also try to support them beyond just schoolwork. I know that academics aren’t the only thing going on in their lives, so I stay mindful of stress, outside pressures, and life transitions.

Many of my students are preparing for college or taking important standardized exams, and I aim to be someone who can guide them not only through the material but through the process itself. Whether they need structure, encouragement, or just someone to listen, I try to meet them where they are and help them move forward in their education.

Tell me about one of your favorite sessions you’ve had.

One of my favorite sessions was with an AP Chemistry student who was, and I’m sure still is, a wonderful student. Every session we had, she was prepared, knew exactly what she wanted to work on, what she got wrong and usually why she got it wrong, and what specifically she needed me to explain.

I remember one of my last sessions with her in which I could tell she already knew all the content and was getting near perfect scores on her practice tests. We had spent the 2 months prior hammering down on topics she was unsure about. This session however, as she did practice questions next to me, I could tell she just understood everything and was reasoning her way out of wrong answers and directly to the correct ones. We ended up ending that session early since she had figured out almost every thing with minimal assistance.

I am ecstatic for her and her growth of knowledge in the subject and I know she has so much more success in her future!

What is your favorite part of being a tutor?

My favorite part about being a tutor is the opportunity to guide students toward real understanding and confidence. What I love most is witnessing the moment when everything clicks—the student’s expression shifts, and you can see their confidence grow. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help them reach that point and then watch them succeed on their exams, knowing they truly understand what they’re doing.

Beyond the academic gains, it’s rewarding to watch students become more self-assured and independent in their thinking. Being part of that journey—especially during such formative times like preparing for college or tackling tough subjects—makes the work meaningful. It’s not just about grades; it’s about growth, and I feel lucky to be part of that process.

Outside of tutoring for us, what do you like to do for fun?

Outside of tutoring, I try to engage myself in different spaces so I am learning from every experience I have. I have always had an affinity for the arts which manifests itself mainly in painting and pottery classes. I also recently have become a runway model based in Texas, which allows me to enter spaces I previously never would have and meet people that I wouldn’t have been in the same room with under any other circumstance.

I also enjoy spending time in parks and going for hikes. Whenever I can, I travel to new cities as well. Exploring unfamiliar places, trying new foods, and seeing different cultures always leaves me inspired and refreshed. Really, anything that has the potential of giving me more scope has peaked my interest lately.

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be and why?

If I could have dinner with any one person, I would choose Morrie from the memoir ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom. This character delivers wisdom and hard truths with grace to all who enter his life. He dedicates his last months of fighting ALS to helping others determine what is important to them in life. It would be a gift to spend time with this man and revel in his ability to retain humor and altruism during his time of suffering.

Online Tutoring with Piqosity

Piqosity’s subject and test prep tutors provide the structured support to accommodate your student wherever they need to be. We help our students with a wide range of materials, ranging from 1st through 12th grade subject prep, and standardized exams like the ISEE and SAT. To get the ball rolling, give us a call at +1-888-484-3141 or schedule a free consultation.