Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Vayda.
Hi Angela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I earned my Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from the University of South Carolina in Columbia and immediately entered the Program for Alternative Certification of Educators (PACE) to begin my teaching career. For three years, I worked toward earning my professional license while teaching full-time on a provisional license, gaining invaluable classroom experience from the very start.
This year marks my twentieth year teaching in the Rock Hill School District, where I’ve been fortunate to grow alongside my students and community. Over the years, I earned endorsements in Gifted & Talented Education and AP Chemistry, and I’ve taught in both traditional and virtual settings. My time at the district’s Virtual Academy—where I was honored to be named Teacher of the Year—expanded my expertise in online instruction and deepened my appreciation for the many ways students can connect and thrive.
It was during that season that I founded The Periodic Tutor, an online tutoring business that allowed me to share my love of chemistry beyond the classroom. With over a decade’s worth of lessons, labs, and resources already developed, I transformed my materials into a platform for personalized learning. I built theperiodictutor.com, partnered with Wyzant, and began helping students across the country strengthen their understanding of chemistry and their confidence in themselves.
What began as a small side project has grown into a meaningful extension of my teaching philosophy—making science clear, engaging, and accessible for every learner. Through The Periodic Tutor, I continue to combine my love of chemistry with my commitment to helping students discover their own strengths and potential.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but every challenge has strengthened my belief in the power of continual growth and resilience. There have been moments in my career that required me to reflect deeply, re-evaluate my direction, and choose resilience over reaction. Those experiences taught me that even when challenges are demanding or undeserved, maintaining integrity and focusing on personal growth will always lead you forward.
Some of my biggest professional turning points came during seasons of uncertainty, when I had to adapt and find new ways to serve students. That’s how The Periodic Tutor was born—out of both necessity and possibility. What felt like a detour at the time became a defining chapter in my story, reminding me that strength doesn’t come from avoiding challenges, but from using them as fuel to grow, evolve, and keep making a difference.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Periodic Tutor?
I’m the founder of The Periodic Tutor, where I help students build confidence in chemistry through clarity and connection. With more than nineteen years of experience teaching high school chemistry in Rock Hill Schools, I’ve learned that lasting understanding comes from curiosity and conversation—not memorization.
My tutoring sessions focus on simplifying complex ideas and guiding students toward that moment when everything clicks. Parents often describe me as patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging. One shared, “Angela is the best chemistry tutor. She explains in a way my daughter can understand.” Another wrote, “We’ve seen a significant improvement in our daughter’s understanding of chemistry.”
What sets The Periodic Tutor apart is the balance of classroom experience, individualized instruction, and a safe space to learn and grow. I strive to build academic confidence while helping students see how chemistry connects to the world around them.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing my students grow through the process of scaffolding is one of the most fulfilling parts of being both a teacher and a tutor. I begin by breaking complex chemistry concepts into clear, manageable steps, providing the structure and support they need to build both understanding and confidence. As their skills develop, I gradually step back, guiding them toward independence until they can explain the material to me with clarity and pride. Watching that transformation—from uncertainty and hesitation to confidence and self-assurance—reminds me why I teach and reaffirms the lasting impact education can have on a student’s resilience and belief in their own potential.
Contact Info:
- Website: theperiodictutor.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BFHguCtQ8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.wyzant.com/Tutors/theperiodictutor
