Our Tutors

Tony T

Teaching Style

My teaching style is similar to the management style I employed as an editor. I prefer to be a coach rather than a top-down administrator. I urge my students to not accept mediocrity and instead strive for excellence in all they do. My goal is to make them better writers and better people with a sense of ethics and responsibility to themselves and society. I preach that good writing comes from hard work and research and a mastery of the English language, which I also encourage them to strive for.

Experience Summary

After several years as a journalist, writer and editor, I had the opportunity in 2001 to teach writing courses at Orange Coast College. Because teaching had always been of interest to me, I took the offer and have enjoyed it ever since. Teaching seems to fit me well. My students tell me all the time how I'm the best teacher they've ever had, and my student evaluations support that. It is so fulfilling to me to see my students go on and succeed in life, sometimes changing courses and pursuing a career in writing because of me. I don't teach so much for the money but for the enjoyment I receive in educating young minds. Other experiences include being an English literacy tutor at the Huntington Beach library, teaching ESL learners how to read in English to their American born children. Another very fulfilling role.

James J

Teaching Style

Few things give me as much pleasure as communicating academic concepts to students and seeing the look of understanding on their face. As a result, my teaching style emphasizes understanding of concepts and problem solving techniques. What this means that I don't just tell my students how to get the answer to a particular question. My goal is to enhance their skills so that they can tackle any math or physics problem that is related to the homework problems that are assigned. Furthermore, I ONLY tutor math and physics. This has my specialty and focus for 10 years. Whether you choose me as a tutor or someone else, I think it's always best to pick someone who specializes in a particular area.

Experience Summary

As a Physics Ph.D. I have a strong background in Mathematics and Physics. Currently, I am a senior research scientist in a university lab. This experience has helped me understand how math and science are used in real world applications, which gives me ways to relate these subjects to students in a way that they can appreciate. In other words I can explain what importance that these subjects have in the real world. I have taught physics at the university level for a full year which gives me an insight into what professors expect from students at the college level. Also, I have been a tutor for nearly 10 years.

Ashley A

Teaching Style

I believe every student is different and has his or her own way of learning. That’s why one of the most important things in being a tutor is the capability to listen to your students and understand their needs. Another fundamental quality in tutoring is the ability to make it fun and interesting for the student by developing a rapport with them. If the students aren’t comfortable or aren’t enjoying what they are learning, then there is no interest in retaining and applying the information. I am also a firm believer in using the Socratic Method to help students learn. I especially like asking students to explain how they came to their conclusion. I believe this forces them to understand the fundamentals surrounding the answer rather than giving a memorized response. This, in turn, leads to the development of critical thought which will benefit the student in all subject matters. I am also a firm believer in using the Socratic Method to help students learn. I especially like asking students to explain how they came to their conclusion. I believe this forces them to understand the fundamentals surrounding the answer rather than giving a memorized response. This, in turn, leads to the development of critical thought which will benefit the student in all subject matters.

Experience Summary

Ever since I was a child I loved to learn. I would read anything I could get my hands on to discover more about the interesting world we live in. My love for learning earned me a full scholarship to the University of Florida where I graduated with a BA in Economics. While at UF, I mastered my mathematical skills and critical thinking but it wasn't until I was working for an economist that I truly learned to write professionally and concisely. Today, I have become a well rounded individual who has never lost their love for learning. The only thing that has changed is that now I enjoy helping others love to learn through tutoring. Throughout my life I have tutored my family and friends but it wasn’t until recently that I began tutoring professionally. I have experience tutoring math, reading comprehension, science and economics. However, I am confident that I am capable of tutoring: writing, history, social sciences, sciences-(elementary, middle, astronomy, biology), economics, and psychology. I also have some experience with SAT Test prep.

Emily E

Teaching Style

My teaching style focuses on the needs of the student. I tend to access how the student learns best within the first 1-2 sessions and then I can work with the student in the way that is most beneficial to him or her. Each student has a ball of learning energy inside them that will come out if you encourage them. I love encouraging students and getting them excited about learning new things. I try to simplify concepts to make it easier to grasp and compare assignments to life situations. There aren't many people who care about how other people succeed, but I love to watch people grow as they learn new ideas, grasp new concepts, learn some new studying tips and succeed in their education.

Experience Summary

As a graduate with a BA in English and Spanish I have developed a love for languages. As an English major I have read hundreds of books and wrote scores of papers, which gave me excellent reading and grammar skills. Writing papers also helped me learn to critically analyze and interpret passages as well as whole books. Education outside of my university includes a month in Prague for a four week course to get a TEFL certificate (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). During that month we, the students, taught the Czech students English. When I spent four months in Spain, I tutored a girl who needed a little extra help with studying for her classes. We worked together twice a week on her Spanish assignments in the areas of Spanish history, grammar, phonetics and literature.

Michael M

Teaching Style

The desire to learn is one of the most important things anyone can learn. Whether it be a child seeing science for their first time, or an college adult ready to tackle the real world. I believe everyone is capable of discovering their true abilities sometimes they just need a bit of a nudge to help them find it. I like to use tutoring to help them determine how they learn. While I may employ a method of how to solve a problem, everyone learns differently. Some people are more audio learners while others require visual aides. My hope is to help them discover how they learn so they can maximize their own potential.

Experience Summary

I am simulation programmer with a passion for mathematics and physics. My desire educate myself further has driven me to explore the cutting edge of simulation technology through the physics of game design. My immense expertise in higher level math has given me a deeper appreciation for continued education. As a tutor I have helped others to share this appreciation since I was 16. In the past I have tutored a variety of subjects which include Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Mechanical Physics, Electromagnetics. Additionally I have assisted students with programming courses related to C++, C# and Java, Algorithms and Data Structures, and Artificial Intelligence.

Arthur A

Teaching Style

I try to cultivate a student's curiosity, and then provide the necessary tools for learning. If students are curious and driven to learn, their potential is limitless. My goal is to help students learn through discovery. I am patient, considerate, and respectful of each student.

Experience Summary

While studying for my BA in English (Emphasis in Literature), I worked for two years as a writing tutor at the Hagan Writing Center. Tutoring was offered as a free service for interested students. (For some students, it was required). I tutored students at all levels from pre-College Writing to senior level literature courses. I completed work for my degree at three different colleges and universities in the United States and England, and I feel that the different teaching and learning methods I have seen have prepared me to be a more effective English tutor.

Philip P

Teaching Style

My 5 years as a United States Marine established important core values such as tact, integrity, discipline, and commitment. I bring these values with me into the classroom. I believe that the success of a student depends more on their level of commitment than on inherent talent. However, learning must be an enjoyable experience in order for a strong commitment to be made. I am passionate about mathematics and the sciences, and this passion shows in my teaching style. Students recognize this passion, and it makes the learning experience fun. I am patient, open-minded, and innovative; so if a student is struggling with a particular topic, I find an alternative teaching approach which better suits their learning style. The success of my students is gratifying, to both student and teacher alike.

Experience Summary

I have been a straight-A student my entire life and I recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a 4.0 GPA. I earned my B.S. in Physics (Astronomy emphasis) with a minor in Applied Mathematics. Though my expertise lies in mathematics and the sciences, I am also knowledgeable in topics ranging from history to English grammar and composition. Much of my academic success is due to my ability to prepare for exams. I scored a 32 on the ACT, as well as perfect scores of 800 on the SAT2 Writing and GRE Mathematics exams. I gained teaching-related experience during my year as an Instructional Assistant, in which I assisted students with math, science, English, and GED exam preparation. At the college level, I spent 2.5 years tutoring in physics, math, and astronomy, as well as a semester in a college-level general physics class working as a teaching assistant.

Zebunnisa Z

Teaching Style

I am a young, enthusiastic, and dedicated teacher/tutor. I truly care about my students and aim to help them achieve academic success as well as to help them grow as individuals. Through my experience as a teacher, I have developed a teaching style that I can adapt to the unique needs of my students.

Experience Summary

As a Math major during both my undergraduate and graduate studies, I have developed a great knowledge of the subject. I began peer tutoring while completing my Bachelor's at Stonybrook and have been tutoring ever since. I have tutored middle school through college level mathematics, but the majority of my tutoring experience has been in high school subjects.