Our Tutors

Herbert H

Teaching Style

The teaching style I use is completely dependent on the particular student being taught. I'm a big fan of the adage 'Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for the rest of his life'. My objective is to teach a child not only the material, but how they best learn so that they can teach themselves. I enjoy using applicable references that are relevant to the child so that they will more easily grasp the concepts. I believe a personalized approach works best.

Experience Summary

I have earned a bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering with a software focus along with a Sales Engineering minor. I was 3 credit hours away from both my Math and Business minors. In the last 5 years, I have tutored students in Basic Math, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Calculus, Visual Basic, Physics, and Differential Equations. I have taught math for the past 4 years at the Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School in the subjects of Algebra I, Algebra I Honors, Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra II, Algebra II Honors, Statistics, Mathematics for College Readiness, and Liberal Arts Math.

Jack J

Teaching Style

Students both in and out of the classroom are nothing more than an untapped source of infinite potential. Each and every student has the inner strength and drive to be the best that they can be, regardless of the circumstances. It’s the job of the educator to motivate and prepare each individual for success in life. My passion is to help kids realize that potential and inspire them to push beyond their limits to achieve that level of accomplishment that was once thought unattainable. Success in life is best achieved in an environment filled with motivation and positive reinforcement. This rewards creativity as well as spurs curiosity. These are priceless qualities that make learning enjoyable versus bothersome.

Experience Summary

What better way to learn, master, and hone your individual skills and talents than to teach someone else? There is no better feeling than to share your own knowledge and experience with another child, and to watch them grow and mature as both a person and a student. That is the exact reason why I chose the path that I did. It first started with a position as a substitute teacher in the state of Florida. There isn’t a more diverse and broad range of personalities anywhere else in the country. However, my desire to teach and help others didn’t stop at the academic level. Soon after graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, I enrolled into medical school. As a practicing physician I will be able to continue with my passion for teaching both children and adults for the rest of my career.

Katherine K

Teaching Style

Throughout my teaching experience I have encountered students of all ages and abilities, from high school students with learning differences to adult learners of ESL. I believe each student is unique and brings their own set of experiences and strengths to the material to be learned, necessitating an adaptable teaching style. I am experienced in the communicative approach and believe each students learns best through discovery and by utilizing their particular intelligence. I am patient, relaxed and treat each student with respect. I think students learn best when they are having fun and have a trusting relationship with their teacher.

Experience Summary

While working towards my bachelors degree in English (with a minor in Political Science), I worked as a substitute teacher in the public school system for a year and a half, in order to ascertain my affinity for many different levels and subjects. My writing and grammatical skills are excellent; in 2004 I was awarded First Place in Undergraduate Writing at the University of North Florida. My first professional teaching experience complemented my areas of expertise perfectly: I taught English as a Foreign Language to business professionals in Argentina for six months, using the communicative approach. During this time I learned much about South American politics and culture, as well as the Spanish language. Upon return I taught English to high school students for one year at a private school for students with learning disabilities and emotional/ behavioral problems. This summer, I have again taught international students at a Berlitz ESL program, ELS Language Center. Throughout the years I have also tutored and worked with students one on one many times, specifically with rudimentary reading and writing.

Robert R

Teaching Style

I’ve always been interested in the application of math and science to the solution of real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. Therefore my approach to teaching is very application oriented. I like to relate the subject to problems that the students will encounter in real life situations. I've generally only worked with older students; high school or college age or older mature adults who have returned to school to get advance training or learn a new trade.

Experience Summary

I’ve always been interested in math and science; especially in their application to solving real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. I have a BS in electrical engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and an MS in electrical engineering from Marquette University. I am a registered professional engineer in Illinois. I have over 30 years of experience in the application, development, and sales/field support of electrical/electronic controls for industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications. I’m currently doing consulting work at Hamilton-Sundstrand, Delta Power Company, and MTE Hydraulics in Rockford. I also have college teaching and industrial training experience. I have taught several courses at Rock Valley College in Electronic Technology, mathematics, and in the Continuing Education area. I’ve done industrial technical training for Sundstrand, Barber Colman, and others. I’ve also taught math courses at Rasmussen College and Ellis College (online course). I’ve also been certified as an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for math and physics courses. I've tutored my own sons in home study programs. I'm currently tutoring a home schooled student in math using Saxon Math. I hope to do more teaching/tutoring in the future as I transition into retirement.

Dara D

Teaching Style

I believe in my students and their abilities to learn and synthesize their experiences. My students learn their subjects because I provide a variety of techniques to command their attention. I believe teaching is not just about giving students information but about reaching students who might "get lost" in the system without a guide and friend to help them along.

Experience Summary

I have taught for over ten years in the public school system and learned how to "connect" with students. I have taught physics, chemistry, and mathematics at the high school level, and I have a wide range of teaching experiences in those fields. I have taught AP, honors, and standard classes. Using interesting movies followed by a lab to reinforce the concept is one of the ways I have used to reach students and make a difference in their lives.

Redha R

Teaching Style

I teach by example and I am methodical. I show a student how to solve a problem by going very slowly and by following a sequence of steps. I make sure that the student follows understands each step before moving on to the next one. I then ask the student to solve almost the exact same problem (with a slight change in numbers for example)so that the student learns the method and how to solve the problem by herself/himself. I am very patient but expect the student to be willing to learn. I tell students that learning a subject matter is more important than getting an A in a class - this is because 1. if you learn, chances are you won't forget (at least for a long while) and 2. you will get a good grade as a result.

Experience Summary

I have been employed by the IBM corporation for the last 27 years. I held numerous positions in hardware development, software development, telecommunication network development, project management, solution architecture, performance analysis, and others. As much as I enjoy my job, I have passion in Mathematics. I develop new ideas related to my work and expand them into U.S. patents and external technical papers. I informally tutor family and friends attending high school or college. I was a Mathematics teaching assistant at the Univ. of Pittsburgh for 2 years and at the Univ. of Michigan at Ann Arbor for 3 years. I love teaching and sharing my knowledge with others. I have published numerous technical papers and hold numerous U.S. patents as well.

Darlene D

Teaching Style

Much of my job includes mentoring new employees. Although I enjoy working with adults, I find it much more interesting to work with younger people. I would like the opportunity to tutor another student who is struggling with math. I have found that most students I have helped just needed some individual attention, and a safe place to ask questions that they would not ask in the classroom setting.

Experience Summary

I have worked in the Computer Science field since 1985 when I first started working for the US Space Program. During that time, I earned my BS and MS degrees, and am currently working on the Doctorate in Business with Applied Computer Science. During the last four years, I have tutored a student in mathematics, ranging from basic Algebra to College Calculus. During that time, the student received all A's. Since this student is moving on to a University out of the area, I will no longer be working with him; therefore I am looking forward to helping other students.

Patricia P

Teaching Style

I enjoy helping students who struggle with Mathematics. As a tutor, it is all about being patient and finding the right approach to teach the students. I believe that every student has the capacity to excel in any subject but they must believe in their abilities. Therefore, tutoring is not only teaching the subject but it is also about assuring the student that he will succeed.

Experience Summary

Mathematics was always my favorite subject since elementary school. When I entered college, it made sense to major in mathematics. Thus, I have earned a Bachelor degree in Mathematics. During my college years, I tutored college algebra, pre-algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus to my peers and younger students struggling in math. Since then I have also helped several high school students in their algebra I and II classes, trigonometry, and AP Calculus. Seeing a student improve their grades and knowing that they feel better about themselves and their accomplishments is extremely satisfying.