Our Tutors

Jim J

Teaching Style

I believe that the possibilities of learning are incredible, especially with understanding the tools of both teaching and learning whether that is textbooks, computers, or something else. It is important to ascertain how a student learns, and adjust to them. I’ve discovered in my teaching of children that it is critical to create a foundation of understanding then build upon it through repetition of the basic ideals while adding to what is already established. Children are amazingly open to new ideas, and take on new challenges with excitement, so it is my job as instructor to guide them in their journey. I also feel that early learning is fundamental to the way individuals learn later in life, so helping children learn how to overcome obstacles becomes a way of expanding their educational possibilities.

Experience Summary

Throughout my higher educational career, I’ve been driven to learn as much as possible to help satisfy my enormous curiosity. I have earned a bachelor degree in English Literature, and am currently a MFA candidate in the creative writing program at Arizona State University. As part of my graduate funding, I work as a teaching assistant. The program requires constant training, and I enjoy taking part in understanding the way students learn. In addition to teaching at the university, I work with the Office of Youth Preparation—teaching not only the craft of poetry, but helping 4th and 5th graders develop language skills necessary to do well in school. Although I primarily work with the study of English, I study Spanish and have become proficient with the use of the language.

Desiree D

Teaching Style

As young minds are developing it is my desire to fulfill and enrich their potential. To teach is to be patient and to listen to the student. It is to be approachable and provide constructive feedback. My goal would be to determine the student’s weak points and to develop goals to strengthen their weak areas. Be patience and produce lesson plans to strengthen this weakness. Growing up I played several sports and practice was so essential to achieve greatness. This can apply to all facets of life. Work hard and anyone one can achieve. The student’s success would be a reflection of my progress and will always be a motivator.

Experience Summary

I am a progressive finance professional with over 10 years experience in the commercial banking industry. I have obtained a BS in business management and a MBA in finance. I have experience as a team player and have lead teams. I considered myself to motivate, innovative and have a good rapport with people. My strongest assets are math and computers. I spend my days formulating formulas and constructing reports on spreadsheets. I wish to pass on the wealth of knowledge to our future achievers. It would be a pleasure and my desire to tutor in elementary math and/or pre algebra. I pick these subjects because I had performed suitable doing my years as a student. I was a volunteer for the Junior Achievement program. I volunteer to teach an hour once a week to second graders for three months. I accomplished this for two years. It was a rewarding experience. The subject was structured by Junior Achievement to teach banking, government and the importance of people and places in our community.

Justin J

Teaching Style

I am a very enthusiastic tutor and, as I stated in the previous section, believe teaching in such a way that the student gains a true mastery of the given subject. In a sense, I believe in each student understanding a particular concept in their own unique way that is consistent with their unique thinking processes. I strive to do this by relating a given concept analogously to something the student already fundamentally understands. I also create new problems to solve that probe the students’ progress and comprehension. I try to make these problems as realistic as possible to make them interesting to the student.

Experience Summary

Being a Ph.D. candidate and appointed research assistant, I very much realize the importance of true comprehension of a subject. Not only do I hold two B.S. degrees in Applied Mathematics and Chemical Engineering but I also carry credits to the equivalent of a Non-Thesis Masters in Applied Mathematics and am one course shy of a minor in Chemistry. I have tutored groups of students for Sylvan Learning Centers, conducted one-on-one sessions with Educational Enrichment and independently, and prepared and delivered lectures for advanced undergraduate chemical engineering courses. I am capable and experienced in tutoring all levels of mathematics, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics and materials science.

Jonathan J

Teaching Style

I try to explain ideas in more than one way. If you can take an idea and look at from multiple angles then you have a better grasp of it. I also find that some explanations, for whatever reason, just don't work for some people and it's necessary to think of a new way to explain something. I enjoy teaching people things and I get a feeling of satisfaction when I help other people to learn.

Experience Summary

I have a master's degree in Economics and undergraduate degrees in both Mathematics and Economics. In my courses I have generally been one of the strongest students and I would regularly help my peers. I really enjoyed this informal tutoring for several reasons. I like explaining things, and I like helping out my friends. I also found that when I explained a concept to a fellow student that I developed a deeper understanding myself. For me, informal tutoring was something I enjoyed and it also helped me be a better student.

Jennifer J

Teaching Style

I enjoy working with a student one-on-one. We know that every child develops on a different learning curve, which is why the tutoring process is so crucial. Working individually with a child can help them overcome some of the frustration and confusion that comes along with learning in a crowded classroom. I have a great amount of patience and understanding to help the child develop his own learning style and guide him to work through the problems at his own pace to ensure that he truly understands the material. Learning is a step by step process and I know that I can guide each child through the steps they need to take to complete any and all challenges they may face, not just in school, but in life.

Experience Summary

I began tutoring algebra when I was in high school for my boss' kids in the back of the restaurant where I worked. I then went on to get my BA in mathematics at La Salle University, with a minor in Education. While in college, I continued tutoring my fellow students in math and chemistry for a peer tutoring program set up by the school. In addition I observed/student taught at various schools in the Philadelphia area. I have knowledge of a wide range of mathematics, my specialty being algebra and calculus. Due to my experience, I am also proficient in English and can assist in research paper writing.

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.

Jane J

Teaching Style

I love to work with youth. I'd like to help kids to understand the course material better and achieve their academic success. I’m patient and easy going and considerate

Experience Summary

I have been a teaching assistant for 6 years to college student. I have taught 12 courses such as linear algebra, pre-calculus, calculus and statistics. I am an experienced tutor.

Stuart S

Teaching Style

As a product of top-notch education I feel that I have become intimately familiar with effective teaching styles and have thereby tried to replicate the best of these styles. I would describe my teaching style as adaptive because I feel a certain teaching style that works for one student may be inadequate for another student. For this reason I strive to first determine how a particular student learns and subsequently derive an action plan. For example, if a student seems to retain information from a book or other types of visual material but not from a teacher's lecture I would deem that student to be a more visual based learner. In such a scenario, I would approach the student in a visual based manner through animations, practice problems, and other visual material. On the other hand, if the student was found to be a more auditory-based learner that student may benefit from descriptive metaphors or a verbal walk through of sample problems.

Experience Summary

As a graduate of Bucknell University and the prestigious Mercersburg Academy, I gained a strong affinity for education and thereby providing quality learning experiences for others. While at the Mercersburg Academy I earned a 700 math score and a 680 verbal score on my SATs. At Bucknell I earned a bachelor's of science degree in biochemistry and cell biology while gaining extensive experience in chemistry, biology, psychology, physics, math, and scientific research. I have also gained extensive writing experience in the form of research papers, lab reports, and numerous other classes at both Bucknell and Mercersburg that required a plethora of writing. During the past year I served as an Honors and Accelerated Chemistry teacher at the esteemed Worcester Academy while tutoring biology, physics, and chemistry students during the evenings.