Our Tutors

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.

Diana D

Teaching Style

Having a minor in psychology, as well as the wonderful teachers I had been exposed to over the years, has helped me to recognize that each student had a unique learning style. I attempt to discover this style, which usually happens within one lesson, and focus in on proper teaching methods to cater to this style. I am very patient and have worked with various levels of skill and ability to intake information. I love hands on activities where possible (sciences mainly) and have a multitude of visual examples for many subjects. I hope to inspire my students to want to learn a subject they once thought was "pointless" or "boring".

Experience Summary

I began tutoring when I was in middle school. Our school designed a program where honors students were paired with students they believed to be at risk for dropping out of school before they graduated high school. I tutored one specific student for 2 years and continued to mentor him through high school. After this program I realized I loved working one-on-one with people who were truly struggling with education. I have always known education was extremely important to my own success and I wanted to help others gain knowledge towards their own goals. I tutored through college and still continue to do so. My education has given me insight into many levels of math and science as well as recognizing how to write on a scientific level due to laboratory analysis. Due to this ability to express math and science on a basic level it aides in explaining it to others who do not have a firm grasp on the topic at hand. I have tutored the following subjects at a high school level: chemistry (regular through AP), biology (up to the AP level), linear functions, calculus, statistics, physics (up to AP), algebra I & II, and trigonometry. At a college level I have tutored: chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, molecular biology, cellular biology, statistics (at the request of the professor), physics, biomedical physics, public health, anatomy, and trigonometry.

Alfred A

Teaching Style

I am a firm believer in the saying that "every child is gifted". I also believe that no two children are equal. These principles have guided me throughout my teaching experiences. Therefore, I patiently work with students by first assessing their situations and then designing plans to help them out. I am easy going and that helps me communicate effectively with my students.

Experience Summary

I have always loved teaching, so I worked as a teacher's aide at an elementary school directly after graduating from high school. I obtained my BS in physical science with a major in chemistry and a diploma in education. I also obtained my MS in analytical chemistry working in the study of the kinetics of metals in reducing environments. I used these acquired physical sciences as tools in my analysis. This has given me great understanding of these subjects. I have also tutored a lot of students through my graduate studies.

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.

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.

Lori L

Teaching Style

I believe that students are wary of mathematics and statistics because they appear clinic and distant, with little to do with the “real” world. To educate I try to create dynamic and above all relevant “uses” for the lessons. My experiences have exposed me to different teaching styles and class formats and allowed me to develop a teaching philosophy that encompasses the best of all these methods. My philosophy is best described with reference to six primary concepts: 1. Knowledge conveyed in a relevant context 2. Interaction with each student and the material 3. Passion for teaching and the subject 4. Adaptability 5. Creativity in teaching methods and 6. Respect between the student and the teacher All students seek knowledge; it’s the teacher’s role to facilitate learning and guide them along the path. A successful lesson is one in which the student comes out seeing the world a little differently.

Experience Summary

During my education and career, the teaching of others has featured prominently in my personal goals and life objectives. While attending high school, I tutored fellow students professionally in subjects ranging from basic algebra to complex calculus. My undergraduate degree was in the field of Mathematics and Statistics with an additional biological statistics certificate and at present I am completing my Masters of Science in statistics. My understandings of these fields lead to my recruit by a number of professors and researchers to provide assistance and advisement on statistical analysis of their projects. In addition to assisting my professors, I was also selected to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and was also selected to conduct "stand alone" courses. I have a strong passion for these subjects and I believe my years of teaching experience have given me the insight, patience and ability to convey the complex world of mathematics and statistics to my students.

Purvesh P

Teaching Style

I vary my teaching style depending on the student's particular disposition. I normally allow them to dictate the pace at which I tutor without digressing from our objective. Nonetheless, my goal is to be positive impact on the student. I love to help students get to a level they did not expect they could achieve, and in the same token, I am appreciative when I am humbled by challenging problems for which I have no solution. However, when faced with such a situation, I guide the student in an appropriate direction, and let them know that I will use my own resources to discover a solution and then get back to them. Without question, my style is synonymous to what computer users refer to good programs as, "user-friendly." I am patient with my tutees and steady in my demeanor so that I can gain and hold their confidence.

Experience Summary

I have been tutoring since my sophomore year at Rutgers University. I hold the College Reading and Learning Association Level II (CRLA) certification. I tutored Mathematics (Pre-Calculus, Calculus), Chemistry, and Physics to undergraduate students at the university. I have since tutored students in these disciplines at various levels, such as middle school and high school. I have also tutored adults in the area of Information Technology, subjects such as Introduction to Programming, Web Design, and Database Design, while studying for my IT Certification. I have since attained an MS degree in Computer Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and have been working in the IT industry for the past 4 years. I continue to enjoy tutoring and teaching others; be it students, co-workers, or family members. I feel a tremendous sense of satisfaction when I see others succeed and know that I have played a part in their growth.

Maria M

Teaching Style

I love tutoring and consider myself to be effective at it. I approach it with enthusiasm. I apply theory to practical applications in my career and life. My approach is one of ease. I consider mathematics to be easy, as long as you accept what I call "the rules of the game"; i.e., there are certain principles that have to be accepted, and not questioned, then everything else falls in place. I believe that all people have the capability of learning, and I love the opportunity to provide a positive experience to students.

Experience Summary

I have been tutoring for more than 5 years. My main focus is mathematics, but I also tutor students in Spanish I through IV. I have tutored Spanish, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Pre-Calculus. I have recently helped several students prepare for the SAT math test. I enjoy making a difference in the student’s life.