Our Tutors

Paul P

Teaching Style

For various reasons, we all learn in different ways. Often times this is difficult to address in a classroom setting, forcing teachers to address skills by giving particular instructions (how to write a paper, how to solve an equation, etc.) thereby making education a project of memorization more so than understanding. I believe it is important for students to grasp the broad concepts of their subject manner, through their particular learning style, then applying these to specific objects as opposed to the other way around. This not only allows for students to achieve in various exercises, but creates a context by which students can relate to their subject, thus internalizing it and creating a solid foundation to move forward from.

Experience Summary

Educationally, I have a BA in Mathematics from Vassar College, a school where I achieved a high level of success graduating with high honors both generally and within my major. While this gives me the mastery necessary to approach all levels of math up to the graduate level, my teaching experience makes it possible for me to convey those subjects to my students. I began working one on one with students while teaching guitar in high school and since then have continued to facilitate students' learning at various levels. Most recently I've pursued experiential education working with kids on farms, backpacking trips, and canoe expeditions. I apply this hands on approach to education in the classroom as well, one that I found successful while teaching Linear Algebra to college freshmen my senior year.

Donald D

Teaching Style

I believe children today are shortchanged by our educational system. Kids need people who hold them to high standards rather than minimums. They need to feel like people believe they are worthy of success and able to attain it rather than being given built-in excuses. Therefore, my teaching style is to hold students to a high level of proficiency. I work with students in a way that builds their confidence and makes them feel like they know things others don't. There is a real "edge" that they feel when they think they might actually be "one of the smart ones" after all and it breeds both an interest and an ambition to be better.

Experience Summary

I have Accounting, Finance, and Economics degrees or designations of emphasis as part of my educational resume. Earning those degrees takes quite a bit of mathematical and analytical knowledge and skill. I went into these degree areas because they not only met one of many areas of interest to me but I also perceived they were perhaps more useful. However, I have a great interest and an immersion based education in history, civics, and political science based areas. I've also been asked to be a contributing writer for both a political blog and a sports related blog which has allowed me to hone my writing and grammatical skills.

Malcom M

Teaching Style

I would best describe my teaching style as both effective and efficient. In order to be an effective teacher (or tutor) a relationship of mutual respect and trust must first be established between the teacher and the student. In addition, a student needs to know that the teacher sincerely cares about his or her accomplishments and successes both inside and outside of the classroom. Once these factor have been incorporated, it is then up to the teacher to relay the material and concepts to the student using situations and examples that are both relevant and familiar to the student's life and future career. If all these factors are taken into consideration, every student has the ability to learn the content of any subject area.

Experience Summary

Over the past 5 years I have taught various subjects in the areas of both science and mathematics including integrated science, earth science, physics, algebra (I and II), and geometry. For the past 3 years I have tutored small groups of student in a district funded, 6 week, after school program in an attempt to help students improve their SAT scores in the area of mathematics with all students reporting a significant increase in their test scores. I have also become extremely proficient with emerging technologies such as the TI-83 graphing calculator (and its successive models), teacher website design, and both online grading and lesson-planning software.

Sam S

Teaching Style

I find a great deal of personal satisfaction in imparting knowledge to others. I am patient, open-minded and respect the individuality of those with whom I work. At the same time I am dedicated to the progress of those I teach and keep focused on the ultimate educational goal. Nothing is more important, to an individual's happiness and well-being than learning. Learning opens up doors heretofore closed. I recognize and respect the impact a teacher can have on a student's life. A person's education reverberates down through all the years of one's life.

Experience Summary

In my business career one of my most important tasks was to train individuals and groups in the use of computer software. I found it most rewarding to see individuals become more knowledgeable and thus, be able to perform their jobs more efficiently. Another task I performed was as a liaison or translator between technical people and business system users. I was charged with explaining the needs of business users to the technical staff. This required patience and interpersonal skill, so that, all parties became sufficiently knowledgeable to enable a successful result. Both my children had learning disabilities. This necessitated that I insure that homework assignments were completed. I also tutored my children in a wide variety of subjects (spelling, English, math) to supplement the efforts of their teachers. This required a commitment to the learning process and accommodation to their individual learning styles.

Gregory G

Teaching Style

I believe the true way to teach is to make a connection for each student: relate the material to something the student already knows. A more “hands-on” approach will allow the student to learn faster with greater retention. I feel that every student has the ability to learn, and that it is the teacher’s job to provide each student with the connection. In today’s age, classrooms have become over-crowded thus making it more difficult for the teacher to make that connection. It is the job of the tutor to fill in the gaps. With this theory, I try to use my experience in the work field to relate the subject matter to the student’s surroundings – hence math and science are my forte. I work well with children by making learning fun, but also have the knowledge of complex problems to provide the same environment for high school and college students.

Experience Summary

As a child of an Air Force pilot, I have always loved aviation. I strived hard in school to get the best grades to one day become a “Rocket Scientist” and design the plane of the future. In high school I was known for my good grades, and passed on my knowledge by tutoring my fellow classmates and students in earlier grades. After high school, I graduated from one of the top Aerospace schools in the country, and went on to work for a few companies: two small businesses and a large government contractor. I have completed many diverse programs successfully. When talking with friends about my career endeavors, I found myself giving more of a teaching course on how stuff works (e.g. planes, missiles, GPS, etc). I have since realized my passion for teaching, and that tutoring allows me to obtain both goals in my life: teaching and engineering.

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.

Ryan R

Teaching Style

My teaching style is patient and thorough. I like to think of myself as a guide for students who are having difficulty in areas of math and science. I urge them to do the work, answer the questions, and ultimately earn the rewards of learning and discovery.

Experience Summary

I have a bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Chicago, a Masters degree in Physics from the University of Wisconsin, and am currently writing my doctoral thesis in Physics at the University of Wisconsin. I have enjoyed the opportunity to tutor math and science on a number of occasions at the U of C and UW, in small groups and one-on-one. I have also taught introductory physics courses at the University of Wisconsin, Driscoll Catholic High School, and the National University of Health Science. Years of teaching and research in science and math have made me very comfortable explaining and teaching these subjects.

Mazen M

Teaching Style

I work with a hands-on approach. There is a lot of logical thinking and step-by-step processing in math and science. So, the student and I work together through each problem until they understand the process.

Experience Summary

I used to work at several private schools in Jordan. Many of the schools were applying American teaching styles to their system. I am capable of tutoring all levels of mathematics, physics, and many computer subjects.