Experienced Math Tutor

Hey, I’m Jacob! I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Arizona State University in December of 2019. I am currently in graduate school at ASU, and am pursuing a PhD in Applied Mathematics with a focus in Numerical Methods and Inverse Problems. Throughout my academic career, I have realized that any student can excel if they are presented with the right opportunities. For example, when I took Calculus in high school, I absolutely hated it, primarily because it was taught in a way that I did not understand. However, when I took it in college, I had amazing professors which allowed me to truly learn the material, and I found a passion for not only math, but teaching as well.

I tutored for two years when I was in high school, and then I tutored for two years at ASU during my time as an undergraduate. After my first semester tutoring at the university, I was promoted to Lead Tutor, which meant along with my normal tutoring duties, I also oversaw a select group of other tutors in order to ensure the efficiency of the tutoring center. I have experience tutoring in the subjects of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Statistics, and Programming in MATLAB, Python, AWK, and FORTRAN. Most recently, I taught MAT 117: College Algebra at ASU.

I genuinely enjoy math and I enjoy working with students to understand something I find so fascinating. I remember how I felt when I was taking the courses that I tutor, so it is easy for me to relate to struggling students and help them understand information. My method of tutoring relies on finding out how the student learns the best. I am capable of adapting to the students' specific learning needs. I can tutor in many different visual ways, verbal ways, etc. to make the content easiest for the student to understand. My primary philosophy when tutoring is encouraging students’ understanding of the material. After explaining to students how to do a problem, and helping them understand it, I work with them to be able to effectively tackle similar problems on their own, so that I can feel confident they will succeed when I am no longer there to help them.

I have experience in a multitude of lower and higher level math courses, I have tutored for many years, and I have tutored many different age groups. I know a lot of information, and I know ways to relate that information to fit any one person specifically. Through my tutoring and teaching experience, I have developed a plethora of techniques to make difficult material seem easier for students to comprehend. I care about a student’s success, and will do anything I can to help them achieve that.

I have a very flexible schedule, and I am willing to make any sort of accommodations necessary. Although school can be challenging, I pride myself in my ability to make challenging concepts easier for students to grasp. I consider myself easy-going, and I will do what it takes to help any student be successful.