Math Tutoring By Marti

I like to draw pictures, if I feel it will help, which it can with a lot of areas of math. I will explain a process while working out a problem with the student, answering any questions at that time. I will coach the student through another problem, and more if I feel the need. Then I will ask the student to try to work a problem by him/her self, explaining each step. When I feel the student can work the problems independently, I will have him/her do more problems and I will be there to answer any questions that come up. 

I have a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a Math Emphasis. I completed the degree online in two years (I had previously earned an Associate's Degree many years earlier, so I started as a Junior). I also have a Masters of Education, Math Instruction and Curriculum. I have tutored for an independent study school (Opportunities for Learning) that caters to at-risk students. I have also tutored college math students. 

My standard price is $35/hour. However, this is always negotiable, depending on the difficulty of the math involved, and how far I may need to travel (surface streets versus freeway). 

I went back to school (A V College) when I was 50. I had homeschooled my daughter's 7th grade year because of our move to Palmdale. I so enjoyed teaching her math, I decided to go back to school and take some math classes. My first semester I took two math classes, and found myself helping classmates from both classes. A teacher from Opportunities for Learning (OFL) asked if I would be interested in tutoring at her school, and I was hired as their first math tutor. I completed my student teaching there at OFL, and co-taught some classes with the math teacher. I substituted in a summer math class as well. 

A lot of students at OFL are considered at-risk (returning to school after dropping out, catching up on credits after failing classes in regular school, etc.). I have worked with students with varying degrees of troubled home lives from all over the valley. 

I have also tutored college math students. 

Hmmm. This has nothing to do with tutoring, but has to do with school. In September, my sister and I attended the grand re-opening of a primary school that had been attended by our great grandfather when he was a child. The school is located in Old Havana, Cuba, down the street from the newly restored Capitol building. We were honored guests of the City Historian, Dr. Esubio Leal.

Dr. Leal is responsible for the restoration of much of Old Havana, and this school building was one of his restoration probjects. 

I would say that most important is that you are comfortable working with your tutor. Second is that you can understand him/her. So if you meet a tutor your parent has hired, but you don't particularly like him/her (and not just because you don't want the help), ask your parent to keep looking. If you have a couple of sessions but do not feel you are learning from your tutor, ask your parent to look for another. 

Another important thing is attitude. If you do not have the right attitude, it will be difficult to learn. Be realistic. If you don't think you need help, but you are not getting the grades you like, think again. Math is not an easy subject for most. Do not be embarrassed that you just don't get it. Do not hesitate to ask a question (this goes for in the classroom as well -- guaranteed another student has the same question) -- there are so many ways to teach, and so many ways to learn (visually, auditorily, etc.), a teacher (or tutor) does not always connect. Move on. There's a tutor out there for you, trust me!

Why am I not getting this? Am I taking notes? What can I do to make my notes more understandable? Am I paying attention in class? Can I pay better attention? Am I doing my homework? What can I do different in class and at home? Is there free tutoring available at school?