Rad Wagner Tutoring

I have explained math and science clearly for 15+ years and 10,000+ hours to hundreds of students, of all abilities, from middle school to college level. I try to work cooperatively and conversationally with each student, get to know their situation, needs and priorities, and adjust the lessons to fit that individual. I discuss concepts using multiple materials to develop understanding, and then practice problems with students, while coaching them, to develop memory and mastery. My goal is to equip students to study and think for themselves.

I strive to be an excellent educator. I try to clearly explain important general concepts such as foundational principles, and the big picture of how the important parts fit and work together. I show how the general concepts are expressed or realized in specific ways, especially by showing and solving example problems. I have students work as many practice problems as possible, and during practice, coach, explain and clarify how to apply general concepts to these specific problems. I use a variety of tools for explanation and practice: the spoken word, writing, symbols, pictures, diagrams, interactive graphing tools, tables, etc. and provide resources, including notes that I have designed, on paper or in cloud storage. I have developed and teach some of my own methods, for example, for factoring trinomials.

Beyond the core work of instruction and practice, I try to support student learning and success. I use explanations and teach methods that are clear and simple enough for students to remember and fast enough for students to use efficiently during actual tests. I coach them about work habits, such as general organization, how to lay out work on paper, and how to use the advanced functions on the calculator. I ask questions and try to focus on the student’s high priority needs to make efficient use of each session. I pay attention to each student and adjust the lesson to the needs, abilities and progress of that student in dealing with the topic and material at hand (for example, I adjust the speed and difficulty of the lesson, and how much of the problem the student solves). Sometimes, adjusting to the student requires patience and persistence. As much as possible, I guide students through the problem-solving process by asking questions, rather than giving direct answers. I work ahead whenever possible, to prepare the student for the next week or so. I try to build rapport, encourage dialog, and engage with students. I have additional experience working with young people as a girls head soccer coach (five years) in our local league. I talk to students about soccer and other sports, and use analogies that students can relate to from sports or other activities they are familiar with.

At Stanford University, I majored in a field in the humanities, but if I had it to do over again, I would have chosen Computer Science, with some math and physics included. I currently work part-time with residential and small business computer clients. I am very good at math and science, and at explaining complex topics in a clear and understandable way. I get a significant amount of new local students through good reviews and word-of-mouth referrals. It is common for students to stay with me through multiple years of middle school and high school (the longest ever was over five years). I love working with students for multiple school years, and I hate saying goodbye to graduating seniors.

I work with students in middle school through college, usually with one student per session, but sometimes two or three. My students range from those really struggling, to average students, to top students who want to stay on top. My tutoring has mainly been in-person, but I am adding online tutoring with new technology. My subjects include, for math: middle school math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus A/B; and for science: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

I try to be as flexible as possible with student schedule requests, and to respond to messages from students and parents right away. Please contact me if you want to know more or to schedule a lesson.

I enjoy explaining complex topics in an understandable way, and helping students in general to become better students and to have more confidence that they can succeed at math and science. I also enjoy working with young people.