Stemo Physics Tutoring
About
I am passionate about physics and believe anyone can learn it. It's not just for "really smart people." I started out as a social sciences major in college and went back to school later to get my physics degree and now I am a researcher in quantum optics in Japan. My lessons help students discover physics for themselves so that students feel a sense of accomplishment and build the skills to tackle the next problem on their own.
I have more than five years experience teaching English-as-a-second-language and I bring these skills to mastering physics and math, namely by gradually introducing progressively more difficult (but not too difficult) problems until the students feels they can master the material on their own.
Check out my personal website for more background: https://garrek.org
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First I determine what the student is struggling with. Is it a lack of confidence with the mathematics? Are they overwhelmed by equations? Are the physics concepts not quite sticking? These are some common problems students face with learning physics and other sciences.
I take an approach that gradually increases the difficulty problems. Once a student has mastered a concept, I introduce a problem that is just a little bit more difficult. With this method, the student learns how to break down a problem into manageable chunks so they can eventually tackle problems on their own.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
As a graduate student in Japan, I teach quantum physics and quantum optics. I prepare lecture notes and class discussion questions. My lessons are interactive.
I have a bachelors degree in physics with honors from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I have also worked as a teacher in English as a Second Language in Japan for 4 years, which included professional training as a teacher.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Be patient. Physics is tough and you shouldn't beat yourself up because you don't understand it or can't do the problem sets. By working with me, you'll gain confidence in the math and the physics concepts to know how to approach and work through those though physics questions.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is hard about learning physics and science for you? Is it the math? Do you not understand the underlying physics concepts? Are you overwhelmed by equations?
You should also consider your time schedule. Are you looking to learn long-lasting skills to get through the semester or longer? Or are you just looking for some quick tips to study for an upcoming exam. Remember, you won't benefit much from lessons if you are just looking for quick answers.