About
I have been working with middle school, high school and college students for 35 years, helping them with overcoming challenges and struggles, developing a healthy Spiritual life and learning the kinds of life skills needed to be successful.
One of my favorite ways to help students is teaching and tutoring math. I have experience teaching math in a formal classform setting to middle and high school students, as well as students dual-enrolled in both high school and college.
I have lots of one-on-one experience helping with with Algebra I & II, Geometry, College Algebra, Pre-Calculus and Calculus. I am currently on faculty at North Georgia Technical College as an adjunct professor.
In addition to working with students, I have been managing a successful software development company for the last 20 years.
I have a Master of Science degree from Georgia Institute of Technology in Applied Mathematics, finishing with a 3.5 GPA and seting for two years as a teaching assistant for Calculus 1 - 4. I also have a Bachelor of Science degree from Mars Hill University with a major in Mathematics and minor in Computer Science, where I was class Valedictorian, finishing with a 4.0 GPA.
https://icnventures.com
I love working with students. Their energy and excitement, ambitious dreams and perspectives are inspiring and motivating. There's nothing quite as satisfying as seeing the light come on for a student or watching them turn the corner on their efforts.
Having done this for so long, one of my favorite things is when students come back later and allow me to share in their success. I have students I worked with 30 years ago that I will keep up with and even get to see and talk to from time to time. Building long-term relationships with students and their families is a great bonus.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
First things first, I want to find out from the student exactly where they are struggling. This might include some Q&A with the student, taking a look at some current homework or test results, talking with parents, or communicating with teachers.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Adjunct Professor at North Georgia Technical College.
Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics from Georgia Institute of Technology, teaching assistant for Calculus 1 - 4, 3.5 GPA.
Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Mars Hill University. Major in math, minor in computer science, class valedictorian, 4.0 GPA.
35 years experience with personal one-on-one math tutoring and four years of in-class math teaching.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Middle and high school math tutoring: $25/hour
College-level math tutoring: $25/hour
How did you get started teaching?
My first exposure to tutoring was conducting the Calculus help labs for 3 years in college. That quickly led to one-on-one tutoring, and I quickly realized I actually had a passion for helping others. At Georgia Tech, I served for two years as a teaching assistant for Calculus 1 - 4, where I was responsible for four recitation classes per week as well as office hours to provide students with individual help.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have tutored and taught in a formal setting students from 7th grade through junior year in college.
I enjoy working most with students who have a genuine desire to improve their understanding of math and ultimately to improve their results. I have worked with students who were being "forced" to get tutoring. My goal there is to help identify their roadblocks and objections and turn those into opportunities to embrace a challenge.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
One of my most enjoyable times tutoring was during the 2018-19 school year, when I worked through a Geometry course with a 15-year-old homeschooler. This was his first math course that wasn't done completely online. For the first time, he was able to sit down and talk to and work with a live person face-to-face on math. Learn the material and solving problems took on a whole new perspective. It was hands down his favorite math class--so much so that we are doing Algebra II the same way this school year.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
1) It is critical that you're willing to be honest with yourself and with your teacher. Not just what you do and don't understand, but why you are where you are with respect to math. If you're trying to tackle Algebra II and don't have a good understanding of basic Algebra skills, then own that and be willing to do the work to get yourself on level.
2) Be willing to put in the extra work where needed. Most students are stuggling with their current level of math because at some point they've fallen behind. Math is truly a building process. If you don't understand what you did last month or last year, you're likely not going to understand what you're trying to do now.
3) Be willing to think outside the box. That's just another way of saying that perhaps your challenges with math may be partly due to how you've been approaching it. Experts are finding out that many of the "old-school" teaching strategies for math--such as extensive repitition--aren't the most effective way to learn. Part of the help you receive may include some different ways to structure your time or different approaches to homework and studying for tests.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
1) Do I have a real desire to improve and am I willing to put forth the effort to do so? If I'm behind or struggling, then there may be make-up work that I have to go back and do in addition to the work I am assigned now.
2) Am I willing to be open and honest about how I got here with regard to math? I have to own those things--whatever they are?
3) Am I willing to take the initiative to improve my understanding of math, where I take the lead and responsibility while a teacher or tutor helps support and guide my efforts? This is my life and my future. The opportunities that lie ahead depend on my hard work and efforts now.