Foley Chemistry And Math Tutoring Services
About
My teaching philosophy has always been that if you love what you are teaching and can convey that love to your students through your enthusiasm for the subject, your students will come to love the subject as well (or at least dislike it less). Therefore, I have always tried to convey my enthusiasm to those I have taught and tutored, believing that ultimately it leads to students that really try to grasp the material, rather than just get a passing grade. This is why I always try to make my lessons engaging and interactive.
I love math and chemistry, I love problem-solving, and I love helping students. As a professor, I constantly have students in my office, and it is incredibly rewarding when they begin to grasp concepts that they have been struggling with. I have been incredibly fortunate, and I always seem to have students that are engaged and hard-working, and that is fantastic!
Specialties
Grade level
Type of math
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When I first start working with a student, I want to know what they know and what they are having trouble with. I try and find out prior to our first lesson by asking them what they think they know and what they think they need help with. I also find it incredibly helpful to see what kinds of problems their teachers are giving them, and how they are fairing with them. After that, I go through the concepts that they feel they are struggling with and then ask them to tell me how they would solve a particular problem. This allows me to understand how they interpret these problems, which allows me greater insight into how they think. Oftentimes I find that most students will be having problems with a chemistry concept that stems from earlier knowledge that they either didn't understand to begin with or are having trouble relating it to the current topic. From there, I can make a lesson plan that addresses the areas my students need more assistance with. I also like to have my student's syllabi as that allows me to make lesson plans and knowledge checks throughout the semester.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have tutored chemistry on the high school and college levels for over 15 years. I also have a Ph.D. in chemistry and have been teaching college chemistry for over 10 years. As a college professor, I have always received positive reviews from my students, and I have won an undergraduate teaching award.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$45/hour is my normal rate. I offer discounted rates for students who I schedule on a more regular basis: $40/hour for scheduled biweekly sessions; $35/hour for scheduled weekly sessions; $30/hour for more than 2 hours per week.
How did you get started teaching?
I started tutoring in middle school, where I would help elementary school students in the mornings before class with their math homework. In high school, while in the IB program, I tutored my classmates in trigonometry, precalculus, and chemistry. I continued tutoring through undergraduate, helping my peers in calculus, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry classes. I started teaching in graduate school, where I taught general chemistry and organic chemistry. I am now a professor of chemistry at a university.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all kinds of students. In addition to college students, I have worked with high school students. I have worked with students with no chemistry background, as well as those who are taking upper-level chemistry classes. Since I teach at a public university, and I tutored students in public universities, I have been fortunate enough to encounter students of all types, including those with learning disabilities.