Jonathan Higgins Math Tutoring
About
Ever since I was in high school, I have fostered a passion for tutoring, particularly in mathematics. Furthermore, I am very qualified to do so-- I have just completed a masters in pure mathematics from the University of Cambridge (in the UK), and prior to that, I received a B.S. in mathematics, with honors, and a B.A. in philosophy from Wheaton College (IL). In high school, I tutored students in Algebra II, precalculus, AP physics, and I also helped some students with competition-level mathematics. In college, I tutored in physics and abstract algebra, and I was a teaching assistant for four semesters; finally, I was a mathematics teacher/tutor for Best in Class last summer, where I helped students work through problems in small groups, taught the math portion of an SAT prep course, and did one-on-one ACT math and science prep. I am very passionate about mathematics and helping students understand its concepts, so I would be delighted to help you reach your goals, whether it be improving your grades in class or bumping up your ACT/SAT score!
As a tutor, there is something immensely enjoyable about the moment when the light bulb goes off for a student and they come to understand what had previously been troubling them. I enjoy doing mathematics for itself (my plan/hope is to become a professor), but I also love working with students and helping them discover their potential. This is reason enough to be a tutor!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I think it is important to remain flexible in order to best respond to each student's needs. Thus, I will listen first and then respond. That said, I believe that actually working through problems, especially for SAT/ACT prep, is the most effective way to learn, so I will help students work through problems, and then I will spend more time teaching the parts that they finds particularly difficult.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an MASt (masters of advanced study) in pure mathematics from the University of Cambridge and a B.S. in mathematics (with honors) from Wheaton College. I have many years of tutoring experience, as I started doing so in high school and continued through college. I have also been a teaching assistant for four semesters in college, and I worked as a math tutor/teacher last summer for Best in Class, where I also taught ACT and SAT prep.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Pricing will, naturally, depend on the subject being taught. For ACT/SAT prep, I plan to charge about $75/hour, and for other math tutoring, the price will be $40-60/hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I started tutoring in high school, where I did so for free as a service to the community, and I helped students with Algebra II, pre-calculus, and AP physics. I loved it, so I kept tutoring after I graduated!
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with all kinds of students-- ranging from elementary-aged kids learning how to count to students of college-level modern algebra, as well as everything in between! In particular, I have tutored both students who are struggling to understand the relevant concents and those who are seeking to squeeze out as many points as possible on the ACT or SAT.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
It is important to consider the background and experience of a potential tutor. You want to find someone who knows what they are doing and who is well-prepared to answer your questions. Admittedly, it may be hard to do so online, but it is also important to find a tutor you perceive to be personable-- someone to whom you would feel comfortable asking any question.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
One of the most important question to think through before reaching out to a teacher or tutor is "what are my goals?" In other words, what is it that you hope to get out of tutoring? This may be quantitative (by how many points do I want to increase my score?) or qualitative (how detail-oriented must I be in order to succeed, and what would success look like for me in this context?). It is also very helpful to think about your learning style so that your teacher/tutor can tailor their methods in a way that is most effective for you.