David Schmitt, Tutor
About
I am an architect by profession, and I've had my own business for many years. I began tutoring to meet another goal of mine: to make it easier for students to excel. I wasn't a good student in high school because I didn't know how easy school could be if approached in the right way. I like students to understand that it's better to work smarter than to work harder. School doesn't have to be as hard as it seems!
When I first began tutoring the ACT and SAT tests, I looked at all of the material available, but I felt it was necessary to develop a systematic way for students to approach each question in the tests. If they use my system, they'll find that the questions are much easire than they first seemed. My students get much higher scores when they use my system, and they find they have much less anxiety because of their greater confidence.
I enjoy finding ways to allow each of my students to excel. Too many students are left behind, especially in subjects like math, when they could become proficient with the right approach.
I love it when a student scoring in the high teens or low twenties on the ACT can achieve a score in the mid to high twenties, and even the thirties. Standardized tests can be much easier than you think, becuase they're standardized tests!
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I get to know my students first, to find out where they are already doing well and where they might need some help. The beauty of one-on-one tutoring is that I can make it work well for whomever I'm tutoring.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm an architect, not a teacher. That keeps me from falling into some approaches that teachers use, but that don't work with their students. That's why they need a tutor! I've taught myself a lot over the years, and that's allowed me to learn what works.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge for my services by the hour. I never turn anyone away because of what they are able to pay.
How did you get started teaching?
I've always wanted to be a teacher, but I never really wanted to teach in a classroom. With one-on-one tutoring I'm able to help kids in exactly the way they need to be helped.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've tutored pretty much all types of students, and I'm willing to tutor anyone! Some of my students have had physical disabities, and some have had learning disabilities. Some have come from the best high schools in Chicago and the North Shore, some from outstanding high schools all over the country, and some from schools that aren't nearly as good. All students deserve a chance to excel. All student deserve the power to decide where the want to attend college, rather than have that power reduced due to poor test scores.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Just yesterday one of my students texted me to tell me about his 6 point increase on his ACT, from a 22 to a 28. And the really neat thing is that he's not satisfied with that score; he wants more! So, we'll work to improve his score even more, and I expect that he'll be in the 30s on his next test.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Talk to several tutors to get an idea about how they'll be during a tutoring session. Different tutors have different personalities and approaches, so it's important to find one who you can trust and follow.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is the most important thing you want to get out of tutoring?
How do you expect a tutor to help you?
Are you willing to do what your tutor asks you to do to achieve a score or academic improvement?
What kind of personality in a tutor do you think will help you the most?