About
I'm a theoretical physics PhD student at Northeastern University, with a BS from the University of Pittsburgh in physics and a master's degree from Oxford University in the philosophy of physics. As well as all major areas of physics, I've studied calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and geometry and use these tools extensively in my work.
I have been tutoring math and physics since high school, with about a decade of experience. I have tutored privately in Oxford at the middle school, high school, and university levels. I also worked in the physics tutoring center during my BS at Pittsburgh, where I tutored a range of subjects from introductory physics and calculus to physical chemistry and quantum mechanics.
Math and physics are absolute passions for me, and I try to articulate the beauty of these subjects to my students. These are among the most exciting subjects to teach, because they not only give students tools to succeed academically and in their careers, but they constitute a framework through which to understand the world more completely, and a toolkit for solving the world's most pressing problems.
Because of the nature of math and physics, I've always emphasized an approach that teaches through practice. I typically teach through examples, especially using illustrative and pedagogical problems that clarify and explain the concept of interest. This approach is tailored to the needs of the individual student, and after some examples I encourage students to try to solve some problems along with me. This allows them to practice with the new concept, but also gives me an opportunity to see how they are thinking and to determine where any gaps in understanding might be filled.
Reviews
Chris G.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
My appraoch is tailored to the individual student. I find it's helpful to begin by getting to know the student and their needs. This involves clarifying the student's goals - are we trying to get a particular grade in a class? Pass an exam? Or understand some set of concepts the student has found challenging?
After clarifying general goals, we choose a topic to start with an begin studying. I can base my lessons on a textbook the student is using, or can write unique lessons based on the student's needs. I find that working with examples is the best way to learn math and physics - one must use these concepts to really understand them. So I typically involve many examples in my lessons. The goal is for the student to eventually solve some problems on their own, with my input or guidance when they might become stuck. This way the student can learn actively and I can try to remedy any difficulties in understanding as they arise.
Another method I've found useful is to revisit problems the student has had trouble with in the past, either on completed homework sets or from past exams. Though it can be uncomfortable, a very important part of learning is coming back to past difficulties and using them as powerful teaching tools. This is really where the rubber hits the road in any serious science or math education! I like to encourage students to think of confusion as a sign that there is something new and interesting to learn on the horizon.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have an undergraduate degree in physics (during which I was one class away from a math minor), a master's degree in the philosophy of physics, and am completing a PhD in theoretical physics. Throughout my education I have studied math and physics extensively and have thought deeply about how best to teach these subjects.
I have been tutoring math and physics for about a decade, since high school. I have tutored privately in Oxford at the middle school, high school, and university levels. I also worked in the physics tutoring center during my BS at Pittsburgh, where I tutored a range of subjects from introductory physics and calculus to physical chemistry and quantum mechanics. During the first two years of my PhD I taught introductory physics labs as a TA at Northeastern University, where I was awarded the Lawrence Award for Excellence in Teaching by the Physics Department.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$50/hr, or $65 for a 1.5-hour session
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching seriously as a physics undergraduate. During this time I was invited to work as a teaching assistant in the physics tutoring center at the University of Pittsburgh. The format here was very open-ended, where students would bring problems they'd struggled with and I would help to explain any underlying difficult concepts and work through the problem with them. I value this time highly, as it gave me many opportunities to practice thinking through new problems in real time without preparation. Students also found this valuable, as it allowed them to see how a more experienced student of physics and math thinks through these sorts of problems.
During my BS I also assisted faculty in creating and testing new physics lab curriculum, aimed at non-physics majors.
During my master's degree I worked as a private tutor for the middle and high school levels, as well as for the Oxford Disability Resource Center to assist students with various needs in note-taking and studying.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students from the middle school to undergraduate level.