About
Hello! I am a mathematics graduate student at the University of Maryland in a PhD program. I have my Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics. I currently teach and tutor undergraduates university level calculus and algebra, as well as upper level coursework as a part time job. I intend to eventually work as a professor and teach mathematics full time.
I have tutored college students in calculus and algebra for three years. I have tutored mathematics privately for both children and adults for about five years. I primarily tutor mathematics, but I also tutor writing, economics, and reading for children.
I am committed to helping and motivating my students towards success. I prioritize my appointments and I try to be as flexible as possible. I come prepared and work hard to give my students what they need. I expect my students to work hard and put forth their best efforts in their studies.
I charge $20/hour for any level of mathematics under calculus (e.g., algebra, pre-calculus, elementary mathematics). I charge $25/hour for calculus and above. I charge more for calculus, as it generally takes me more preparation time and expertise.
Math is hard and stressful, but it is also beautiful. Students who learn math in highschool and in college tend to learn at a fast pace and in little detail. If they don't understand something the first time, the busy teacher or professor won't be available to catch them up. Unqualified teachers do not give students the full story of algebra or calculus. Because of this, many people learn to hate math rather than learn math. Students do not learn how beautiful and powerful math is, and instead they are only worried about passing the class. We hate what we do not understand.
I love to tutor because I like to watch people understand, imporve, and see themselves do things they thought were impossible. One summer I tutored a 65 year old man in algebra because it was the only class he needed to retake to finally get his Bachelor's degree. On his first algebra exam, he scored 46; he felt stupid and wanted to give up. Instead, he decided to meet with me every morning for an hour of tutoring. Slowly and with a lot of hard work, he improved steadily. My favorite moments were seeing him feel proud of himself and finally understand mathematics. Suddenly he regarded doing homework and problems as an interesting challenge instead of sheer torture. In the end he scored an 85 on his final exam, and I will never forget how confident, proud, and happy he was.
I want to help students learn and see mathematics as I do: a beautiful challenge. I want students to discover what they can do with hard work; that they aren't stupid for not understanding something. Sometimes all it takes to understand is someone helping them.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When approaching a subject a student is struggling with, I either like to look at work they have already done or have them do a few problems to assess their understanding. Working together through problems done in a class or on a past assignment is one of the most effective ways of understanding a process--no matter what the level of math. There is no strict process that applies to every student, so I determine a strategy that will best fit each individual after determining weaknesses.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Maryland. I am currently a graduate student at Maryland in a PhD program. I currently work as a professor's assistant and teach algebra/calculus to undergraduates.
I have tutored at the university level for roughly 3 years. I have worked as a private tutor for 5 years for both children and adults.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I charge $25/hour for calculus/calculus II tutoring. I charge $20/hour for anything lower than calculus (e.g. algebra, pre-calculus, trigonometry). The reason there is a difference in price is that I find calculus more time demanding to tutor. I need more time to prepare for calculus tutoring.
Payment is accepted in cash or via internet transaction. Payment is expected prior to the lesson.
How did you get started teaching?
My mother has worked as a tutor nearly her entire life. I grew up observing her work and interact with students, and I saw how rewarding the job is.
When I chose mathematics as my course of study, one of the few ways to support myself through school was to teach other undergraduates. I thoroughly enjoy the work and intend to keep doing it as long as I can.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with highschoolers, older students (50+), college students, and middle/elementary schoolers. I am very comfortable and patient with hardworking, determined students.