Math Mechanic
About
I have an extensive and robust math and science background. My have two bachelor of science degrees in Chemistry and Biology respectively, with minors in mathematics and political science. Additonally, I have a master's in engineering.
I currently a medical student so I am frequently thinking about the best ways to learn new concepts and solidify informaiton for the long run.
I have been tutoring since I was in eight grade but before that I helped my two younger brothers with their homework. I have life-long experience in cultivating the communication skills to effectively tutor.
I've worked with students of all ages. Most recently with a first grader, fifth grader, and high school junior.
I'm invested in the success of the students I tutor. I put in extra time to make study guides or find new resources they can explore. I want to not only help them ace their class, pass an exam, but also develop life long learning skills that will carry them through when I am long gone.
I really enjoy helping students develop exam skills and critical thinking skills. It's important to me that a student can apply what they are learning. My favorite way to do this through games. I have created scavenger hunts, life size board games, battleship, etc in order to help students apply their understanding of various concepts. In the same way people look forward to games, I strive to make learning fun!
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I prefer to meet with the student and a parent at a public place and discuss what both the student and parent want to get out of tutoring.
If applicable, I like to set some tangible goals that my services can facilitate- in both the immediate sense (i.e. pass next exam) and near future (i.e. get into private school).
Together we set a schedule and make a plan to discuss after the first or second session to see if the student feels that my teaching style is conducive to their learning and if the parent is satisfied with my service.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
B.S. Degree in Chemistry with minor in pure mathematics
B.S. Degree in Biology
M.S. Degree in Biomedical Engineering
Current medical student and tutor
Over 15 years tutoring/teaching experience experience - peer tutor in middle school and high school, teaching assitant in college for Chemistry, Algebra, and Calculus classes for 3 years, taught Intro to Chem for two semester my senior year of college, private tutor through care.com since 2017
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Pricing is dependent on several factors - distance needed to travel for session, whether the session is online or in person, the scope of the lesson, preparation of additonal resources, etc
I prefer to have an open discussion with the student and their parent on what works for them and how to maximize lessons for each individual student in order to ensure it's both money and time well spent.
As an example, my current rate is $30 per hour this includes working with 2 different aged elementary school students. I travel 30 mintues and I am paid for my commute and for any prep hours that I spent if the student requires extra materials for their learning (i.e. making a study guide, flashcards, etc).
How did you get started teaching?
Unofficially, my first exposure to teaching was helping my two younger brothers with their homework when I was in middle school and they were in elementary school. Similarlily, early on in middle school, I started to stick around after class and help my friends and classmates with their homework.
What types of students have you worked with?
Four years experience with college level students through my jobs as a College Readiness Program mentor and tutor, Teaching Assitant positions in Chemistry and Math departments
In the last 3-4 years, my students have been K-12 students. Most recent and current students include 6 year old (1st grade), 10 year old (5th grade) and 12 year old (7th grade), 17 (11th grade).
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I recently got a video from a student's mom of them screaming and jumping up and down after reading their acceptance letter to a private school. We worked together for months to study for their entrance exam. It was amazing watching them build connections with time. Thinking back to the start of our sessions when they struggled to do multiplication facts and watching them solve multistep problems without my initial help.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would tell them to really think about what is conducive to their learning style rather than thinking about who is the smartest and will get me the right answer. All tutors should be knowledgeable in their field but a great tutor will help you build skills so you can find the right answer when you are sitting alone in front of an exam.
Studies have shown and I have experienced time and time again that the most tried and true method to retaining information is to say it out loud. As a tutor, I believe the best way to learn something is to teach it. I like to ask my students to walk me through their work and defend their answers in order to find their own mistaks but also to build confidence without the reasurrance of a tutor. I want to supplement their learning not have them be dependent. I think a tutoring session is the best place to get things wrong because I am not here to grade them but rather to help them build a vast repoitoire of learning skills. This does not work for everyone. Simply, make sure the goals and expectations of your tutor and your goals align.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What is the specific thing I am having trouble with?
What are my roadblocks to understanding this concept?
Are there things I know work for me? What are they?
Do I know why a certain thing is difficult? Not enough time? Distractions? Etc.