Timothy Lucas
About
So many times when a student has problems, it's because their teacher doesn't have time (or doesn't know how) to explain a concept another way or teach the class a different path to the correct answer. In one-on-one tutoring, those barriers can be eliminated. If you decide to contact me and see if we work well together, the first session is always on me...no charge. That gives us both a chance to see if we'll be right for each other, and the student has nothing to lose.
I really love the moment when a thoroughly-confused student will finally understand a "mysterious" concept and their face lights up. Often, the smile means they've recognized what the teacher has been trying to explain in class, and it almost always means the student sees that there's nothing mysterious or complicated about basic concepts.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I'll schedule an hour or so to meet with a new student free of charge, and we'll discuss what their problems are and see if I can help. There have definitely been times in the past where just a single session can clear up confusion about a concept and no future sessions are needed! That's definitely a win and a huge confidence boost for the student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. For the last 14 years, I've been working for an international engineering and construction firm as an engineer, and I've travelled throughout the US and to two other continents. It's been a while since I regularly tutored students, but basic concepts don't change...and typically it's the basics that can trip-up a student and compound over time if the teacher doesn't see the problem early enough.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
I'll never charge a student the first time we sit down together because neither of us knows whether we'll be right for each other! After that, I have a pretty flexible schedule. I prefer to meet in person if possible because it's so much easier to communicate with each other, but online with video can work too if in-person can't work. We can work together to decide on a price per hour, but in the past I've worked out agreements in the $35/hr range. Again, we can work together to find something that fits.
How did you get started teaching?
My mother was a private tutor for more than 40 years. When she taught full-time at my high school, she would stay in the library after-hours and help students with various subjects. I started sticking around with her to help anyone who was willing to see if I clear up some confusion. I found that I enjoyed helping my peers, so I later started charging for tutoring as a side-gig in college.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
A good tutor should be able to explain a basic concept in more than just one way. We don't all learn the same way and that's okay, but if a tutor can't bend to meet the needs of the student then it's possible the student might not benefit from meeting with the tutor.