Top Pro
1/7
Root & Radius Tutoring
Top Pro

Root & Radius Tutoring

About

Hi, I’m Derek — and helping students make sense of math, chemistry, and physics is what I do best. I started in environmental engineering, but after two years teaching abroad, I realized my heart was in education. I went back to school, earned my Master in Teaching, and spent over a decade teaching in classrooms before moving completely into tutoring in 2019.

My style is calm, friendly, and focused on clarity. I’ve worked with students who are entirely lost, students pushing for top marks, and everyone in between. Whether you're prepping for finals, trying to pass a class, or just need things explained differently — I’m here to help.

At home, I’m married to my incredible wife, and we’re raising five awesome kids — our daughter (the oldest) and four energetic boys. I understand how hard it is to juggle everything as a student or parent, and how valuable it is to have a patient guide in your corner.

If your student is struggling or just needs a bit of extra direction, I’d love to help. Over the years, I’ve worked with a wide range of students — from middle schoolers hitting their first academic wall to high schoolers preparing for major provincial exams to college students tackling tough STEM courses for the first time.

I specialize in subjects that often cause stress and confusion — but with the right explanations, structure, and encouragement, they can make sense. My goal is to help students build confidence, understand the material deeply, and improve their performance over time.

Whether your student needs help catching up, prepping for exams, or making sense of day-to-day assignments, I offer flexible, personalized tutoring that meets them where they are. I specialize in math, chemistry, and physics — with options for virtual tutoring across Canada, the U.S., and beyond. Contact me at (403) 458-0454 or [email protected] or look at my website for reviews and pricing: rootandradius.com.

The first session is always free - let's see if we're a good fit!


Highlights

Current Top Pro
Hired 18 times
1 employee
6 years in business
Serves Bellevue, WA
Offers online services

Payment methods

Paypal, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Grade level

Elementary school, Middle school, High school, College / graduate school, Adult learner

Type of math

General arithmetic, Pre-algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our reviews policy.

    MK

    mayur K.

    Had 2 Chemistry classes and my son like his style. He was able to answer several questions and he things this will help him improve his grade.
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    March 21, 2025

    HS

    Heather S.

    Derek was a incredible help with my daughters success in understanding ans passing physics. Incredible thankful.
    ... Show more
    August 17, 2021

    KS

    Kara S.

    Derek has been a fantastic teacher and was a much needed breath of fresh air with middle school math! My son was struggling and needed help with CC 7/8. We saw a significant change in his confidence and understanding concepts. Derek’s teaching style is easy going, patient, and was exactly what my son needed. I highly recommend Derek for tutoring.
    ... Show more
    June 11, 2021
    Hired on Tutors

    JM

    Jack M.

    Derek was very helpful in explaining the core concepts that were involved in my class material and even went out of his way to find additional resources to better help me. Very highly reccomend
    ... Show more
    February 22, 2021
    Hired on Tutors

    HPR

    Hima Pothi R.

    Derek is a great teacher with many years of experience.
    ... Show more
    January 26, 2021
    Hired on Tutors

    O

    O'Connell

    Derek tutored my daughter for two years in high school sciences. He was great for explaining concepts and taught the material so that she was able to understand them more clearly. Derek helped my daughter improve her grades in Chemistry and Physics.
    ... Show more
    January 25, 2021

    Frequently asked questions

    I usually discuss logistics (when and how to meet, compensation) and special needs (equipment/software, learning differences or preferences) with the student and/or parent beforehand by text, email, or phone, and then when it's time, we get together and start going through the material together. Sometimes students just want someone to check how they're doing on the tough questions, sometimes a student needs more guidance through each question along the way.
    I have a Bachelor of Science in civil/environmental engineering from Gonzaga University and a Master in Teaching degree from Seattle University, have taught math and science classes in public and private schools at the middle school and high school levels for over ten years, and have tutored since 2019.
    I offer one-time sessions for students who need quick support with a tough assignment, a review before an exam, or a one-off concept they just can’t crack, and I a offer monthly learning plan for families who want consistent support — and consistent results. These plans reserve your time slot each week and are prorated for start date, holidays, school breaks, and final exam cut-off dates.
    I started as a volunteer teacher in the Marshall Islands right out of college, and I loved it! After teaching there for two years, then returning home and working as an engineer, I realized that engineering was not for me - I missed teaching too much! I went back to school to get my teaching degree, and have worked as a teacher or tutor ever since.
    I have tutored math to elementary students from Guatemala, taught English to Chinese and Marshallese students, tutored calculus to high school and college students, taught physics, chemistry, accounting, geometry, algebra, and even a little biology at Catholic schools and public schools at the high school and middle school level. I have students who learn quickly but are going through challenging material and other students who are not really into academics and have to work hard just to keep up.
    I love it every time a student says, "That makes sense. Thank you!"
    Experience can help save you time and headache. That is, someone who has a proven record of working with a variety of students, who has encountered the most common misconceptions and mistakes, and knows how to help you get around them can help you to acquire the skills and knowledge you need to move forward. There are frameworks and strategies that can help make this easier for you, and an experienced teacher or tutor probably knows more of them!
    Where am I strong as a student, and where do I need some help? Are there underlying skills that need to be strengthened? For instance, sometimes students struggle in physics not because their math is bad but because they have trouble reading and understanding what the problem is asking.

    Services offered

    Math
    Science
    Test Prep Tutoring