Becky's Math Tutoring

I start by making them feel welcome and comfortable with me.  I ask about them, try to share a story or connection or interest, just make them feel at ease.  Then I ask about what they are doing in math, what they need help with, if they have specific questions or problems to work on, and they we dive in.  As we work problems I quickly gauge what they know and what they need help with and then help them from where they are in their math understanding.  The goal is to help them learn and gain confidence in their ability to do math while knowing they have a supporting adult available to teach and encourage them.

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford.

Over the last 28 years I have tutored more than 200 students in math, primarily high school students in Algebra 1 through Calculus BC, though I I have also worked with college and elementary students. I am an electrical enginerr by education, a mother and homemaker by occupation, and  a math tutor on the side. I have always enjoyed math and take satisfaction in helping others understand and do math.  I have helped my own children, their friends, my nieces and nephews, the children of my friends, and many others whom I met through recommendations from previous students of mine. I have also done a bit of substitute teaching, but I prefer the one-on-one with individual students.

My standard rate is $60 per hour.

I started tutoring to have an outlet from my full-time job of being a mother to my newborn son.  I began tutoring one hour a week when he was one. As my son grew and my tutoring students referred me to friends of theirs, I gradually increased my hours tutoring.

I have mostly worked with middle school and high school students, but I have also helped elementary and college students.  I have even helped a few older adults who were returning to the classroom.

Just last week I snagged my first ball at a major league game.  It was a practice ball thrown into the crowd between innings.  I had my glove with me and snatched the ball off a bounce on the concrete a couple of rows behind me.  I grew up playing baseball and softball and am very comfortable with a glove on my hand.  It's nice to know that 50+ years after I first remember using a glove as a three-year old that I still have it.

Try to find someone you are comfortable with, of whom you feel you can easily ask questions and get clear, understandable responses.  You want a tutor who is knowledgeable and patient.

A student should start a tutoring session prepared with questions about the topics they don't understand. It is a pleasure to help a student who says, "I've tried doing the assignment and I understood some problems, but these are the ones I need help with," or "I just got my test back and I got these problems wrong. Can you work through them with me?"  Simply, students should think through what they know they need help with so the tutor can give the answers they need and the tutoring session can be productive.