Matt
Certified Tutor
I have been lucky enough to have many great experience so far in my life. I was a Korean translator in the US Army for eight years. After serving in the Army, I went to Riverside Community College and then San Diego State, where I majored in English and minored in Asian Studies. I've since earned a teaching credential and Master's in Education from National University, and worked as a high school English and Spanish teacher for most of 2001-2013. Outside of “work,” I like to travel and to learn foreign languages. I've traveled a fair bit in Asia and Europe, and hope see South America soon. I live near San Diego State University now, and have lived in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and various places around the country. I also love old cars and reading, especially historical fiction.
I can tutor English, Spanish, Social Studies, Math (up through Algebra I), and standardized test preparation. I especially like tutoring Spanish, literature, and history. I really enjoy tutoring because I get to help people and I love learning! I believe that it is easiest to learn when we can make personal connections with what we are studying, so I seek out ways to connect the learning to your experiences. I also believe that learning is more effective when it is fun and when it is done in a multi-sensory manner, so I utilize multimedia, tactile learning, and music as part of my tutoring. I'll work hard to ensure you are learning the knowledge and skills to be successful!
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Undergraduate Degree: San Diego State University - Bachelors, English
Graduate Degree: National University - Masters, Teaching
- ACT Math: 36
- ACT Reading: 33
- ACT Science: 33
- SAT Math: 720
- SAT Verbal: 730
Travel, foreign languages, history, old cars, reading, hiking.
- ACT Math
- ACT Reading
- ACT Writing
- Algebra
- Arithmetic
- CAHSEE Prep
- College English
- College Essays
- College Geography
- College Level American History
- Conversational Spanish
- English
- English Grammar and Syntax
- Essay Editing
- European History
- Geography
- High School English
- High School Geography
- High School Level American History
- History
- Homework Support
- ISEE Prep
- ISEE- Lower Level
- ISEE- Middle Level
- ISEE- Upper Level
- Languages
- Literature
- Math
- Middle School Math
- Other
- Pre-Algebra
- PSAT Critical Reading
- PSAT Writing Skills
- Reading
- SAT Prep
- SAT Math
- SAT Mathematics
- SAT Reading
- SAT Writing and Language
- Social Studies
- Spanish
- Spanish 1
- Spanish 2
- Spanish 3
- SSAT Prep
- SSAT- Elementary Level
- SSAT- Middle Level
- SSAT- Upper Level
- Summer
- Test Prep
- Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
In a first session, I like to spend a few minutes getting to know each other, and then spend some time discussing your knowledge/skill level in the subject so we can start at a level that is appropriate for you. From there, we can create a plan/roadmap for future tutoring.
How would you help a student stay motivated?
I help students stay motivated by reinforcing to them how much progress they have already made, a sort of mini-celebration of past successes. This can be reflected in improved grades, better test scores, or even just knowing a Jeopardy answer!
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
When a student is having difficulty with a concept, I like to approach it two different ways. I can break the task or concept down into separate parts, making sure each part is understood before working on the whole.
I also approach the teaching from many different styles, using multimedia, real objects (for tactile learning), song, etc.
What types of materials do you typically use during a tutoring session?
Typically, I will use material provided for the course the student is studying. In addition, I will bring in relevant materials I may have or can locate that can either add to the richness of the lesson or that can augment the knowledge or skill. I also try to use multimedia whenever I can, be it PowerPoint or web materials. I firmly believe that a multi-sensory approach provides the greatest learning.
How do you help students who are struggling with reading comprehension?
Students who are struggling with reading can become better readers by being intentional readers; by learning skills such as questioning, clarifying, predicting, and making inferences from the text; and by making connections with what they already know. I teach these skills so students can learn to gain deeper comprehension from the material.