Michael
Certified Tutor
I've been tutoring math at the college level for over five years, working with students of all different backgrounds and ability levels. I have experience with the special education population, and I am comfortable working through the needs of students with disabilities, learning or otherwise. I pride myself on my ability to tailor lessons to particular students, finding the pedagogical methods that work best for the individual.
I'm a transplanted New Yorker living in Oregon while finishing graduate school. I was a special education student in a Montessori school until middle school, then "mainstreamed" by the beginning of high school. I attended Ithaca College, a small private college, for undergrad, and Oregon State, a large public university, for my graduate work. Taken together, this has given me a healthy appreciation for the variety of student experiences in the education system. I feel that tutoring can address some of the difficulty that arises when a student's needs are not being met by their particular school.
My spare time is devoted mostly to writing. Though my background and formal education is in mathematics, I come from a family of writers and musicians. I love language, its history, structure, and evolution, possibly because of this upbringing. I am also hoping to transition to tutoring more in this area (i.e. GRE Verbal, writing, etc.).
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Undergraduate Degree: Ithaca College - Bachelors, Mathematics, Physics
Graduate Degree: Oregon State University - Masters, Mathematics
- ACT Composite: 35
- ACT English: 35
- ACT Math: 32
- ACT Reading: 35
- ACT Science: 36
- SAT Math: 700
- SAT Verbal: 800
- GRE Verbal: 167
Writing fiction and poetry, playing music (electric bass, primarily), history and mythology, linguistics, philosophy
- ACT English
- ACT Science
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- College Algebra
- College English
- English
- Graduate Test Prep
- GRE Verbal
- High School English
- Math
- Physical Science
- Pre-Algebra
- Python
- SAT Reading
- SAT Verbal
- Science
- Technology and Coding
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
- Writing
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
Assess the student's learning style, establish short-term goals and possibly long-term goals, and determine deadlines (exams, papers, etc.).
If a student has difficulty learning a skill or concept, what would you do?
I've found that explaining a concept in multiple different ways is the fastest route to success. Presenting a difficult idea the same way over and over again is an easy way to frustrate students and waste their time, while a fresh perspective can make even the strangest subjects clear.
How would you help a student get excited/engaged with a subject that they are struggling in?
I try to connect difficult material back to something familiar or enjoyable. Students have an easier time learning something new when it feels like a natural extension of their existing knowledge and skills.
What techniques would you use to be sure that a student understands the material?
When a student can comfortably use learned material in a new context, then I feel they understand sufficiently. This makes clear the difference between rote reproduction and real familiarity with the subject.