Our Tutors

Patricia P

Teaching Style

I enjoy helping students who struggle with Mathematics. As a tutor, it is all about being patient and finding the right approach to teach the students. I believe that every student has the capacity to excel in any subject but they must believe in their abilities. Therefore, tutoring is not only teaching the subject but it is also about assuring the student that he will succeed.

Experience Summary

Mathematics was always my favorite subject since elementary school. When I entered college, it made sense to major in mathematics. Thus, I have earned a Bachelor degree in Mathematics. During my college years, I tutored college algebra, pre-algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus to my peers and younger students struggling in math. Since then I have also helped several high school students in their algebra I and II classes, trigonometry, and AP Calculus. Seeing a student improve their grades and knowing that they feel better about themselves and their accomplishments is extremely satisfying.

Heidi H

Teaching Style

Our children today need to be encouraged and given the opportunity to develop. Some students aren't able to get the attention they need in a classroom setting with all of the other students. All they may need is one on one time to help explain the concept in a way they understand. I'm a very "hands on" tutor and like developing fun, creative ways for the students to learn. I am attentive, encouraging, patient, and considerate and will be available to help the children succeed. My goal is to make a positive difference in each students life.

Experience Summary

As a graduate of Pfeiffer University's Pre Medical program, I feel that I am qualified to tutor students in the fields of math and science. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and finished in the top ten in my class. With a double major in Pre-Med and Biology, and a minor in Chemistry, I have gained understanding of these areas and can help other students learn and understand the concepts presented in these particular subjects. In high school, I tutored Geometry and Algebra. In college, I tutored Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Calculus. Currently, I’m working with my church on Tuesday afternoons where my mother developed a community outreach program with Central Elementary School where we tutor five K-2 graders in math and reading. My goal is to make a difference in the lives of our children one student at a time.

Lori L

Teaching Style

I believe that students are wary of mathematics and statistics because they appear clinic and distant, with little to do with the “real” world. To educate I try to create dynamic and above all relevant “uses” for the lessons. My experiences have exposed me to different teaching styles and class formats and allowed me to develop a teaching philosophy that encompasses the best of all these methods. My philosophy is best described with reference to six primary concepts: 1. Knowledge conveyed in a relevant context 2. Interaction with each student and the material 3. Passion for teaching and the subject 4. Adaptability 5. Creativity in teaching methods and 6. Respect between the student and the teacher All students seek knowledge; it’s the teacher’s role to facilitate learning and guide them along the path. A successful lesson is one in which the student comes out seeing the world a little differently.

Experience Summary

During my education and career, the teaching of others has featured prominently in my personal goals and life objectives. While attending high school, I tutored fellow students professionally in subjects ranging from basic algebra to complex calculus. My undergraduate degree was in the field of Mathematics and Statistics with an additional biological statistics certificate and at present I am completing my Masters of Science in statistics. My understandings of these fields lead to my recruit by a number of professors and researchers to provide assistance and advisement on statistical analysis of their projects. In addition to assisting my professors, I was also selected to be a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and was also selected to conduct "stand alone" courses. I have a strong passion for these subjects and I believe my years of teaching experience have given me the insight, patience and ability to convey the complex world of mathematics and statistics to my students.

Hebah H

Teaching Style

My main goal is to encourage independent thinking and analytical reasoning to augment their problem solving skills, thus encouraging them to not just memorize. I prompt them to question at every stage: “why?..how?” and satisfy their curiosity, instead of assuming the instructor is always right. My favorite approach is: “If you don’t have any questions, I have some for you”. This prompts classroom discussions which are very useful and has led to several intellectually stimulating questions/arguments that are not always easy to answer. The idea is to provide hints and “baby steps”, building on what they know, and lead them to the answer by making them think logically. The confidence they gain from this exercise is revealed when they tackle the “question and answers” after their group presentations!

Experience Summary

I have earned two degrees in chemistry; a BS degree in 2004 and a MS degree in 2005. Since then I have been instructing chemistry courses to undergraduates at Tanta University.These courses include Physical Chemistry, Gravimetric Analysis, Complex metric Analysis, Volumetric Analysis, Qualitative Inorganic Analysis, Organic Chemistry and Qualitative Biochemical Analysis.

Justin J

Teaching Style

I am a very enthusiastic tutor and, as I stated in the previous section, believe teaching in such a way that the student gains a true mastery of the given subject. In a sense, I believe in each student understanding a particular concept in their own unique way that is consistent with their unique thinking processes. I strive to do this by relating a given concept analogously to something the student already fundamentally understands. I also create new problems to solve that probe the students’ progress and comprehension. I try to make these problems as realistic as possible to make them interesting to the student.

Experience Summary

Being a Ph.D. candidate and appointed research assistant, I very much realize the importance of true comprehension of a subject. Not only do I hold two B.S. degrees in Applied Mathematics and Chemical Engineering but I also carry credits to the equivalent of a Non-Thesis Masters in Applied Mathematics and am one course shy of a minor in Chemistry. I have tutored groups of students for Sylvan Learning Centers, conducted one-on-one sessions with Educational Enrichment and independently, and prepared and delivered lectures for advanced undergraduate chemical engineering courses. I am capable and experienced in tutoring all levels of mathematics, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics and materials science.

Timothy T

Teaching Style

When I tutor a student, I seek first to understand the student and how he/she thinks. I find it is very important to have good rapport and communication with the student so I understand how he/she views the subject and the difficulties of it. Next I try to make "conceptual bridges" from what they know to what they are having difficulty understanding. This process usually teaches me about seeing the subject from a new point of view. I try to achieve a fine balance between guiding and directing the student’s thoughts on the topic with following the student in their own line of thinking of the subject. The student needs to learn to have confidence in his own thoughts on the subject and in his own ability to master it.

Experience Summary

Over the past four years, I have tutored high school and middle school students in math, algebra, calculus, chemistry, SAT Math, and general study skills. My preference is to tutor math, algebra, calculus, physics, physical science, chemistry, and programming. Math is the subject for which I have the greatest passion. I also participate in the homeschooling of four of my children (13, 11, 8, 6). I have mentored my 13 yr old son in Algebra I & II, Chemistry, Elementary Math, and Middle-school Physical Science, and taught elementary math to my 11, 8, and 6 year olds. Additionally, I read and review history lessons to my kids. I completed my MS in Electrical Engineering in 2006 from The University of Texas at Arlington and my BS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Philosophy from Rice University. I have recent experience as a student having completed Cellular Biology II at St. Petersburg College in Fall 2011.

Mary Kathleen M

Teaching Style

I believe that every person has the ability to be a 'good' writer. In academics there are rules that a writer must follow. It is important to teach the conventions of writing so that students can build a solid foundation. After a student knows the rules, they can transfer good writing to other aspects of life (Civic, Professional, Personal). In my experience, students come in with a rough draft and need some guidance on how to move forward. I have tutored in groups and individually, and in both situations I may keep students on track, but they are the ones who figure out what their strengths and weaknesses are and how to improve their overall composition

Experience Summary

I earned my Bachelors of Arts from the University of Florida in 2006 and soon after I started Graduate school at the University of South Florida. As a graduate student I have been a writing tutor at the college level. I first started tutoring at Saint Petersburg College in 2007. The students who came in for help were in a variety of courses, such as Creative Writing and Speech. Every person came in with frustration, but left with a sense of accomplishment. This summer I was a T.A. at the University of South Florida in Dr. Conner's Composition II course. This course integrated technology by operating on a Wiki and communicating through chats, blogs, emails, etc. I was able to stay an active participant by reading students' posts and joining conversations. Through my graduate courses I have improved my own writing skills. I am currently in a Composition course where we are creating rubrics and assessing writing of students at the University of South Florida. This course is made up of 6 students that collaborate with faculty and writing coordinators at the University to develop new rubrics.

Saravana S

Teaching Style

While teaching, I constantly seek input from my students. I always try to make them feel comfortable in class, and to let them know that they are the key to the success of the class. I try to encourage them to participate very often, and welcome all their questions and comments. I usually have my students work in groups to discuss problems. I use small groups (of 3 people) because they take the least time to organize, and they are the easiest to adjust to for those who always work on their own. I also encourage them to get together to do math problems outside the classroom.

Experience Summary

I worked as a teaching assistant in Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry courses while I worked toward my own master’s degree at the University of South Dakota. This experience gave me the opportunity to transfer from online tutoring to classroom teaching and individual tutoring. The total experience has educated me with the ability to handle students based on their own style and teach them the subject in creative way.