Our Tutors

Nigel N

Teaching Style

I believe that every child is capable of learning and that every child has their own style of learning. As a teacher, I believe in differentiated instruction that allows all students an equal opportunity to learn. I believe in teaching through student exploration. Once a child is able to discover a concept on their own, they are able to better understand and remember it. My approach to teaching is to expose students to practical problems. Once these problems are understood, I introduce a mathematical concept that should allow them to discover a solution to the problem. Throughout this approach, I’m always encouraging and patient. I always stress the importance of making an attempt at solving a problem, as in my favorite quote, “Without struggle, there is no progress.”

Experience Summary

During completion of my undergraduate degree in math, I always strived to achieve excellence in education and to pass on my love for learning. Throughout my college career, I’ve tutored at the undergraduate, the middle and the high school levels. Such exposure allowed me to determine the concepts students have the most difficulty in understanding, and I’m able to prepare accordingly. Upon completion of my degree, I accepted an analyst position with an HR Consulting firm. During these four years, I gained vital experience that allows me to transfer mathematical concepts into real world examples. Such experience has proven to be critical in helping students visualize practical examples of what they learn. I have since left the Consulting firm and entered into teaching. I’m finally doing what I enjoy the most, teaching and passing on a love for learning.

Robert R

Teaching Style

I’ve always been interested in the application of math and science to the solution of real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. Therefore my approach to teaching is very application oriented. I like to relate the subject to problems that the students will encounter in real life situations. I've generally only worked with older students; high school or college age or older mature adults who have returned to school to get advance training or learn a new trade.

Experience Summary

I’ve always been interested in math and science; especially in their application to solving real world problems. This led me to a very satisfying career in engineering. I have a BS in electrical engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and an MS in electrical engineering from Marquette University. I am a registered professional engineer in Illinois. I have over 30 years of experience in the application, development, and sales/field support of electrical/electronic controls for industrial, aerospace, and automotive applications. I’m currently doing consulting work at Hamilton-Sundstrand, Delta Power Company, and MTE Hydraulics in Rockford. I also have college teaching and industrial training experience. I have taught several courses at Rock Valley College in Electronic Technology, mathematics, and in the Continuing Education area. I’ve done industrial technical training for Sundstrand, Barber Colman, and others. I’ve also taught math courses at Rasmussen College and Ellis College (online course). I’ve also been certified as an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for math and physics courses. I've tutored my own sons in home study programs. I'm currently tutoring a home schooled student in math using Saxon Math. I hope to do more teaching/tutoring in the future as I transition into retirement.

Jack J

Teaching Style

Students both in and out of the classroom are nothing more than an untapped source of infinite potential. Each and every student has the inner strength and drive to be the best that they can be, regardless of the circumstances. It’s the job of the educator to motivate and prepare each individual for success in life. My passion is to help kids realize that potential and inspire them to push beyond their limits to achieve that level of accomplishment that was once thought unattainable. Success in life is best achieved in an environment filled with motivation and positive reinforcement. This rewards creativity as well as spurs curiosity. These are priceless qualities that make learning enjoyable versus bothersome.

Experience Summary

What better way to learn, master, and hone your individual skills and talents than to teach someone else? There is no better feeling than to share your own knowledge and experience with another child, and to watch them grow and mature as both a person and a student. That is the exact reason why I chose the path that I did. It first started with a position as a substitute teacher in the state of Florida. There isn’t a more diverse and broad range of personalities anywhere else in the country. However, my desire to teach and help others didn’t stop at the academic level. Soon after graduating from the University of South Florida with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, I enrolled into medical school. As a practicing physician I will be able to continue with my passion for teaching both children and adults for the rest of my career.

Davorin D

Teaching Style

From my tutoring experience, I have noticed that students have trouble understanding the meaning of numbers and symbols on paper simply because no one has taught them how to visualize and interpret them in a real world situation. They also don't realize that they have plethora of resources and tools available to them to help them, yet they rarely utilize them. I try to give hints and clues to my students and let them obtain the right answers on their own instead of simply solving the problem for them. I believe this gives them a much better understand of the material.

Experience Summary

Having recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree, I am continuing my education to obtain my Master's degree in mathematics. Number Theory will be my focus, as I intend to get involved in the encryption field. During my senior year as undergraduate, I have worked on campus as a teacher's assistant and at home as an online tutor for UNCG's iSchool program. I have privately tutored undergraduates needing help in pre-calculus and calculus. I enjoyed helping the students and showing them some of my own tricks and ways when it comes to solving the problems.

Karissa K

Teaching Style

I love one-on-one tutoring because of the complete attention I can pay to the tutee’s specific needs and his or her learning style. My personality is encouraging, positive and patient, and that has served me well in building relationships with repeat tutees at the Writing Center over the past two years. To me, the primary role of a tutor is to explore ideas about the subject in a way that there is not time for in the classroom and also to ask tutees the questions they would not think to ask themselves about their ideas. I can help tutees explore the potential of their ideas and how to own the skills they already possess. My role is also to help the tutee expand his or her knowledge base and tools for future writing through examples, research and discussion.

Experience Summary

As a tutor at the University of Arizona Writing Center, I worked with undergraduate, graduate and international students on all aspects of the writing process. This encompassed higher and lower order concerns including brainstorming, outlining, drafting, formatting, thesis and topic sentence work, grammar and ESL concerns, research methods, and content. My tutees came from all majors including English, History, Business, and the sciences. I worked on everything from rhetorical analyses to technical writing for business to personal statements and research papers. I also spent two semesters in an online tutoring program for high school students to submit drafts of their college admissions essays for commentary. They could then make revisions and resubmit additional drafts for further critiquing. Additionally, as a Magna Cum Laude History graduate with a Political Science minor, I focused on American History and government and developed a passion for those topics I love to impart on others.

Kim K

Teaching Style

My teaching approach begins with the idea that economics is a way of thinking. My primary objective is to provide students with a set of tools that helps them attain academic success and growth, to build and expand their knowledge and critical thinking skills, and to develop as individuals. My approach encourages students to "learn by doing" through classroom activities, visual guides, interactive lessons, real world application and hypothetical situations. I also incorporate active learning through a lecture style that encourages student discussion. A good instructor motivates students to want to learn and retain the material. Stellar students benefit when instructors challenge them to move towards higher level applications of the material. Struggling students need someone who can see beyond their mistake and into their thought process. I strive to convince students they are developing valuable skills for their lives by regularly connecting the material to their everyday lives. My teaching techniques have improved with each experience I have endured. I continue to look for new ideas and technologies that can improve my teaching effectiveness. In the end, I want to share my passion for economics and learning, leaving them excited about using the skills in their own lives. My goal is to meet students where they are and take them where they need to go.

Experience Summary

I have been a passionate tutor since my high school years. I continued tutoring in undergraduate and graduate school in subject areas from chemistry to calculus. My strengths are being able to communicate concepts clearly and in a way students can relate to.

Janet J

Teaching Style

I enjoy teaching; it is my best talent. I understand that math is not a "favorite subject" to a lot of students. Working one on one in a tutoring situation gets past the negative block students have in a math classroom. Several of my private students have worked with me for several years. Their parents said that they felt more confident in the class room and in testing situations because of their work with me. In addition to tutoring in traditional school math subjects, I have also worked with several students on PSAT and SAT preparation. All of these students achieved a higher score on these tests after working with me one on one.

Experience Summary

I taught 34 years with the Guilford County School System, in Greensboro, NC. I retired in June 2007, and was asked to fill 2 interim positions in the Spring and Fall semesters of 2008. I taught all courses from general math through Honors Pre-calculus. I have been privately tutoring at home for the last 7 or 8 years, to supplement my income.

Robert R

Teaching Style

My approach to tutoring was to start from the beginning of the subject being taught and determine where the students had a problem and what the weaknesses were. With accounting and finance, I found the best method of teaching was the repetitive completion of problems with the student doing the work with minimal direction, with my help only when needed. This built confidence, which often was the major problem, and helped them learn and understand the subject matter.

Experience Summary

As a graduate student at Hofstra University, I had the opportunity to tutor undergraduate students full-time in accounting and finance while earning my degree. Being older than those I instructed, I was also able to provide career advice when needed. Having extensive experience, and being an above average performer, the program director entrusted me with a heavier workload than the others. My passion and enthusiasm was evident to those I taught and enabled me to excel.