Our Tutors

James J

Teaching Style

Few things give me as much pleasure as communicating academic concepts to students and seeing the look of understanding on their face. As a result, my teaching style emphasizes understanding of concepts and problem solving techniques. What this means that I don't just tell my students how to get the answer to a particular question. My goal is to enhance their skills so that they can tackle any math or physics problem that is related to the homework problems that are assigned. Furthermore, I ONLY tutor math and physics. This has my specialty and focus for 10 years. Whether you choose me as a tutor or someone else, I think it's always best to pick someone who specializes in a particular area.

Experience Summary

As a Physics Ph.D. I have a strong background in Mathematics and Physics. Currently, I am a senior research scientist in a university lab. This experience has helped me understand how math and science are used in real world applications, which gives me ways to relate these subjects to students in a way that they can appreciate. In other words I can explain what importance that these subjects have in the real world. I have taught physics at the university level for a full year which gives me an insight into what professors expect from students at the college level. Also, I have been a tutor for nearly 10 years.

Erin E

Teaching Style

While attending Northeastern Illinois University, I worked as a Peer Leader for one year for their Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) program. This consisted of me tutoring a group of students in a one credit hour Organic Chemistry seminar class during the Spring and Fall 2004 semesters. Instead of a traditional tutoring setting, I guided the activities of groups of 10-15 students in weekly seminar formatted meetings. I encouraged the students by initiating questions and discussions that led to conceptual understanding of current class material, often times encouraging the students to explain what they knew to others in the class. I also attended weekly meetings with professor of the corresponding organic chemistry class to review seminar materials and to communicate problems or issues. I also kept a weekly journal documenting the seminar issues and progress and communicated any problems and concerns to the class professor. This was a paid position. Additionally, in May of 2004, I was chosen by the Chemistry Department Head to assist in PLTL workshop training at a teaching symposium at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and later that month was also chosen to attend Chautauqua Short Courses at California State University to assist in PLTL workshop training. These courses were designed to train college professors in the PLTL method of tutoring, enabling them to start a program at their own school.

Experience Summary

I have earned two bachelor's degrees, a BS in Chemistry (4.0 GPA) and a BA in Communications, and I have 12 years experience as a paralegal and legal secretary. I have excellent verbal and written communications skills, organizational skills and an outstanding work ethic, which are a great asset in tutoring. I have tutored in organic chemistry and also helped many students in my classes while working towards my chemistry degree. I enjoy helping people understand chemistry and also believe that in teaching, it only solidifies your own knowledge of the subject matter.

Robin R

Teaching Style

I am a very energetic person and try to bring that to everything that I do. I am also very concerned with providing students with an understanding of the concept behind what they are learning and what the real-world applications of those concepts are. I feel that it is the key to engage students by making them see the benefits of their education in the long run.

Experience Summary

I have recently graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I am looking forward to helping others expand their knowledge in the area of science. I have tutored high school students in chemistry and biology, and have gain knowledge of both fields through my degree in biochemistry, enabling me to be versatile in subject matter.

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.

Michael M

Teaching Style

The desire to learn is one of the most important things anyone can learn. Whether it be a child seeing science for their first time, or an college adult ready to tackle the real world. I believe everyone is capable of discovering their true abilities sometimes they just need a bit of a nudge to help them find it. I like to use tutoring to help them determine how they learn. While I may employ a method of how to solve a problem, everyone learns differently. Some people are more audio learners while others require visual aides. My hope is to help them discover how they learn so they can maximize their own potential.

Experience Summary

I am simulation programmer with a passion for mathematics and physics. My desire educate myself further has driven me to explore the cutting edge of simulation technology through the physics of game design. My immense expertise in higher level math has given me a deeper appreciation for continued education. As a tutor I have helped others to share this appreciation since I was 16. In the past I have tutored a variety of subjects which include Calculus, Discrete Mathematics, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra, Mechanical Physics, Electromagnetics. Additionally I have assisted students with programming courses related to C++, C# and Java, Algorithms and Data Structures, and Artificial Intelligence.

Katherine K

Teaching Style

Throughout my teaching experience I have encountered students of all ages and abilities, from high school students with learning differences to adult learners of ESL. I believe each student is unique and brings their own set of experiences and strengths to the material to be learned, necessitating an adaptable teaching style. I am experienced in the communicative approach and believe each students learns best through discovery and by utilizing their particular intelligence. I am patient, relaxed and treat each student with respect. I think students learn best when they are having fun and have a trusting relationship with their teacher.

Experience Summary

While working towards my bachelors degree in English (with a minor in Political Science), I worked as a substitute teacher in the public school system for a year and a half, in order to ascertain my affinity for many different levels and subjects. My writing and grammatical skills are excellent; in 2004 I was awarded First Place in Undergraduate Writing at the University of North Florida. My first professional teaching experience complemented my areas of expertise perfectly: I taught English as a Foreign Language to business professionals in Argentina for six months, using the communicative approach. During this time I learned much about South American politics and culture, as well as the Spanish language. Upon return I taught English to high school students for one year at a private school for students with learning disabilities and emotional/ behavioral problems. This summer, I have again taught international students at a Berlitz ESL program, ELS Language Center. Throughout the years I have also tutored and worked with students one on one many times, specifically with rudimentary reading and writing.

Ponswamy P

Teaching Style

Students come from different environments, backgrounds, and learning methods. As a teacher I can understand, adapt, and spend as much time needed to help them learn. I will teach them first the fundamentals, with examples, so that they can better understand the entire subjects.

Experience Summary

I've taught general chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry and polymer engineering to under graduates, post graduates, and PhD students.

Dara D

Teaching Style

I believe in my students and their abilities to learn and synthesize their experiences. My students learn their subjects because I provide a variety of techniques to command their attention. I believe teaching is not just about giving students information but about reaching students who might "get lost" in the system without a guide and friend to help them along.

Experience Summary

I have taught for over ten years in the public school system and learned how to "connect" with students. I have taught physics, chemistry, and mathematics at the high school level, and I have a wide range of teaching experiences in those fields. I have taught AP, honors, and standard classes. Using interesting movies followed by a lab to reinforce the concept is one of the ways I have used to reach students and make a difference in their lives.