Alex S.
Private tutor in Vero Beach, FL
Education
My education background includes extensive training in both mathematics and education. I completed my A.A. from IRSC the same year I graduated high school. Since graduation, I have taken courses in actuarial mathematics, calculus, statistics, and education. Courses that I have specifically taken include College Algebra, Precalculus, Trigonometry, Statistics, Business Calculus, Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1-3, and Differential Equations. Education courses include Human Learning and Development, Technology for Educators, Diversity in Education, and History of Mathematics.
Experience
I have six years of experience tutoring in math. I started tutoring in my sophomore year of high school, and it has been such a rewarding experience. There's nothing like the feeling of pride and accomplishment after something finally "clicks". After a student has been struggling with a difficult concept or exercise, you see the light shine down from the heavens, and sometimes you can even hear the angels sing. I have tutored both college and high school students, all with excellent results. My approach emphasizes problem solving skills and conceptual understanding, as opposed to rote memorization of formulas and the infamous "plug and chug". The outcome from using this approach is that the students I work with through a complete semester leave me equipped with the tools they need to succeed in future math courses, independently. I obtained my A.A. while still in high school, and am currently working towards a degree in I.T. Management. Before declaring I.T. as my major, I spent four semesters studying Math Education. From my education coursework, I can write excellent lesson plans and develop strong curricular maps. I competed with IRSC at the 2013 FTYCMA Math Olympics and was the President of my Math Club in high school. For those of you who are curious, my composite ACT and SAT scores were 32 and 2030. If you think my "approach" sounds vague, here's a more thorough explanation: Traditionally, math is taught through the memorization of relevant formulas. This only works if the student has a good intuition for the context of each formula and can figure out which formula to apply in a specific situation (which is why word problems are challenging for so many people). While I do advise that my students memorize certain formulas, the highlight is an understanding of where the formula came from and the steps to apply the concept. For each concept, we work to develop an algorithm that makes sense to you, so that you understand the ins and outs. Part of that process is identifying the tell-tale signs of when each concept should be applied, so that you're not left hanging when the test doesn't tell you what to do. By the end of the course, you'll be equipped with an approach that you can adapt to any other math requirements you have, and a good understanding of your learning strengths and weaknesses.
Availability
Saturday at any time, Tuesday after 4PM, Friday after 4PM, Thursday after 4PM, Sunday at any time, Wednesday after 4PM
Can Meet
Up to 20 minutes away for no additional charge
Hobbies
Let me be honest. I think required math courses for non-STEM majors are a rotten loaf of bologna. Mathematics is beautiful by itself. When it's forced on you in a lecture at 8:00, it's awful. My goal for all of my students is to get math out of their way. Let's knock out those required courses so you can move on with your degree. And let's make it as painless as possible for you. STEM majors, you need help too. Calculus and Diff. EQ are no joke. You'll need to buckle down and put on your thinking cap. But it's possible. And honestly, these high level courses benefit the most from my emphasis on understanding the concept from an algorithm-centered perspective. Some of my actual hobbies include reading extensively, experimenting with different technologies, and choral singing. I'm a very easy going person, and I place a high value on being well-organized.
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