John
Certified Tutor
As a student who is truly passionate about Math and Science, I seek to help others understand Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, etc, so that their foundation in the sciences is strong enough to take on more complex topics. I believe in letting my teaching style be dynamic in order to teach different students successfully.
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Undergraduate Degree: Northwestern University - Current Undergrad, Applied Math and Computer Science
Piano, Cross Country and Track
- ACT Math
- Algebra
- Algebra 2
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Chemistry
- AP Computer Science A
- AP Microeconomics
- AP Physics 1
- AP Physics 2
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- AP Physics C: Mechanics
- C++
- Calculus
- Calculus 2
- Calculus 3
- Chemistry
- College Physics
- Competition Math
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Geometry
- High School Chemistry
- High School Physics
- Java
- Macroeconomics
- Math
- MATLAB
- Microeconomics
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Middle School Math
- Multivariable Calculus
- Physics
- Pre-Algebra
- Pre-Calculus
- Python
- Science
- Special Relativity
- Statics and Dynamics
- Statistics
- Technology and Coding
- Test Prep
- Trigonometry
- Visual Basic
What is your teaching philosophy?
My philosophy is that I should teach my students how to reason, not how to use a formula. Truly understanding a concept better builds a foundation for future learning than does remembering a formula.
What might you do in a typical first session with a student?
If a student has problems to work on, we will go through the problems one by one. However, if I find that the student is weak on a particular concept, I take an aside to explain the concept, either through simpler problems or through proofs, that will help them understand. Similarly, if the student had no work to do, I would start from the basic concepts, asking them to explain them to me. If they struggled, I will teach them how to conceptualize the topic. I will give them problems to make sure they are able to apply their understanding to an actual example.
How can you help a student become an independent learner?
Especially when teaching math, I like to break things down into smaller, more manageable parts, or rewrite expressions into ways that help the learner understand better what is happening. When trying to understand a concept, it is important that you convince yourself that the concept is true, rather than just being told it is true. Teaching a student how to approach or rework a problem or concept, as I said I would do above. The student can become an independent learner if he or she can reorganize or break down the conceptual statement into pieces he or she already understands.