All of
Patrick’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Patrick’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ACT Math
I took the ACT in June 2012 and scored 32, which is the 97th percentile. There were a few questions that I didn't get to as I ran out of time. I did not guess on those, although I would recommend guessing to my students as there is no penalty on the ACT for guessing.
My approach to coaching for all standardized tests is holistic: content for sure, but also strategy, guessing, calculator selection and usage, nutrition and sleep.
Algebra 1
Algebra is the on-ramp to college and the professions, and it is a subject that I began teaching in the middle of Spring Semester 2012 and will continue teaching.
Robert Moses calls math and algebra the ticket to 21st century citizenship, and I would agree. It is the foundation upon which all other secondary and college math and science success will be built, so it is of strategic importance to every student.
I focus on working with students to understand the "why" not just the "how", so the "how" will stick.
My goal is to help students master the subject so that it is a source of strength for their academic and professional career, not a weakness that hinders their future.
ASVAB
If you would like to get into the military but struggle with the ASVAB or believe it may be a hurdle to military entrance I can help you. If you are shooting for eligibility of a specific career I can also help.
I recently worked with one high school grad and increased her ASVAB score 25% in one month.
Business
I have a Master's in Business Administration (MBA) from University of Colorado-Boulder, Colorado's flagship university.
I have started more than one business, at least one of which is successful, and consulted a number of Fortune 500 business as a management consultant.
Calculus
I can help you understand Calculus and even learn to enjoy it. Whether you are in College and taking Calculus or High School taking AP Calculus, I can get you from the point of struggling to being ahead of the class, comfortable with the class and your abilities, and, in the case of AP Calculus, prepared for the test.
I have developed proprietary materials and methods to help you quickly go from where you are now to where you need to be.
For example: I have just developed materials to help English Language Learners learn AP Calculus.
Chess
I teach chess to middle school students as an elective as there are substantial benefits to students from a behavioral and mathematical perspective. My teaching is rigorous and includes Algebraic Chess Notation, all allowable moves (en passant, castling, etc.), strategy, tactics, pattern recognition, etc. My focus is on getting students who have never played chess to the point where they can begin playing in tournaments, at which point they can find another teacher to take them to the advanced/expert level.
Elementary Math
I can help students struggling with Singapore Math understand how to build models to solve problems.
I can help students increase their "Mental Math" capability that will enable them to do more math, more quickly, and more reliably.
I can administer a diagnostic test that helps me identify a particular student's math strengths, weaknesses, and gaps. I then develop a custom plan to fill in the gaps and shoring up the weaknesses.
I can provide challenge to elementary (and high school) students that are not being challenged, introducing them to Calculus, Statistics, Probability, etc. in a way that they can understand given their current understanding of math.
GMAT
I scored 720 on the GMAT after being away from school for 20 years and have developed a specific approach to preparation which can help you increase your GMAT score. While the approach is the same for each individual, I tune it based on the requirements of each student for maximum impact.
I have worked with a number of International Students to help them prepare for this test.
Praxis
I recently passed the PRAXIS math test for Secondary School Math Teachers (High School and Middle School) at the score required to pass in the State of Colorado, which is the highest score requirement of any state. I used the same standardized test strategies, techniques and approaches to pass this test in the first attempt that I use with students.
Study Skills
Developing good study skills become increasingly important as students progress through school. I help students identify their strengths and weaknesses and work with them to develop a plan for learning that fits their individual traits. I also teach students specific approaches that are used by the best students to 1) increase memorization capability, 2) focus on what is important, and 3) increase their proficiency in taking standardized tests.