All of
Robert’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Robert’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ACT Math
I work with students to improve basic skills and I teach them the skills they have not yet covered in their own math class. Most important is increasing confidence. With confidence, students can work faster so time is not a factor.
I review each of the subject areas and assess the student's ability to answer specific types of problems in each subject. I explain what they do wrong and what they do not know, then I send them home with specific sets of problems to work out before the next session.
ACT Science
My approach to the ACT science test is that most students can do very well if they get past the intimidation factor. This is accomplished through familiarity with the format of the test and understanding that most of the questions do not require specific advanced knowledge of the subject area of the reading.
I review ACT practice tests with the student and explain the thought process as I answer questions. I show students how to avoid wasting time searching for information within the article, and how to quickly locate where the necessary information is presented in the data.
Students that have worked with me have seen their science scores increase by several points. Most have achieved scores in the high 20s and 30s.
Algebra 1
I have had success tutoring several students in algebra. My methods are straight-forward. I work with the student, parent and teacher to find out what what specific subjects the student needs to improve understanding. I explain the methods to the student and show examples of calculations, then I ask the student to explain the subject in their own words as if they were teaching it to me. I observe the student working out problems and I point out where and why they make mistakes. All of my algebra students have achieved their goals in a short period of time.
Algebra 2
I have had success tutoring several students in algebra. My methods are straight-forward. I work with the student, parent and teacher to find out what what specific subjects the student needs to improve understanding. I explain the methods to the student and show examples of calculations, then I ask the student to explain the subject in their own words as if they were teaching it to me. I observe the student working out problems and I point out where and why they make mistakes. All of my algebra students have achieved their goals in a short period of time.
Calculus
I currently teach high school AP Calculus BC. I have had success teaching my own students and tutoring several students at both the high school and college level.
My methods are straight-forward. I ask the student to identify which topics they need help understanding. I explain the topic, demonstrate example problems, and explain the thought process as I work through new problems. I then ask the student to explain the topic as if they were teaching it to me and make certain they truly understand both how and why problems should be solved.
I work well with high school and college students. Many remark that nobody else explained it as well as I did.
Some of the specific topics in calculus I teach include: limits, differentiation, integration, applications in physics and business, taylor series, parametric equations, vector analysis, polar coordinates, multi-variable calculus, differential equations, and much more.
Chemical Engineering
I earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from University of Florida in 2003. I have taught Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics and am comfortable working with and fully understand each of the chemical engineering basis subjects. My view of chemical engineering is that much of the essential work falls under the category of advanced accounting. Accounting of mass, energy, momentum, and dollars.
I am current with recent advances in process control, simulation, and design software as well as the traditional core subjects of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, fluid mechanics, separations, heat transfer, mass transfer, and materials engineering.
Chemistry
I earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from University of Florida in 2003. I have taken every type of chemistry class along the way.
I have taught AP chemistry at the high school level and general chemistry lab at the college level. I have successfully tutored high school students in general chemistry and AP chemistry. I have successfully tutored college students in general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry.
My methods are straight-forward. I ask the student what they need help understanding, explain the concept or demonstrate the problem, then I ask the student to explain it or demonstrate problems until I am convinced they really do understand it.
Civil Engineering
I passed the state of Illinois FE certification exam which constitutes the written general engineering skills test administered to new graduates and license applicants. I hold a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.
Many of the skills required in chemical engineering are cross disciplinary. I feel confident I could help a civil engineering student learn how to use resources and better understand principles of mathematics, science, project planning, and engineering design.
Differential Equations
I earned a grade of A in both undergraduate differential equations and graduate level mathematical basis. Differential equations are important for process control, simulation, stability analysis, mass and heat transfer, and numerous other applications in chemical engineering.
I earned a chemical engineering Ph.D. from University of Florida in 2003. I currently teach Calculus and I have a strong understanding of differential equations from both a mathematics perspective and for engineering applications.
Geometry
I have had success tutoring several students in geometry. My methods are straight-forward. I work with the student, parent and teacher to find out what what specific subjects the student needs to improve understanding. I explain the methods to the student and show examples of calculations, then I ask the student to explain the subject in their own words as if they were teaching it to me. I observe the student working out problems and I point out where and why they make mistakes. All of my geometry students have achieved their goals in a short period of time.
I am good at helping students systematically write the steps of a formal proof. Some of the specific topics I can teach in geometry include: lines, right angle geometry, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, logic, deductive and inductive reasoning, and proofs.
GRE
I scored well on the GRE and I know I can be helpful to someone who needs to improve on the quantitative section. I may also be of some help on the verbal.
Linear Algebra
I earned an A in Linear Algebra as an undergraduate, and I am very familiar with the topics commonly presented in this course including linearization of functions, matrix operations, matrix equations, optimization, vectors, and calculus applications. My graduate mathematics courses also incorporated many of the principles taught in this course. I feel confident I can help a student perform better in this course.
Mechanical Engineering
I passed the state of Illinois FE certification exam which constitutes the written general engineering skills test administered to new graduates and professional license applicants. I hold a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering.
Many of the skills required in chemical engineering are cross disciplinary. I feel confident I could help a mechanical engineering student learn how to use resources and better understand principles of mathematics, physics, materials science, project planning, and engineering design.
Organic Chemistry
I earned a bachelors degree and a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Recently I tutored a college chemistry student for a full year in organic chemistry. My knowledge in this subject is strong and current. I discovered while tutoring this student that I understand organic chemistry much better today than I did as an undergraduate, and I understood it well then.
Specific topics I can help a student better understand include: nomenclature, mechanisms, geometric and optical isomerism, functional groups, synthesis, spectroscopic methods, and much more.
Physical Science
I teach chemistry, physics, and environmental science. I have a strong understanding of most of the topics presented in a physical science class. I work well with high school and college age students. All of the students I have tutored have achieved their goals and improved their grades.
Physics
I have a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Physics was one of my strongest subjects. I currently teach high school AP and honors physics. I have also worked with college students on general physics.
Specific subjects in physics that I am comfortable teaching are mechanics, kinematics, work and energy, momentum, vectors, angular quantities, fluids, thermodynamics, optics, electronics, magnetism, quantum physics, and more...
Prealgebra
I have had success tutoring several students in algebra. My methods are straight-forward. I work with the student, parent and teacher to find out what what specific subjects the student needs to improve understanding. I explain the methods to the student and show examples of calculations, then I ask the student to explain the subject in their own words as if they were teaching it to me. I observe the student working out problems and I point out where and why they make mistakes.
All of my algebra students have achieved their goals in a short period of time.
Precalculus
I currently teach precalculus and honors precalculus in high school. I have also tutored many students in this subject.
Specific topics I can help a student better understand include: linear equations, matrices, symmetry, transformations, polynomials, right angle geometry, trigonometric functions, identities, vectors, polar coordinates, imaginary numbers, conic sections, exponential funcitons, logarithms, sequences and series, probability, statistics, and limits.
Probability
I teach probability to my precalculus classes and I have tutored probability for statistics students. I enjoy probability problems and most of my students do as well.
Specific topics I can help you understand in probability include: counting, permutations, combinations, probability, odds, circular permutations, compound events, venn diagrams, conditional probability and binomial events.
PSAT
I have experience working on SAT preparation with high school juniors and seniors. My expertise is in mathematics but I also am effective explaining grammar, reading and sentence completion. Students that are serious about maximizing their SAT scores or in competing for a national merit scholarship should begin preparing in 9th grade.
SAT Math
I work with students to improve basic skills and I teach them the skills they have not yet covered in their own math class. Most important is increasing confidence. With confidence, students can work faster so time is not a factor.
I review each of the subject areas and assess the student's ability to answer specific types of problems in each subject. I explain what they do wrong and what they do not know, then I send them home with specific sets of problems to work out before the next session.
Trigonometry
I currently teach precalculus and honors precalculus in high school. I have also tutored many students in this subject.
Specific topics I can help a student better understand include: linear equations, matrices, symmetry, transformations, polynomials, right angle geometry, trigonometric functions, identities, vectors, polar coordinates, imaginary numbers, conic sections, exponential functions, logarithms, sequences and series, probability, statistics, and limits.