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Robert Z. for tutoring lessons in Andover MA Over 500 tutoring hours WyzAnt Tutoring Tutor Tutor United States

Robert Z.

Enthusiastic Explainer: Physics & Math

Andover, MA (01810)

Travel Radius 15 miles
Hourly Fee $60.00
Discount $51.00 - $57.00 Save up to 15% (i)
  132 ratings

Your first hour with any tutor is always 100% refundable!

Here are four reasons you should hire me to improve your understanding of physics or math:

1. I have a current Professional License for teaching Physics and Middle School Mathematics and Science, with 16 years of experience teaching science in grades 9-12. That included a new course I designed with a math teacher that combined physics with pre-calculus, counting as two courses, meeting in back-to-back periods every day.

2. I was a physics major at Cornell.

3. After earning my masters degree in education, I took another 7 courses in Applied Mathematics, mostly in probability and statistics.

4. I am patient, with a good sense of humor.

Robert's Subjects

Math:
Science:
English:
Test Preparation:
Computer:
Language:
History:
Elementary Education:
Business:
Corporate Training:
Homeschool:

Algebra 1

Introductory Algebra is the most important math course most secondary students will take. Not only does it lay the foundation for more advanced courses, it also teaches the student how to take real-life problems and translate them into the language of mathematics where they can be solved by some simple manipulations.

I tutor all secondary level math subjects, and always seem to have one or two that are in Algebra 1.

Algebra 2

Algebra 2 is one of the subjects I've been tutoring in this year, twice a week since October. There are some areas that students tend to find difficult, such as matrices, where this may be their first exposure. Other areas are slight expansions over the Algebra 1 material. Usually, the syllabus also includes logarithms and some trigonometry, and I'm very comfortable explaining these more advanced topics.

Calculus

As a physics specialist, calculus has been the "tool of the trade" most often used. This past year, I had as many students getting help in calculus as in physics.

Calculus can be studied at many different levels. Thorough understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of this powerful tool can be left to the math majors. Those who ask for help in a calculus course are most often taking it as a requirement for a technical field. Here, the practical application of derivatives and integrals... Read More

Vocabulary

My approach to this subject is guided by the Common Core standard adopted by most states (including all of New England) two years ago. In general, the vocabulary standards focus on understanding words and phrases and their relationships. Of course, the specifics vary by grade level. For instance, eighth graders concentrate on the following skills:

• L.8.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing... Read More

Grammar

My approach to this subject is guided by the Common Core standard adopted by most states (including all of New England) two years ago. For each grade level, the standard states that the student is expected to "Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking." Of course, the specifics vary by grade level.

I utilize the materials from the student's class to advance his/her grammar skills.

Microsoft Excel

Since Microsoft Office is such a widely used application suite, Excel is the most widely used spreadsheet application. Most office workers and students are expected to know the basics.

My knowledge of Excel comes from over 20 years using it in the Information Technology field, first as a programmer and then as a manager. I used it on a daily basis to perform sophisticated calculations, analyze data trends, and produce informative graphs. I am eager to share this experience with beginning... Read More

Geometry

Most students find geometry to be more abstract and challenging than algebra. While the outcomes may be easily understood for someone with a good sense of spatial relationships, formulating a proof requires careful discipline not previously expected. With my patience and experience, I can help students learn how to lay out a valid path of logical deduction as well as apply the theorem results to solve problems.

Microsoft Word

Since Microsoft Office is such a widely used application suite, Word is the most widely used word processing application. Most office workers and students are expected to know the basics.

My knowledge of Word comes from over 20 years using it in the Information Technology field, first as a programmer and then as a manager. I used it on a daily basis to prepare memos, technical documentation, and reports. I am eager to share this experience with beginning to intermediate users.

Physics

As you can see from my profile, physics is my specialty. In the last year, I have tutored several physics students at both the high school and college level.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Since Microsoft Office is such a widely used application suite, PowerPoint is the most widely used introductory presentation application. Many office workers and most students are expected to know the basics.

My knowledge of PowerPoint comes from over 15 years using it in the Information Technology field as a group manager and a tech support manager. I worked with the program regularly to create slides for use when running meetings or when reporting to upper management.

Prealgebra

Algebra goes down much easier if there's a solid prealgebra foundation in graphing, ratios, and exponents. Also important to be developed is the ability to read a word problem and translate it into mathematical terms. I take each student, young or old, where they are, and work with them until they are ready for the formality of an algebra course.

Precalculus

A high school precalculus course typically contains a wide variety of topics, more so than calculus itself, which takes a narrower set of ideas to greater depth and application. With my experience and WyzAnt certifications including all secondary math subjects, I am able to help make the more esoteric topics understandable: operations on complex numbers; exponential, logistic, and logarithmic functions, and analytic trigonometry. Some accelerated courses also cover matrix algebra, analytic geometry,... Read More

Trigonometry

Although not emphasized in mathematics curricula as it used to be, trigonometry is one of the most useful subjects. For instance, it can be used for figuring unknown distances to inaccessible places.
Having taught physics for years, trigonometry has been a part of many of the activities. It is just one of the many secondary level math courses that I currently tutor.

Astronomy

Astronomy is naturally attractive to those who have a curiosity about the universe. Sometimes, the actual course content provides more of a challenge than anticipated. Having experienced introductory astronomy personally during my undergraduate years at Cornell, and having taught many of its ideas in my physics courses over the years, I can help high school or college students succeed in it.

The content of a beginning astronomy course usually concentrates on our solar system and its... Read More

Statistics

Mastery of basic statistics is a common need for work in both the natural and social sciences. In the last year, I have tutored three undergrads and two graduate students needing help with this core requirement.

Geography

Geography is not the easiest discipline to define. However, the currently accepted standards include:

The World in Spatial Terms
1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information.

2. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments.

3. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface.

Places... Read More

SAT Math

SAT remains the most widely accepted standardized test for college admissions. Having existed for many decades, it is well understood, and excellent study materials are available. I use those materials, along with my personal savvy about test-taking, to help improve students' scores. The overwhelming majority of my tutoring students are getting help with their math, so it is my particular strength for standardized test preparation.

SQL

While working in Information Technology, one of the skills I applied on a regular basis was the analysis and adjustment of SQL queries. Databases were my specialty, so I'm able to help troubleshoot SQL statements that just do not produce the expected results.

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) was completely overhauled last year. The biggest changes were to the verbal reasoning section.

The GRE is very similar to the SAT but with two essays instead of one in the Analytical Writing section, and more variety of question formats in the rest. I focus not only on the essential reading, quantitative, and writing skills, but also coach you on how to allocate your time during the test, how to analyze the structure of a question to gain insight... Read More

GED

Since 1942, GED has been an important component of American education, giving those who were not able to complete high school as teenagers a chance to catch up and "level the field" of opportunity in the competition for jobs or college admissions. I welcome the opportunity to help them persevere through the preparation for this extensive battery of tests. One-on-one tutoring sessions with me will improve the chances of passing all five subtests: writing, social studies, science, reading, and math... Read More

SAT Reading

SAT remains the most widely accepted standardized test for college admissions. Having existed for many decades, it is well understood, and excellent study materials are available. I use those materials, along with my personal savvy about test-taking, to help improve students' scores.

SAT Writing

The SAT Writing section requires a more complex approach than the other two parts, because it is not exclusively multiple choice. To write the first draft of an essay requires the student to integrate the skills of language usage, clarity, concept development, and logical presentation of ideas, after creating a point of view in response to the prompt.

Aside from writing the draft, however, the rest of the Writing section (identifying sentence errors, correcting faulty sentences, and... Read More

Physical Science

Physical Science is my most recent area of experience in public school teaching. I successfully completed long-term substitute assignments at the 8th grade level (8 weeks, Wilmington Middle) and 9th grade level (15 weeks, Andover High).

TOEFL

Although TOEFL has some of the features of other standardized tests (reading and writing), the listening and speaking portions are unique and require a different type of preparation. Fortunately, the test has become so widespread that a lot of materials have been developed (some of them FREE) to help. My tutoring approach is to utilize as many of these as possible and to coach a LOT of practice sessions.

GMAT

The Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT) has a major change this year. For the first time, there is a section on Integrated Reasoning, designed to measure a test taker’s ability to evaluate data presented in multiple formats from multiple sources.

The other sections (quantitative, verbal, analytical writing) are very similar to the SAT and GRE. I focus not only on the essential reading, quantitative, and writing skills, but also coach you on how to allocate your time during the... Read More

ASVAB

My broad academic background prepared me well to provide tutoring assistance for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Like other standardized tests, it covers math, English, science (with a little extra practical assessment of shop, electronic, automotive, and mechanical assembly thrown in), and language skills. I have been successful in all those subjects and have experience tutoring them.

Because it consists exclusively of multiple-choice questions, scores on ASVAB... Read More

Probability

Probability as a mathematical discipline has a lot of interesting and practical applications, and it forms a foundation for the study of statistics. My experience with probability includes several graduate-level courses in that area.

PSAT

My broad academic background prepared me well to provide tutoring assistance for the PSAT. Like the SAT exam, it covers writing, math, and reading comprehension skills. My tutoring strategy for PSAT utilizes published practice test guides.

Because of heavy dependence on multiple-choice questions, high scores on the PSAT are correlated with advanced test-taking skills. An experienced tutor not only focuses the student on the most important facts and concepts, but also provides coaching... Read More

SSAT

My broad academic background prepared me well to provide tutoring assistance for the SSAT. Like the SAT exam, it covers writing, math, and reading comprehension skills. However, the verbal section includes synonyms and analogies that are no longer used as part of the SAT, but with which I am very familiar from earlier versions. My tutoring strategy for SSAT utilizes published practice test guides.

Because of heavy dependence on multiple-choice questions (except the writing sample, of... Read More

Spelling

Spelling is normally addressed as a separate ELA topic only in the primary grades. My approach to this subject is guided by the Common Core standard adopted by most states (including all of New England) two years ago. The specifics vary by grade level. For instance, third graders concentrate on the following skills:

• Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words and for adding suffixes to base words (e.g., sitting, smiled, cries, happiness).

• Use... Read More

Elementary Math

A description of "elementary math" is difficult; K-6 covers a lot of learning. However, we can pick a point in time and see how your child is progressing relative to the norms set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For instance, by the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to:

• Write and interpret numerical expressions.
• Analyze patterns and relationships.
• Understand the place value system.
• Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with... Read More

Elementary Science

A description of "elementary science" is difficult; K-6 covers a lot of learning. However, we can pick a point in time and see how your child is progressing relative to the norms set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For instance, by the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to:

• Ask questions and make predictions that can be tested.
• Select and use appropriate tools and technology (e.g., calculators, computers, balances, scales, meter sticks, graduated cylinders)... Read More

Discrete Math

I was a physics major at Cornell. "Discrete math" is less well defined as a subject than algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or calculus. The emphasis of a school's particular course will vary according to the program(s) for which it is required. At the introductory level, it might be called "finite" math and include topics important for business majors, such as probability, linear programming (optimization), and matrices. Higher level courses might deal with information theory, logic, graph theory,... Read More

Microsoft Access

During my 24 years in the private sector, database work was my specialty. Whatever product was used to store the data (for example Oracle), Access was my preferred tool for quickly generating queries, performing data maintenance, and creating simple reports.
Access has also been an important application for home and volunteer activities. For a decade I have kept all my contact records in a small database. More recently, I created a database to house information concerning all media in our... Read More

TEAS

My broad academic background prepared me well to provide tutoring assistance for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Like the ACT exam, it covers math, English, science, and language skills. I have been successful in all those subjects and have experience tutoring them.

Because it consists exclusively of multiple-choice questions, high scores on TEAS are particularly correlated with advanced test-taking skills. An experienced tutor not only focuses the student on the most... Read More

ACT Reading

The Reading section of the ACT is a challenge because of the time pressure. With less than a minute per question, students who are not rapid readers need a solid strategy for efficient use of their time.

My instruction for this portion of the test emphasizes how to identify the critical words, and then how to go back and forth from the questions to the passage to focus on the relevant details and block out those which are merely distractions.

ACT English

The first ACT challenge is the English section. Improving passages with grammatical errors, problems with sentence structure, usage issues, or improper punctuation is a skill that can be mastered with practice. Slightly more difficult is the analysis of overall essay structure and rhetorical style.

My tutoring for this portion of the ACT would progress from the mechanical skills to the style choices, culminating in practice writing essays.

ACT Math

The Math section of the ACT tends to be straightforward (compared to the SAT). Mastery of basic concepts from pre-algebra through geometry is what is required for success, although there will be a few questions from introductory trigonometry thrown in.
My approach to tutoring for the Math section consists of working through practice test questions, stopping to correct misconceptions and re-teach basic concepts as needed. I also teach techniques for wrong answer elimination to improve results... Read More

ACT Science

It is important to realize that this portion of the ACT is Science REASONING. That means it is not a regurgitation of facts from your science courses. Cramming will not help.

The Science Reasoning test is very much like the Reading test with scientific topics. The specialized skills for achieving success include interpretation of graphs and illustrations; following description of experimental procedures and analyzing the results; and comparing conflicting theories.

As an... Read More

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Robert's Hourly Rate

Hourly Fee: $60.00

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Background Check Status for Robert Z.

Passed

Robert Z. passed a background check on 11/17/2011. You may run an updated background check on Robert once you send an email.

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