All of
Daniel’s current tutoring subjects are listed at the left. You
can read more about
Daniel’s qualifications in specific subjects below.
ACT Math
ACT Math is similar to SAT Math. I helped a recent SAT Math student raise her Math score by 100 points. (Unfortunately, since her tutoring was not through WyzAnt, her feedback is not posted below.) Thanks to my Physics background, I regularly use Math as a tool.
My ACT Math method is based upon students solving problems in such a way that they methodically learn from their mistakes.
Though I've since earned a Master's in Education, I initially developed this learn-from-your-mistakes method myself as a Physics student in college. I've since found that other successful college students developed this method for themselves, as well.
The Method: Students 1st take a diagnostic test, identifying their Math weaknesses. Accordingly they study and practice in a Math workbook. Initially this is done in tutoring sessions, in which I serve as an academic coach. (In the education biz, this is called "scaffolding".) Soon, however, students also do this study/practice themselves during independent study between sessions. During the session that follows an independent study, I review only the problems with which the student had difficulty. Our time is thus used most efficiently.
Moreover, during these sessions, in the context of reviewing these difficult problems, I also introduce test-taking strategies.
Next, this learn-from-your-mistakes process, which I merely coach, is applied beyond the workbook. It is applied to the Math sections of Practice Tests.
ACT Reading
Most of my ACT Prep methods, including my Reading Prep method, are based upon students solving problems in such a way that they methodically learn from their mistakes.
Though I've since earned a Master's in Education, I initially developed this learn-from-your-mistakes Method myself as a Physics student in college. I've since found that other successful college students developed this method for themselves, as well.
The Method: Students 1st take a diagnostic test, identifying their Reading weaknesses. Accordingly they study and practice in a Reading workbook. Initially this is done in tutoring sessions, in which I serve as an academic coach. (In the education biz, this is called "scaffolding".) Soon, however, students also do this study/practice themselves during independent study between sessions. During the session that follows an independent study, I review only the problems with which the student had difficulty. Our time is thus used most efficiently.
Moreover, during these sessions, in the context of reviewing these difficult problems, I also introduce test-taking strategies.
Next, this learn-from-your-mistakes process, which I merely coach, is applied beyond the workbook. It is applied to the Reading sections of Practice Tests.
Edit
ACT Science
Though I also tutor Sciences at all levels (including college), the ACT Science test does not test the student's knowledge of Science. Rather, it combines Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, & Analysis of Graphs. Most of my ACT Prep methods, including my ACT Science Prep method, are based upon students solving problems in such a way that they methodically learn from their mistakes.
Though I've since earned a Master's in Education, I initially developed this learn-from-your-mistakes method myself as a Physics student in college. I've since found that other successful college students developed this method for themselves, as well.
The Method: Students first take a diagnostic test, identifying their Reading weaknesses. Afterward they study and practice in an ACT Science workbook. Initially this is done in tutoring sessions, in which I serve as an academic coach. (In the education biz, this is called "scaffolding.") Soon, however, students also do this study/practice themselves during independent study between sessions. During the session that follows an independent study, I review only the problems with which the student had difficulty. Our time is thus used most efficiently.
Moreover, during these sessions, in the context of reviewing these difficult problems, I also introduce test-taking strategies.
Next, this learn-from-your-mistakes process, which I merely coach, is applied beyond the workbook. It is applied to the Science sections of ACT Practice Tests.
Biology
I teach all levels of Biology, including AP Biology (i.e. college Bio taught in high school).
For AP Biology sessions prior to Spring Break, I concentrate on concepts, using 2 modes of study:
1. acquisition (mostly through reading of the AP text while I pose strategic questions)
AND
2. quality-check of study (mostly through answering multiple choice questions using my "honesty method" and answering interactive questions in a study guide)
During Spring Break, and until the AP Exam, I concentrate on the Essay and practicing strategies for answering Multiple Choice questions.
Chemistry
I teach all levels of Chemistry, including AP Chemistry (i.e. college Chem taught in high school).
For AP Chem sessions prior to Spring Break, I concentrate on concepts, using problem-solving as the context for deeper study.
Through the solving of problems, and the associated study required, students simultaneously
-apply concepts
-assess their understanding of concepts
-review concepts as necessary
During Spring Break, through until the AP Exam, I concentrate on test-taking strategies and practice for the Multiple Choice section of the AP Exam.
MCAT
For 5 years, I've worked as a private tutor of college General Physics, General Chemistry, & General Biology. Before this I taught Biology in NYC. Before that I was a Biomedical Researcher.
(I ran experiments in the early development of an antibiotic.) Before that I worked for an engineering firm.
In 2007, I earned an Master's in Science Education from Hunter College (New York, NY). In 2004 & 2006, a national test prep firm trained me to teach MCAT Physics & Chem. In 1998, I earned a Master's in Environmental Health from University of Medicine & Dentistry of NJ / Rutgers (Piscataway, NJ). In 1986, I earned a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering Foundations from The Evergreen State College (Olympia, WA).
Physics
I teach all levels of Physics, including AP Physics (i.e., college Physics taught in high school).
The methods and schedule that I use to tutor Physics are similar to those used for the other Science I tutor that is based on quantitative HW problems: Chemistry.
Hence, for AP Physics sessions prior to Spring Break, I concentrate on concepts, using problem-solving as the context for deeper study.
Through the solving of problems, and the associated study required, students simultaneously
-apply concepts
-assess their understanding of concepts
-review concepts as necessary
During Spring Break, through until the AP Exam, I concentrate on test-taking strategies & practice for the Multiple Choice (MC) section of the AP Exam. For Physics, the calculator ban for the MC section limits the types of questions that can be asked. These types of questions have inherent weaknesses that the student can exploit.
SAT Math
I helped a recent SAT Math student raise her Math score by 100 points. (Unfortunately, since her tutoring was not through WyzAnt, her feedback is not posted below.) Thanks to my Physics background, I regularly use Math as a tool.
My SAT Math method is based upon students solving problems in such a way that they methodically learn from their mistakes. Though I've since earned a Master's in Education, I initially developed this learn-from-your-mistakes Method myself as a Physics student in college. I've since found that other successful college students developed this method for themselves, as well.
The Method: Students 1st take a diagnostic test, identifying their Math weaknesses. Accordingly they study and practice in a Math workbook. Initially this is done in tutoring sessions, in which I serve as an academic coach. (In the education biz, this is called "scaffolding".) Soon, however, students also do this study/practice themselves during independent study between sessions. During the session that follows an independent study, I review only the problems with which the student had difficulty. Our time is thus used most efficiently.
Moreover, during these sessions, in the context of reviewing these difficult problems, I also introduce test-taking strategies. Next, this learn-from-your-mistakes process, which I merely coach, is applied beyond the workbook. It is applied to the Math sections of Practice Tests.
SAT Reading
Most of my SAT Prep methods, including my Reading Prep method, are based upon students solving problems in such a way that they methodically learn from their mistakes.
Though I've since earned a Master's in Education, I initially developed this learn-from-your-mistakes Method myself as a Physics student in college. I've since found that other successful college students developed this method for themselves, as well.
The Method: Students 1st take a diagnostic test, identifying their Reading weaknesses. Accordingly they study and practice in a Reading workbook. Initially this is done in tutoring sessions, in which I serve as an academic coach. (In the education biz, this is called "scaffolding".) Soon, however, students also do this study/practice themselves during independent study between sessions. During the session that follows an independent study, I review only the problems with which the student had difficulty. Our time is thus used most efficiently.
Moreover, during these sessions, in the context of reviewing these difficult problems, I also introduce test-taking strategies.
Next, this learn-from-your-mistakes process, which I merely coach, is applied beyond the workbook. It is applied to the Reading sections of Practice Tests.
SAT Writing
I helped a recent SAT Writing student get a perfect Writing score. (On a previous SAT, for which I had been hired to prep her in Math only, the student had raised her Math score by 100 points, but she was unsatisfied w/ her Writing score. Unfortunately, since her tutoring was not through WyzAnt, none of her feedback is posted below.)
SAT Writing is composed of Grammar (i.e., multiple-choice questions) and the Essay. Accordingly, my tutoring is broken up into these 2 separate components. Whether you need both depends upon an OBJECTIVE assessment of your performance on a relatively brief pre-test that I request you take prior to this SAT Prep course.
Grammar Tutoring: Problem-solving strategies are developed via an SAT Prep text, but practiced - and augmented - under my expert guidance in a workbook during our sessions.
Essay Tutoring: A high-scoring SAT Essay is not simply like a well-written standard essay. Hence, strategies for writing SAT Essays are not the same as methods for writing standard essays. Again, using an SAT Prep text, strategies for writing the SAT Essay are developed. Between sessions & during sessions (i.e. under my DIRECT guidance & review), the student will practice these strategies.
Study Skills
I have a Masters in Education, and I teach study skills in the context of problem solving in Science & Math. I developed these study methods for myself when I was a college student studying Math & Science (Pre-Engineering). These methods proved very successful when combined with study partnering. My tutoring, thus, is essentially a support of these independent study methods, combined with my study partnering with the student.