Sean S.
Juneau, AK
Online Math Tutor
Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ
MathematicsUniversity of Alaska, Southeast
Graduate CourseworkCalifornia State University - Dominguez Hills
Graduate CourseworkAbout Sean
Do you need help in math? I can help right now. My students are children, teens, adults, and elders, across nearly all demographics, including ESL. I bring an infectious enthusiasm for math, and I work hard to make math easy and comprehensible.
I will train you at your level to help you see math with fresh, new eyes. I will work with
Policies
Cancellation
8 hours notice requiredMy rates are always negotiable! I request that all sessions are two hours each.
Travel Radius
Travels within 40 miles of Juneau, AK 99801Sean offers online lessons
Sean is approved to conduct lessons through Wyzant Online. Wyzant Online allows students and tutors to work remotely via video, audio, and collaborative whiteboard tools. For more information about how online tutoring works, check out Wyzant Online.
If you’re interested in online lessons, message Sean to get started.
"Sean is great with teenagers"
- Phil, Juneau, AK on 9/10/16Sean is tutoring my 17 year old who has never liked math. She is actually understanding and beginning to realize that she can do this. Sean is excellent at presenting without talking down to her and stresses the positive and her taking responsibility for her education. I've used multiple tutors over the years and Sean is the best.
Thanks so much, Phil!! Your 17-year-old has really begun to recognize the value of her own education, and is a pleasure to work with.
"Great!"
- Kathy, Los Angeles, CA on 3/6/16A real brain 'fry' today! Clarified types of transformations; great examples w/interactive applications. White boards will be useful for future.
We had a full session this day! So much covered, and I am so glad we finally got to work with Trigonometry as a study of circles!
"Great tutor."
- Ingrid, Los Angeles, CA on 12/21/15Sean can help with any type of math. He's been able to answer all of my questions. He's also good at making you feel smart and like you can learn the subject, no matter how hard it is. Great tutor!!!
He is such a great student! He really works hard, and it pays off. He knows how to study, and that gives him an edge. I'm really enjoying teaching him Calculus!
"Great Tutor! Excellent Communicator!"
- S, Los Angeles, CA on 8/2/14Sean was absolutely EXCELLENT! He has an uncanny ability to turn difficult math concepts into something the average learner can understand. I highly recommend Sean to anyone that needs help with GMAT Quant., Geometry, Trig, and Calculus. He helped me get a great score on the GMAT Quant. and I am so grateful for his help.
"Patient tutor"
- KIM, Venice, CA on 12/15/13I have had three classes with Sean and plan to take a few more. He is very professional and has so far been a life saver. I have struggled with excel for years and the one on one classes have helped me tremendously. As a professional in the business world, the refresher in math with the excel will be invaluable for any working environment.
Thank you, Kim! You are clearly a dedicated student, and I look forward to continuing with you.
"Great Tutor!"
- Jordan, Santa Monica, CA on 5/29/13Sean is a great tutor. He focuses on getting you to understand the material and the concepts behind them. He also teaches you tricks to do with specific problems. He puts in a lot of work, and will do extra work out side of the session. He is a great guy, fun to talk to and wants to help you learn the material and succeed.
Thanks very much, Jordan! I'm so proud at how hard you worked; Calc II can be a difficult class, even for mathematics majors, and you deserved your final grade!
"Best Math tutor ever"
- Mike, Kent, OH on 5/17/13Sean has all the criteria of a great math tutor, not only he is very knowledgeable of the subject matter, he has the skill to transfer his knowledge to his students as well. For example, if you do not like or understand certain way of solving a problem, he show you several other ways to solve it. In addition, he is very good at identifying your weaknesses, and by giving you light homeworks he is able to help you out with that situation. Moreover, he is very organized and do not rush through materials just for the sake of covering them. Instead, he is very patient and take his time in terms of teaching math concepts with the pace that is comfortable for the student. Finally, he is a compassionate person with a big heart, because he does everything he can to help out his students and is not stingy with time like many other tutors some of whom finish their sessions even 10 minutes early. I am making claim that he is a best math tutor that I ever had because I worked with five other tutors and none of them can come close to Sean in terms of being knowledgeable, compassionate, and most important of possessing the art of teaching math.
This is incredible feedback!!! Thank you so much!
I am very impressed with how hard you work, and I am certain that you will get the score you need this time on the GRE.
"Excellent clear tutor"
- Usman, Santa Monica, CA on 9/21/12With Sean I only had 2 sessions because I had to drop the class but a great and clear tutor. Very understanding and efficient. Experienced in Calculus.
"Very Patient"
- Julianne, Los Angeles, CA on 3/4/12Sean is very patient and I have confidence that my grandson will be successful. Sean is also removing my grandson's fear of math. Sean is a gifted tutor. My thank you's are extended to you.
Thank you very much, Julianne. Your grandson is great to work with, and I enjoy his company. His enthusiasm will carry him far.
"An awesome find"
- Alicia, Los Angeles, CA on 2/11/12My son is in the 7th grade and has been struggling with math. We have gone through many different tutors attempting to find the right fit. Since starting with Sean, my son has changed. He will now sit for 3 hours at a time to learn math. I can't believe it. I am so pleased with the change in his willingness to learn. He is gaining confidence daily. I especially like how they carry on conversatiins about life. I feel as though they are bonding therefore increasing my sons receptiveness to learning. Sean is the best.
Wow -- Thank you, Alicia!! It really is great to know that your son's hard work is paying off! He is a great person, and it's wonderful to work with him.
"Awesome Session!"
- Liza, Los Angeles, CA on 10/12/11Good with follow-up. Very proper. I like how even if the answer seems so obvious, he doesn't make you feel stupid. I understood more from the two hours I spent with him, than the 3-3hour sessions at UCLA. Will definitely keep using him till my quarter is over!
Thank you very much, Liza!! I look forward to working with you further!
"Great tutor"
- Hanna, Los Angeles, CA on 10/10/11Sean is a great tutor who you can trust and depend on to improve your skill in calculus.
He gave my son a self confidence by solving a variety of problems in each section on the chapter.
He still tutors my son to the end of his class in SMC and I'm sure he will tutor my daughter next year in pre calculus. He is kind, patient and generous.
Thank you very much!! Your son is a great student -- he will go very far!!
"Great Tutor All Around"
- Geoffrey, Venice, CA on 9/28/11Sean is on time, prepares for your study session prior so that everything is fresh in his mind. Is very nice but will push you to the next level and get you to take notes so that you have quality review material. He is patient and works through each problem with you as opposed to rushing through it. I highly recommend Sean.
Thank you very much, Geoffrey!! I have enjoyed tutoring you, and I know that you will continue to do well!
"Very clear and puts the concepts into an easy to grasp format!"
- Michael, Sherman Oaks, CA on 9/3/11Sean is very clear in demonstrating the concepts and engages you in order to validate that you understand the information. He is definitely patient and quickly sees where you are at in your Algebra and Calculus knowledge. His confidence in you as a student is a positive factor and his professional experience backs up your trust in his opinion. I will be recommending Sean to my fellow classmates.
Thank you very much, Michael!! Tutoring you was a pleasure!
Approved subjects are in bold.
Approved subjects
In most cases, tutors gain approval in a subject by passing a proficiency exam. For some subject areas, like music and art, tutors submit written requests to demonstrate their proficiency to potential students. If a tutor is interested but not yet approved in a subject, the subject will appear in non-bold font. Tutors need to be approved in a subject prior to beginning lessons.
Algebra 1
Algebra is the generalization of arithmetic. Where before a student learns 2+3 and 3*5, algebra allows for circumstances when a number is not known -- and often to solve such situations.
Lines are thoroughly reviewed in algebra 1. I show students how linear equations occur in their lives, and how to understand both their graphs and their equations. The course also covers polynomial basics and a detailed review of the parabola.
Algebra 2
Algebra 2, sometimes called precalculus, is a more complex review of algebra. Polynomials are studied in detail, specifically finding its "zeroes". I show students what the problems really ask, and the techniques to solve them.
This class usually introduces trigonometry, a detailed study of circles. This course also goes into the relationship between parabolas and circles, and the equations and graphs of all conic sections.
Calculus
Calculus is a study of how variables change -- their rate of change, to use the proper vernacular. As an analogy, algebra can tell you the average speed of a rocket ship, but Calculus can tell you its exact speed at any time, just like an odometer. I show my students how Calculus is found nearly everywhere, including in business, medicine, and nature.
Differential Equations
Differential equations is the study of equations that involving one or more derivatives of functions. The differential equation governs an unknown function, which is related to its own derivates. For example: What equation's rate of change is half of the equation itself? It is noteworthy that students are often required to prove that solutions exist, and that the solutions are unique, prior to actually deriving the solutions.
The challenge of this course is a fascinating and complex study, in which differential equations are self-referential. I have found that students appreciate the meta of this subject, within the equations' meaning and the process of obtaining solutions.
GED
I have taught this material for years to students across the entire spectrum of competence -- and confidence. While seeming to be easy for many, this is a critical area of study for those seeking to get their GED. I show my students how they do this math everyday, and I reveal how they can adopt the practices for real life. I cover arithmetic and then the basics of algebra, along with a sense of how the number system behaves.
Geometry
Geometry is based on points, lines, and angles. As a study of figures in "a plane", many questions can be answered very early in a geometry class using the basic concepts of a straight angle. An example is "Why do the angles of a triangle add to 180°?" (The answer can be made clear, when a line is drawn through one triangle's vertex, parallel to its opposite side.)
Other concepts build upon this, such as: "The sum of the exterior angles of a polygon is 360°." I explain how these concepts are viewed and how viewing them in right order shines light onto the entire course.
GMAT
If necessary, I cover the format of the GMAT and the question types of the Integrated Reasoning and Quantitative Sections. Then I explain specific strategies for the different question types, which we return to as we cover both the math fundamentals and specific questions. In particular, several question types are reviewed in depth, since many are likely to occur once.
GRE
To do well on the quantitative sections of the GRE, you must know more than just the mathematics of algebra and geometry. The newly revamped test has four types of questions on the Quantitative sections. These questions will require out-of-the-box thinking, beyond the skills taught in high school. I have been reviewing these question types, and have found strategies for them. Along with the math, I will teach you the format and how to successfully navigate the questions you that will confront you.
Microsoft Excel
Arguably the single most important software ever developed, the spreadsheet is indespensible in any business endeavor. Its applications are extraordinary, and powerfully revealing information can be gleaned from data by even a moderately experienced user.
I explain the very basics of MS Excel, including proper keyboard use so students learn quickly and efficiently. Then I teach "cut, copy, paste" along with basic functions, and how to quickly fill a column or row with data. Other functions are taught to collect and alter data, and formats are explained to show information in nearly any way imaginable.
Prealgebra
I help students understand prealgebra by reviewing the basics of arithmetic and introducing concepts of generalization. For example, imagine you travel 4 mph faster on your bike than I do on mine. What speed are you going if I am going 12 mph? What's my speed if you're going 9 mph? These sorts of questions introduce concepts to students, concepts that build to the idea of a variable, a letter that is used for any unknown number.
Precalculus
Precalculus is Algebra 2 or Algebra 3, because it includes the final study algebra prior to Calculus. Polynomials are studied in detail, including finding real and complex "zeroes" from Descartes' Rule of Signs.
Also studied is trigonometry, the study of circles. I teach this in very clear terms, using circular props so students can visualize the sine and cosine waves. This course often ends with limits and an intro to the rate of change of a function, such as speed.
SAT Math
I have taught the Mathematics portion of the SAT numerous times in the past, to groups and individuals. (I have created a workbook to assist students, which I am currently updating.) If needed, I first focus first on the format of the exam, and how to take advantage of the question types. Then I go over the content and the math needed to understand. Throughout, I discuss solving strategies with the student, so that they understand what to expect and how to approach the questions.
Trigonometry
Trigonometry is a detailed study of circles. Imagine a point on a circle, as the circle slowly turns. How does the point move as the circle moves? What is its height from the center, and left-right distance from the center? The study of trigonometry often involves graphing trig functions, the study and graphs of inverse trig functions, and trig identities. I explain these concepts and others in a straightforward manner, so students can see the basic functions and why they are studied.
Other Juneau, AK Tutors
Sean S.
Juneau, AK
Online Math Tutor