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Stanford PhD - experienced teacher/tutor in math, physics
Richard K.

155 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $29

About Richard


Bio

I am a lifelong learner with a passion for teaching. Nothing thrills me more than seeing the light of discovery in a student's eyes when (s)he really understands a concept for the first time. While I was a classroom teacher for more than ten years, with experience at both the college and high school level, I consider myself most effective as a one-on-one or small group tutor, where full attention can be focused on the student's individual needs. I have tutored Math and Physics previously...

I am a lifelong learner with a passion for teaching. Nothing thrills me more than seeing the light of discovery in a student's eyes when (s)he really understands a concept for the first time. While I was a classroom teacher for more than ten years, with experience at both the college and high school level, I consider myself most effective as a one-on-one or small group tutor, where full attention can be focused on the student's individual needs. I have tutored Math and Physics previously with Chyten Tutors and Test Prep, and at Phoenix College. In addition, I have taught Mathematics through Calculus II and Physics (including AP Physics) at both the college and high school level and have passed the NES exam to be recognized as Highly Qualified to teach secondary Mathematics. My educational background includes a Bachelor's in Physics from Arizona State University and a Master's and Ph.D from Stanford, where I was a National Science Foundation Fellow and Woodrow Wilson Foundation Designee.

My philosophy is simple: as the saying goes, "be the guide by the side, not the sage on the stage." Therefore, I emphasize problem-solving, at first guiding students with Socratic questioning, and gradually allowing them to work more on their own. And as I go, I introduce test-taking strategies as well as the subject matter itself.
In tutoring, the focus is on you, the student. That means giving you assignments to build your skills and self-confidence, giving you positive reinforcement, being flexible enough to adapt to your learning style, and listening and responding to your concerns. From my experience as a substitute, I know how to change course and how to improvise, so if one approach doesn't work, we can try another that may better fit your learning style. So if you want to learn how to succeed in secondary or undergraduate mathematics or physics, please contact me so we can work together to help you reach your goals.

Long-term arrangement with weekly sessions preferred.


Education

Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Physics
Stanford University Major: Physics
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $29
  • Rate details: Please note: I don't answer the phone or check e-mails Friday night and Saturday until after nightfall. Cancellation fee $25. All times shown are MST.
  • Lesson cancellation: 2 hours notice required
  • Background check passed on 2/18/2015

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ACT Math

ACT Math

I have taught and tutored math and physics at the high school and community college level, including nearly every math course from algebra I through calculus II, and have a level I CRLA tutor certification from Phoenix College. I have tutored SAT Math and SAT Math II for a test prep company, and trained for ACT math, including working out solutions for sample test questions. I passed the NES test to be highly qualified to teach secondary mathematics through calculus. I've always been a good test taker and can advise on strategy as well as content.
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I have taught Algebra 1 at South Mountain Community College and Phoenix College. In the fall of 2014, I also taught algebra at a charter high school, where I tutored students for the AIMS test, which included questions at this level. I have also tutored math and physics at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification as a tutor, and I have passed the NES test to be Highly Qualified teaching secondary mathematics through calculus.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I taught algebra II for several years at South Mountain Community College and at ASU Main. In the Fall of 2014 I taught algebra at a charter high school, where I also tutored students for the AIMS test. Similarly, as a tutor at Chyten I prepared students for the SAT Math test and for their regular courses. I also tutored math at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification, and I have passed the NES exam to be Highly Qualified to teach secondary mathematics.
American History

American History

Besides the high school American history course, I have read widely in the subject over the years. Among the books I have read are "The Pocket History of the United States" by Allan Nevins and Henry Steele Commager (both highly regarded historians), "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw, "Profiles in Courage" by President John F. Kennedy, "World of Our Fathers" by Irving Howe, "The Making of the President 1960" by Theodore H. White, "This Hallowed Ground" by Bruce Catton (leading Civil War historian), and on the fiction side, "The Sketch Book" by Washington Irving and "Centennial" by James Michener (a microcosm of the history of the American West). I also completed several noncredit courses online on American history and government offered by Hillsdale College.
Calculus

Calculus

I have taught Calculus I at South Mountain Community College and have taught Calculus II twice, once at ASU West and once at South Mountain. In addition, I have taught Mathematics for Business Analysis, which included multivariable calculus, at ASU West. I have also tutored several students in calculus for Chyten Tutors, including AP exam preparation, as well as tutoring math and physics at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification as a tutor. And I have passed the NES test to be Highly Qualified teaching secondary mathematics through calculus.
Geometry

Geometry

In high school my geometry teacher used to post my exam papers on the bulletin board. I taught college mathematics one summer at South Mountain Community College, which included a unit on geometry. I have tutored geometry students at Chyten Tutors, one of whom earned an A, while another was an 8th grader honors geometry online through Apex Learning. I have also tutored math and physics at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification, and I have passed the NES exam to be Highly Qualified to teach secondary mathematics.
Physics

Physics

Besides a doctoral degree in Physics from Stanford, I have fifteen years' experience teaching the subject, primarily algebra/trig based Physics at ASU West, at five campuses of the Maricopa Community Colleges, and at DeVry University, as well as calculus-based Physics at Mesa and South Mountain Community Colleges. I have also taught liberal arts physics. Moreover, I tutored several Physics students for Chyten and tutored math and physics at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification, and have passed the NES test to be Highly Qualified teaching secondary mathematics through calculus.
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

I taught this course at a charter school, working to cure deficiencies in the students' knowledge. In particular, l had to customize the algebra 1 course by adding a unit with important pre-aIgebra concepts. I also tutored students at the charter high school for the AIMS test, which included questions at this level. In the course of tutoring at Chyten, I prepared students for their regular pre-algebra courses. I also privately tutored a sixth-grader who became an A student. I have also substituted middle school pre-algebra classes in the Scottsdale Unified School District.
Precalculus

Precalculus

Precalculus combines college algebra and trigonometry, with units on conic sections and matrices added. I have taught college algebra at South Mountain Community College and trigonometry at Phoenix College, and tutored a student in trigonometry who was taking precalculus online. I taught conic sections in Calculus 2, and a unit on matrices in the Mathematics for Business Analysis course, both at ASU. I have also tutoring math and physics at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification as a tutor, and I have passed the NES test to be Highly Qualified teaching secondary mathematics through calculus.
Probability

Probability

I first encountered probability as a topic in my pre-calculus course as a senior in high school, and later in mathematical physics. More recently, I twice taught MAT211 Mathematics for Business Analysis at ASU West, which included a comprehensive unit on probability, as well as MAT142 College Mathematics at South Mountain Community College, which also covered probability. I have also tutored students at Chyten in SAT Math, which includes questions on probability. I have also tutored Math and Physics at Phoenix College, where I received CRLA training as a tutor, and have passed the NES test to be Highly Qualified in secondary Math,
SAT Math

SAT Math

I have taught and tutored math and physics at the high school and community college level, including nearly every math course from algebra I through calculus II, and have a level I CRLA tutor certification from Phoenix College. I have tutored SAT Math and SAT Math II for a test prep company, and trained for ACT math, including working out solutions for sample test questions. I passed the NES test to be highly qualified to teach secondary mathematics through calculus. I've always been a good test taker and can advise on strategy as well as content.
Statistics

Statistics

My first use of statistics was in analyzing results of Physics lab experiments. More recently, I twice taught MAT211 Mathematics for Business Analysis at ASU West, which included a unit on statistics. In the 2014 summer session I taught MAT142 College Mathematics at South Mountain Community College, which also had a unit on statistics including the normal distribution. My approach is that of a working professional, having worked as a Research and Statistical Analyst for the State of Arizona.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

I have taught Trigonometry at South Mountain Community College and at Phoenix College. I have also tutored for math exams such as SAT Math level 2, which includes trig material. I also served as the instructor for a student who was taking Pre-calculus online, including ttigonometry. I have also tutored math and physics at Phoenix College, where I earned Level 1 CRLA certification as a tutor, and I have passed the NES test to be Highly Qualified teaching secondary mathematics through calculus.

Examples of Expertise


Richard has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

Richard K.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews


Rating

4.8 (112 ratings)
5 star
(102)
4 star
(4)
3 star
(4)
2 star
(2)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Knowledgable and a great tutor!

Richard is an awesome physics tutor. This was my first experience in a physics class (college level physics) and I certainly felt behind compared to the other students who had taken physics in high school. In a particularly challenging topic that can be very confusing at times, Richard is able to make sense of the material and convey it clearly to a beginner. He also teaches college physics and was able to provide me with worksheets and some other relevant materials that he uses for his classes. I was on the verge of getting a C in my physics class but thanks to Richard I was able to do well on the final and get a B.

Hannah, 3 lessons with Richard

Very knowledgeable and helpful.

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Chris, 3 lessons with Richard

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Richard is teaching calculus to my son who is a freshman in college. He is a very patient and knowledgeable tutor and my son’s performance in his calculus class has improved greatly. I definitely recommend Richard to other students.

Shridevi, 26 lessons with Richard

Very knowledgeable

Richard helped me understand what I did wrong on a Calc II quiz. Some of it was just legit mistakes, but the part I was most concerned about related to the questions I did not understand. Richard explained it in away that helped me get it. I am actually excited to keep learning thanks to Richard.

JJ, 7 lessons with Richard

Excellent and organized help with Physics !!

We engaged Mr. Richard to teach my son AP Physics. We are glad having sought Richard's help as my son benefited immensely, enjoyed his excellent teaching methods and friendly nature. Richard is very helpful to my son when it came to understanding the concepts and breaking down the difficult ones into easy to understand steps. He provided great learning tools, which made learning the concepts clearer. He is very proficient in Physics, always patient to ensure the student understood the subject well, consistent and professional. He prepared for my son’s session very thoughtfully with his needs in mind, to ensure the session went well and his time was efficiently used. He is passionate about his student's success. We highly recommend Richard to any students who need help in Physics.

Srinivas, 40 lessons with Richard
Hourly Rate: $29
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