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Expert in computer sci & HS math for personalized, supportive tutoring
Jordan J.

5.0 (53 ratings)

258 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $96
Contact Jordan
Response time: 5 hours

About Jordan

Bio

Hi, I'm Jordan! I'm a credentialed math teacher with 18+ years’ experience teaching and tutoring (mostly in my own grade 8–12 classroom), teaching programming, geometry, algebra, precalculus, and trigonometry. I'm fluent in Spanish; I tutor & teach in Spanish, too.

I believe in mutual respect and graceful cooperation in learning: as a student, you get to make your own decisions about where to put your attention and efforts. This requires a clear picture of both the subject matter and your...

Hi, I'm Jordan! I'm a credentialed math teacher with 18+ years’ experience teaching and tutoring (mostly in my own grade 8–12 classroom), teaching programming, geometry, algebra, precalculus, and trigonometry. I'm fluent in Spanish; I tutor & teach in Spanish, too.

I believe in mutual respect and graceful cooperation in learning: as a student, you get to make your own decisions about where to put your attention and efforts. This requires a clear picture of both the subject matter and your own understanding, and I can give you that picture. I am good at identifying students’ strengths and uncovering the misunderstandings and confusion that we can learn from. I’ve been a community chorus director for 10+ years, too, and from teaching singers, I’ve learned to be supportive when learners feel intensely vulnerable around their abilities. I love tutoring and teaching because I get to see familiar subjects through my students’ eyes. Learning can be delightful and empowering, and I feel honored every time I get to share that experience.

From years of studying and writing curriculum, I know multiple ways to explain many high-school math topics. I use neat and clear diagrams, and can switch between formal math and plain talk. I participate regularly in the Monterey Bay Area Math Project's teacher workshops.

I've taught computer science (CS) and programming to high-school and college students for 15+ years. I'm fluent in mainstream languages (Java/C/Python), Web languages (HTML/CSS/JS), and teaching languages (Racket/Scheme/Scratch).

In addition to my California credential, I hold a B.A. (magna cum laude) in CS and Spanish and an M.S. in CS. More than just a STEM teacher, I’m in Phi Beta Kappa and committed to being well-rounded. I love learning what skills and interests my students bring to their math work, and supporting students in meeting their academic goals.

I'm happy to answer any questions you have, and I look forward to talking with you. Reach out and let's schedule a lesson!

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Education

Indiana University Bloomington
Comp Sci and Spanish
University of California Santa Cruz
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Additional Languages

Spanish

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $96
  • Rate details: I also do group sessions for up to four students, at a lower per-student rate. Cancellation fee 50% with less than 24h notice, 100% for no-show.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Computer Programming

Computer Programming

I have been teaching computer science for 15+ years and tutoring students at HS and university level. My specializations are in intro CS, functional programming, programming languages, compilers & interpreters, and databases.
Computer Science

Computer Science

For 15+ years I've taught students (middle-school, high-school, and university) how to design programs and solve problems in computer science. I've taught programming at charter and private schools, and been a TA and grader for undergrad and graduate classes in CS. I have also coded many web sites from scratch, and I wrote the hypertext cookies library now distributed with the Racket language and used by other Racket programmers around the world.
Discrete Math

Discrete Math

Discrete math is my favorite of all the math subjects! I've used discrete math in computer science for analyzing how fast an algorithm runs and how much memory it needs, as well as for proving theorems in graph theory and set theory. I've tutored computer-science students in discrete math. I have taken graduate courses in combinatorial algorithms and combinatorics, which use discrete math heavily, and I have studied discrete calculus in addition to the more basic discrete topics of probability, set theory, and Boolean algebra.
Ear Training

Ear Training

I studied clarinet and saxophone at a major music school (Indiana University). More recently, for ten years I directed a community chorus in which I taught dozens of untrained singers to recognize intervals and tune chords by ear. Having worked with a lot of musicians over the past three decades and witnessed the difficulties that music students often have with ear training, I know the benefits & pitfalls of typical ear-training pedagogy, and I use kinesthetic techniques and music that's familiar to you to make it easier for you to remember what you learn. My practical experience comes from singing & teaching barbershop harmony, an art form where teaching & learning by ear is routine--as arranger Deke Sharon says, it's "black belt" level harmony singing!
Geometry

Geometry

I've taught geometry for 11+ years, and have designed a lot of curriculum materials for geometry. Of all the high-school math courses, it is my favorite, and I enjoy teaching students about constructions, logic, and proofs.
Logic

Logic

I have ample experience using mathematical logic in computer science. I have taught students Boolean algebra in CS classes and theorem proving in geometry. I've shown students how to use truth tables to analyze logical expressions, and I enjoy showing students how the familiar laws of algebra (e.g., distributivity, commutativity) apply to Boolean operators as well. I've also written numerous proofs in math and CS: I've had to use logic to write proofs of algorithm correctness and termination, proofs of type-system soundness, and proofs of theorems from geometry, graph theory, and game theory. I have written interpreters and compilers for programming languages, which requires studying how to implement logic-related language features like conditional expressions and statements, Boolean operators, and control-flow operators.
Music Theory

Music Theory

I got straight As in my college music theory classes, and since then have been a practical user of music theory. For 10+ years I directed a community chorus and taught adults with no formal training to read rhythms and pitches, and to recognize harmonies. Over the years I have arranged 40+ songs for vocal groups, so I have a good feel for how the material is used in practice.
Sight Singing

Sight Singing

I have sung with 10+ barbershop quartets and other a cappella groups, and taught dozens of singers to read music. I also earned As in three semesters of sight singing and ear training classes at a major music school (Indiana University). Sight singing includes reading rhythms, identifying key signatures, and reading pitches; I have reliable, tested techniques for teaching all three of those important musical skills.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

I have taught pre-calculus (including trigonometry) and other high-school math subjects for over fifteen years. I've worked with trigonometric functions for animation, woodworking, and video game mechanics, so I can also speak to practical applications of the math. Lastly, I've also studied trig functions in the context of acoustics and music, where we use them to model sound (& electrical) waves--another practical application.
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (53 ratings)
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Reviews

Knowledgeable, patient, and accessible tutor.

Very patient tutor who is accessible to students of all levels. He is highly experienced in communicating and adapts very quickly to different needs. It is clear that he has a very strong theoretical foundation which he employs very effectively to explain and work through problems with students; most importantly, Jordan cares a lot about the quality of his teaching.

Amelia, 19 lessons with Jordan

Passionate and knowledgeable

I wish I had gone to Jordan sooner. Not only is he a professional in the Racket programming language, but his teaching style was also exceptional. For every session he was able to break down every question I had in such a clear and succinct way. Jordan had also prepared a lesson plan before each session that were designed to work through my weaknesses. He made what appeared to be a daunting course, both fun and engaging. Through his commitment to teaching I was able to catch up in my course.

John, 26 lessons with Jordan

Great Scheme tutor!

Jordan was prepared for the assignment that I had sent him before scheduling the lesson. He had examples ready and efficiently taught me concepts of Scheme! I would highly recommend him for any and all DrRacket related problems and assignments!

Brian, 2 lessons with Jordan

GOAT for Scheme/DrRacket

I am super grateful to have found Jordan this semester after struggling so hard with Scheme concepts. This subject can be a bit esoteric, so I was finally able to get the help I needed. His tutoring made all the difference in helping me pass such a difficult course.

Julia, 7 lessons with Jordan

great tutor who saved my grades for the hardest class in my major

Jordan J really makes you think about the problem. I tend to struggle on recursion and he forces you to think about the problem step by step. He focuses less on the actual code and instead guiding you on changing your approach so you can approach other problems. Also, he is extremely patient and really explains things step by step. I highly recommend him for those who need help in Scheme and Dr Racket.

Vijaya, 37 lessons with Jordan
Hourly Rate: $96
Response time: 5 hours
Contact Jordan