Math and literature lover helping those that hate those subjects.

Raymond M.

I have a bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA from UC Riverside. Through those educational programs, I have gained and enhanced math, reading, writing, communication, presentation, and computer skills. I also have experience tutoring students, mostly in algebra and geometry for the GED and for college work. However, I have quite a bit of experience in helping students tailor essays and research papers for college.

The age of students I have worked with ranges from early 20s to late 60s. All of my students have been adult students, but I can work with younger students. I utilize motivational interviewing in my sessions with students. From experience, a great deal of what holds students back is not their talent or ability to learn and grasp subjects, but more their lack of confidence. Through motivational interviewing, I am able to find what they are passionate about and what their strengths are and use that to propel their confidence and forward momentum.

Beyond that, I take a relaxed, laid-back approach. That does not mean I don't work with a sense of urgency, especially if students have concepts or projects that need to be handled quickly, it simply means that I do not see the value in adding pressure to any student by teaching in a manner that communicates a need for the student to understand the material fully in one second. It's okay to make mistakes, it's okay to ask questions, and it's okay to have to take a step backward from time to time because that is the learning process.

I have tutored for 4 years formally, but I have done it informally for an additional 3 years because I worked as an aide to recreational therapists that worked with mental health patients, and I often taught and guided these participants through art projects, theatre games, workout routines, etc.

I look forward to working with any student that may be struggling and only needs some guidance and encouragement to excel.