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Gary P.

Astrophysicist that teaches students to reach the stars

Astrophysicist that teaches students to reach the stars

$140/hour

5.0 (393 ratings)

About Gary

Bio

I was a postdoctoral fellow in particle/nuclear physics at the California Institute of Technology for three years, after which I became a research scientist in astrophysics at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory where I studied the early universe and dark matter for 12 years. During my PhD, I spent two years as a volunteer physics teacher at Chancellor College in the country of Malawi, where I taught electromagnetism and classical mechanics.

My teaching style is a mixture of a) discussions that...

I was a postdoctoral fellow in particle/nuclear physics at the California Institute of Technology for three years, after which I became a research scientist in astrophysics at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory where I studied the early universe and dark matter for 12 years. During my PhD, I spent two years as a volunteer physics teacher at Chancellor College in the country of Malawi, where I taught electromagnetism and classical mechanics.

My teaching style is a mixture of a) discussions that link physical concepts to day-to-day experiences, b) explicit, visual, step-by-step examples of solving physics and math problems, c) returning to the same physical concepts in different contexts to deepen the understanding of the student.

My guaranties to the student are: 1) I will prepare individualized lessons before the meeting; 2) I will always answer your specific questions first before proceeding to the lesson plan; 3) I will match my teaching style to your learning style while suggesting ways to improve your study habits.

My hope is that in the long term, the student will retain and apply the scientific concepts that were taught, and that I will have contributed to the student becoming a lifelong learner.

As a theoretical physicist, I am fluent in the language of nature which is mathematics. As a researcher in astrophysics, I have solved every physics differential equations, from Navier-Stokes, Maxwell's, Euler-Lagrange, Einstein's, Schrodinger, you name it. I have done so using analytical and numerical methods, and can explain how to solve any particular equation or set of equations, in a step-by-step, explicit and clear fashion.

As a human being, I have a lot of empathy for people trying to learn and, sometimes, feeling overwhelmed; I strive to match my teaching style to the student's learning style to hit a 'learning resonance'. I understand the philosophical underpinnings of the laws of nature, and I can explain them to students in a non-mathematical fashion.

If you are in need of assistance with scientific/mathematical concepts and methods, write me about your issues, and I will quickly reply with suggestions and a few questions to help me prepare the right lesson plan for you.

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Education

University of Toronto
Masters
College of William and Mary (Physics)
PhD

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $140
  • Rate details: A lesson must be cancelled at least 6 hours in advance to avoid being charged for the entire scheduled lesson.
  • Lesson cancellation: 6 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 7/28/2018

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Subjects

Corporate Training

Statistics

Statistics

I aced all my statistics courses as an undergrad and graduate student. As a NASA researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I spent the last ten years simulating and analyzing astrophysical data using statistical methods.

Homeschool

Calculus,

Calculus

As a researcher (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab), I have used calculus throughout my professional life. I can reveal the meaning behind the method, and teach you how to solve apparently daunting calculus problems.
Physics,

Physics

I have taught physics to students of various backgrounds and preparation levels. After 12 years as a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (astrophysics/dark matter), 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech (nuclear/particle physics), and 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (nuclear/particle physics), I have developed a deep, intuitive and mathematical understanding of physics that I enjoy sharing with my students.
Statistics

Statistics

I aced all my statistics courses as an undergrad and graduate student. As a NASA researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I spent the last ten years simulating and analyzing astrophysical data using statistical methods.

Math

Calculus,

Calculus

As a researcher (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab), I have used calculus throughout my professional life. I can reveal the meaning behind the method, and teach you how to solve apparently daunting calculus problems.
Differential Equations,

Differential Equations

As a researcher (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab), solving differential equations analytically or numerically is part of what I do on a daily basis. I taught students how to solve differential equations and I can help you become proficient in the subject.
Linear Algebra,

Linear Algebra

As a researcher (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab), I have solved a lot of linear algebra problems, numerically and analytically, and I can explain the why (e.g., why is linear algebra useful), the what (e.g., what is a null space) and the how (e.g., how do I solve this matrix problem).
Physics,

Physics

I have taught physics to students of various backgrounds and preparation levels. After 12 years as a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (astrophysics/dark matter), 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech (nuclear/particle physics), and 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (nuclear/particle physics), I have developed a deep, intuitive and mathematical understanding of physics that I enjoy sharing with my students.
Statistics,

Statistics

I aced all my statistics courses as an undergrad and graduate student. As a NASA researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I spent the last ten years simulating and analyzing astrophysical data using statistical methods.
Probability

Most Popular

Calculus,

Calculus

As a researcher (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab), I have used calculus throughout my professional life. I can reveal the meaning behind the method, and teach you how to solve apparently daunting calculus problems.
Physics,

Physics

I have taught physics to students of various backgrounds and preparation levels. After 12 years as a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (astrophysics/dark matter), 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech (nuclear/particle physics), and 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (nuclear/particle physics), I have developed a deep, intuitive and mathematical understanding of physics that I enjoy sharing with my students.
Statistics

Statistics

I aced all my statistics courses as an undergrad and graduate student. As a NASA researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I spent the last ten years simulating and analyzing astrophysical data using statistical methods.

Science

Physical Science,

Physical Science

The physical sciences are more about questions than answers. As a physicist (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab) who enjoys teaching, I can communicate in simple terms, with examples, the meaning behind the formulas as well as show you how to solve physical science problems.
Physics,

Physics

I have taught physics to students of various backgrounds and preparation levels. After 12 years as a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (astrophysics/dark matter), 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech (nuclear/particle physics), and 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (nuclear/particle physics), I have developed a deep, intuitive and mathematical understanding of physics that I enjoy sharing with my students.
Astronomy

Summer

Calculus,

Calculus

As a researcher (NASA, Caltech, Jefferson Lab), I have used calculus throughout my professional life. I can reveal the meaning behind the method, and teach you how to solve apparently daunting calculus problems.
Physics,

Physics

I have taught physics to students of various backgrounds and preparation levels. After 12 years as a research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (astrophysics/dark matter), 3 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Caltech (nuclear/particle physics), and 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (nuclear/particle physics), I have developed a deep, intuitive and mathematical understanding of physics that I enjoy sharing with my students.
Statistics

Statistics

I aced all my statistics courses as an undergrad and graduate student. As a NASA researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, I spent the last ten years simulating and analyzing astrophysical data using statistical methods.

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (393 ratings)
5 star
(391)
4 star
(1)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

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All reviews

Wealth of Knowledge

Have not been able to stump Professor Gary yet. He has been an invaluable resource for my son who is a 3rd year Physics major at one of the toughest programs in the country. He has helped with everything from Mechanics to Electricity and Magnetism to Quantum Mechanics. Haven’t been able to stump him yet.

Lisa, 4 lessons with Gary

Very Efficient

We highly recommend Gary as a physics tutor as we found him through the top reviews on Wyzant and he never disappointed. He was highly confident he could raise my daughters score in under 2weeks for SAT physics and he was very efficient in guidance and tutelage by fortifying some of the needed areas and also giving challenging problems to steer her into the right direction. She was able to do the rest, and a perfect denouement of her achieving almost a full score in one of the hardest SAT subject (physics). We were thrilled.

Ivan, 6 lessons with Gary

Very knowledgeable

Gary was able to answer questions I have not been able to find anyone else who could answer. He is very facile with advanced physics and mathematics. I would highly recommend him.

Ren, 2 lessons with Gary

Knowledgeable teacher!

Gary is the best tutor I have met. He helps me with my Quantum Mechanics right now. He is incredibly knowledgeable and can answer immediately no matter what kind of questions I ask. He helps me go through many difficult lectures. When I feel confused for some difficult concepts, he very patiently and nicely explains them until I understand everything. He is a super super great teacher!

Steffeny, 71 lessons with Gary

Rocket science research paper

Gary was so helpful to my son on hisRocket science research paper. His explanations of complex topics are clear and easy to understand. My son thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

LeMoy, 4 lessons with Gary

Incredibly patient, helpful, and knowledgeable tutor

I am a college freshman taking calculus based physics (Thermodynamics and Optics) and felt completely, utterly lost and desperate in the class. I had a midterm approaching in four days and felt that I knew nothing and would fail. I was even considering dropping the class. I decided to try and work through it with a tutor though, and I am so grateful I did. Gary has been an incredibly helpful tutor for me. In a single two hour session he was able to make me feel so much more confident, confident enough that I decided to not drop. After a second session the day before the midterm, I actually felt pretty well prepared, a truly extraordinary difference compared to how I was feeling only a couple days earlier. Gary was not only very knowledgeable (there wasn't a single question I had that he didn't have a very clear, well-explained answer for), but he was also very patient with me when I struggled to understand a concept. He also worked to make sure I truly understood the concepts, asking me to work out problems myself as he watched and pointing me in the right direction instead of simply doing problems for me. It was also impressive how effective and efficient he was in helping me understand concepts and gain confidence. With a midterm fast approaching I didn't have time to waste, and Gary more than delivered, helping me understand the physics concepts, as well as the complicated math behind it, in an incredibly tight time frame. Overall I could not have done it without Gary's help. I was able to not only pass the midterm, but actually did better than average. Considering how I felt before our tutoring sessions, such a score was something that seemed impossible; but Gary helped make it possible and I am incredibly grateful for his help not only on the midterm, but also in showing me that yes, I can in fact handle this class :)

Nancy, 2 lessons with Gary

Gary is extremely knowledgeable and friendly

Gary broke down complex concepts in chemical and petroleum engineering and explained it to me from basic principles. I feel Gary has a deep understanding of physics and math concepts.

Shanker, 7 lessons with Gary

Awesome and knowledgeable tutor

Will absolutely work with him again! He was so knowledgeable while also being patient and taking the time to help me learn. Gary was approachable and just a kind person. I learned so much and revived an A on my exam following our session!

Caroline, 1 lesson with Gary

Great Teacher!!

Gary helped my 10th grade prepared for National Astronomy Olympiad. He is very knowledgeable and he is always well prepared for the lesson. Learning with him is not only gaining the knowledge of the subject but also learning an organized way to study a new subject. Highly recommend .

Vivian, 6 lessons with Gary

Very knowledgeably and patient.

Gary helped my son with AP Physics. He was thorough and able to break the concepts down in a way that was very digestible for my son. My son enjoyed working with Gary and would recommend him.

Andrea, 6 lessons with Gary
Contact Gary

Response time: 1 hour

$140/hour

Gary P.

$140/hour

  • No subscriptions or upfront payments

  • Only pay for the time you need

  • Find the right fit, or your first hour is free

Contact Gary

Response time: 1 hour