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Caltech grad teaches math and coding the way your brain wants to learn
Michael M.

4.9 (112 ratings)

485 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $60
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About Michael

Bio

Hi, I’m Mike. I had an early love of math and coding, winning a national award in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search in my senior year of high school. I graduated from Caltech and then worked at NASA for 16 years where I fit naturally into the role of teaching the rocket scientists how to code. After that, I moved on to tutoring students in middle and high school, and college. I’ve been teaching coding and math for over 10 years. I’m passionate about teaching!

Most tutors see their job...

Hi, I’m Mike. I had an early love of math and coding, winning a national award in the Westinghouse Science Talent Search in my senior year of high school. I graduated from Caltech and then worked at NASA for 16 years where I fit naturally into the role of teaching the rocket scientists how to code. After that, I moved on to tutoring students in middle and high school, and college. I’ve been teaching coding and math for over 10 years. I’m passionate about teaching!

Most tutors see their job as explaining how to solve the problem. I certainly can explain problems to you, but more than that, I help you become a teacher to yourself. You’ll gain the skills to solve problems on your own without me, like when you’re taking a test.

Here are some of the learning strategies I teach:
- Become the teacher yourself. Explain the problem to me. This is a powerful way to build confidence in your knowledge.
- Use spaced repetition, which is reviewing key information at regular intervals. I’ll help you make flashcards to do this.

Students often feel tripped up by problems that look unfamiliar. I give you the tools to shift into Problem-Solving Mode -- instead of thinking of math and programming problems as rote memorization, you’ll start thinking of them as puzzles to be explored and cracked.

Here are some of the techniques to get into Problem-Solving Mode:
- First identify what looks familiar.
- Solve a simpler problem before going on to the whole solution.
- Be bold. Experiment and get things wrong at first.

Beyond getting better at math and coding, my students learn to have a “growth mindset.” I can help you meet challenges head-on, get up and keep going when you fall down, and learn from mistakes rather than thinking you’re “no good” at math or coding. Persistent effort is more important than talent. I celebrate every small win with you.

If this sounds good to you, you can also scroll down to Examples of Expertise to see and hear me teach!

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Education

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Computer Science

Policies

  • Tutor’s lessons: In-person
  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: Get the benefits of in-person tutoring at your home - at no extra charge.
  • Travel policy: Within 11 miles of Pasadena, CA 91101
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 4/12/2017

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I have a degree in math and computer science from Caltech, and I’ve been tutoring in math for over 10 years. I love teaching Algebra I because it’s often a math student’s first exposure to abstract thinking. I can help them understand it and even enjoy it.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

With a degree in math and computer science from Caltech and over 10 years tutoring students in math, I’m well-qualified to teach Algebra II. Algebra II builds on the complex, higher-level thinking of Algebra I. I can help students strengthen their foundational skills in algebra so that they succeed at and even enjoy Algebra II.
Computer Programming

Computer Programming

I first discovered computer programming when I was 10 years old, working with a primitive type of home computer in the late 70’s. I went on to get a degree in computer science from Caltech and have been teaching different computer languages for over 10 years now.
Computer Science

Computer Science

I graduated from Caltech with a degree in math and computer science, and worked in the programming industry for 19 years, so I’m well-qualified to teach computer science to all ages of students. Computer science is important to many tech careers in the modern economy, and with my early love of the subject, I can help students learn to appreciate or even love computer science.
CSS

CSS

CSS is one of the simplest computer languages out there, but it’s important to building aesthetically pleasing websites. With my understanding of a range of computer languages, from simple to complex, my degree from Caltech, and my 16 years as a programmer at NASA, I’m well qualified to teach you CSS and show you the joys of pleasing websites.
HTML

HTML

HTML is a fundamental language for building websites. It’s a simpler language, but still has some features that are tricky for beginners. With my understanding of programming in a variety of languages and my degree from Caltech in computer science, I can help you build confidence in HTML.
Java

Java

I’ve been programming since I was a child and loved discovering Java in the 90’s. I have a degree from Caltech in computer science and have written code professionally at NASA for 16 years. Java is a language frequently found in academia and the industry, and I can help clarify it for you and help you to feel satisfied with your progress.
Precalculus

Precalculus

With a degree in math and computer science from Caltech and over 10 years tutoring students in math, I’m well-qualified to teach Precalculus. This is a great way to review and solidify what you learned in Algebra as well as gain advanced knowledge. Precalc can be quite satisfying to master–you may even come to enjoy it! I’ll help you get stronger in Precalculus and later Calculus, which are requirements for many college degrees and careers.
Python

Python

Python is a delightful programming language. It’s expressive and compact. With a degree in computer science from Caltech and 19 years of professional programming, I’m well-qualified to teach Python to beginners and advanced students alike.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

With a degree in math and computer science from Caltech and over 10 years tutoring students in math, I’m well-qualified to teach Trigonometry. Trigonometry can seem obtuse, but it’s an important skill for certain careers, like engineering. Even if a student isn’t planning on being an engineer, I can help them achieve competency. Students may even learn to appreciate and enjoy Trigonometry.

Examples of Expertise

Michael has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 7 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Michael ’s answers ›
Michael M.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (112 ratings)
5 star
(106)
4 star
(5)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Excellent and passionate Tutor

Michael is an excellent tutor, my son has been working with Michael for last few weeks and he has gained interest and confidence in solving mathematics problem and learning new concepts. He has improved on his grade and his approach towards mathematics has become very positive and passion.

Chandran, 9 lessons with Michael

Wonderful tutor!

My son has had weekly lessons with Michael for a year now and we are very happy to recommend him to any parent looking for a CS tutor. He has focused on building the concepts and intuition patiently and guided him to solve problems rather than provide solutions. He communicates and provides feedback regularly.

Anis, 7 lessons with Michael

Excellent tutor!

I love to work with Michael, he is patient and very knowledgeable. He has taught me different programing languages and makes sure that I understand what he is teaching before he moves forward in the lesson.

Aida, 27 lessons with Michael

Excellent teacher, very expansive.

Michael M. is a very nice and through teacher. He has taught all the needed concepts along the way and has his own curriculum. He lets the student to lead the way so that the student is engaged and learning.

Kaitlyn, 5 lessons with Michael

Great tutor!

This was a great lesson, Michael is very helpful and his lessons are very useful at helping me learn Elm. We went over a lot of what I was struggling on in my assignment and produced working code.

Esin, 6 lessons with Michael

Remarkable!

Mike is a rare find. He has helped my son (junior high schooler) already tremendously even in his first lesson. He is analytical and can quickly assess student's level of understanding. With that he was able to explain difficult matter to my son in a way he understood and appreciated. IMHO this is in part, if not entirely, due to his outstanding academic and professional training.

Steve, 1 lesson with Michael

excellent teacher

Michael has great patience to explain the python code he was showing me and helped me get on the right tract of using dicts and functions and main. I would strongly recommend!!

Roy, 1 lesson with Michael

patient

Michael and I had meet due to not understanding my assignment. We had gone over the pre-baked code and discussed ways to alter it. While discussing things Michael had caught on the my fundamental skills we’re not up to par. We went away from the assignment and started doing some skill drills and discussing the code. The reinforcement that Michael had given me helped highlight what I needed to do on the assignment.

Andrew, 3 lessons with Michael

Very knowledgeable!

Michael is an excellent Python teacher and great guy. He made the concepts clear and I learned a lot in our session. I look forward to working with him in the future.

Brian, 1 lesson with Michael

Received immediate help!

Michael helped AP Computer Science programming HW. My daughter completed programming but found that it was not working. We requested help at 4pm in the morning and was readily available to help. Within a short time, he helped her figure out the problem. He provided a wonderful help for us! We will definitely contact him next time.

Sara, 1 lesson with Michael
Hourly Rate: $60
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