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Experienced Caltech Grad Teaches Math and Coding
Michael M.

496 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $80
Response time: 5 hours

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 with a degree in computer science and then worked at NASA as a programmer where I fit naturally into the role of teaching the rocket scientists how to code. After that, I moved on to tutoring math and coding.

I have decades of experience with programming and 12 years of experience making math and coding easy for...

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 with a degree in computer science and then worked at NASA as a programmer where I fit naturally into the role of teaching the rocket scientists how to code. After that, I moved on to tutoring math and coding.

I have decades of experience with programming and 12 years of experience making math and coding easy for middle school/high school students. I give your student tools to thrive on their own even after they are done with lessons: note-taking strategies, flashcard strategies, good thinking habits, and ways to apply imagination.

I’m calm, warm, and supportive. I celebrate every small win with my students.


Education

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
Computer Science

Policies

  • Tutor’s lessons: In-person
  • Hourly Rate: $80
  • Rate details: If you come to my home for in-person lessons, rate will be $65/hour.
  • 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 12 years. I love teaching Algebra I because it’s often a math student’s first exposure to abstract thinking. I can help your student understand it and even enjoy it.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

With a degree in math and computer science from Caltech and 12 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 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 12 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.
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 12 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.

Michael M.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Michael before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Michael
Response time: 5 hours

Ratings and Reviews


Rating

4.9 (113 ratings)
5 star
(107)
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: $80
Response time: 5 hours
Contact Michael