Middle school academic support and confidence-building tutoring

Jacob M.

I recently completed my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Science with a minor in Biology, and I am especially interested in helping middle school students build confidence in math, science, reading, writing, homework completion, study skills, and organization. Science and math have always been strong academic areas for me, supported by my biology coursework and by earning a 790/800 on the SAT Math section in high school. I enjoy helping students understand concepts by connecting them to real examples, breaking problems into manageable steps, and checking that they truly understand the process rather than just memorizing answers.

For the past five years, I have worked with middle school students through Ave Crux, a middle school program connected with Saint Francis High School in Mountain View. My experience has included teacher assisting, substitute teaching, leading student groups, mentoring, and teaching in both classroom and small-group settings. I have worked with students who need help staying organized, building academic confidence, focusing through assignments, and understanding material that may not have clicked the first time. This experience has taught me how to adjust my explanations based on the individual student rather than using one approach for everyone.

My tutoring style is patient, structured, and encouraging. I try to create a calm environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and working through challenges. I care deeply about helping each student as an individual, and my goal is not only to improve grades or complete assignments, but to help students feel more capable, confident, and supported in their learning.