Search
Ryan K.'s Photo

Former HCPS Teacher Specializing in SAT Prep & Algebra Tutoring
Ryan K.

4.9 (715 ratings)

2,118 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $70
Contact Ryan
Response time: 12 minutes

About Ryan

Bio

Hello, I’m Ryan. I am a former Hillsborough County Public Schools educator currently working in the finance industry, with more than a decade of experience specializing in SAT preparation and mathematics instruction, particularly Algebra.

I previously held Florida teaching certifications in Mathematics (Grades 5–9), Chemistry (Grades 6–12), and Exceptional Student Education (Grades K–12). In 2010, as a high school junior, I earned a perfect 800 on the SAT Mathematics section, along with...

Hello, I’m Ryan. I am a former Hillsborough County Public Schools educator currently working in the finance industry, with more than a decade of experience specializing in SAT preparation and mathematics instruction, particularly Algebra.

I previously held Florida teaching certifications in Mathematics (Grades 5–9), Chemistry (Grades 6–12), and Exceptional Student Education (Grades K–12). In 2010, as a high school junior, I earned a perfect 800 on the SAT Mathematics section, along with scores of 670 in Critical Reading and 710 in Writing, including a 9/10 on the essay portion, for a composite score of 2180/2400 (98th percentile), equivalent to approximately a 1510 on the current SAT scale.

Since 2012, I have worked extensively with students preparing for the SAT and strengthening their mathematical foundations. My instruction emphasizes not only subject mastery, but also the development of disciplined problem-solving skills, efficient test-taking strategies, and confidence under timed conditions.

My tutoring model is highly structured and individualized, drawing upon research-supported learning principles such as active recall and spaced repetition. Students submit missed questions from assignments, practice tests, and official SAT materials, which are then transformed into personalized review resources designed to reinforce conceptual understanding and improve long-term retention.

Sessions are conducted remotely or from my home office in the Carrollwood area of Tampa. Most students meet once per week and receive individualized assignments and guided review between sessions to maintain accountability and ensure steady academic progress.

For families seeking a rigorous, methodical, and results-driven approach to SAT preparation and mathematics instruction, I offer a program grounded in experience, organization, and measurable student growth.

Read more

Education

The University of South Florida
BS Health Sciences and BS Finance

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $70
  • Rate details: Cancellations with fewer than 12 hours' notice will be charged for the entire session. 12+ hour cancellation will result in a 50% charge.
  • Lesson cancellation: 12 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 5/17/2021

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Ryan hasn’t set a schedule.

We’re having trouble loading this schedule right now. Please try again later.

Approved Subjects

Algebra 1

Algebra 1

My first paid job tutoring algebra I students came while I was in college at The OSU back in 2012. In this time, I tutored thirty-four students in algebra one while working for The Tutoring Club of Hilliard in Ohio. My bosses at The Tutoring Club taught me several different ways to teach the exact same algebraic principles. If a student is having trouble understanding a concept or problem, I pride myself in my ability to alter my explanation of that concept or problem. This may sound simple, but it is a skill that has taken me years to master. As a peer tutor in high school, I helped middle school students taking honors algebra one along with freshman taking algebra one. Aside from pre-algebra, algebra one is the first subject I ever tutored. After my sophomore year of high school, I stopped tutoring for algebra one. More students needed help in algebra two than algebra one and fewer students were capable of tutoring for the subject. Starting my junior year, algebra II was the lowest level mathematics class that I tutored. Since moving down to Florida in 2015, I've tutored a hundred more teens and tweens in algebra one. Overall, I've tutored between about 300 students in algebra. I have held more one-on-one sessions with algebra one students than I have for any other subject. Having tutored for this subject in New Jersey, Ohio, and Florida, I've found that an algebra one class is more or less the same no matter where one goes to school. I know which material is taught and in which order said material is presented. I'm extremely confident in my tutoring abilities in this subject; if you choose me as your tutor, you will see why.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

My first paid job where I tutored algebra II students was the first job I ever had as a college student. I tutored twenty-two students in algebra II while working for The Tutoring Club of Hilliard. During high school in the late 00's, I was a peer tutor for twelve algebra II students. Since moving to Florida in 2013, I've tutored at least 100 more high school algebra II students or college students taking intermediate or college algebra. I have over 400 hours of experience tutoring students in these three courses combined. The material taught in this class varies from state to state and even from school district to school district. Some algebra II classes include topics that other algebra two classes do not. For example, some algebra II classes have a chapter on trigonometry while others do not. In honors algebra II classes, teachers have more freedom to teach what they want. After covering all of the required material, an algebra II teacher can and will throw a wide array of different subjects at his or her students. No matter which topics are included in your algebra II class, I know that I'll be familiar with all of them. Additionally, I know in which order these topics are normally presented. I have experience tutoring for algebra on the collegiate level as well. I've tutored several college-aged students and a few middle-aged adults in intermediate or college algebra (mostly college algebra). The material taught in intermediate algebra is extremely similar to what is taught in a "regular" or "honors" high school algebra II class. College algebra takes things one step further; it is comprised of much of the same material that is taught to high school students during the second semester of an IB level algebra II class. As well as helping students already taking algebra, I also have a lot of experience tutoring for both the math PERT and mathematics portion of the ASVAB. The PERT is simply a mathematics placement test. One must earn a 76%-81% to place into intermediate algebra and 82% or higher to place
Basketball

Basketball

In the Summer of 2026, I worked at a camp with my high school basketball team walking campers through drills and supervising scrimmages. I have been playing AAU in and around Tampa, FL for about 10 years, and I first joined a high school varsity squad as a sophomore. Are you seeking to help your child improve their basketball skills while building confidence and having fun? I offer one-on-one and small-group basketball instruction for boys and girls of all skill levels. Lessons Focus On: Ball handling and dribbling Shooting mechanics Passing and court vision Footwork and defense Conditioning and basketball IQ Confidence and sportsmanship Whether your child is just learning the fundamentals or preparing for school or a recreational league basketball, each lesson is tailored to their age and skill level. Available for: Elementary and middle school players Individual or small-group sessions Flexible scheduling If you're interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out for more information or to schedule a lesson! I ONLY CHARGE $50 PER HOUR FOR ASSISTANCE WITH BASKETBALL!
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

Pre-algebra is my absolute favorite mathematics course to tutor. It is truly a transitional course from elementary to secondary level mathematics. This transition can be a difficult one. For the first time, students are seeing variables (letters) in their math classes. This can be confusing for some students; it comes very easily to others. I began tutoring students in pre-algebra in 2008 when I was a freshman in high school. I volunteered through the National Honors Society to go to the local middle school once a week after school to help middle school students with elementary math, pre-algebra and honors algebra one. As a peer tutor in high school, I helped several middle school students in pre-algebra throughout my freshman year of high school. While working for The Tutoring Club of Hilliard, I tutored exactly eighteen students in pre-algebra. Since moving down here to Florida, I've added about another 100 more students to my "pre-algebra student list". When students start to understand the concepts taught in pre-algebra, they really start to view mathematics in an entirely different way. A similar change in thinking takes place after one completes pre-calculus and then again after one finishes calculus. As a tutor, I love to see my students start to see mathematics differently. My pre-algebra students always do well in their classes. I know exactly what material is taught in this class and, more importantly, the order in which it is presented. My main goal as a pre-algebra tutor is to make "math-haters" into "math-lovers". If children get through pre-algebra and still do not like mathematics, it is likely that they will never enjoy the subject.
PSAT

PSAT

The PSAT is extraordinarily similar to the SAT. The style of reading/writing questions are exactly the same; they are generally just a bit easier. While the questions within the PSAT's mathematics modules are a bit easier and cover a narrower range of concepts, they are also extremely similar to the questions found on the SAT. I've tutored dozens of students specifically for the PSAT. Almost all of my PSAT students later utilized my services for the SAT. Most of my former PSAT students were freshmen or sophomores in high school. It is excellent for high school freshmen and sophomores to take the PSAT to see where they stand. However, when it comes to prepping, I urge my older students and their parents to focus on the SAT rather than the PSAT. PSAT scores do not count for much; they can help students qualify for AP courses and get small college scholarships, but one's actual SAT score is much more critical. When it comes to the PSAT, the most important thing to learn in regard to reading/writing are the different question types and how to best approach them. When it comes to mathematics, learning when and how to utilize DESMOS is of the utmost importance. If you or your child is seeking a higher PSAT score or want to prepare for the PSAT prior to taking it for the first time, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I have spent over 1500 hours prepping students for SAT math specifically and personally earned a perfect 800 back in 2010 as a junior in high school. My students create what I refer to as SAT math flashcards, which contain the specific problems that the student got incorrect while completing practice modules for homework. Stated simply, one must acquire and properly review as many SAT math flashcards as possible to do well on the SAT's math section. Those who genuinely follow my program always see their scores increase.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

Since 2012, I have spent over 1000 hours assisting students preparing for the SAT’s reading/writing modules. Personally, my combined scores on the SAT's reading comprehension and writing sections from I earned in 2010 as a junior in high school average out to 710/800. A lot has changed since then. The essay is gone and the writing section is no more. The entire test has twice been overhauled completely. I have kept up with all of the changes and altered my approach to prep accordingly. The digital SAT only has a handful of different types of reading/writing questions, and they always appear in the same order on the test: vocabulary, dual-text, main purpose, complete the passage, table/graph, grammar, transition, and research. The College Board breaks the question types up differently than I do, but I have found that students who familiarize themselves with these eight question types excel in SAT reading/writing. I teach my students how to approach each question type both quickly and efficiently. The key to success lies in the creation and review of SAT reading/writing flashcards. Stated simply, students glue the questions they originally answered incorrectly onto index cards. Then, during our sessions, students write the answer explanations for each question on the backsides of each respective index card. Creating, and more importantly, memorizing SAT flashcards is the key to my SAT prep approach. For most question types, I show my students how to categorize the answer choices into maybes and nos, and then using information gathered from the passage, choose the most logical answer choice from the choices labeled maybe. For some question types, I show students how to start reading in the middle of the passage. For research questions, I teach my students to delve right into the answer choices without reading the bulleted list. There are numerous generalities and approaches applicable to the different question types, and while I am not going to describe them all here, if you decide to bring me on as your SAT pre
Series 63

Series 63

While I have never officially taken the Series 66, I have taken both the Series 63 and 65, which together, give one the exact same qualifications as the Series 66. When I entered the financial industry in 2024, shortly after taking the SIE, I took the Series 65, passing on my first try. After gaining some experience in the industry, I sat for the Series 63, earning a passing score on my first attempt. While I was sponsored by my employer when I sat for these tests, one does not have to be. If one hopes to gain a foothold in the financial industry, taking the Series 63 or 66 after passing the SIE is a great way to set oneself apart from the competition. I have assisted a handful of college seniors majoring in finance in preparing to take the Series 63, Series 65, or Series 66. All have passed on their first attempt. Familiarizing oneself with the material on these tests through the use of flashcards is a key component to my approach to prep. Reading and efficiently taking notes is also extremely important.
Series 66

Series 66

While I have never officially taken the Series 66, I have taken both the Series 63 and 65, which together, give one the exact same qualifications as the Series 66. When I entered the financial industry in 2024, shortly after taking the SIE, I took the Series 65, passing on my first try. After gaining some experience in the industry, I sat for the Series 63, earning a passing score on my first attempt. While I was sponsored by my employer when I sat for these tests, one does not have to be. If one hopes to gain a foothold in the financial industry, taking the Series 63 or 66 after passing the SIE is a great way to set oneself apart from the competition. I have assisted a handful of college seniors majoring in finance in preparing to take the Series 63, Series 65, or Series 66. All have passed on their first attempt. Familiarizing oneself with the material on these tests through the use of flashcards is a key component to my approach to prep. Reading and efficiently taking notes is also extremely important.
Series 7

Series 7

I took the Series 7 at the beginning of 2025 upon accepting employment with Morgan Stanley. While one technically requires employer sponsorship to sit for the Series 7, there are ways for unemployed individuals and students to sit for the exam. Applying to an entry level finance position after having obtained the Series 7 sets one bounds and leagues ahead of the majority of the competition. To date, I have only assisted one student prepare for the Series 7. He passed on his first attempt and later became employed with Goldman Sachs. The Series 7 contains a rather broad list of concepts. One needs to know how to do relatively complex calculations, specifically those related to options, and one must also memorize copious amounts of information. The Series 7 is definitely not an easy test. I ask my students to read through a specific textbook and show them how to best take notes. I also have them create flashcards using the questions they answered incorrectly on practice tests / modules. If you want to set yourself apart from the competition but are not sure how, please send me a message, and I would be more than happy to talk things over with you.
SIE Exam (Securities)

SIE Exam (Securities)

When I entered the financial industry in 2024, one of the first things I did was study for and take the SIE. While I was sponsored by my employer, anyone seeking to gain a foothold in the financial industry can and should take the SIE. I show my students exactly how the test will look and cover a wide range of different topics that could potentially appear on the test. While I have only assisted a handful of students preparing for the SIE, all have passed on their first try. Creating SIE flashcards and memorizing their answers is a key component to my SIE prep approach. Please contact me for more details regarding the SIE and my preparation philosophy.

Examples of Expertise

Ryan has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 10 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Ryan ’s answers ›
Ryan K.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Ryan before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Ryan
Response time: 12 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (715 ratings)
5 star
(689)
4 star
(19)
3 star
(3)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(4)

Reviews

Superb SAT tutor

We hired Ryan to help our Junior improve her SAT score. She is incredibly intelligent, takes AP classes and gets straight A's but none of this reflected in her SAT score. She is a horrible test taker, timed tests freak her out. Ryan worked with her all summer. His method of having students take a pre-test each week so he can customize the homework and zone in on the weaknesses is brilliant! Since numbers don't lie I'll happily share that two months ago she was pre-testing at around an 1160 and last week she score a 1500! We are so incredibly happy and thankful we found Ryan! I cannot recommend him enough. He is the best!

Teri, 10 lessons with Ryan

Knowledgeable

Hired this tutor to help my daughter get ready to take her SATs. My daughter is happy and seems to be learning a lot. My daughter believe this tutor was the right choice.

Adeline, 8 lessons with Ryan

Amongst the best tutors!

He’s professional, patient, and has been crucial to my daughter during her SAT testing. My daughter’s score has continuously increased along with her confidence. So much so, that’s she’s now tutoring her peers at school after class! Amazing teacher and proven results!

Raven, 17 lessons with Ryan

So Happy We Found Him

Ryan has been awesome with our son! He provides very detailed guidance and is strategic in terms of the study plan. My son needed a tutor who was highly engaging and supportive! Would highly recommend him!

Najah, 15 lessons with Ryan

Great to work with and works well with teens

He was vey prompt in replying. My daughter found him to be helpful and liked the suggestions he had given . She looks forward to doing well on the SAT. She has two more lessons and looks forward to nailing down the math

Pallu, 3 lessons with Ryan

Great tutor

Ryan’s been great with my son as an SAT tutor. He’s already seen improvements in his score and it’s only been a few lessons. We can’t wait to see what happens on the real thing.

Daniel, 20 lessons with Ryan

Knowledgeable, patient and, experienced tutor .

Ryan, is an amazing tutor. My son really likes his teaching . He tutors both Math and English SAT . He focuses on concepts and explains the error and the logic when solving problems .

Madhavi, 8 lessons with Ryan

Knowledgeable tutor

We are very happy that we found such a professional tutor like Ryan K. for our son. Although he has only been taking classes with him for three weeks, we can see that our son is coming improving week after week. We are very satisfied with the choice we made. My son enjoys going to his class, and I appreciate the communication he provides to keep me informed about the material that is being covered. I highly recommend Ryan’s preparation service. Thank you.

Susan, 38 lessons with Ryan

Excellent tutor for SAT

An exceptional tutor with a great breadth of knowledge on the SAT. Very accommodating to the needs of the student while recommending useful tips and tricks to help improve the score. Ryan has a deep understanding of the SAT exam and can break down every section with detail. Definitely would recommend!

Suhui, 8 lessons with Ryan

Knowledgeable, professional

Organized, on time, creative and ready to teach. My son was absolutely impressed and blown away by how much he had learned in the very first session. I also like the fact that Ryan scheduled the first month of session. It let me know he is committed to tutoring my son.

Leonna, 4 lessons with Ryan
Hourly Rate: $70
Response time: 12 minutes
Contact Ryan