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Maths, Stats, and CompSci Tutoring from a former University Professor
Michael D.

5.0 (302 ratings)

934 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $80
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Response time: 21 minutes

About Michael

Bio

I began tutoring during high school, continued through college, and began teaching regular classes during graduate school. After earning my PhD in Mathematics, I taught at a small, highly-selective Liberal Arts College and later at a public Minority-Serving Institution. I have received several teaching awards and was a tenured professor.

After an initial adjustment to fully-online classes during COVID, I found online teaching to be much more effective and enjoyable. When my University...

I began tutoring during high school, continued through college, and began teaching regular classes during graduate school. After earning my PhD in Mathematics, I taught at a small, highly-selective Liberal Arts College and later at a public Minority-Serving Institution. I have received several teaching awards and was a tenured professor.

After an initial adjustment to fully-online classes during COVID, I found online teaching to be much more effective and enjoyable. When my University insisted on a return to face-to-face classes, I decided that my knowledge, experience, and vision could better serve students in a different environment. I therefore resigned my position and have since offered independent educational consulting and private tutoring.

My schedule is flexible; if you're looking for same-day availability I recommend using Wyzant's Instant Book feature. Otherwise I recommend contacting me at least 24 hours in advance.

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Education

Penn State University
Mathematics
Penn State University
PhD

Policies

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Calculus

Calculus

I have taught and tutored the standard college Calculus sequence (through infinite series and the multivariable/vector material) and beyond to a wide variety of students, including dual-enrolled and AP. I can also help with Business Calculus and similar courses for non-science majors. During graduate school, I trained and supervised Calculus tutors for my university's math department.
Data Structures

Data Structures

I successfully taught Computational Discrete Math (Algorithms, Boolean Logic, Elementary Cryptography, etc.) the university level for 15+ years. This is the required sophomore-level course that CompSci majors dread, because it is often taught by Mathematics faculty who treat it as an upper-level math course and refuse to take students' backgrounds into account. I have tutored the "Discrete Structures" course, which is most often an attempt to address the problem above and teach the parts of Discrete Math that CompSci and similar majors actually need for their discipline.
Differential Equations

Differential Equations

I have frequently taught and tutored the standard Differential Equations course (and received a Teaching Award for this course during graduate school). I can also help with the combined Linear Algebra and Differential Equations course, and introductory material on PDE's: Heat/Diffusion, Wave, and Laplace equations via Fourier series.
Discrete Math

Discrete Math

I successfully taught Computational Discrete Math (Algorithms, Boolean Logic, Elementary Cryptography, etc.) the university level for 15+ years. This is the required sophomore-level course that CompSci majors dread, because it is often taught by Mathematics faculty who treat it as an upper-level math course and refuse to take students' backgrounds into account. As a Math PhD, I specialized in Number Theory and taught it at the university level for many years, and thus I can teach "real" Discrete Math as well.
Linear Algebra

Linear Algebra

I have taught the basic university-level Linear Algebra course (Systems of Equations, Matrices, Vector Spaces, Eigenvalues, etc.), sometimes as a mostly computational course (for engineering and science majors) and sometimes as a more theoretical, proof-based course. I have also taught the standard courses that rely on the material and methods from basic Linear Algebra: Multivariable Calculus, Differential Equations, and Discrete Math. I strongly prefer using technology to make tedious calculations easier, I can work with the computational tools that are right for you, even if your instructor insists on a low-technology approach.
Logic

Logic

I have taught introductory Logic (Truth Tables, Deductive Reasoning, Boolean Algebra, etc.) across various courses during my 20+ years at the university level. This includes a wide range of students and majors: Elementary and Math Education, Computer Science, and Mathematics. I am also an experienced programmer (currently specializing in Python) and can explain logic in this setting as well.
Precalculus

Precalculus

"Precalculus" doesn't mean "all math before Calculus" but is instead a collection of prerequisite material (from Algebra, Trigonometry, and Analytic Geometry) that is needed for a Calculus course. It's therefore crucial that a tutor understands not just the Precalculus material itself, but also how that material will be needed in the future. I have taught and tutored all of these courses (and beyond) for many years. I will make sure you not only succeed in your current course, but also build a solid foundation for what's to come later.
Probability

Probability

I successfully taught Intro Stats (which includes basic probability) at the university level for 10+ years. I've also taught basic probability within the context of Finite Math, Discrete Math, and Linear Algebra. I emphasize conceptual understanding first and manual calculations second; it is often more important to understand how to approach a given problem (after which the calculations are often routine).
Real Analysis

Real Analysis

I have more than two decades experience teaching university-level mathematics up to and including the Masters level. Real Analysis is widely regarded as one of the most difficult undergraduate courses, but this is often due to a lack of student preparation (particularly with basic proof techniques, which I have also taught) and/or instructors with unrealistic expectations of students' abilities and thus an unwillingness to teach this material at an appropriate level. Most students need simple hints or nudges in the right direction as they gain experience and familiarity with the material, and this is where an experienced tutor can make a world of difference.
Statistics

Statistics

I successfully taught Intro Stats (up to two-sample hypothesis tests and linear regression) at the university level for 10+ years. Most of my students were not math or science majors; many were afraid of math courses and had the impression that they would not be successful. I emphasize understanding of material and concepts rather than complicated manual calculations. Actual computations are best handled with technology; I can use several free alternatives depending on your needs.
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Prealgebra
Python
SAT Math
Trigonometry

Examples of Expertise

Michael has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 68 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (302 ratings)
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Reviews

The best tutor I have worked with

Michael is an exceptional tutor and a very kind and pleasant person. He takes time to explain concepts thoroughly, illustrates with examples, and gives invaluable suggestions/tips for grasping difficult material and improving your assessment scores. He gives you just enough information to complete the problems on your own and guides you in the right direction so you can experience the joy of learning a subject. After working with him, I have had several key learning moments that strengthened my understanding and he answered many questions that I did not know how to formally ask. I would highly suggest booking an appointment with Michael. My only regret is that I did not reach out sooner.

Elaine, 10 lessons with Michael

Correlation Analysis

Michael did a great job figuring out the right statistical analysis I needed for a marketing problem, as well explaining how to set up my data correctly. Bringing statistical theory into real-life cases is often a challenge, but Michael was able to get the job done. This speaks to the depth of knowledge he has on the subject.

Alejandro, 1 lesson with Michael

Excellent

My son received the help he needed in a way that he understood and enjoyed. The session was efficient and informative. My son plans on using Michael again if needed.

JK, 2 lessons with Michael

Very helpful and knowledgeable

He has helped me with my homework and reviewing for tests for my statistics class. He explains things well and is good with technology. I have to use StatCrunch for the course and he has helped me find ways to use it more effectively.

Trey, 12 lessons with Michael

Knowledgeable tutor

Michael helped my son prepare for his final calculus exam. My son felt that Michael did a very thorough review of the concepts that he wasn’t feeling confident about and felt ready to conquer the exam. We highly recommend Michael.

Tiffany, 1 lesson with Michael

Knowledgeable and thorough. Available when needed.

Michael was patient and easy to work with on the assignments. He was very helpful and expertly guided me through the statistics work. He was available and accommodating. Great tutor!

Celeste, 10 lessons with Michael

Clear & Concise w/Advanced Math

Great job explaining Number Theory Topics such as polynomial congruences, inverses of congruences, when to use Eulers, law of quadratic reciprocity, etc. I appreciate being shown multiple methods for one problem. Great at providing those in-between steps or personal benchmarks to use that are overlooked in class.

Joy, 2 lessons with Michael

Great Teacher! Very patient and pleasure to work with!

Discrete Math: Always ensures full understanding and works with you to ensure everything needed is covered! Extremely accommodating and nice!

Landen, 10 lessons with Michael

Fantastic Calculus Tutor

I needed some help with my understanding of Calculus II as I take an all online course with limited resources for help. I was struggling with power series, taylor polynomials, and taylor and maclaurin series. Michael did a fantastic job of showing me where I was making any mistakes, and pointing out if I was missing something conceptually. In the first session we sat together, he addressed everything I was hoping to go over and we were able to work through my more challenging homework problems. I would absolutely recommend Michael for tutoring Calculus!!

Ian, 1 lesson with Michael

Great and thorough Teacher! Very Patient!

Discrete Math: Explained each method and topic in easily digestible ways. Guided me without just giving me the answer allowing me to learn. Sent me extra material after the lesson to expand on the topics he brought up. Great overall experience!

Landen, 10 lessons with Michael
Hourly Rate: $80
Response time: 21 minutes
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