PhD mathematician with a passion for teaching

Alex M.

Hi, I'm Alex! I earned a BA with honors from UChicago and a PhD from UW-Madison in mathematics. Having spent years as a student, I have had many both positive and negative experiences with teachers. Even professors who were excellent mathematicians were not always the most effective teachers, because they found it difficult to communicate their expertise to students without their experience. However, there were also instructors I encountered who were able to communicate in a way that granted genuine insight into the material and math in general. These teachers were able to show how everything fit into a larger story, making new knowledge feel intuitive rather than just something to memorize. As a a tutor, my goal is to give a similar experience, where students feel that they really understand and appreciate what they are learning.

During graduate school, I had extensive teaching duties, leading and TAing for classes such as algebra, calculus, and discrete math. The classes I taught primarily consisted of leading group sessions, where I guided students as they worked through problems. In addition to classroom time, my teaching duties also included spending time in the department tutoring center, working with students one-on-one. This close work allowed me to develop the ability to probe a student's understanding and feel out exactly where the gaps lie. My preferred tutoring method involves observing a student work through a problem and guiding them in the right direction when they need help. I believe this active style of learning makes the material easier to internalize. I am also happy to give lessons on specific topics as needed.

I know that math is a difficult subject, and have spent many hours myself struggling through problems. However, I firmly believe that everyone is able to succeed in math, and look forward to helping you in your mathematical journey!