Teacher, Engineer, people person

James R.

I am a mechanical engineer turned educator with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and an M.A. in Education from North Park University, and I hold an active Illinois Professional Educator License. I spent eight years teaching physics, honors physics, and math at the high school and middle school levels in the Chicago suburbs, where I designed original curriculum, built competency-based learning frameworks, and worked with students across a wide range of skill levels — from students who needed foundational support to those pushing toward honors and AP coursework. My engineering background gives me a deep, working knowledge of the math and physics concepts that trip students up on the ACT and SAT, and my years in the classroom taught me how to explain those concepts in a way that actually sticks.
My approach is direct and student-centered. I start by figuring out exactly where the gap is — not just what answer a student got wrong, but why they got it wrong — and then I build from there. For standardized test prep, that means working through real problem types, building pattern recognition, and developing test-taking strategy alongside content knowledge. For Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Physics, it means making sure the foundational concepts are solid before moving forward, because gaps at the foundation are almost always the real problem. I am patient, I do not move on until a student genuinely understands, and I am comfortable adjusting my pace and approach based on what each student needs. I offer a first session where we can get a feel for the fit before committing to ongoing work together.