Math Tutor specializing in Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Trig, and Calculus

Mike M.

I have degrees in Math and Business from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. My grade point average in my Math Degree was 3.5. I successfully passed Actuarial Exams in Calculus and Probability/Statistics.

I have tutored seven students over the course of 300 hours. The students ranged from seventh grade to 12th grade. The subjects that I tutored were 50% algebra, 30% trigonometry and pre-calculus, and 20% calculus.

My philosophy/tutoring approach is to obtain a copy of the problems that the student is working on and find out what challenges they’re having before we have each tutoring session. This prepares us to have a much more efficient tutoring session and engages the student early in what they need help on. As part of my preparation, I prepare a step-by-step process for each type of math problem and have the student follow this so that they understand the topic and are not trying to do it through memorization. If the student follows this for each section in a chapter of the book then when they get to the end of the chapter, they have a great summary of the chapter, and better prepares them for their test. This is how I learned when I was a student and I found it to be very, very helpful. It forced me to learn the material in an organized way. It kept me focused.

Amongst the students I have tutored, some of them were able to achieve testing out of future math classes in college, for example, at the University of Wisconsin Madison. My biggest satisfaction in tutoring math students is to see them improve and gain confidence. I have found that when they gain confidence in math and are successful, it helps them in their other subjects.

I am a former collegiate athlete. I see a lot of similarities between learning and being successful in math as is the training and being an athlete. You set goals, listen to your coach/tutor, work hard, and achieve success.