Learn Chemistry from a Retired University Prof & Textbook Co-Author

Don D.

I am recently retired after spending 30 years as a Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I have helped thousands of general chemistry students to succeed. I have taught chemistry for more than 35 years.

I started my career teaching high school chemistry, and there I first gained a great deal of insight about why students struggle with certain topics and how to help them overcome their difficulties.

I understand what students need to know to transition from high school to college, and I am aware of the difficulties general chemistry students have when they make this jump. Learning chemistry can be made to be less stressful. That may sound impossible, but I hope to be able to show you that it’s true.

Not only have I taught thousands of chemistry students, I am the co-author of an acclaimed chemistry textbook series, which is widely used in high schools, Advanced Placement (AP) classrooms, and universities worldwide.

My goals are to help you build conceptual understanding and to help you improve your problem-solving ability so that you can become an independent learner. So, basically, I want to get you to the point where you don’t need me!

My career has been dedicated to helping chemistry students from first-year high school level to university general chemistry courses. As your tutor, I can help take the stress out of learning chemistry, help you see the coherent “big picture” — the “why,” not just the “what,” and help you to achieve your academic goals. I look forward to working with you.

Subjects Offered:

Note: All general chemistry (not organic)
High School Chemistry (Regular & Honors)
AP Chemistry
College General Chemistry I & II