Search
Tom J.'s Photo

Michigan Grad For Algebra, Test Prep, Chemistry & Data Analysis
Tom J.

4.7 (85 ratings)

265 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $45
Contact Tom
Response time: 1 day

About Tom

Bio

I’m a passionate, patient tutor with over 15 years of experience helping students of all ages build confidence and master concepts. I hold a Bachelors in Biology and a Master in Applied Data Science with experience tutoring entrance exam prep, mathematics, chemistry, chess strategy, Praxis, Toefl, & Python.

My approach begins with assessing your strengths & struggles. I then design engaging, step-by-step lessons which reinforce core ideas through real-world examples & hands-on practice. No...

I’m a passionate, patient tutor with over 15 years of experience helping students of all ages build confidence and master concepts. I hold a Bachelors in Biology and a Master in Applied Data Science with experience tutoring entrance exam prep, mathematics, chemistry, chess strategy, Praxis, Toefl, & Python.

My approach begins with assessing your strengths & struggles. I then design engaging, step-by-step lessons which reinforce core ideas through real-world examples & hands-on practice. No matter what you're struggling with, I will provide clear explanations, targeted exercises, and regular feedback to keep you motivated and on-track.

Above all, I believe learning should be empowering and enjoyable. I’m committed to creating a relaxed, encouraging environment where questions are always welcome and progress is celebrated; so you can not only achieve your immediate academic goals but also develop the skills & confidence to tackle any challenge on your own.

Read more

Education

Benedictine University
Biology
University of Michigan
Masters

Additional Languages

Spanish

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $45
  • Rate details: For every 5 lessons completed (or reserved by payment) you will get a free lesson!
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 1/31/2013

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

ACT Reading

ACT Reading

I assisted an autistic student in studying and performing well for the Stanford College Preparatory entrance exam. I continue to tutor him while he is a student at this high school developed for gifted and above-average students.
ACT Science

ACT Science

I have tutored students in ACT Prep for the past 15+ years. ACT Science is a strength of mine as it correlates with my Bachelor's Degree in Biology. I also have seven years of experience substitute-teaching.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I assisted an autistic student in studying and performing well for the Stanford College Preparatory entrance exam. I continue to tutor him while he is a student at this high school developed for gifted and above-average students.
Bible Studies

Bible Studies

As a devout Catholic I attended a Catholic elementary school, Catholic high school, and Catholic university. These Catholic schools each had me constantly studying and learning more about the Bible. As an adult I have volunteered as a leader in Confirmation preparation & Young Catholic Professional organizations in Chicago.
Botany

Botany

While studying my bachelor's degree in biology, I completed a botany course hosted by an arboretum, a botany course taught by the university, and a botany course hosted by the marine biological museum The Shedd Aquarium. Since these experiences, I have continued to enjoy botany both while teaching it to Scout troops & while classifying them for a local museum.
Chemistry

Chemistry

My experience tutoring many chemistry high school and college chemistry students during the past 15 years has helped me remain aware of the common struggles students still face, as well as updated teaching methods. I had to study chemistry extensively during my bachelor's degree in biology.
Chess

Chess

I began playing when I was young and was part of the chess club in high school. I was champion of a boys' dorm tournament my first year of college. I recently ran a table at a local Boy Scout Jamboree for the Chess Merit Badge, where I had 3 chess boards set up and was playing 3 people at-a-time for most of the day. I had another Boy Scout leader recommend me as a Chess Merit Badge counselor. I have already bought and read the Boy Scout Chess Merit Badge book just for fun. I currently study the game in deeper detail through a computer program called Chessmaster, as well through books. My favorite opening is the "Giuoco Piano" opening.
Data Analysis

Data Analysis

My Master's degree in Data Science, and my two years of experience working in real-world projects with an organization, has allowed me to master the fundamentals of data analysis. Data collection, preprocessing, & analysis are essential for thorough Exploratory Data Analysis & Feature Engineering in preparation for Machine-Learning model development.
Data Science

Data Science

I completed a Master in Applied Data Science degree at the University of Michigan in 2023. My last 13 months have I have been actively involved in ten different projects; ranging from health data analytics to geospatial analysis to computer vision to Generative AI & Multi-AI Agent models.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

I currently have 5 years of experience teaching students in grades K-6, and 7 years of experience tutoring them. My previous experience working at a Montessori school and performing in the fine arts has helped expand the patternistic-approach I will sometimes use to make the study-material more easily understandable for the student. Some of my latest successful students include a 3rd grade girl, 4th grade boy, and a high school algebra student.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

My 5 years of substitute-teaching grades K-12 and 8 years of tutoring elementary students in basic addition/subtraction/multiplication/division & fractions gave me the experience and knowledge needed to understand today's students' current learning struggles as well as the teaching methods most often utilized by math teachers. I use this experience and my knowledge of creative alternative learning techniques to identify the easiest way for the student to acquire the new skill as well as help them relate that new skill with previously learned skills.
High School Placement Test

High School Placement Test

One of my most common subjects to tutor is the high school placement exam. I have worked with students preparing for middle school, as well as for high school. As we work together on practice questions, I assess the student's learning-habits & small mistakes. Together, we develop a plan to help the student improve their test prep practice as well as their readiness for the entrance exams.
ISEE

ISEE

I annually and often have tutored middle school students in the ISEE & SSAT for high school entrance exams for the past 15 years (since 2010). I also have seven years of experience substitute teaching.
Networking (Computer)

Networking (Computer)

I completed a Master Degree in Applied Data Science which covers multiple Networking topics such as Network Analysis, Convolutional Neural Networks, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, and Generative Adversarial Networks.
Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

As a Biology major I studied Organic Chemistry, both in the textbook and in the laboratory, for two full semesters. I then took those organic chemistry skills and used them to study biochemistry, human physiology, cell biology, and to conduct research on osteoblasts. During the rest of my years as an undergraduate, I would find myself assisting (tutoring) other students whom I would observe struggling with their organic chem. I now enjoy any opportunity I can seize to help other college students survive their organic chemistry as I continue to utilize my organic chemistry skills in preparation for my graduate school research.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

During my 15 years of experience tutoring students in preparation for standardized exams (ACT, SAT, ISEE, TOEFL, etc), one of the most common challenges has been the students' abilities to write clearly, concisely, and vividly. Helping the students map their thoughts & structure their essays, I have been able to assist many students with composing successful application essays.
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

Creating simpler steps for learning each math-pattern, as well as assessing the student's learning habits and comforts, is what allows me to reassure the Algebra can be understood by the student in the simplest manner as possible.
Salsa Dancing

Salsa Dancing

My experience learning Salsa began while living in South America for five years. Salsa is a natural part of their culture, which enabled me to find a professional Salsa dance partner. Visiting Salsa dancing events in the city, and learning from a trained Salsa dancing professional, provided me the experience needed to develop my skills & help others learn.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I assisted an autistic student in studying and performing well for the Stanford College Preparatory entrance exam. I continue to tutor him while he is a student at this high school developed for gifted and above-average students. I have 13+ years of teaching experience.
SSAT

SSAT

My 15 years of experience tutoring students for SSAT prep has allowed me to develop the strengths needed to efficiently & productively assess a student's strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the SSAT exam. It has also given me the ability to recognize different learning personalities and more rapidly provide methods for improvement in standardized exams. The SSAT practice questions we work through together always provide the student with the knowledge, capabilities, and confidence that he/she needs.
Study Skills

Study Skills

While earning my Bachelor's I had the opportunity to put to practice the study skills I had already learned in high school, as well as learn new skills from professors and classmates. As a volunteer I have been reminded that everyone has a different way of learning as well as a unique combination of the study skills that works best for them. I have had experience putting these skills into practice for the past 4 years as a private tutor, substitute teacher, and boy scout assistant scoutmaster.
USCIS

USCIS

I recently had to journey through the process of acquiring an Immigrant Visa for my Ecuadorian wife. Our first form was the I-130, which was followed by the I-824 (I-485 if we had already been in the US), the DS-260, and the US Embassy interview. We even applied to the I-212 hoping to fix unneeded issues. Throughout the journey we learned many things about how USCIS operates, and can be a help to others now that we have completed that journey.
ACT English
ACT Math
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
American History
ASVAB
Biochemistry
Biology
Calculus
Elementary Science
English
ESL/ESOL
GED
General Computer
Geometry
Grammar
Handwriting
Physical Science
Proofreading
Reading
Spanish
Spelling
TOEFL
Vocabulary
Writing
Tom J.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Tom before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Tom
Response time: 1 day

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.7 (85 ratings)
5 star
(69)
4 star
(11)
3 star
(3)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(2)

Reviews

Good first impression!!

Tom so far has been doing a good job. This was only my daughters second session. But shes feeling more confident in chemistry and math.

Frank, 2 lessons with Tom

Amazing

Tom is always on time and always ready to go, we stay on topic and get what is needed done!

Richard, 32 lessons with Tom

Excellent Tutor

Student had trouble with Trig and managed to bring her score from 78% to 85%. She would not have been able to accomplish this without Tom's help. Tom is an excellent tutor!

Lisa, 20 lessons with Tom

Great communications

Tom is very thoughtful and complete in his correspondence, seems to really know his student, the subject and how to get the two to work.

Don, 34 lessons with Tom

Easing going Tutor

Very respectful and flexible as to meeting places, very willing to meet you half way depending where you are coming from in the northwest Indiana region.

Raven, 5 lessons with Tom

Very Patient

Tom J. is patient and makes sure I understand the math problems and reading material for my classes. He willl go over the materials to make sure I understand what I am working on and encourages me to ask questions before moving on to the next step. I enjoy working with him and recommend him for any students having difficulty with math because I am understanding it more now.

Steve, 5 lessons with Tom

Good Tutor

All of the tutor lessons we have had with Tom J. have been beneficial. They have been so helpful that we will no longer require the services of Tom J. These sessions have helped his grade in his high school Algebra clas has increased. Our son has enjoyed his tutoring and the proof is in the grade increase which was our goal.

Becky, 7 lessons with Tom

Great Tutor

I was happy with the tutor. Very knowledgeable and seem to be very patient. Prompt when coming to our home. Looking forward to the next lesson in Geometry, hopefully this will go as well. It seemed that my son felt like he learned something. I feel he is a asset to your staff. Sincerely, Cindy

Cindy, 3 lessons with Tom
Hourly Rate: $45
Response time: 1 day
Contact Tom