A Modern Educator Who Keeps Things Simple and Engaging

Derek D.

Hi there! I'm Derek, a thirty-year-old attorney from Northwest Indiana.

I hold a bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana University and a juris doctor from DePaul College of Law. I’m licensed to practice in Indiana and will soon be admitted to Illinois. I’ve tutored for seven years. I began as a private tutor and quickly fell in love with it. In January 2019, I joined Sylvan Learning Center, where I spent almost three years before leaving to practice law.

At Sylvan, I was one of four instructors selected from all of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland to teach an ASVAB course at West Gary High School. I taught math and mechanical engineering to 111 students. At Sylvan, I specialized in ACT and SAT prep, math (elementary through college), English, public speaking, and writing. I also tutored numerous other subjects, including AP Chemistry, AP Physics, biology, Spanish, and history. I helped my students earn millions in scholarship funds to attend the nation's top schools.

While my legal career now demands most of my time, I cannot forgo my first passion: tutoring. I have been an academia enthusiast—okay, fine, a nerd—since I could walk. Thanks to a lifelong thirst for learning, I’ve developed a broad skill set and refined methods of instruction. Over the past six years, I’ve optimized these methods into a highly effective and uniquely tailored approach. I connect with students in a way their everyday teachers don’t. My teaching is rooted in addressing foundational issues rather than applying temporary fixes. I also like to have fun and aim to make the process enjoyable, which is key to a student’s success.

I guarantee you’ll receive personal, individualized attention that extends far beyond our sessions. I spend my time outside of meetings reviewing past work and developing targeted lesson plans for what’s ahead. While I cannot promise specific results, I can promise every student will receive 100% of my effort—never less. Please reach out with questions or to schedule a trial lesson.