Patient Math, Test Prep & Programming Tutor

Jon M.

I am a professional software developer with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. My education and professional experience have given me a strong foundation in mathematics, analytical thinking, and problem solving. I earned a perfect 800 on the Math section of the SAT and am comfortable helping students strengthen both their mathematical knowledge and their approach to standardized test questions. As a professional developer, I also have several years of experience working extensively with Python, including developing backend applications, APIs, data-processing systems, and other production software.

My approach to tutoring focuses not only on the material itself, but also on how each individual student learns and approaches problems. I believe understanding why a student is struggling is often more important than simply helping them get to the correct answer. That could entail strengthening a foundational concept, developing a better problem-solving strategy, improving test-taking and time-management skills, or approaching an idea from a different direction. My goal is to help students develop the knowledge and strategies to solve problems while building the skills and confidence to continue succeeding independently.

My passion for education has also been shaped by my own experience as a student. I began my path into software largely self-taught, and while I was able to learn the basics independently, I struggled to put everything together until I took formal classes. Under the guidance of knowledgeable and effective instructors, individual concepts began to fit together into a deeper understanding that ultimately helped me build a career in software development. That experience showed me firsthand the difference good instruction can make, and it is a perspective I hope to bring to my own students.