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Experienced, energetic, empathetic chemistry educator.
Alan R.

5.0 (476 ratings)

1,898 hours tutoring

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Hourly Rate: $97
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Response time: 10 minutes

About Alan

Bio

Hello. My name is Alan. I am an experienced chemistry educator. My total commitment to student-centered learning is coupled with my deep knowledge of the best organic chemistry resources which I supplement with individualized lessons to maximize student growth. None of my students has ever failed organic chemistry. I know your organic chemistry class is an abstract maze of symbols, arrows, and shapes, all laced with short hand abbreviations, bizarre names, and confusing words. I will show...

Hello. My name is Alan. I am an experienced chemistry educator. My total commitment to student-centered learning is coupled with my deep knowledge of the best organic chemistry resources which I supplement with individualized lessons to maximize student growth. None of my students has ever failed organic chemistry. I know your organic chemistry class is an abstract maze of symbols, arrows, and shapes, all laced with short hand abbreviations, bizarre names, and confusing words. I will show you how to decipher this rich subject and attain a high-grade worthy understanding of organic structures, properties, reactivity, synthesis, and more.
I understand the many different modes of learning and will tailor our lessons to your style and needs. As examples, I utilize molecular models for kinesthetic learners and drawing tools for visual learners to help us “see” molecular shapes because visualizing and manipulating molecules in 3D space is a vital skill in o-chem. The secret to learning “orgo” is to recognize that it is an organized language. You cannot memorize all this material. You need to be organized in your studying and approach it as a foreign language. Yes, some memorization is required, but the vast landscape of o-chem can be understood if you recognize foundational concepts, identify themes and patterns, learn how to appropriately apply some simple models and rules to new situations and frequently test your understanding.
My method and goals are to: First, identify and articulate the problem, question, or challenge you face; Second, illuminate those basic principles that best apply to the problem; Third, guide you at every level to the confident independence you need to devise testable solutions on your own. Individualizing our lessons with personalized worksheets, focused exercises, and probing questions, so that our sessions are organized and connect to each other, organic chemistry will come alive and make rewarding sense to you. Thanks for reading. I look forward to working with you.

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Education

Earlham College
Chemistry
Brandeis University
PhD
Yale University/Postdoctoral Fellowship
Graduate Coursework

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Approved Subjects

Organic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

I am a retired professor of organic chemistry and a former department chair. I have worked for over 35 years successfully teaching, mentoring, and tutoring college students in the classroom, seminar, laboratory, recitations, and innumerable one-on-one sessions. I know organic chemistry is hard but I also know that it is learnable. For me, the keys to effective teaching are organizing and presenting selected subjects in intellectually digestible pieces, listening actively to my students, consistently paying close attention to the learner’s perspective, and maintaining consistent optimism. I have found that the best teaching also involves carefully and transparently modeling exactly how I, as a practitioner and an expert, approach a problem. Organic chemistry is a cohesive science of interrelated parts. Structure is connected to function and function to reactivity. The key is using what you know to address a new question. When tackling problems, I ask my students to tell me where they think they are stuck, to identify what they think they need to know and to explain their approach. With the weak links to understanding identified, we work together to construct and test possible answers and explanations. In this participatory way I have educated, helped, and most importantly empowered more than 5,000 college and high school students. Over the years I have developed many problem-solving aides, hints, cues, clues, and mnemonics. As one example, if you do not have a tetrahedral model, look at your wrist and place your thumb, index, and pointer fingers equally spread apart on a table. The shape you have created is a tetrahedron. Now you can look at it and use it as you would a model. I will energetically work with you to uncover the mysteries and intricacies of organic chemistry.

Examples of Expertise

Alan has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 2 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (476 ratings)
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Reviews

flexible passionate, and expert Tutor

I have had the pleasure of attending multiple organic chemistry tutoring sessions with Alan, and I must say, the experience has been nothing short of remarkable. From the onset, it was evident that Alan possesses an exceptional teaching ability, coupled with a profound understanding of organic chemistry that is both deep and wide-ranging. Each session was meticulously planned and tailored to address my specific areas of difficulty, making the complex and often daunting concepts of organic chemistry much more accessible and understandable. Alan employs a variety of teaching methods, including visual aids, practical examples, and interactive problem-solving, which greatly enhanced my learning experience. His ability to break down complicated topics into manageable, bite-sized pieces is truly commendable. Thanks to Alan's guidance, I have seen significant improvement in my grades and, more importantly, my understanding of organic chemistry. His patience, encouragement, and enthusiasm for the subject matter have not only boosted my confidence but have also ignited a genuine interest in organic chemistry that I didn't know I had. Moreover, Alan has been incredibly flexible and accommodating with scheduling sessions, always going the extra mile to ensure that I get the help I need, when I need it. His dedication to my success is evident in the great results I have achieved under his tutelage. In summary, Alan is an outstanding organic chemistry tutor whose expertise and teaching prowess have had a profound impact on my academic performance. I highly recommend Alan to anyone looking for comprehensive, effective, and genuinely enjoyable organic chemistry tutoring.

David , 10 lessons with Alan

Great Chemistry Tutor

I took an Organic Chemistry class with Alan through the summer, and he helped me a lot! I was able to understand and apply the concepts very quickly with his help. He knew how to teach me in ways that I could understand, and I'm very grateful to have worked with him.

Eshaan, 9 lessons with Alan

Knowledgeable, dedicated and passionate tutor

Alan is an exceptional tutor. I started working with him in the middle of Organic Chemistry I and continued working with him through Organic Chemistry II. Alan was extremely flexible with scheduling and worked around my schedule. He always fit me in for sessions before quizzes and exams to ensure I received the help I needed. I typically struggled to connect concepts learned in class to homework and practice problems. Alan patiently walked me through complex problems, checking in at every step to make sure we were on the same page. His focus on a deeper understanding of the concepts paired perfectly with my own goals. Alan's infectious passion for organic chemistry paired with his dedication to helping me learn made our sessions truly enjoyable. I walked away from each lesson with a better understanding of organic chemistry and improved confidence in myself and my ability to solve problems. I am extremely grateful to Alan for all the time he spent working with me. I would not have gotten through Organic Chemistry without him.

Sarah, 23 lessons with Alan

very knowledgeable and caring tutor

Alan is a truly excellent tutor. He is unbelievably patient and he is always willing to explain a concept in a different way. I started organic 2 with very little knowledge of organic one as I struggled the semester prior. Having Alan as my tutor changed the game and helped me get through a very challenging course. I don’t know what I would have done without Alan.

Abbey, 35 lessons with Alan

Energetic, knowledgeable, and patient tutor

Alan was a wonderful tutor. I had the pleasure of working with him through Organic Chemistry 1 (and will be doing so in the future for Orgo 2). Alan's expertise extends beyonds just the class content. In fact, you will likely come out of sessions with a much deeper understanding of the content than what is required by your professor. He places a very specific emphasis on understanding the patterns and interconnectedness between topics, rather than just mindlessly doing problems. I recommend him for all your organic chemistry needs!

Andrew, 21 lessons with Alan

Kind and patient tutro

I started sessions about halfway through the term (and after two midterm exams). I learned a lot about better techniques to help approach problems more efficiently and successfully. Alan was very patient when I misunderstood/asked questions and was always prepared to answer them. I never left a session without feeling better than I did when coming into it and with anything unanswered. Thank you Alan!

Sophia, 11 lessons with Alan

Engaging and intelligent tutor

Alan has helped me with a full year of Organic Chemistry and it has been great to work with him. He is readily able to answer all of my questions and guides me through homeworks in an efficient manner. He is flexible with scheduling and I always look forwards to meetings with him. He doesn't encourage memorization, but conceptual understanding of the material, which I have found to be extremely helpful. It's been great to work with him this year.

Pamela, 44 lessons with Alan

Most empathic & patient tutor I've ever had

Alan is by far the best tutor I've ever had. Organic chem can be extremely difficult sometimes, and it feels like a huge puzzle with a bunch of pieces that will never connect. However, throughout my SEVERAL sessions with Alan, we slowly put these puzzle pieces together and work through these problems in a way where it is easier to understand, and he is patient with my learning. I've personally struggled with my past tutors in regular chemistry, where my tutors were teaching me in a way that never worked, and it just got frustrating. Throughout my tutoring with Alan, he has made organic chem such a relief for me. I am a nursing major who is extremely busy, and I have a lot of pressure to do well in all my courses. I ended up getting 3 100s on my last three exams in organic chemistry, which I never imagined I could do! I would not have been able to get these grades if it wasn't for Alan's help. He is an amazing tutor who will teach you in a way that is easy to understand, which is huge for me. He is not only an outstanding tutor but also such a personable guy who truly loves this subject and wants you to succeed! I never ever thought I'd be getting 100s in organic chemistry! THANK you alan!!!

Jess, 18 lessons with Alan

BEST TUTOR ON THIS PLATFORM

Not only knowledgeable in organic chemistry but takes the time to guide you through the material rather than state facts. I havent ever met a professor who really tries explaining multiple times until the student understands something.

Khizr, 6 lessons with Alan

Patient, Knowledgeable, Engaging Tutor

Alan is truly the best! I can't thank him enough for all the help he's given me in Organic Chemistry 1 and 2. When I look back at my recordings, I realize I asked a lot of "stupid" questions, but Alan was always incredibly patient and kind. His personality is amazing, and he has a way of making even the most daunting topics enjoyable. He sprinkles in fun facts throughout the lessons, which keeps things engaging and fun. He's also incredibly understanding and flexible with scheduling—if something comes up, he's always accommodating with rescheduling or cancellations. You can tell he takes time out of his day before our lessons to review what I’ve sent him because he always comes prepared and has a wonderful way of explaining things. I'm not a genius or naturally gifted, but thanks to Alan's guidance, I was able to achieve an A in both Organic Chemistry 1 and 2. If you're looking for a tutor, go with him—you won’t be disappointed!

Kiran, 39 lessons with Alan
Hourly Rate: $97
Response time: 10 minutes
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