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Tom H.

25+ years of turning students into successful self-learners.

25+ years of turning students into successful self-learners.

$35/hour

5.0 (87 ratings)

  • 281 hours tutoring

About Tom

Bio

My philosophy can be summed up in one word: simplify. As I see it, my job is to take misunderstood concepts and find strategies and methods that will make them understandable. My goal is for you to spend the fewest amount of dollars in the shortest period of time. If I accomplish that, then I feel I've done my job.

I have successfully tutored students from elementary school to college master's programs covering such topics as Fractions, Quadratics, Microbiology, Anatomy, TESOL and...

My philosophy can be summed up in one word: simplify. As I see it, my job is to take misunderstood concepts and find strategies and methods that will make them understandable. My goal is for you to spend the fewest amount of dollars in the shortest period of time. If I accomplish that, then I feel I've done my job.

I have successfully tutored students from elementary school to college master's programs covering such topics as Fractions, Quadratics, Microbiology, Anatomy, TESOL and Linguistics.

To help illustrate my success, 85% of my algebra class at Colegio Americano de Guatemala passed with a 3.0 or better as measured by normative achievement standards. I also taught basic math/pre-algebra in the Summer Migrant Program at Fennville Public Schools; all students showed a minimum 35% improvement in operational competency. As an ESL teacher, I raised reading/writing scores a minimum of 25% when measured against normative standards. Additionally, I was able to raise basic math competency over 85% in three weeks for the students in the Vámonos tutoring program. Finally, my TESOL students in the master's program at GVSU earned a final grade of 4.0. I provided linguistic tutoring and writing support for their final project.

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Education

Michigan State University
B.S. Ed.
GVSU
MEd

Policies

Schedule

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Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Subjects

Business

Business

Business

For over fifteen years, I was owner and president of a computer product and service company that sold business solutions to major fortune 500, mid-size manufacturing and architectural companies throughout the state of Michigan. In addition to directing business planning, I developed the sales/marketing programs along with strategic planning for the company. I helped with new product development and ran all major public relations campaigns.

Corporate Training

Business,

Business

For over fifteen years, I was owner and president of a computer product and service company that sold business solutions to major fortune 500, mid-size manufacturing and architectural companies throughout the state of Michigan. In addition to directing business planning, I developed the sales/marketing programs along with strategic planning for the company. I helped with new product development and ran all major public relations campaigns.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
Spanish,

Spanish

In addition to academic qualifications, professionally I taught 2 yrs. in the Colegio Americano de Guatemala in Guatemala City, 2 yrs. in the Summer Migrant Program in Fennville, and 2 yrs. as an Academic Tutor for the Migrant Program at GRPS. With WyzAnt, I've successfully tutored 3 students who elevated their grades and passed their high school coursework.
Grammar, Proofreading

Elementary Education

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I have over eight years of K-9 experience as a certified teacher and I'm currently pursuing my professional teaching certificate at GVSU.
Elementary Math,

Elementary Math

I've taught all content areas of K-9 math including Algebra. I have also worked as a private tutor in Holland, MI. with Vamanos Tutoring. Please read my professional profile for more information about my experiences and accomplishments.
Reading,

Reading

My teaching diploma from Michigan State University includes a Linguistics/Reading endorsement. When I taught at ELS/WGVU in Allendale, much of our curriculum and lessoning planning was devoted to improving the Reading Skills of the non-immigrating foreign exchange students who wanted to apply for undergraduate and post-graduate programs throughout the U.S.
Spelling,

Spelling

In addition to my K-9 classroom experience, I've taught ESL students from over twenty different countries. In all that time, the only strategies that I've found to be effective are understand a few "rules", reading more, and trying to memorize difficult words.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

In addition to learning abbreviations, I emphasize the practice of the Cornell Note Taking System. If this is properly implemented, the student should be able to succeed in any class.
Elementary Science, Grammar, Vocabulary

English

ACT English,

ACT English

In addition to getting certified with WyzAnt, I've spent over 2.5 years teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 20 different countries looking to enter major colleges and universities in the United States. Because many of these students needed to take the TOEFL/IBT, I taught, as part of the curriculum, TOEFL/IBT testing taking strategies. TOEFL/IBT is a normative standardized test very similar to ACT and SAT. Additional experience includes teaching ACT Prep at Huntington Learning Center in GR. Just before starting my Spanish program at GVSU, I spent a year teaching ACT Prep to high school students in the greater GR area at Huntington.
ACT Reading,

ACT Reading

In addition to getting certified with WyzAnt, I've spent over 2.5 years teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 20 different countries looking to enter major colleges and universities in the United States. Because many of these students needed to take the TOEFL/IBT, I taught, as part of the curriculum, TOEFL/IBT test taking strategies. TOEFL/IBT is a normative standardized test very similar to ACT and SAT. Additional experience includes teaching ACT Prep at Huntington Learning Center in GR. Just before starting my Spanish program at GVSU, I spent a year teaching ACT Prep to high school students in the greater GR area at Huntington.
English,

English

Please review my descriptions of ACT English and Writing to understand my specific qualifications and accomplishments.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
Reading,

Reading

My teaching diploma from Michigan State University includes a Linguistics/Reading endorsement. When I taught at ELS/WGVU in Allendale, much of our curriculum and lessoning planning was devoted to improving the Reading Skills of the non-immigrating foreign exchange students who wanted to apply for undergraduate and post-graduate programs throughout the U.S.
Spelling,

Spelling

In addition to my K-9 classroom experience, I've taught ESL students from over twenty different countries. In all that time, the only strategies that I've found to be effective are understand a few "rules", reading more, and trying to memorize difficult words.
Writing,

Writing

For over two years, I've worked as an ESL instructor teaching writing and language skills to undergraduate and postgraduate foreign exchange students from over twenty different countries. I've had a lot of success improving their writing and language skills. I base much of my philosophy about SLA (Second Language Acquistion) for L1 and L2 students on Stephen Krashen's model of input/output hypothesis and affective filter. Writing is hard work, but with some simple strategies a student can improve dramatically in a short period of time.
Grammar, Proofreading, SAT Reading, TOEFL, Vocabulary

History

Social Studies,

Social Studies

I've taught Social Studies at the middle school level and as an ESL class for undergraduate and postgraduate foreign exchange students. I've been certified by the State of Michigan to teach Social Studies, and, currently, I'm pursuing my Professional Teacher Certification.
World History

Homeschool

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Algebra 1, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
Biology,

Biology

From 2005-2007, I was a student tutor at Baker College in Microbiology and Anatomy/Physiology. In order to be a student tutor, a student has to maintain a >3.5 GPA and be in good standing.
Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I have over eight years of K-9 experience as a certified teacher and I'm currently pursuing my professional teaching certificate at GVSU.
English,

English

Please review my descriptions of ACT English and Writing to understand my specific qualifications and accomplishments.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
Geometry,

Geometry

Academically, I have taken all math classes Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and Calculus 1 and 2. I have taught Algebra 1 as a High School teacher at the Colegio Americano de Guatemala (accomplishments listed in my profile). More recently, I have successfully tutored students in Geometry for credit recovery in E2020 at Waalkes Juvenile Academy.
Prealgebra,

Prealgebra

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Pre-Algebra, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
Reading,

Reading

My teaching diploma from Michigan State University includes a Linguistics/Reading endorsement. When I taught at ELS/WGVU in Allendale, much of our curriculum and lessoning planning was devoted to improving the Reading Skills of the non-immigrating foreign exchange students who wanted to apply for undergraduate and post-graduate programs throughout the U.S.
Spanish,

Spanish

In addition to academic qualifications, professionally I taught 2 yrs. in the Colegio Americano de Guatemala in Guatemala City, 2 yrs. in the Summer Migrant Program in Fennville, and 2 yrs. as an Academic Tutor for the Migrant Program at GRPS. With WyzAnt, I've successfully tutored 3 students who elevated their grades and passed their high school coursework.
Spelling,

Spelling

In addition to my K-9 classroom experience, I've taught ESL students from over twenty different countries. In all that time, the only strategies that I've found to be effective are understand a few "rules", reading more, and trying to memorize difficult words.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

In addition to learning abbreviations, I emphasize the practice of the Cornell Note Taking System. If this is properly implemented, the student should be able to succeed in any class.
Writing,

Writing

For over two years, I've worked as an ESL instructor teaching writing and language skills to undergraduate and postgraduate foreign exchange students from over twenty different countries. I've had a lot of success improving their writing and language skills. I base much of my philosophy about SLA (Second Language Acquistion) for L1 and L2 students on Stephen Krashen's model of input/output hypothesis and affective filter. Writing is hard work, but with some simple strategies a student can improve dramatically in a short period of time.
SAT Reading

Language

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
Spanish,

Spanish

In addition to academic qualifications, professionally I taught 2 yrs. in the Colegio Americano de Guatemala in Guatemala City, 2 yrs. in the Summer Migrant Program in Fennville, and 2 yrs. as an Academic Tutor for the Migrant Program at GRPS. With WyzAnt, I've successfully tutored 3 students who elevated their grades and passed their high school coursework.
TOEFL

Math

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Algebra 1, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
Geometry,

Geometry

Academically, I have taken all math classes Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and Calculus 1 and 2. I have taught Algebra 1 as a High School teacher at the Colegio Americano de Guatemala (accomplishments listed in my profile). More recently, I have successfully tutored students in Geometry for credit recovery in E2020 at Waalkes Juvenile Academy.
Prealgebra,

Prealgebra

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Pre-Algebra, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
ACT Math

Most Popular

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Algebra 1, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
Biology,

Biology

From 2005-2007, I was a student tutor at Baker College in Microbiology and Anatomy/Physiology. In order to be a student tutor, a student has to maintain a >3.5 GPA and be in good standing.
Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I have over eight years of K-9 experience as a certified teacher and I'm currently pursuing my professional teaching certificate at GVSU.
English,

English

Please review my descriptions of ACT English and Writing to understand my specific qualifications and accomplishments.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
Geometry,

Geometry

Academically, I have taken all math classes Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and Calculus 1 and 2. I have taught Algebra 1 as a High School teacher at the Colegio Americano de Guatemala (accomplishments listed in my profile). More recently, I have successfully tutored students in Geometry for credit recovery in E2020 at Waalkes Juvenile Academy.
Prealgebra,

Prealgebra

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Pre-Algebra, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
Reading,

Reading

My teaching diploma from Michigan State University includes a Linguistics/Reading endorsement. When I taught at ELS/WGVU in Allendale, much of our curriculum and lessoning planning was devoted to improving the Reading Skills of the non-immigrating foreign exchange students who wanted to apply for undergraduate and post-graduate programs throughout the U.S.
Spanish,

Spanish

In addition to academic qualifications, professionally I taught 2 yrs. in the Colegio Americano de Guatemala in Guatemala City, 2 yrs. in the Summer Migrant Program in Fennville, and 2 yrs. as an Academic Tutor for the Migrant Program at GRPS. With WyzAnt, I've successfully tutored 3 students who elevated their grades and passed their high school coursework.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

In addition to learning abbreviations, I emphasize the practice of the Cornell Note Taking System. If this is properly implemented, the student should be able to succeed in any class.
Writing

Writing

For over two years, I've worked as an ESL instructor teaching writing and language skills to undergraduate and postgraduate foreign exchange students from over twenty different countries. I've had a lot of success improving their writing and language skills. I base much of my philosophy about SLA (Second Language Acquistion) for L1 and L2 students on Stephen Krashen's model of input/output hypothesis and affective filter. Writing is hard work, but with some simple strategies a student can improve dramatically in a short period of time.

Other

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
Study Skills

Study Skills

In addition to learning abbreviations, I emphasize the practice of the Cornell Note Taking System. If this is properly implemented, the student should be able to succeed in any class.

Science

Biology,

Biology

From 2005-2007, I was a student tutor at Baker College in Microbiology and Anatomy/Physiology. In order to be a student tutor, a student has to maintain a >3.5 GPA and be in good standing.
Microbiology,

Microbiology

While at Baker College, I took two semesters of Microbiology with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Subsequently, I was invited to tutor Baker students in Microbiology and did so for approximately 1.5 semesters.
Anatomy, Ecology, Physical Science, Physiology

Special Needs

Study Skills

Study Skills

In addition to learning abbreviations, I emphasize the practice of the Cornell Note Taking System. If this is properly implemented, the student should be able to succeed in any class.

Summer

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

A great math teacher is willing to revise methods to meet the needs of students. I teach math as a "linguistic" puzzle with different solutions and paths to discovery. As with science education, after middle school, creative thinking and logical reasoning are usually replaced with learning "the process". I've tutored dozens of students in all aspects of Algebra 1, and everyone elevated their grade and passed the course.
Biology,

Biology

From 2005-2007, I was a student tutor at Baker College in Microbiology and Anatomy/Physiology. In order to be a student tutor, a student has to maintain a >3.5 GPA and be in good standing.
Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

I have over eight years of K-9 experience as a certified teacher and I'm currently pursuing my professional teaching certificate at GVSU.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

When I taught ESL at ELS/GVSU in Allendale, Michigan. I used Communicative Language Teaching strategies to improve oral performance. This was accomplished using the SLA principles of Stephen Krashen. With a stress free environment, the language learner develops better and faster.
GED,

GED

I'm not only certified in ACT and SAT preparation, but I have just completed WyzAnt certification in GED test prep. In addition, I'm currently working as an Academic Tutor assisting students at Waalkes Detention Center with High School diploma and GED test preparation.
Geometry,

Geometry

Academically, I have taken all math classes Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and Calculus 1 and 2. I have taught Algebra 1 as a High School teacher at the Colegio Americano de Guatemala (accomplishments listed in my profile). More recently, I have successfully tutored students in Geometry for credit recovery in E2020 at Waalkes Juvenile Academy.
Reading,

Reading

My teaching diploma from Michigan State University includes a Linguistics/Reading endorsement. When I taught at ELS/WGVU in Allendale, much of our curriculum and lessoning planning was devoted to improving the Reading Skills of the non-immigrating foreign exchange students who wanted to apply for undergraduate and post-graduate programs throughout the U.S.
Spanish,

Spanish

In addition to academic qualifications, professionally I taught 2 yrs. in the Colegio Americano de Guatemala in Guatemala City, 2 yrs. in the Summer Migrant Program in Fennville, and 2 yrs. as an Academic Tutor for the Migrant Program at GRPS. With WyzAnt, I've successfully tutored 3 students who elevated their grades and passed their high school coursework.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

In addition to learning abbreviations, I emphasize the practice of the Cornell Note Taking System. If this is properly implemented, the student should be able to succeed in any class.
Writing

Writing

For over two years, I've worked as an ESL instructor teaching writing and language skills to undergraduate and postgraduate foreign exchange students from over twenty different countries. I've had a lot of success improving their writing and language skills. I base much of my philosophy about SLA (Second Language Acquistion) for L1 and L2 students on Stephen Krashen's model of input/output hypothesis and affective filter. Writing is hard work, but with some simple strategies a student can improve dramatically in a short period of time.

Test Preparation

ACT English,

ACT English

In addition to getting certified with WyzAnt, I've spent over 2.5 years teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 20 different countries looking to enter major colleges and universities in the United States. Because many of these students needed to take the TOEFL/IBT, I taught, as part of the curriculum, TOEFL/IBT testing taking strategies. TOEFL/IBT is a normative standardized test very similar to ACT and SAT. Additional experience includes teaching ACT Prep at Huntington Learning Center in GR. Just before starting my Spanish program at GVSU, I spent a year teaching ACT Prep to high school students in the greater GR area at Huntington.
ACT Reading,

ACT Reading

In addition to getting certified with WyzAnt, I've spent over 2.5 years teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) to undergraduate and postgraduate students from over 20 different countries looking to enter major colleges and universities in the United States. Because many of these students needed to take the TOEFL/IBT, I taught, as part of the curriculum, TOEFL/IBT test taking strategies. TOEFL/IBT is a normative standardized test very similar to ACT and SAT. Additional experience includes teaching ACT Prep at Huntington Learning Center in GR. Just before starting my Spanish program at GVSU, I spent a year teaching ACT Prep to high school students in the greater GR area at Huntington.
GED,

GED

I'm not only certified in ACT and SAT preparation, but I have just completed WyzAnt certification in GED test prep. In addition, I'm currently working as an Academic Tutor assisting students at Waalkes Detention Center with High School diploma and GED test preparation.
ACT Math, SAT Reading, TOEFL

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (87 ratings)
5 star
(84)
4 star
(3)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

Show reviews that mention

All reviews solve problems patient tutor better understanding reliable helped my son

Featured review

I highly recommend Tom.

Tom is a reliable and patient tutor. He helped my son tackle algebra when it became complex in 8th grade. He now has a better understanding of how to solve problems and is pulling his grade up. I highly recommend Tom.

Vicki, 14 lessons with Tom

Excellent

Tom has really helped my 9th grader with algebra. She was falling behind and doing very poorly in her class. We contacted Tom and he has helped her immensely. She says he is very good at teaching, very patient and thorough.

Sherry, 4 lessons with Tom

Strong tutoring skills; effective with math lessons

Tom has provided math tutor lessons to 2 of my children for the last few summers. He familiarizes himself with their lessons first so that he's prepared and effective during their tutoring session. He connects personally with my 8th grader and creates confidence in my son's ability to complete the lessons. We think very highly of Tom's skills as a tutor!

Sarah, 32 lessons with Tom

Great math mentor for our seven year old.

We asked Tom to work with our son to build a deeper understanding and appreciation for the foundational concepts of mathematics. After just a few lessons we couldn’t be happier with his approach and with our son’s engagement with his lessons. Very glad we decided to work with Tom.

Matt, 20 lessons with Tom

Tom knows how to connect with my son.

Tom is the first tutor to be able to connect with my son, who has been notorious for not caring for teachers and tutors. Tom is patient and does a great job. His methods of teaching are to be commended.

Edward, 20 lessons with Tom

Knowledgeable Tutor

Tom appears to be knowledgeable about algebra one and how to explain it. My son enjoyed the tutoring session. We look forward to continuing to use his services and seeing our son's grades do better in school this upcoming year.

D, 5 lessons with Tom
Contact Tom

Response time: 7 hours

$35/hour

Tom H.'s Photo

Tom H.

$35/hour

  • No subscriptions or upfront payments

  • Only pay for the time you need

  • Find the right fit, or your first hour is free

Contact Tom

Response time: 7 hours