John K.
Saint Paul, MN
Personal Tutor for Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
BS in ChemistrySteven's Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Master'sPurdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
PhDAbout John
I love to learn, and I love to teach. I find each day exciting because there's something new I will learn! My teaching approach is not memorization, but rather to learn the basic principles of the subject at hand; once the basics are understood, solving specific problems becomes easier. I have over twelve years of tutoring experience, having
Policies
Cancellation
12 hours notice requiredElementary subjects (1 thru 8) $25/hr; High School students (9-12) $35/hr; AP Chem and College level Chem $45/hr.
Travel Radius
Travels within 10 miles of Saint Paul, MN 55125"Knowledgeable and clear"
- Jennifer, Saint Paul, MN on 7/26/15We've covered all the important formulas and learned how to use them and did a lot of example problems so I understood the topic really well. He's also patient. If I don't get the wording to an explanation in the book, he alters the words until I get it and explains it deeply. He's a great tutor!
"Knowledgeable, Helpful, and Flexible"
- Keith, Saint Paul Park, MN on 4/18/17John K has been a great match for our son. He is very knowledgeable about chemistry, and explains it in a way that our son can understand. He helps us in trying to do both "catch up" and current schoolwork. He is flexible with planned changes to the schedule. We would highly recommend John K.
"Timely and Thorough Writing Help"
- Marilyn, Saint Paul, MN on 3/27/17He reviewed the writing process, edited written assignments and provided helpful writing hints. John was timely and thorough. Thanks John, look forward to working with you in the future.
"Patience!"
- Cole, Newport, MN on 4/15/16Thank you for taking the time with our son even though he was under the weather,
we appreciate your patient and kind approach.
"Patient and knowledgeable tutor"
- Susan, Saint Paul, MN on 10/21/15My daughter just had her first meeting with John for help with College Chemistry and was extremely pleased. Hannah liked how he would not just help her with answers but explained things so that she could build her own knowledge base. Hannah liked how he had helpful ways to remember things. We are going back for more sessions - which says a lot as the drive is well over an hour for me.
"Fun and easy to understand"
- Mo, Saint Paul, MN on 10/19/15Ava says that she is understanding the concepts and the way Dr. John teaches is easy to understand. She is really enjoying Dr. John's stories and jokes too.
"Excellent Tutor"
- Jill, Stillwater, MN on 10/7/15Feedback from my daughter, the student "John is good at explaining concepts and help show the steps of how to do things. Makes homework approachable and increased confidence.:" . . . :)
"My daughter is thrilled"
- Maria, Hudson, WI on 10/2/15Thanks to John, my daughter has her confidence back in AP Chem. She's had two sessions so far, and is looking forward to this weeks session as well! So happy we found you!!
"Love him"
- Sheri, Boca Raton, FL on 3/23/15John is the best!! Very patient. Very thorough. Explains every step needed to complete answer. Would recommend John highly! Knows his subjects well. Also has a great sense of humor. Makes learning fun.
"Amazing tutor! No complaints."
- Abigail, Pompano Beach, FL on 3/19/15I needed a tutor for my college chemistry class because I was faced with a professor who is not only a tough grader but also refuses to teach us vital parts of each chapter. I came to John and I saw instant results. He starts from the ground up and covers everything from the basics to the real life applications of my studies. He is very patient and moves at a pace that is appropriate to my learning style, as requested. Since beginning our sessions I know I have gained a vast amount of knowledge that wouldn't have been possible on my own. I am grateful for the ongoing sessions and plan to use the same tutor once I move on to higher level chemistry!
Approved subjects are in bold.
Approved subjects
In most cases, tutors gain approval in a subject by passing a proficiency exam. For some subject areas, like music and art, tutors submit written requests to demonstrate their proficiency to potential students. If a tutor is interested but not yet approved in a subject, the subject will appear in non-bold font. Tutors need to be approved in a subject prior to beginning lessons.
Algebra 1
I have used Algebra in my daily life almost everyday since I first learned about it in College. I have tutored the subject to struggling students with success, and have passed the exam provided by WyzAnt and was thereby approved. I feel comfortable tutoring Algebra I, and look forward to helping new students. I hope to take the Algebra II exam in the near future.
Chemistry
Chemistry runs through my blood. I have studied chemistry most of my life, first as a student in grade school and then high school, then majoring in chemistry in college (BS in chemistry); I studied at another school for a masters Degree in organic chemistry with a thesis and a publication in a science journal; finally, after a high school teaching stint in the Army, I studied and researched at a third school (Purdue University) to earn a PhD in organic chemistry with thesis. I have tutored chemistry in the past with success, and look forward to tutoring chemistry through WyzAnt.
Elementary Math
I have taken the WyzAnt proficiency exam, and I am qualified to tutor Elementary Math, Reading, Writing, spelling, and Vocabulary subjects. I also tutor in science subjects at all levels.
Elementary Science
I have studied and loved science from elementary school on through college (BS degree in Chemistry), continuing on through graduate school (Master of Science degree in Organic Chemistry), and then finally leading to a PhD in Chemistry. You would think that would satisfy anyone's apatite for science, but not for me. To this day I still have a love affair with Science, and have worked in the chemical industry as a Research Scientist for over 35 years.
I have experience tutoring students in elementary science, and enjoy doing it.
English
I have taught English as a second language for over ten years. I teach with the focus on speaking, but can vary emphasis to writing or reading. Knowing a little about a lot of other languages helps me formulate steps in a logical framework for the student to take. Being born and raised in the US, I can serve as an English-speaking model for the student.
Grammar
It is amazing how much improper grammar we are exposed to every day through newspapers, magazines, TV, and advertisements; no wonder our young students of English have a declining knowledge of proper English grammar. I have taught high school grammar (in the US Army), and as a private tutor for the past ten years. Having studied other languages myself (German and Polish), and having tutored English as a second language, I am always cognizant of case and tense in English. I have passed the WyzAnt proficiency exam for grammar, and know that I can continue with confidence to tutor English grammar to new students.
Organic Chemistry
I have studied chemistry, all sorts of chemistry, to earn BS, MS and PhD degrees. I have been a practicing research Chemist in Industry for over 40 years, working for Thomas J. Lipton Corp, J& J Corp., and at 3M Co. I have written theses on the subject and have been awarded over 20 US Patents in the field. I have published, invented, and developed products using organic chemistry.
Physical Science
I have experience tutoring this subject at an elementary level, and also taught this subject in the Army at a high school level. I have studied as a student in college physical chemistry and physics, and I'm familiar with the subject matter. It is easy for me to tutor the subject on an elementary high school, and college level.
Prealgebra
I have demonstrated pre-algebra expertise, and would like to share it with you.
Reading
While in college, I read to a blind student. We had several classes in common, and because at that time Braille books in the subjects were not available, the GI Bill paid for readers for disabled veterans. Not only did I read certain passages to the blind student over and over again (until he got it), I also learned those subjects so well myself that I aced those courses! I have had several years of experience as a reader to students, not all of them blind.
Vocabulary
Vocabulary building is part of teaching English as a second language, and I have taught English for more than ten years. I've learned the importance of word roots as a student of Latin, and have applied roots to help students understand new words. I have developed an ever-increasing vocabulary throughout my studies in college and postgraduate work; writing a thesis for both my Master's degree and for my Doctorate degree, as well as many reports written during my 35-year career as a research scientist in industry has strengthened and nurtured my use of appropriate vocabulary, and I feel confident in helping others learn their vocabularies.
Writing
A liberal education mixed with the study of science requires writing. Like most others, I learned about writing from the ground up, and applied my writing to reports, papers, poetry, and updates. Scientific writing is often presented in the third person, while literary writing can be from the writer's feelings and thoughts. After many years in school, and many years as a professional in a multinational corporation, I have studied and applied different styles of writing, and look forward to teaching today's students how to write correctly.
Other Saint Paul, MN Tutors
John K.
Saint Paul, MN
Personal Tutor for Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry