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Student-centered Math Teacher Who Helps Learners Build Confidence
John S.

8 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Hourly Rate: $60
Response time: 4 hours

About John


Bio

I'm a patient, experienced teacher who enjoys working with students to help them develop their math skills. I have a pretty good sense of humor that helps me keep things light and not too serious, even when the math is tricky and involved. My students would echo these remarks (watch my video, I include many student comments). They would also add that I exhibit calmness, have a positive attitude, and am able to explain difficult concepts in multiple ways (and at their level, which is probably...

I'm a patient, experienced teacher who enjoys working with students to help them develop their math skills. I have a pretty good sense of humor that helps me keep things light and not too serious, even when the math is tricky and involved. My students would echo these remarks (watch my video, I include many student comments). They would also add that I exhibit calmness, have a positive attitude, and am able to explain difficult concepts in multiple ways (and at their level, which is probably the most important thing!). Here's some more details about how I settled on being a math educator:

I earned an engineering degree at Penn State University and quickly became a math tutor while I applied for my first job. I experienced such rich and meaningful student interactions while tutoring that I realized that math teaching was my true calling (and have never looked back!). Since that time, I've been a certified math classroom teacher for over 25 years. I currently teach Algebra 2, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC, and have also taught Geometry and Precalculus through the years. In addition to my classroom experience, I have 3 years of experience running the tutoring center at a technical college in New England, where I served as its lead tutor. While spending over two decades in public education, I earned both my Master's Degree in Natural Sciences from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (with a focus in Mathematics Education) and my National Board Certification in Mathematics Teaching. In addition, I have been recognized locally for outstanding teaching, and taught for a year at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, one of the nation's top public schools. I currently teach at Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill, NC where I am very happy to work with some of the best educators and students I've ever been around.


Education

Penn State University
Engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Masters
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: I would be happy to discuss my rates further, including group rates and multiple hour lessons.
  • Lesson cancellation: 2 hours notice required
  • Background check passed on 6/9/2025

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I've taught this course for over 20 years. I really enjoy explaining Algebra 2 using multiple approaches that include technology (graphing calculator, Desmos), algebra skills (simplifying expressions, solving equations), or a table of values. I'm very patient and am able to explain an idea several ways.
Calculus

Calculus

AP Calculus AB and BC are my favorite classes to teach! I've helped hundreds of students pass the AP exam -- I know what's emphasized on the exam, how it's scored, and how the Big Ideas connect with each other. Many students come back and tell me things like, "I used the notes from your class when I went to college and they were SO helpful in Calc II!"
Geometry

Geometry

I've taught 15+ years of Geometry, from properties of shapes to proofs to trigonometry. I like to use diagrams and good organization, so that students can see how to break down complicated problems into easy-to-digest steps. I also help students focus on building algebra skills since many geometry problems lead to writing equations, or systems of equations, which need to be solved.
Precalculus

Precalculus

Many Precalculus students arrive in AP Calculus with a sense of uncertainty and unease about whether they'll succeed in Calculus. Let me help you make the transition easier! I've taught AP Calculus AB and BC for over 25+ years, and know all the Precalculus fundamentals that will make you successful in Calc (think: Unit Circle, Trig, Exponential and Log Functions, Rational Functions and Expressions).
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

I've taught AP Calculus AB and BC for 25+ years. Trigonometry may be the #1 topic for student concern that I see heading into Calculus. Each year in AP Calculus, I do an in-depth review of the Unit Circle, giving students strategies for finding angles in degrees and radians, recalling unit circle values for sine and cosine, and graphing trig functions. My proven strategies and suggestions will help you build conceptual understanding and confidence!
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Response time: 4 hours

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Hourly Rate: $60
Response time: 4 hours
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