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The Best Explainer Around!
Karina R.

4.9 (272 ratings)

941 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $60
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Response time: 1 day
Karina R.'s Photo
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The Best Explainer Around!
The Best Explainer Around!
Karina R.

4.9 (272 ratings)

941 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
4.9 (272 ratings)

941 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

About Karina

Bio

Hello! My name is Karina and I have a BS and an MA in Physics and a BA in Math. I am also a native Spanish speaker from Argentina.

I consider myself to be a very holistic tutor. My tutoring is about teaching my students to think and reason through the concepts they are struggling with. My ultimate goal is for them not to need my help anymore. I think any other type of tutoring is not really helpful, but rather detrimental in the long run, because it creates a dependency on outside help. My...

Hello! My name is Karina and I have a BS and an MA in Physics and a BA in Math. I am also a native Spanish speaker from Argentina.

I consider myself to be a very holistic tutor. My tutoring is about teaching my students to think and reason through the concepts they are struggling with. My ultimate goal is for them not to need my help anymore. I think any other type of tutoring is not really helpful, but rather detrimental in the long run, because it creates a dependency on outside help. My objective is to create self-sufficient students who learn to think critically and to reason their way through problems.

Of course, in order to do that, it's important to first address what exactly the source of the problems is. My many years of experience as a tutor have given me the tools to glean a lot of information from what my students say, and also from what they don't say! I also pride myself in being very creative in my explanations, so that instead of repeating something that I can see is just not clicking, I will come up with a new way to explain it, until I find the explanation that works for each student. In a way, each student is a puzzle to be solved: how they think about the concepts, what the best way to teach them is, how I can motivate them. And I love puzzles!

I am also a strong believer in teaching study skills. I think learning math (or science, or a language, or anything) is as much about math as it is about learning. I have found, again and again, that many students simply don't know how to learn. They might understand the concepts well enough, but they are still struggling in school. This is often the result of a lack of guidance in the way to approach the process of learning and studying. I always like to spend at least some time going over these things with almost every new student.

Overall, my teaching style is a combination of ideas I acquired throughout my own learning experience, as well as over the more than 15 years that I have been tutoring for. I have worked with students of all ages, from

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Education

San Francisco State University
Physics and Math
UC Santa Barbara
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $60
  • Rate details: This rate is per student, and for meeting at my place. I am available to travel, sometimes, for a rate to be arranged. I also offer discounted rates for group lessons.
  • Lesson cancellation: 8 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 1/18/2014

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

Business

GRE

GRE

I had to take both the general GRE (language and math parts) and the specific physics GRE to get into graduate school. I was above the 85th percentile is both parts of the general one. My knowledge of and experience teaching math made the math part quite easy. My knowledge of many languages, and my experience teaching them, helped me in the verbal part.

Computer

Mathematica

Mathematica

Being a physics graduate student means using Mathematica on a daily basis, and I certainly did! Little by little, I have learned to love this amazing piece of software that seems smarter than me, at times! The syntax is very intuitive once the basics are understood, and the documentation is so extensive and so well organized that it makes learning to use it a breeze. Every time I teach a class, I teach some of my students to use it, because I think it's something that everyone in a scientific field should know.

Corporate Training

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
German,

German

I started learning German when I was in 10th grade, and continued having regular classes until my first year in college. After that, I got a scholarship to go study German in Germany, which really helped me improve. Once I got back, I continued taking conversation classes so as not to forget what I had learned, and I have always sought out any opportunity to speak to native speakers. I have also taught someone from complete beginner through to a second year book. Teaching a language "from scratch" is always a challenge, but I draw on my knowledge of other languages to provide successful tutoring.
Grammar,

Grammar

Most native speakers learn grammar instinctively, so they've never had to learn the rules in the way they are taught in a class. But I, as a speaker of another language, had no choice but to sit through grammar classes to be able to speak in English. Eventually, my knowledge was augmented by the same type of instinctive learning that makes native speakers such good speakers, but I already had a strong formal basis. That, combined with my experience teaching other languages, makes me a very good teacher of grammar.
Spanish,

Spanish

I am a native speaker of Spanish and I lived in a Spanish speaking country until I was 20 years old. This means I went to school in Spanish, so I learned all the grammar that many native speakers missed if they grew up in the US. I also have a lot of experience teaching Spanish. I have had several Spanish conversation groups that I coordinated, and which were always a lot of fun. I have also done more traditional tutoring, both for high school and college level classes. Finally, I have taught complete beginners to speak Spanish "from scratch."
Statistics

Statistics

While my original knowledge of statistics is based on the college classes I had to take as part of my degree, my working knowledge of it is more related to my use of statistics while studying physics. My specialty during my studies was in particle physics, which means a lot of statistical analysis of results. This made me a lot better in the subject, and I gained a lot of knowledge from this. Statistics also seems to be one of those classes where people get confused rather quickly, so I have had to tutor people in this subject many a time.

Elementary Education

Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

My experience with elementary-age students is heavier on math than language arts, but I have successfully tutored students in the latter as well. My math experience is complementary to my experience in this subject with students of all ages and skill level, and is very extensive. Teaching young students, however, can be quite a different challenge, and one that I really like. When teaching them, I can really feel how what I say and do is forming their minds. I feel I can create mental structures that will help them with their life-long learning rather than just the class I'm helping with at the moment. As far as my language tutoring goes, I love learning other languages, and I can speak 3 of them fluently. I continue to this day to learn foreign languages. While the process is different from learning one's native tongue, many of the tools I learn as a student are also useful when teaching young children, especially when the foreign languages I learn use different alphabets that I need to learn to read. I borrow a lot from my personal experience when teaching young children to read.
Elementary Math,

Elementary Math

I have worked with elementary school-aged children in math and science, both doing homework help and general school support, as well as working on developing their math abilities above and beyond what's needed for school. Teaching these young children is a very exciting challenge for me, and very much fun, because I am part of the learning process more than with any other students, and I can really feel how what I say and do is forming their minds. I feel I can create mental structures that will help them with their life-long learning rather than just the class I'm helping with at the moment. This is especially important in math, because it can help avoid problem later on.
Elementary Science,

Elementary Science

I love teaching science in general, mostly because I love science myself. I have been interested in science from a very early age, and I love to pass on this wonder to other people. As far as experience, I have worked with young children mostly in teaching science beyond what the school teaches, rather than as homework help. I also have a lot of experience from running the Physics Circus at UCSB, a program where we took physics demos to elementary schools to get the kids excited about science. I was the coordinator of the program for two years, which means I was in charge of, among other things, developing new ides and updating our old ones. It's an activity I thoroughly enjoyed.
Grammar,

Grammar

Most native speakers learn grammar instinctively, so they've never had to learn the rules in the way they are taught in a class. But I, as a speaker of another language, had no choice but to sit through grammar classes to be able to speak in English. Eventually, my knowledge was augmented by the same type of instinctive learning that makes native speakers such good speakers, but I already had a strong formal basis. That, combined with my experience teaching other languages, makes me a very good teacher of grammar.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have been a tutor for nearly 20 years, and almost without exception I have found that those students who have good study skills and keep neat, tidy notes do better than the rest. I also have a lot of experience as a student myself, since I have been in school all my life. This has helped me define and refine what good study skills are. I always teach some study skills whenever I'm tutoring something, because I believe it is absolutely necessary to understand a subject in depth, especially one that the student finds difficult. But I'm also a big believer in the importance of good study skills independently of any subject, and will often dedicate an entire tutoring session to simply going over this with my students. It has always produced very positive results.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

Ironically, my status as a non-native speaker puts me at an advantage over some native speakers in this area. Knowing more than one language (and I know 4!) means I have more sources to draw from when I encounter a word I've never heard before. Also, I'm a bit of an amateur linguist, in that I really enjoy learning about etymologies and word formation. So all these things combined make me have a more extensive vocabulary than many native speakers. However, knowledge alone doesn't make a good tutor. Fortunately, I am capable of transmitting my enthusiasm for languages and words, at least to some extent, to my students.

English

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
Grammar,

Grammar

Most native speakers learn grammar instinctively, so they've never had to learn the rules in the way they are taught in a class. But I, as a speaker of another language, had no choice but to sit through grammar classes to be able to speak in English. Eventually, my knowledge was augmented by the same type of instinctive learning that makes native speakers such good speakers, but I already had a strong formal basis. That, combined with my experience teaching other languages, makes me a very good teacher of grammar.
TOEFL,

TOEFL

Having had to study for the TOEFL myself is the best tool I can offer my own students. Not only am I knowledgeable in the test itself and its structure, but also I can relate to anyone studying for the test. From the nerve-racking experience of not understanding something because of the poor sound quality, to the anxious wait until the results are in, I've been through it all. And very successfully! Since then, living in the US has improved my English proficiency even more, making me an even better tutor now than I was before.
Vocabulary,

Vocabulary

Ironically, my status as a non-native speaker puts me at an advantage over some native speakers in this area. Knowing more than one language (and I know 4!) means I have more sources to draw from when I encounter a word I've never heard before. Also, I'm a bit of an amateur linguist, in that I really enjoy learning about etymologies and word formation. So all these things combined make me have a more extensive vocabulary than many native speakers. However, knowledge alone doesn't make a good tutor. Fortunately, I am capable of transmitting my enthusiasm for languages and words, at least to some extent, to my students.
ACT English, ACT Reading, SAT Reading, SAT Writing, Writing

Homeschool

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

This is one of the subjects I have the most experience tutoring. It's one of my favorite subjects, too, so it's a good combination! I have tutored all levels, from advanced middle school students, to high school and college level classes. I have also worked as the primary instructor at a community college teaching elementary algebra.
Algebra 2,

Algebra 2

Like algebra 1, this is one of my favorites, both to teach and as a subject in general. It's an important one, too, since it teaches all the necessary foundations to move on to precalculus, so I feel it's important to leave no detail out when learning it. I have extensive experience tutoring it, because it's one of the most requested subjects. I have also worked as an instructor of this class at a community college.
Biology,

Biology

My knowledge of biology comes both from several college-level classes I took (they were outside of my major, but I like science a lot!), and from ongoing learning I have done on my own, both to help students I have tutored (I have often been asked to teach an entire science curriculum, which includes biology among other science units), and to teach my own children, who I am homeschooling.
Calculus,

Calculus

I first took Calculus my last year of high school, and I remember it as being quite a paradigm shift from all the math I knew. I then went on to take many more calculus and calculus-based classes, so I became used to these concepts, but I always remember my first encounter with it when I tutor it, since this is more useful than my current knowledge to those who are just starting. It helps me think from their perspective, making me a much more effective tutor. Of course, this only works when paired with my current, extensive knowledge of calculus, acquired both from taking math classes and from my constant use of it while doing physics.
Chemistry,

Chemistry

My knowledge of chemistry comes mostly from college classes I took in both inorganic and organic chemistry. It was not required for my major, but I always found chemistry very interesting while studying it in high school, so I decided to learn some more about it when I was in college. As far as my experience, I have had to help many students with it throughout the years. I find the way this class is taught in high school to be quite confusing for most people, since it includes a mixture of in-depth and not-in-depth-at-all material that is sure to throw people off.
Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

My experience with elementary-age students is heavier on math than language arts, but I have successfully tutored students in the latter as well. My math experience is complementary to my experience in this subject with students of all ages and skill level, and is very extensive. Teaching young students, however, can be quite a different challenge, and one that I really like. When teaching them, I can really feel how what I say and do is forming their minds. I feel I can create mental structures that will help them with their life-long learning rather than just the class I'm helping with at the moment. As far as my language tutoring goes, I love learning other languages, and I can speak 3 of them fluently. I continue to this day to learn foreign languages. While the process is different from learning one's native tongue, many of the tools I learn as a student are also useful when teaching young children, especially when the foreign languages I learn use different alphabets that I need to learn to read. I borrow a lot from my personal experience when teaching young children to read.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
Geometry,

Geometry

I have probably tutored more people in geometry than in any other subject. This is not surprising, because geometry is the first class where students encounter math of a different kind, involving proofs and abstract concepts rather than simply numbers and operations. This is a very difficult change for many people, but my experience has helped me find new and better ways to explain these new concepts.
Physics,

Physics

I have been taking physics classes since high school, working up the ladder to the level of knowledge I have today. I now have both a bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in it, with a focus on particle physics. I have also done a lot of tutoring in physics, both with high school and college students. The two are actually quite different types of tutoring, since the classes focus on very different aspects of learning physics. I love both, since I love every aspect of the subject!
Prealgebra,

Prealgebra

This is a formative class: one that will create the foundations upon which to build the rest of the mathematical knowledge students will acquire. This is why when I teach it, I always make sure the students are learning to think about the topics in the right way. Many students tend to try to simply memorize some topics they find hard, or sometimes even to skip some topic they consider of minor importance. I always make sure every single topic is understood, because it will save many hours of tutoring in the future. This is also one of the best classes to work on study skills. Studying for math can be very different from studying for other classes, and I always like to take the time to go over the best strategies with my students.
Precalculus,

Precalculus

This is a very fun subject for me. I have loved it for as long as I have known it. It's also the class where higher level math starts to take shape, and where one first catches a glimpse of what mathematicians really do. But maybe precisely because of that, it can be a tough one for many people, so I have had to tutor students in this subject many times. I like to think they often catch some of my enthusiasm!
SAT Math,

SAT Math

I have double experience with this subject. On the one hand, I am very comfortable with the math content of it, since my occupation requires me to use math on a daily basis. On the other hand, I have worked for test preparation companies, where I received specific SAT training. This means I know many of the "tricks" involved in these types of tests, which is as useful, if not more, than knowing the material.
Spanish,

Spanish

I am a native speaker of Spanish and I lived in a Spanish speaking country until I was 20 years old. This means I went to school in Spanish, so I learned all the grammar that many native speakers missed if they grew up in the US. I also have a lot of experience teaching Spanish. I have had several Spanish conversation groups that I coordinated, and which were always a lot of fun. I have also done more traditional tutoring, both for high school and college level classes. Finally, I have taught complete beginners to speak Spanish "from scratch."
Statistics,

Statistics

While my original knowledge of statistics is based on the college classes I had to take as part of my degree, my working knowledge of it is more related to my use of statistics while studying physics. My specialty during my studies was in particle physics, which means a lot of statistical analysis of results. This made me a lot better in the subject, and I gained a lot of knowledge from this. Statistics also seems to be one of those classes where people get confused rather quickly, so I have had to tutor people in this subject many a time.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have been a tutor for nearly 20 years, and almost without exception I have found that those students who have good study skills and keep neat, tidy notes do better than the rest. I also have a lot of experience as a student myself, since I have been in school all my life. This has helped me define and refine what good study skills are. I always teach some study skills whenever I'm tutoring something, because I believe it is absolutely necessary to understand a subject in depth, especially one that the student finds difficult. But I'm also a big believer in the importance of good study skills independently of any subject, and will often dedicate an entire tutoring session to simply going over this with my students. It has always produced very positive results.
SAT Reading, Writing

Language

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
German,

German

I started learning German when I was in 10th grade, and continued having regular classes until my first year in college. After that, I got a scholarship to go study German in Germany, which really helped me improve. Once I got back, I continued taking conversation classes so as not to forget what I had learned, and I have always sought out any opportunity to speak to native speakers. I have also taught someone from complete beginner through to a second year book. Teaching a language "from scratch" is always a challenge, but I draw on my knowledge of other languages to provide successful tutoring.
Spanish,

Spanish

I am a native speaker of Spanish and I lived in a Spanish speaking country until I was 20 years old. This means I went to school in Spanish, so I learned all the grammar that many native speakers missed if they grew up in the US. I also have a lot of experience teaching Spanish. I have had several Spanish conversation groups that I coordinated, and which were always a lot of fun. I have also done more traditional tutoring, both for high school and college level classes. Finally, I have taught complete beginners to speak Spanish "from scratch."
TOEFL

TOEFL

Having had to study for the TOEFL myself is the best tool I can offer my own students. Not only am I knowledgeable in the test itself and its structure, but also I can relate to anyone studying for the test. From the nerve-racking experience of not understanding something because of the poor sound quality, to the anxious wait until the results are in, I've been through it all. And very successfully! Since then, living in the US has improved my English proficiency even more, making me an even better tutor now than I was before.

Math

ACT Math,

ACT Math

I have extensive test-prep expertise, and the ACT is actually the one is most prefer to work on. I consider it a much better test than the SAT, even after the latest update (which made the SAT a lot more like the ACT). I have even convinced many of my students to try out the ACT instead of SAT, when I felt they would benefit from it. Of course, my expertise in math in general helps, especially since I have worked a lot with high school students, which is the level that the ACT tests.
Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

This is one of the subjects I have the most experience tutoring. It's one of my favorite subjects, too, so it's a good combination! I have tutored all levels, from advanced middle school students, to high school and college level classes. I have also worked as the primary instructor at a community college teaching elementary algebra.
Algebra 2,

Algebra 2

Like algebra 1, this is one of my favorites, both to teach and as a subject in general. It's an important one, too, since it teaches all the necessary foundations to move on to precalculus, so I feel it's important to leave no detail out when learning it. I have extensive experience tutoring it, because it's one of the most requested subjects. I have also worked as an instructor of this class at a community college.
Calculus,

Calculus

I first took Calculus my last year of high school, and I remember it as being quite a paradigm shift from all the math I knew. I then went on to take many more calculus and calculus-based classes, so I became used to these concepts, but I always remember my first encounter with it when I tutor it, since this is more useful than my current knowledge to those who are just starting. It helps me think from their perspective, making me a much more effective tutor. Of course, this only works when paired with my current, extensive knowledge of calculus, acquired both from taking math classes and from my constant use of it while doing physics.
Differential Equations,

Differential Equations

As a physics graduate student, while getting my master's degree, I had to use the methods of differential equations all the time in almost all my classes and independent studies. This has made me quite comfortable with and knowledgeable about topics both in ordinary and partial differential equations. I also have lots of experience tutoring math in general, and I am good at spotting what is causing trouble. This is particularly useful for teaching differential equations, because it's a subject that requires somewhat of a change of paradigms to understand, coming from calculus and algebra classes.
Finite Math,

Finite Math

I have taught a college class on mathematics for business majors, which covers most of the topics most students need help with when they seek finite math tutors. I have taught this class several times, so while I never took a class on these topics, I have by now learned them inside and out. I was also very happy to use this knowledge once I acquired it, because it's extremely useful in everyday life, so it's easy to learn about all the details and intricacies in this way. Of course, my general expertise in tutoring math also helps a lot when teaching this subject.
Geometry,

Geometry

I have probably tutored more people in geometry than in any other subject. This is not surprising, because geometry is the first class where students encounter math of a different kind, involving proofs and abstract concepts rather than simply numbers and operations. This is a very difficult change for many people, but my experience has helped me find new and better ways to explain these new concepts.
Linear Algebra,

Linear Algebra

I first took linear algebra in my freshman year in college. It was my favorite class that year, and I still continue to enjoy it immensely. Since then, I have taken related math classes which expand upon my knowledge, such as abstract algebra and Fourier analysis, although most of my expertise comes from physics. Classes such as quantum mechanics or even classical mechanics make extensive use of the mathematical tools and concepts studied in linear algebra, and I have taken many of those! The fact that I use the tools of linear algebra on a regular basis, instead of just studying the theory, means that my knowledge of it is always fresh in my mind. It also means I can provide plenty of examples when explaining it, making it easier to understand.
Mathematica,

Mathematica

Being a physics graduate student means using Mathematica on a daily basis, and I certainly did! Little by little, I have learned to love this amazing piece of software that seems smarter than me, at times! The syntax is very intuitive once the basics are understood, and the documentation is so extensive and so well organized that it makes learning to use it a breeze. Every time I teach a class, I teach some of my students to use it, because I think it's something that everyone in a scientific field should know.
Physics,

Physics

I have been taking physics classes since high school, working up the ladder to the level of knowledge I have today. I now have both a bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in it, with a focus on particle physics. I have also done a lot of tutoring in physics, both with high school and college students. The two are actually quite different types of tutoring, since the classes focus on very different aspects of learning physics. I love both, since I love every aspect of the subject!
Prealgebra,

Prealgebra

This is a formative class: one that will create the foundations upon which to build the rest of the mathematical knowledge students will acquire. This is why when I teach it, I always make sure the students are learning to think about the topics in the right way. Many students tend to try to simply memorize some topics they find hard, or sometimes even to skip some topic they consider of minor importance. I always make sure every single topic is understood, because it will save many hours of tutoring in the future. This is also one of the best classes to work on study skills. Studying for math can be very different from studying for other classes, and I always like to take the time to go over the best strategies with my students.
Precalculus,

Precalculus

This is a very fun subject for me. I have loved it for as long as I have known it. It's also the class where higher level math starts to take shape, and where one first catches a glimpse of what mathematicians really do. But maybe precisely because of that, it can be a tough one for many people, so I have had to tutor students in this subject many times. I like to think they often catch some of my enthusiasm!
Probability,

Probability

Probability can be a tricky class for many people, because it's a branch of math that is rather unconnected from the other branches students usually learn about. Since there isn't too much to relate it to, it's hard to understand it. The trick is that probability, in its most basic form, is nothing more than counting. Realizing this helped me a lot when I first learned it, and I try to keep it in mind when teaching it to others.
SAT Math,

SAT Math

I have double experience with this subject. On the one hand, I am very comfortable with the math content of it, since my occupation requires me to use math on a daily basis. On the other hand, I have worked for test preparation companies, where I received specific SAT training. This means I know many of the "tricks" involved in these types of tests, which is as useful, if not more, than knowing the material.
Statistics,

Statistics

While my original knowledge of statistics is based on the college classes I had to take as part of my degree, my working knowledge of it is more related to my use of statistics while studying physics. My specialty during my studies was in particle physics, which means a lot of statistical analysis of results. This made me a lot better in the subject, and I gained a lot of knowledge from this. Statistics also seems to be one of those classes where people get confused rather quickly, so I have had to tutor people in this subject many a time.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is such a fun class! I truly consider it an entertaining exercise, and enjoy it as much as doing a crossword puzzle. This means that, when teaching it, I am always very excited and happy about it. I find that this always helps, because there's nothing better than enthusiasm to create interest in a class. I also have quite a lot of experience teaching it, since it is a class that many people struggle with, so I get many requests.

Most Popular

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

This is one of the subjects I have the most experience tutoring. It's one of my favorite subjects, too, so it's a good combination! I have tutored all levels, from advanced middle school students, to high school and college level classes. I have also worked as the primary instructor at a community college teaching elementary algebra.
Algebra 2,

Algebra 2

Like algebra 1, this is one of my favorites, both to teach and as a subject in general. It's an important one, too, since it teaches all the necessary foundations to move on to precalculus, so I feel it's important to leave no detail out when learning it. I have extensive experience tutoring it, because it's one of the most requested subjects. I have also worked as an instructor of this class at a community college.
Biology,

Biology

My knowledge of biology comes both from several college-level classes I took (they were outside of my major, but I like science a lot!), and from ongoing learning I have done on my own, both to help students I have tutored (I have often been asked to teach an entire science curriculum, which includes biology among other science units), and to teach my own children, who I am homeschooling.
Calculus,

Calculus

I first took Calculus my last year of high school, and I remember it as being quite a paradigm shift from all the math I knew. I then went on to take many more calculus and calculus-based classes, so I became used to these concepts, but I always remember my first encounter with it when I tutor it, since this is more useful than my current knowledge to those who are just starting. It helps me think from their perspective, making me a much more effective tutor. Of course, this only works when paired with my current, extensive knowledge of calculus, acquired both from taking math classes and from my constant use of it while doing physics.
Chemistry,

Chemistry

My knowledge of chemistry comes mostly from college classes I took in both inorganic and organic chemistry. It was not required for my major, but I always found chemistry very interesting while studying it in high school, so I decided to learn some more about it when I was in college. As far as my experience, I have had to help many students with it throughout the years. I find the way this class is taught in high school to be quite confusing for most people, since it includes a mixture of in-depth and not-in-depth-at-all material that is sure to throw people off.
Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

My experience with elementary-age students is heavier on math than language arts, but I have successfully tutored students in the latter as well. My math experience is complementary to my experience in this subject with students of all ages and skill level, and is very extensive. Teaching young students, however, can be quite a different challenge, and one that I really like. When teaching them, I can really feel how what I say and do is forming their minds. I feel I can create mental structures that will help them with their life-long learning rather than just the class I'm helping with at the moment. As far as my language tutoring goes, I love learning other languages, and I can speak 3 of them fluently. I continue to this day to learn foreign languages. While the process is different from learning one's native tongue, many of the tools I learn as a student are also useful when teaching young children, especially when the foreign languages I learn use different alphabets that I need to learn to read. I borrow a lot from my personal experience when teaching young children to read.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
Geometry,

Geometry

I have probably tutored more people in geometry than in any other subject. This is not surprising, because geometry is the first class where students encounter math of a different kind, involving proofs and abstract concepts rather than simply numbers and operations. This is a very difficult change for many people, but my experience has helped me find new and better ways to explain these new concepts.
Physics,

Physics

I have been taking physics classes since high school, working up the ladder to the level of knowledge I have today. I now have both a bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in it, with a focus on particle physics. I have also done a lot of tutoring in physics, both with high school and college students. The two are actually quite different types of tutoring, since the classes focus on very different aspects of learning physics. I love both, since I love every aspect of the subject!
Prealgebra,

Prealgebra

This is a formative class: one that will create the foundations upon which to build the rest of the mathematical knowledge students will acquire. This is why when I teach it, I always make sure the students are learning to think about the topics in the right way. Many students tend to try to simply memorize some topics they find hard, or sometimes even to skip some topic they consider of minor importance. I always make sure every single topic is understood, because it will save many hours of tutoring in the future. This is also one of the best classes to work on study skills. Studying for math can be very different from studying for other classes, and I always like to take the time to go over the best strategies with my students.
Precalculus,

Precalculus

This is a very fun subject for me. I have loved it for as long as I have known it. It's also the class where higher level math starts to take shape, and where one first catches a glimpse of what mathematicians really do. But maybe precisely because of that, it can be a tough one for many people, so I have had to tutor students in this subject many times. I like to think they often catch some of my enthusiasm!
Spanish,

Spanish

I am a native speaker of Spanish and I lived in a Spanish speaking country until I was 20 years old. This means I went to school in Spanish, so I learned all the grammar that many native speakers missed if they grew up in the US. I also have a lot of experience teaching Spanish. I have had several Spanish conversation groups that I coordinated, and which were always a lot of fun. I have also done more traditional tutoring, both for high school and college level classes. Finally, I have taught complete beginners to speak Spanish "from scratch."
Statistics,

Statistics

While my original knowledge of statistics is based on the college classes I had to take as part of my degree, my working knowledge of it is more related to my use of statistics while studying physics. My specialty during my studies was in particle physics, which means a lot of statistical analysis of results. This made me a lot better in the subject, and I gained a lot of knowledge from this. Statistics also seems to be one of those classes where people get confused rather quickly, so I have had to tutor people in this subject many a time.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have been a tutor for nearly 20 years, and almost without exception I have found that those students who have good study skills and keep neat, tidy notes do better than the rest. I also have a lot of experience as a student myself, since I have been in school all my life. This has helped me define and refine what good study skills are. I always teach some study skills whenever I'm tutoring something, because I believe it is absolutely necessary to understand a subject in depth, especially one that the student finds difficult. But I'm also a big believer in the importance of good study skills independently of any subject, and will often dedicate an entire tutoring session to simply going over this with my students. It has always produced very positive results.
Writing

Other

ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I have been a tutor for nearly 20 years, and almost without exception I have found that those students who have good study skills and keep neat, tidy notes do better than the rest. I also have a lot of experience as a student myself, since I have been in school all my life. This has helped me define and refine what good study skills are. I always teach some study skills whenever I'm tutoring something, because I believe it is absolutely necessary to understand a subject in depth, especially one that the student finds difficult. But I'm also a big believer in the importance of good study skills independently of any subject, and will often dedicate an entire tutoring session to simply going over this with my students. It has always produced very positive results.

Science

Astronomy,

Astronomy

While I have never specialized in this subject, it is often considered a sister-science to physics, and much of the content of it is studied in various physics classes. This is where most of my knowledge comes from. More importantly, I find this subject fascinating, so I have done a lot of independent reading on the matter. I think this is very important for tutoring, because I can transmit my fascination to students with amazing facts and wonderful bits of information. It's sure to spark a love for astronomy.
Biology,

Biology

My knowledge of biology comes both from several college-level classes I took (they were outside of my major, but I like science a lot!), and from ongoing learning I have done on my own, both to help students I have tutored (I have often been asked to teach an entire science curriculum, which includes biology among other science units), and to teach my own children, who I am homeschooling.
Chemistry,

Chemistry

My knowledge of chemistry comes mostly from college classes I took in both inorganic and organic chemistry. It was not required for my major, but I always found chemistry very interesting while studying it in high school, so I decided to learn some more about it when I was in college. As far as my experience, I have had to help many students with it throughout the years. I find the way this class is taught in high school to be quite confusing for most people, since it includes a mixture of in-depth and not-in-depth-at-all material that is sure to throw people off.
Physical Science,

Physical Science

Physics is my passion, and I'm always happy to share it with students. Those studying physical science for the very first time are an ideal audience for my enthusiasm for this beautiful subject. Being a PhD student, my knowledge is certainly enough, but I believe my ability to transmit my passion is much more important, because it motivates my students to learn.
Physics

Physics

I have been taking physics classes since high school, working up the ladder to the level of knowledge I have today. I now have both a bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in it, with a focus on particle physics. I have also done a lot of tutoring in physics, both with high school and college students. The two are actually quite different types of tutoring, since the classes focus on very different aspects of learning physics. I love both, since I love every aspect of the subject!

Special Needs

Study Skills

Study Skills

I have been a tutor for nearly 20 years, and almost without exception I have found that those students who have good study skills and keep neat, tidy notes do better than the rest. I also have a lot of experience as a student myself, since I have been in school all my life. This has helped me define and refine what good study skills are. I always teach some study skills whenever I'm tutoring something, because I believe it is absolutely necessary to understand a subject in depth, especially one that the student finds difficult. But I'm also a big believer in the importance of good study skills independently of any subject, and will often dedicate an entire tutoring session to simply going over this with my students. It has always produced very positive results.

Sports/Recreation

Cooking

Cooking

I love cooking and I'm a very good cook (so say my husband and my friends), but I had never considered this something that can be taught. I felt I was almost born with some intuitive knowledge of this. But then I had a roommate who didn't cook. She was very interested in it, but didn't know what to do. To me, this was strange and surprising, so I became her cooking teacher at least once a week. Soon, she was enjoying cooking her own meals, and little by little started being less shy about trying new recipes and ideas. The moral of the story? It turns out cooking can be taught! And it's very fun to teach, because it's such a hands-on process, very different from academic teaching. Most of my experience is with Argentinian (which basically means Italian) and American cuisine, of course, but I love to experiment and learn new things. My years living in San Francisco taught me a lot about Chinese cuisine, and I'm learning how to cook Indian food. I would be happy to teach these skills to any future chef!

Summer

Algebra 1,

Algebra 1

This is one of the subjects I have the most experience tutoring. It's one of my favorite subjects, too, so it's a good combination! I have tutored all levels, from advanced middle school students, to high school and college level classes. I have also worked as the primary instructor at a community college teaching elementary algebra.
Algebra 2,

Algebra 2

Like algebra 1, this is one of my favorites, both to teach and as a subject in general. It's an important one, too, since it teaches all the necessary foundations to move on to precalculus, so I feel it's important to leave no detail out when learning it. I have extensive experience tutoring it, because it's one of the most requested subjects. I have also worked as an instructor of this class at a community college.
Biology,

Biology

My knowledge of biology comes both from several college-level classes I took (they were outside of my major, but I like science a lot!), and from ongoing learning I have done on my own, both to help students I have tutored (I have often been asked to teach an entire science curriculum, which includes biology among other science units), and to teach my own children, who I am homeschooling.
Calculus,

Calculus

I first took Calculus my last year of high school, and I remember it as being quite a paradigm shift from all the math I knew. I then went on to take many more calculus and calculus-based classes, so I became used to these concepts, but I always remember my first encounter with it when I tutor it, since this is more useful than my current knowledge to those who are just starting. It helps me think from their perspective, making me a much more effective tutor. Of course, this only works when paired with my current, extensive knowledge of calculus, acquired both from taking math classes and from my constant use of it while doing physics.
Chemistry,

Chemistry

My knowledge of chemistry comes mostly from college classes I took in both inorganic and organic chemistry. It was not required for my major, but I always found chemistry very interesting while studying it in high school, so I decided to learn some more about it when I was in college. As far as my experience, I have had to help many students with it throughout the years. I find the way this class is taught in high school to be quite confusing for most people, since it includes a mixture of in-depth and not-in-depth-at-all material that is sure to throw people off.
Elementary (K-6th),

Elementary (K-6th)

My experience with elementary-age students is heavier on math than language arts, but I have successfully tutored students in the latter as well. My math experience is complementary to my experience in this subject with students of all ages and skill level, and is very extensive. Teaching young students, however, can be quite a different challenge, and one that I really like. When teaching them, I can really feel how what I say and do is forming their minds. I feel I can create mental structures that will help them with their life-long learning rather than just the class I'm helping with at the moment. As far as my language tutoring goes, I love learning other languages, and I can speak 3 of them fluently. I continue to this day to learn foreign languages. While the process is different from learning one's native tongue, many of the tools I learn as a student are also useful when teaching young children, especially when the foreign languages I learn use different alphabets that I need to learn to read. I borrow a lot from my personal experience when teaching young children to read.
ESL/ESOL,

ESL/ESOL

I have taught English as a second language to many people, from various ages and knowledge levels. Most of my teaching occurred in Argentina, simply because there are more non-English speakers there. However, while in the US, I have continued to teach languages to peoples of all ages. While all languages are different, the thought process that goes into learning to speak a new language is actually very similar and the tools and tricks that I have learned while teaching one language have often been very useful for other languages too. Although I am not a native speaker of English because I didn't grow up in an English-speaking environment, my speaking, writing and reading ability in English match those of a native speaker. Furthermore, I have the advantage of having learned in the same way that my potential students will be learning: from books, grammar exercises and lots of reading. This gives me a special understanding of my students that a native speaker wouldn't share.
Geometry,

Geometry

I have probably tutored more people in geometry than in any other subject. This is not surprising, because geometry is the first class where students encounter math of a different kind, involving proofs and abstract concepts rather than simply numbers and operations. This is a very difficult change for many people, but my experience has helped me find new and better ways to explain these new concepts.
German,

German

I started learning German when I was in 10th grade, and continued having regular classes until my first year in college. After that, I got a scholarship to go study German in Germany, which really helped me improve. Once I got back, I continued taking conversation classes so as not to forget what I had learned, and I have always sought out any opportunity to speak to native speakers. I have also taught someone from complete beginner through to a second year book. Teaching a language "from scratch" is always a challenge, but I draw on my knowledge of other languages to provide successful tutoring.
Physics,

Physics

I have been taking physics classes since high school, working up the ladder to the level of knowledge I have today. I now have both a bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master's degree in it, with a focus on particle physics. I have also done a lot of tutoring in physics, both with high school and college students. The two are actually quite different types of tutoring, since the classes focus on very different aspects of learning physics. I love both, since I love every aspect of the subject!
SAT Math,

SAT Math

I have double experience with this subject. On the one hand, I am very comfortable with the math content of it, since my occupation requires me to use math on a daily basis. On the other hand, I have worked for test preparation companies, where I received specific SAT training. This means I know many of the "tricks" involved in these types of tests, which is as useful, if not more, than knowing the material.
Spanish,

Spanish

I am a native speaker of Spanish and I lived in a Spanish speaking country until I was 20 years old. This means I went to school in Spanish, so I learned all the grammar that many native speakers missed if they grew up in the US. I also have a lot of experience teaching Spanish. I have had several Spanish conversation groups that I coordinated, and which were always a lot of fun. I have also done more traditional tutoring, both for high school and college level classes. Finally, I have taught complete beginners to speak Spanish "from scratch."
Statistics,

Statistics

While my original knowledge of statistics is based on the college classes I had to take as part of my degree, my working knowledge of it is more related to my use of statistics while studying physics. My specialty during my studies was in particle physics, which means a lot of statistical analysis of results. This made me a lot better in the subject, and I gained a lot of knowledge from this. Statistics also seems to be one of those classes where people get confused rather quickly, so I have had to tutor people in this subject many a time.
Study Skills,

Study Skills

I have been a tutor for nearly 20 years, and almost without exception I have found that those students who have good study skills and keep neat, tidy notes do better than the rest. I also have a lot of experience as a student myself, since I have been in school all my life. This has helped me define and refine what good study skills are. I always teach some study skills whenever I'm tutoring something, because I believe it is absolutely necessary to understand a subject in depth, especially one that the student finds difficult. But I'm also a big believer in the importance of good study skills independently of any subject, and will often dedicate an entire tutoring session to simply going over this with my students. It has always produced very positive results.
GED, Writing

Test Preparation

ACT Math,

ACT Math

I have extensive test-prep expertise, and the ACT is actually the one is most prefer to work on. I consider it a much better test than the SAT, even after the latest update (which made the SAT a lot more like the ACT). I have even convinced many of my students to try out the ACT instead of SAT, when I felt they would benefit from it. Of course, my expertise in math in general helps, especially since I have worked a lot with high school students, which is the level that the ACT tests.
GRE,

GRE

I had to take both the general GRE (language and math parts) and the specific physics GRE to get into graduate school. I was above the 85th percentile is both parts of the general one. My knowledge of and experience teaching math made the math part quite easy. My knowledge of many languages, and my experience teaching them, helped me in the verbal part.
PSAT,

PSAT

I used to work at a test-preparation company teaching SAT and related tests, where I received specialized training in teaching PSAT, SSAT and SAT, among other variations of these. I taught a couple of large classes, but didn't like the "one size fits all" approach. Since then, I have used what I learned with them and my own knowledge as a tutor to help individual students study for these standardized tests.
SAT Math,

SAT Math

I have double experience with this subject. On the one hand, I am very comfortable with the math content of it, since my occupation requires me to use math on a daily basis. On the other hand, I have worked for test preparation companies, where I received specific SAT training. This means I know many of the "tricks" involved in these types of tests, which is as useful, if not more, than knowing the material.
SSAT,

SSAT

I used to work at a test-preparation company teaching SAT and related tests, where I received specialized training in teaching PSAT, SSAT and SAT, among other variations of these. I taught a couple of large classes, but didn't like the "one size fits all" approach. Since then, I have used what I learned with them and my own knowledge as a tutor to help individual students study for these standardized tests.
TEAS,

TEAS

This test is actually one of my favorite standardized tests. It's one of the only ones that actually tests relevant knowledge, rather than a great mixture of a little bit of everything. I am certainly qualified to tutor the material in the math section, since it includes elementary algebra concepts, mostly. The material on the reading section is very similar to the material on other standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, so my experience there is very useful. The science part covers some basic aspects of physics and chemistry, some important ideas about scientific principles, and a lot of anatomy. The first two parts are most definitely within my main area of expertise. While anatomy is not, I am the first to make this clear to my students. Still, many of the questions test critical thinking rather than specific knowledge, for which my scientific experience comes in very handy.
TOEFL,

TOEFL

Having had to study for the TOEFL myself is the best tool I can offer my own students. Not only am I knowledgeable in the test itself and its structure, but also I can relate to anyone studying for the test. From the nerve-racking experience of not understanding something because of the poor sound quality, to the anxious wait until the results are in, I've been through it all. And very successfully! Since then, living in the US has improved my English proficiency even more, making me an even better tutor now than I was before.
ACT English, ACT Reading, GED, SAT Reading, SAT Writing

Examples of Expertise

Karina has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 9 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

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Ratings and Reviews

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Reviews

So patient and knowledgeable!

Karina is a great GRE tutor, very knowledgeable and kind. She has helpful tips and knowledge that don't seem daunting at all. Would highly recommend!

Bridget, 2 lessons with Karina

Patient and Knowledgeable Math Tutor

Karina has tutored my High School daughter Advanced Pre-Calculus for the last 8 months. We've had 3 other tutors prior and by far Karina is the best among them in terms of being able to explain the subject matter clearly and being flexible with scheduling appointments. Her knowledge of the subject and patience in her sessions with my daughter has greatly improved her test scores and most importantly boosted her confidence in the subject. With the help of Karina, my daughter is now qualified to take AP Calculus next year!

George, 56 lessons with Karina

Fantastic and Very Reliable Tutor

I highly recommend Karina to anyone who needs help in math and science. She is the best tutor I've ever had. She never let me down since day one. I met with her for a month or so and I improved my math skills. She has a very unique way of teaching. She really know what she's talking about when she explain something - and it is super clear! I'm not exaggerating but my weakness has been in mathematics; Karina helped me overcome my weaknesses by breaking down complicated subject into simpler and more understandable way. I've been out of college for more than 14 years and I need to learn the basic- algebra , geometry, and most of all- word problems. It was pretty tough at first, however, Karina really helped me all the way. To anyone who needs to review their math and science, especially if you're going to take the TEAS exam- I highly recommend karina. She is a fantastic and very reliable tutor.

Loraine, 8 lessons with Karina

Excellent teacher for hands-on science experience.

I wanted to offer our girls some science enrichment activities to keep them engaged and interested in science and math. I was specifically looking for hands-on science activities that are fun and exciting. Karina exceeded my expectations and our girls have loved every session with her. Karina came on time, prepared with all the materials and had the girls involved in doing experiments that were really fun. If you are looking for a professional and engaging tutor for your child, you will not be disappointed with Karina.

Yoon, 3 lessons with Karina

Meaningful Math

How often does your child have to chance to be taught in your home by a versatile, multi-lingual theoretical physicist who understands kids and loves teaching them? After several sessions this summer, our mildly math-averse 8-year-old daughter is now switched on to math. We asked Karina if she could teach our daughter math in a meaningful way--through little science experiments that naturally lead to math problems--and she has done so seamlessly. We feel lucky to have found Karina as a tutor for our daughter and recommend her whole-heartedly.

Ben, 8 lessons with Karina

SIMPLY THE BEST PHYSICS TUTOR EVER!

Karina is simply amazing. She's very nice, patient and explains things very clearly using practical as well as theoretical examples. She is also very easy to get in contact with and shows great flexibility with scheduling when possible. If you need any help in physics, hire Karina, you won't be disappointed!

Robert, 11 lessons with Karina

Excellent Math Tutor!

Karina has exceeded all of our expectations for a math tutor. She tutors my daughter in Advanced Algebra Honors. My daughter had been quite confused because the teacher doesn't explain concepts well, and the textbook is apparently confusingly written. Karina has no problem, though, in explaining the concepts in a friendly and patient manner, and she knows her stuff! She has never been stumped by a question, just knows the material inside out!

Susan, 32 lessons with Karina

Fun Spanish lessons for Mother and Daughter

Karina is an excellent tutor and our Spanish lessons are a lot of fun. My daughter is much more advanced than I am but Karina manages to challenge both of us in an engaging and joyful way and with lots of games. With some experience in teaching German to children I think that Karina's lessons are well structured and balanced and that she provides very good material for us to learn vocabulary and grammar. There is also a lot of emphasis on speaking and trying out our new skills. My daughter and I are very much looking forward to our next lesson.

Angela, 15 lessons with Karina

Best teacher ever!

My nine years old daughter loves her and enjoy her classes. She is learning a lot and she is always excited to go to class with Karina, and I am really happy since my daughter is finally learning!

Ginevra, 10 lessons with Karina
Hourly Rate: $60
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