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Over 25 years of experience and a sense of humor about math
Thomas R.

4.9 (1,917 ratings)

9,968 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $40
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Response time: 2 hours

About Thomas

Bio

I graduated from a community college with a math degree, having paid my own way with no loans or assistance. Upon graduation, I was offered a tutoring position on campus, and have worked there ever since -- more than 30 years and counting. Math is my lifelong love, so the chance to work in the field is like a dream come true. Most students comment on my patience and sense of humor. I've rewritten some formulas and methods to make memorization easier, and I like to toss in occasional bits of...

I graduated from a community college with a math degree, having paid my own way with no loans or assistance. Upon graduation, I was offered a tutoring position on campus, and have worked there ever since -- more than 30 years and counting. Math is my lifelong love, so the chance to work in the field is like a dream come true. Most students comment on my patience and sense of humor. I've rewritten some formulas and methods to make memorization easier, and I like to toss in occasional bits of math history to help students better appreciate why it works and why we need it.

Pre-Algebra ! & II; Algebra I and II; Intermediate Algebra, Trigonometry; Pre-calculus as well Differential, Integral and Vector Calculus; Differential Equations; Linear Algebra; Statistics. Newtonian Physics (usually Physics I on most campuses). I can assist with the mathematics of Nursing courses, such as dosages and unit conversions.
Additionally, I am skilled at reading and composition. I have even been asked to assist with psychology and botany, though I make no promises about my skills in these courses.

Thank you for reading my profile! I have worked with financial aid students as well as students managing math anxiety, text anxiety, and even an unusual form of synesthesia (look it up!). I will always do my best to help you trust yourself, and teach you how to hold vast information in your memory, even if you think it's impossible. I have seen so many students overcome fear and doubt and go on to become happy, healthy and even wealthy that I am confident you can do it, too!

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Education

Brookdale Community College
Mathematics

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $40
  • Rate details: An extra $10 per person per hour for groups, beyond my basic fee.
  • Lesson cancellation: 16 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 8/27/2018

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

Accuplacer

Accuplacer

Along with over 25 years of tutoring experience, both high school and collegiate, I have spent eight years running a special program designed to boost Accuplacer scores in just 5 weeks. I have used A+dvancer software and My Foundations Lab. My team and I received training from Pearson on their software system, both the testing and training applications.
ACT Math

ACT Math

Testing can scare some students, but I can help you learn to memorize things you never thought possible and understand the material in depth. I have worked with countless students in a variety of standardized tests including ACT, GED, GRE, SAT, and Accuplacer. I help my students gain confidence, and many surprise themselves with their achievements. I know you can too!
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I have worked at our county college since 1991, and run an annual program to boost entrance exam scores in arithmetic and algebra 1 (we are eight years in and counting). I also work regularly with high school students.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I have ample experience with this material. I co-designed a special course that helps incoming students boost their scores on our entrance exam. We've run it for eight years now, constantly adapting our approach and improving results.
American History

American History

I love exploring the byways of history, filled with neglected details and remarkable truths. My personal library covers thousands of years of events in the Americas, and I have even been learning to understand ancient Mayan writing. Come to me when you have a challenging paper or want to find a creative topic. Come to me if you simply want to drill on names and dates for a test (I am very good at that as well, though you may find it painful at first) Come to me to understand famous events with complicated backgrounds.
Calculus

Calculus

AP Calculus AB, BC College calculus: differential, integral I have been tutoring since 1991, and bring a different perspective to calculus. I have tweaked some of the formulas and methods to make them more comprehensible (I've also borrowed a few clever techniques I've picked up from many great math writers over the years). Calculus may seem tough, but it need not be once you understand the underlying ideas.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

I have spent more than a quarter century working with students in remedial courses, including Elementary Math, and since 2010 have guided high school students preparing for the Accuplacer exam in a specialized classroom course using online software. I co-designed the course and continually analyze progress to find more effective techniques to boost their scores.
Elementary Science

Elementary Science

I have always loved science (if you could see my personal library, you would know what I mean). Astronomy? Check. Geology? Paleontology? Check and check! In junior high, I was the crazy kid whose science project was "Black Holes" when they were barely discussed. You can pass science too, with guidance, and I want to provide it.
GED

GED

I have been assisting students with standardized tests for decades, now. I have guided numerous students through their GEDs. When you continue on to college, I can offer you Accuplacer assistance as well; I helped co-design a program that boosts the scores of students applying to our college.
Geometry

Geometry

I have decades of experience working with high school and college students in everything from arithmetic to calculus. Geometry is a fun subject that becomes important in later courses, such as trigonometry and even calculus, so it's vital to master it now. I will help you there!
Grammar

Grammar

I began reading at 2 1/2 and never stopped, writing my own (brief) stories by first grade. My father's Masters in English insured that my vocabulary and syntax remained tip-top, as did a prep school in PA. In college, I joined the speech team and learned to improvise speeches in under 7 minutes. More recently, I began working as a volunteer poetry critic to help aspiring writers. Anyone can appreciate words with a little effort, but the best words are also a lot of fun!
Physics

Physics

I chose to major in math as part of a lifelong fascination with physics, especially astrophysics. The universe is full of surprises, from the quantum scale to the intergalactic. I would love to help you understand your coursework and even learn to enjoy physics!
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

I have over a quarter century of experience working with with both grade school students and high school graduates entering college, including Prealgebra. This includes both preparation for the Accuplacer test and assistance with remedial courses once students after students are accepted. Expect patient, persistent tutoring from me with an emphasis on deeper understanding of the material, and even a dash of humor along the way.
Precalculus

Precalculus

I work year-round at our local college, working with students both individually and in small groups on their math assignments, test preparation, and the occasional confidence-booster. I sometimes assign fun math puzzles and games that encourage creative thinking and deeper understanding of the material.
Probability

Probability

Statistics and probability can seem a little counter-intuitive, but with proper guidance anyone can handle it. I have been tutoring for nearly three decades, and my statistics and probability students always get it eventually, no matter how convinced they are that they never will.
Reading

Reading

I began reading before age three, and eventually began to pride myself on finding rare or obscure titles. My personal library numbers nearly 3,000 titles -- after selling off over a thousand during a big move! I can help you understand and appreciate both fiction and non-fiction at every level, from chapters down to the importance of individual words.
SAT Math

SAT Math

Although much of my work focuses on assisting students with remedial courses, I have also assisted students with preparation for Accuplacer, SAT, GRE, GED, and even LSAT exams. I have 27 years of experience in this field.
Statistics

Statistics

AP Statistics College Statistics: introductory, including some biostat, business, psych stats Along with my math degree and experience dating back to 1991, I have developed cleaner, easier ways to understand key elements of statistics such as hypothesis testing (my method rhymes!). This course can intimidate some students and seem very counterintuitive, but in reality Stat makes perfect mathematical sense, as you will soon see.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

I have not only tutored this topic for a quarter century, but have rewritten some of the formulas and methods to simplify the process for students. I can also tell you the history of Trigonometry, explain why it works, and help you memorize the required 60+ formulas far better than you may think you can.
Vocabulary

Vocabulary

I began reading before age three, and soon began writing my own little tales. Having a father with a Masters in English probably helped as well, since he expected the King's English in our home. I love learning new words (or additional meanings for familiar words. Look up the word "arcade" for an example...). I can help you boost your verbal repertoire and even add elegance to your writing, as I have done for many students over nearly thirty years.
Writing

Writing

I began reading before age three, and wrote my first stories in first grade -- one paragraph, but still stories. Since then, I have edited school literary magazines (as well as tossing in my own stories and poems), captained our college speech team (where I could write and perform a speech in under 7 minutes), and have worked with countless students on their writing assignments. I read constantly, and my personal library numbers nearly 3,000 titles AFTER selling off a third of it during a move! I will NOT write your essay for you; that is academic fraud and cheats you in the end. However, I can help you find your inner writer and learn to edit as well. Challenge me! I love it!
Astronomy

Examples of Expertise

Thomas has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 316 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Thomas ’s answers ›
Thomas R.'s Photo

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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (1,917 ratings)
5 star
(1,834)
4 star
(68)
3 star
(10)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(5)

Reviews

Knowledgeable, friendly and patient

Thomas is as good as it gets when it comes to tutoring. He is patient, relatable, humorous and intelligent without being condescending. Thomas breaks the lessons down in Layman's terms and provides relevant examples to better understand the content. I highly recommend Thomas for any mathematical and statistic needs.

Liz, 5 lessons with Thomas

Very patient and kind tutor.

Thomas worked wuth my son on division and word problems. After the lesson he was more excited about math than he has been in years! Thomas was incredibly patient and encouraged him throughout the lesson.

Brittany M, 9 lessons with Thomas

Wonderful tutor

Thomas is detailed, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic with his teaching. My son continue to improve in his AP class at school. Thanks for your flexibility and support this year.

Julia, 15 lessons with Thomas

Patient and Helpful tutor

Thomas is helping my daughter brush up on math subjects before taking her placement tests for college. He is patient, thorough and concise in his instruction and has good availability for lessons. We are pleased with Thomas as a tutor.

Margie, 7 lessons with Thomas

helpful and effective

I had a very helpful session that allowed me to understand the material in a succinct way. It was very clear and easy to follow the instructions.

Mudafer, 11 lessons with Thomas

helpful and effective

I had a very helpful session that allowed me to understand the material in a succinct way. It was very clear and easy to follow the instructions.

Mudafer, 11 lessons with Thomas

helpful and effective

I had a very helpful session that allowed me to understand the material in a succinct way. It was very clear and easy to follow the instructions.

Mudafer, 11 lessons with Thomas

Fantastic tutor - makes math fun and intuitive

Thomas is great at explaining concepts in a way that clicks with our student. And makes the session fun. Our students said about Thomas: “didn’t realize math could be fun, he really seems to enjoy teaching”. Look forward to having his guidance going forward with both our kids at High School and Middle School levels. Thanks Thomas.

Murat, 15 lessons with Thomas

Amazing !

I went through 5 tutors to find Thomas ! He is so understanding and patient, he knows his subjects very well. I look forward to working with him more often, such a sweetheart.

Naomi, 6 lessons with Thomas

Knowledgeable and Great at Explanations

Thomas is helping me with a statistics course, he as a great talent for explaining concepts in a way that makes sense. He is patient when I need to break things down slowly, and has built my confidence immensely already. I would recommend him to anyone.

Grace, 1 lesson with Thomas
Hourly Rate: $40
Response time: 2 hours
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