CMU Computer Science & Math Tutor

James G.

I have earned a BS and MS in Computer Science, both from Carnegie Mellon University. I was also a doctoral candidate at Carnegie Mellon, and I recently left the program to pursue a career in education. I have broad expertise in computer science, including programming, computer science theory, algorithms, computer systems, formal logic, programming languages, and compilers. I also am comfortable with a broad range of topics in mathematics, ranging from calculus to statistics to discrete math.

My job as a tutor is to help students learn efficiently and effectively. I work with students to identify the core skills they need for a course, and then to find ways to practice and test those core skills. I can provide supplemental instruction on specific topics a student wants to review, but I am a firm believer that practice is the most effective way to learn. I am comfortable preparing practice materials for students, and providing immediate feedback on practice materials. This approach (practice + immediate feedback) helps students learn quickly and corrects misconceptions early.

I have extensive teaching experience. At Carnegie Mellon, I was a teaching assistant or instructor for more than 10 semesters across four courses. I have worked with a wide range of students, from high school students with no CS background to undergraduates in their final semester of a CS degree. I love working with students who are highly motivated, but I also know from experience how hard it is to maintain that motivation. As a tutor, it is my job to motivate my students, to nurture their curiosity, and to help them succeed at their bigger goals, beyond a single test or course.