Stephen Y.

About Stephen

EXPERIENCE:

I am an experienced mathematics tutor and mechanical engineering instructor. I have privately tutored for the past 6 years and am proficient in all high school and college-level math, as well as engineering and physics courses. While in college, I spent two years tutoring with the University of Tennessee's Math Tutorial Center and two years teaching as Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) for the Mechanical Engineering Department. I specialize in assisting students in various levels of mathematics from basic algebra to higher-level calculus and differential equations. I resigned from my public tutoring job with UT to begin my two-year career as a GTA for the engineering department. As a GTA, I taught the lab portion of a 300-level Instrumentation and Measurement class, where I delivered nine lectures per semester, one for each of the experiments, teaching students the theories and concepts pertaining to the given lab. Additionally, I frequently met with students outside of class to provide one-on-one assistance for those who were struggling. Teaching an engineering course provided me with the necessary challenges and experiences to develop as an expert tutor and expand my educational skill set.

TUTORING STRENGTHS are Patience, Preparation, Adaptability, Creativity, and Passion.

TUTORING STYLE:

As a mathematics tutor, my focus is not to show students "how to do" a problem, but rather to improve their understanding of the concepts, so they can be prepared for any problem. I strive to enhance the educational experience of all of my students, improving both their ability and desire to learn, by providing examples and useful applications of the concepts we discuss. I believe in the power of the "why" when it comes to learning, and find that when a student understands the usefulness of a solution he/she can begin to think on a new plane and independent learning begins to take its course. I work at the pace that the student prefers, allowing them to take control of the session and grow through written examples and sample problems. I am aware that every student's style of learning is different; therefore, I seek to understand each individual student's preferences and strengths and continually improve my approach, giving each student a personalized experience. I like to be creative with my explanations and always think of new ways to approach a problem if one method is not registering with a student. Finally, I excelled as a student through preparation, hard work, dedication, and most importantly a passion for my education, and I carry these pursuits into the workplace.

A BIT MORE ABOUT MYSELF:

I was born in Springfield, Ohio, and my family moved to Nashville, TN when I was six years old. While growing up, I took interest primarily in sports, specifically basketball and golf, the two sports that I played for my high school in Nashville. Aside from playing and watching sports, I am continually working to expand my understanding of new technology and science. I enjoy reading engineering textbooks and am currently teaching myself computer coding. I also enjoy reading fiction novels, with my favorite author being Dan Brown. Aside from reading, I spend a great deal of time playing guitar and having coffee with friends. I take interest in hobbies or areas that present a challenge to me, which is why I took a liking to math when I was young. I am an analytic thinker, with a passion for problem solving, and I absolutely love sharing my skills and experiences with students. I strive to positively impact not just the grades of those students I tutor, but most importantly, their passion for the subject. EXPERIENCE:

I am an experienced mathematics tutor and mechanical engineering instructor. I have privately tutored for the past 6 years and am proficient in all high school and college-level math, as well as engineering and physics courses. While in college, I spent two years tutoring with the University of Tennessee's Math Tutorial… Read more

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