Search
Ray E.'s Photo
Ray E.'s Photo Ray E.'s Photo

From Math-Phobic to Full-Stack Engineer: Let’s Make STEM Click
Ray E.

4.7 (57 ratings)

199 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Instant Book

Hourly rate: $28

Claim a session with Ray E. that fits your schedule

Contact Ray for other availability

About Ray

Bio

If you had told me in high school that I would grow up to be a software engineer who uses math daily, I would have laughed. Back then, I dreaded math. There were days I would rather have had my teeth pulled out with rusty pliers than sit through Geometry.

Everything changed for me in college. I discovered that math and science aren't about memorizing dry formulas—they are about decoding how the world works. That shift changed my entire career trajectory, taking me through a Bachelor of...

If you had told me in high school that I would grow up to be a software engineer who uses math daily, I would have laughed. Back then, I dreaded math. There were days I would rather have had my teeth pulled out with rusty pliers than sit through Geometry.

Everything changed for me in college. I discovered that math and science aren't about memorizing dry formulas—they are about decoding how the world works. That shift changed my entire career trajectory, taking me through a Bachelor of Science at UH, advanced graduate-level research, and into the professional software industry.

I know exactly what it feels like to be completely stuck, frustrated, and overwhelmed by STEM; I don’t teach down to students. I specialize in breaking complex, intimidating concepts into practical, visual, and rewarding steps. I've worked with 5-year-olds mastering the basics, a high schooler aiming for an elite SAT score, and adult learners pivoting into data science; I adapt my approach to how their brain processes information.

In addition to my degree in biology, I am a former education major. I'm contemplating a return to graduate school and a teaching certificate program. I am most comfortable teaching backend development technologies (Java, SQL, and Python) and math (Calculus I & II, Precalc, Algebra, Trig, Geometry, etc.) Additionally, I can help with biology, classical mechanics (Physics I), and General Chemistry (no orgo, please). I'm also solid on test prep, especially math/science sections of SAT/ACT. I did well on the GRE and MCAT, but both have changed significantly since then, so, similar to organic chemistry, those will stay on the shelf along with fond memories of my doctor seeing an MCAT prep book and saying, "Now I know why your blood pressure is 20 points higher."

In my free time, I enjoy gaming (right now, all I have time for is my weekly D&D campaign). I'll try to watch the Texans when I have a free Sunday afternoon. I am also writing a novelization of my D&D character.

Read more

Education

University of Houston
Biology
University of North Texas
Graduate Coursework
University of Colorado Boulder
Graduate Coursework

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $28
  • Rate details: Group sessions (up to 3 students) 1.5x hourly rate. Additional consecutive hours priced at online rate. Mile surcharge of $1/mile for in-person meetings more than 15 miles.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 11/1/2022

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Ray hasn’t set a schedule.

We’re having trouble loading this schedule right now. Please try again later.

Approved Subjects

ACT Math

ACT Math

I have tutored several students specifically on the ACT Math and Science sections. I have taken several official ACTs (i.e. from the big red book) and routinely score in the 35-36 range on the math and 33-34 range on the science sections. Given that I struggled with math through high school, now that I understand it I have a passion for helping students who struggle realize that it's not nearly as difficult as we sometimes make it out to be. I am currently an MS in Data Science candidate at UC Boulder with a 3.8 GPA.
ACT Science

ACT Science

I have been tutoring since college and have been teaching SAT/ACT test prep for over a year now,
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I have an extensive background in math and science. I'm still not 100% sure why, but I struggled immensely in math through high school, but once I got to college it "clicked". In fact, the only math class I took in college that I didn't get an A in was Calculus III. I also have been tutoring math for a few years now, so if you're looking for an empathetic, experienced, and skilled tutor send me a message.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

Extensive experience tutoring math and science from 1st grade through graduate school.
Biology

Biology

Freshman Biology, Anatomy and Physiology (have taught undergraduates in both), Human Physiology, Genetics, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Neuroscience.
Biostatistics

Biostatistics

I have completed coursework in advanced statistics and biostatistics totaling 9 hours (6 hours of graduate level) with a 4.0. I can tutor up to and including some multi-variate statistics (MANOVA, MANCOVA, etc.). Normally, undergraduate statistics courses terminate with one or perhaps two way ANOVA. My personal statistics program of choice is R, ma0inly because it is 100% free, but I am willing to work with SPSS or SAS at the pupil's preference.
Calculus

Calculus

BS in biology minor in chemistry from UH. Pre-calculus, Calc 1, Calc 2, Stats [undergrad & grad], Biostats [graduate] all with A's. B's in Calc 3 and ODE. Three years of STEM tutoring experience.
Chemistry

Chemistry

BS in biology, a minor in chemistry from the University of Houston.
Computer Programming

Computer Programming

Currently, I'm a full-stack developer with a strong preference for backend programming. My main stack is Java/SQL/React, but I also speak fluent Python.
Computer Science

Computer Science

I hold a bachelor of science degree from the University of Houston, where I took extra math and computer science coursework. For most of my career, I have had to learn new programming languages and computer science methodologies, and now am currently an MS in Data Science candidate with a 3.9 GPA. As part of my master's degree, I have taken coursework in data structures, algorithms, and statistical programming.
Data Science

Data Science

I am currently an MS in Data Science student at the University of Colorado Boulder with a 3.8 GPA. Additionally, I have 5 years of experience within the clinical and health care data industries.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

Former education major. Experienced teaching first grade through calculus 3. 3.9 math gpa.
Elementary Science

Elementary Science

Math and science tutor with a bachelor of science degree in biology and several years of tutoring/teaching experience.
GED

GED

I have several years of experience tutoring math and science at all levels.
Geometry

Geometry

Prior experience teaching math from first grade through college. 3.8 math gpa through calc 3 + differential equations and graduate-level statistics. Tutored multiple students in geometry.
Physics

Physics

Primarily comfortable teaching classical mechanics (aka physics 1). I've taught several students.
Precalculus

Precalculus

3+ years experience tutoring math and science.
Python

Python

I am an MS in Data Science grad student with approximately 5 years of experience in data science and analytics. I have tutored several Python students and taught Python classes to adults and children of all ages.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I have tutored several students specifically on the SAT Math section. I have taken several official SATs (i.e. from the big blue book) and routinely score in the 720+ range on the math section. Given that I struggled with math through high school, now that I understand it I have a passion for helping students who struggle realize that it's not nearly as difficult as we sometimes make it out to be. I am currently an MS in Data Science candidate at UC Boulder with a 3.8 GPA.
SQL

SQL

Ray is currently an MS in Data Science candidate at the University of Colorado Boulder with a 3.9 GPA (as of October 2022) and has three years of professional experience utilizing SQL in various roles, from software development to database administration.
Statistics

Statistics

BS in biology minor in chemistry from UH. Pre-calculus, Calc 1, Calc 2, Stats [undergrad & grad], Biostats [graduate] all with A's. B's in Calc 3 and ODE. Three years of STEM tutoring experience.
Anatomy
Biochemistry
Ecology
HTML
Java
Microsoft Excel
Physical Science
Physiology
Prealgebra
Probability
Trigonometry

Examples of Expertise

Ray has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 4 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Ray ’s answers ›
Ray E.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Ray before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Ray
Response time: 2 hours

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.7 (57 ratings)
5 star
(49)
4 star
(3)
3 star
(3)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(2)

Reviews

SQL Statements

Ray helped me to be better understand SQL statement logic, and he was very encouraging! Thank you for your help, patience, and time. I think I have a little bit better idea and understanding moving forward. This is challenging stuff for someone with little to no programming/IT background/knowledge.

Linzy, 1 lesson with Ray

Knows Excel very well. patient , fully present and

I learned how to customize an Excel Gannt Chart including multiple functions that are really important in my work. I would like to work with Ray again to continue working

Leland, 1 lesson with Ray

very knowledgeable

Ray met with us on short notice and is very kind and knowledgeable. He helped my son and a friend with a dual credit college math class. Thank you.

Cheryl, 1 lesson with Ray

Methodical and easy going

Ray explained SQL queries and was able to help me find the answer myself. Just what I needed. I was able to complete my assignment successfully. I'm able to use what I have learned.

Megan, 23 lessons with Ray

Algorithms and Data Structurds

We went over merging tables and helped me with hints in it along with two other assignments in it to let me know ehat to do from here in which we were able to go over one programming assignment to start off with

Harris, 2 lessons with Ray