Search
Sherwood P.'s Photo
Sherwood P.'s Photo Sherwood P.'s Photo Sherwood P.'s Photo Sherwood P.'s Photo

Creative And Effective Math Tutor Who Clearly Explains Fundamentals
Sherwood P.

4.9 (96 ratings)

308 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $50
Contact Sherwood

About Sherwood

Bio

I patiently teach math fundamentals to anyone who gets confused, struggles or finds something about math difficult to understand.

Math is a foreign language I am fluent in. Understanding and translating problems from English into math equations correctly and then solving these equations is an important skill that I have effectively taught my students using simple techniques anyone can learn.

My creativity has helped many students who find math boring, or just plain difficult, give...

I patiently teach math fundamentals to anyone who gets confused, struggles or finds something about math difficult to understand.

Math is a foreign language I am fluent in. Understanding and translating problems from English into math equations correctly and then solving these equations is an important skill that I have effectively taught my students using simple techniques anyone can learn.

My creativity has helped many students who find math boring, or just plain difficult, give math another try. I believe every student can learn math, and even want to learn more on their own!

I also can help those who are curious or want to know more about how different math topics are related to each other and what makes these relationships true.

I have been a non-traditional homeschool math tutor since 2014 and an effective online math tutor with Wyzant since March, 2020.

I like teaching students who think differently. I get to know where a student is struggling and find a way to explain any math problem in language and examples that makes sense to that student.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from MIT and a Masters Degree in Education from Harvard.

Read more

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mathematics
Harvard Graduate School of Education
MEd
  • Licensed teacher

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $50
  • Rate details: Negotiable, depending on frequency, Subject and other factors
  • Lesson cancellation: 16 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 9/13/2020

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

Loading...

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Approved Subjects

ACT Math

ACT Math

I listen carefully to questions and explain math concepts thoroughly using terms a student already knows, showing the patterns that exist between them based on familiar examples. I love math and enjoy experiencing the "I get it!" moments when a student realizes they can do math and find correct answers on their own.
Algebra 1

Algebra 1

I help students understand and translate word problems into equations and then "Solve for x" by following step by step procedures. I know using letters for numbers can be confusing, so I explain why it is done and how to check the answer. I explain the fundamental concepts that make math equations and formulas true, answer questions and make sure students understand the math vocabulary they are using.
Algebra 2

Algebra 2

I help students with graphing functions, solving polynomial fraction inequalities, using units of measurement to solve word problems and more. No math question will go unanswered. I explain the fundamental concepts that make math equations and formulas true. I help students manipulate math expressions to simplify terms, find factors and solutions. I introduce new math ideas using vocabulary a student already knows showing the patterns that exist between them.
ASVAB

ASVAB

I help students work through ASVAB practice tests and gain confidence. I identify areas of difficulty and we work together to be successful in dealing with those areas. The math on the ASVAB test can be learned quickly with correct practice. After a few sessions, students will definitely do better taking the ASVAB test.
Discrete Math

Discrete Math

I can help you figure out the right way to count things. I clearly explain bijective, surjective and injective mappings, and how to use them in proofs. I am an expert at using generating functions. I love Pascal's Triangle! It relates to many seemingly unrelated math topics such as Fibonacci numbers and pi. Bucky Fuller is one of my heroes who has an intuitive sense for Discrete Mathematics. I also studied integer Pythagorean triples in detail and why 2 is special in Fermat's Last Theorem. Regarding permutations, I can explain the Permutohedron and how to count partitions of subsets and transpositions of number sequences that will make sense to you. This includes explaining Sterling numbers, Bell numbers and Hasse diagrams. I also love graph theory and can explain paths, walks, trails, cycles, circuits and more as we work together to come up with proofs.
Elementary (K-6th)

Elementary (K-6th)

I teach all subject areas as a Substitute Teacher for Bellingham Public Schools, including special education classes such as reading comprehension. I have been a homeschool math and essay writing tutor for 6 years. I currently focus on being an effective online tutor using the Wyzant online platform. I use whiteboards to explain new material, answer questions, and provide a permanent record of my work with students. I am a certified Math Teacher in Washington and Massachusetts. I do well with shy students who need a patient coach or are gifted and need a stimulating challenge.
Elementary Math

Elementary Math

I deeply understand the fundamental relationship between numbers and how they are used in practical ways. I provide clear explanations and useful tools to help count, add, multiply, subtract, and divide numbers. I make it easy to compare and convert common fractions to decimal fractions. I love helping students figure out word problems.
Fortran

Fortran

I worked for 10 years writing FORTRAN programs for doing structural analysis of pipe supports in power plants. This included front and back end programs to simplify data entry and compare actual to allowable values for design constraints. I converted The software I wrote from the IBM FORTRAN H compiler to CRAY FORTRAN and helped debug the Cray FORTRAN compiler.
GED

GED

I listen carefully to questions and explain math concepts thoroughly using terms a student already knows, showing the patterns that exist between them based on familiar examples. I love math and enjoy experiencing the "I get it!" moments when a student realizes they can do math and find correct answers on their own.
Geometry

Geometry

I love Geometry the way some people love music or sports. For me, Geometry is more than memorizing weird vocabulary and proving silly statements; it is beautiful and true in its simplicity and precision. Many confusing math problems become clear when a geometric solution is available. I listen carefully to each student to understand how they think geometrically. I find appropriate explanations of geometric relationships that make sense to them. Anyone can learn and confidently use basic geometry principles. My goal is for every student to notice and have fun exploring geometric patterns in their daily life.
Linear Algebra

Linear Algebra

I graduated from MIT in applied Mathematics with a minor in Physics in 1975. I have bee an effective online math tutor since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. I love explaining math as a language with its own parts of speech, sentence structure and vocabulary.
Prealgebra

Prealgebra

I listen carefully to questions and explain math concepts thoroughly, making sure the student understands each step before getting to "the answer." I connect new math terms to those a student already knows showing the patterns that exist between them based on familiar examples. I love math and enjoy experiencing the "I get it!" moments when a student realizes they understand and can use the math they were struggling with more clearly and effectively.
Precalculus

Precalculus

Precalculus concepts are foundational and need accurate and clear understanding. I explain what makes math equations and formulas true and answer students' questions using appropriate vocabulary and examples. I am creative and persistent, and know many ways to graph, convert, estimate, search, etc. to get the correct answer expressed in a way that makes sense to the student. I check in frequently to make sure the student "get it" before continuing to the next question.
Probability

Probability

There are many ways to count things and mathematical reasons for why formulas are the way they are. I give students an intuitive sense for what the formulas mean, in addition to useful applications of the formulas. I will clearly answer your questions in language you understand. I know how to explain when to use factorials, powers of 2 (or 10), multiplication, addition, combinations or permutations.
SAT Math

SAT Math

I get to know each student and what their math strengths and weaknesses are by asking questions and working together through SAT Math practice problems. I explain confusing concepts and terms clearly using what they already know. I prompt for student questions and give them hints before providing answers. I believe it is important to know why a math rule or formula is true instead of simply memorizing it. That is what works best to quickly and accurately apply them on a timed test... and in daily life.
Trigonometry

Trigonometry

Trigonometry is confusing! I clearly explain the six basic trigonometric functions and how trigonometric identities relate them to each other. This includes explaining what a unit circle is and why it is important to measure angles in fractional units of pi radians when graphing these functions. I prove the Pythagorean Theorem and the Pythagorean trigonometry identities because these are foundational. I help students understand and properly use the Law of Sines, the Law of Cosines, double angle formulas and other trigonometry formulas to solve problems. It takes (correct) practice solving many problems to become confident using trigonometry concepts. I encourage students to do this on their own and bring the confusing problems to a tutorial session. Trigonometry problems are not difficult when you understand the fundamentals.
Microsoft Excel

Examples of Expertise

Sherwood has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 51 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Sherwood ’s answers ›
Sherwood P.'s Photo

Questions? Contact Sherwood before you book.

Still have questions?

Contact Sherwood

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (96 ratings)
5 star
(87)
4 star
(7)
3 star
(1)
2 star
(1)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

great teacher, easy to understand!

Sherwood is an amazing tutor and has helped me so much in learning. He makes everything seem so much easier and is excellent at explaining problems I may not understand!

Stephanie, 21 lessons with Sherwood

Knowledgable and kind!

Woody is a patient and understanding tutor and also a very nice person that really knows math! We recommend him and really appreciate his instruction. From the basics to the high concepts, he has a solid grasp of how to make these topics accessible to his students.

Chris, 1 lesson with Sherwood

Great tutor

Mr. sherwood is great at teaching discrete math. He came prepared and provided hints and walk you thru the problems. He is patient and knows the material well. He makes sure that you understand the material and not just provide the answers to you.

Qi, 2 lessons with Sherwood

Proactive, and gave last-minute help.

Tutored at last-minute for a discrete math exam. They were available and proactive with understanding my requests, easily acquainted with the material and very helpful. Would recommend for sure.

Julian, 2 lessons with Sherwood

Super Prepared - Knowledgeable - Great Teacher

Highly recommend for algorithms! Mr. Sherwood is incredibly helpful, clearly knowledgeable, and went above and beyond in helping me understand super difficult material within an hour of time. He’s very cognizant of my time and money and makes the most of the time we spend together by coming extremely prepared to help. He was able to breeze through an MIT Computer Science homework assignment with ease and explain the concepts perfectly.

Diana, 1 lesson with Sherwood

Prepared and friendly

I provided my sons homework before lesson. Sherwood found the missing link that my son was struggling with. He took time to make sure he really understood and my son felt more confident for his test the next day.

Tabatha, 2 lessons with Sherwood

Excellent Tutor

Sherwood walked me through some of the problems I had for discrete math. He explained the material step-by-step; he also showed me effective ways to approach each problem. Highly recommend!

Travis, 1 lesson with Sherwood

Sherwood is a excellent tutor!

Thank you, Sherwood. I was completely lost with my Homework, and after our session, I understand the homework after you explained it to me. I appreciate it, looking forward to our next sessions.

Amanda, 6 lessons with Sherwood

Explained so my son could explain to me

I missed the sessions with my son. However, I knew he had a great tutor because my son could tell me everything he learned. A good investment in my son's future.

Bronwynn, 6 lessons with Sherwood

Like talking to a teacher

Woody was very helpful going over the work with our son and he said afterwards it was like he was talking to his teacher which is what we want. He teaches the work, doesn’t just do the work for the kids.

Lana, 7 lessons with Sherwood
Hourly Rate: $50
Contact Sherwood