Derek

Certified Tutor

Hi, I'm Derek! I graduated cum laude from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor with a double major in Computer Science Engineering and Mathematics. I am currently taking a break from graduate coursework for a teaching degree at Johns Hopkins. Last summer in Baltimore, I taught rising 9th graders to prepare them for the coming school year. For the two summers before that, I taught Geometry and Computer Science in the Bronx of NYC to help students get ahead for the school year ahead. I have also taught high school students to teach middle school students math skills in fun and engaging ways. Finally, I have also taught at summer camps while in high school. As for tutoring, I tutored for 3 years in high school in the academic center to help fellow students understand material better. I have also tutored in college because of my strong math ability.

The best part about tutoring is the opportunity to best serve the student. In a classroom environment, it can be hard to pay attention to every student, but when it comes to tutoring, I can deliver content in the best possible way for the student. My favorite moment is always that "a-ha" moment when the student finally understands the material. As a computer science major, I constantly practice breaking down tasks into smaller pieces, so I try to present material in small chunks as well. I know that this form of task analysis helps students understand material better. With my experiences, I also love to find different ways to teach every skill. Since some students understand material in different ways, I make sure that I have a diverse portfolio of methods to teach a skill to ensure mastery. As always, I love getting to know my students, to first treat them as a person. This strong relationship is a foundation to building mastery in a new skill together.

As a math major, I have had a lot of coursework done in understanding mathematics. I have scored an 800 on SAT Math, an 800 on SAT Math II, and a 36 in ACT Math. Math is the subject that I most prefer to teach since I know that my understanding of math is strong. Proofs, number sense, and algebra all come very naturally to me.

I look forward to getting to know you, and to help you build a better understanding in any subject. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions or to schedule a lesson!