Brian Humphreys Tutoring
About
I have over 12,000 hours of experience tutoring students in math, science, English language arts, and SAT & ACT prep. I was valedictorian of my university's English BA program and received academic awards from the departments of English, Chemistry, and Computer Science. I spent seven years as a lead instructor and curriculum developer for an international tutoring company before starting my own business in 2016.
There are few things as satisfying as witnessing the moment when an expression of puzzlement turns into an expression of understanding. It never gets old!
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Frequently asked questions
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
The 2020 rate for one-on-one sessions is $72 per hour. The rate to join a group session (of up to 3 students) is $36 per hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I had my earliest teaching experiences as a college freshman: on weekends I would lead a Sunday School class for my local church and help my younger brother learn how to balance chemical equations and do stoichiometry problems. I started my college education as a biochemistry major and graduated with a BA in English literature. Not knowing what to do with my new degree, I was lucky to find work in 2007 with a tutoring company that, despite having hundreds of locations in multiple countries, happened to have its corporate headquarters within walking distance of my apartment! Over the following seven years I spent about 30 hours per week working directly with students to help them acheive their goals.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students as young as four and as old as twenty, but most of my students are between 7th and 11th grade. Some students have been excited just to bring their grades up to passing, while others have been shooting for a straight-A report card or a 36 ACT score.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Teaching writing to fifth and sixth graders is a unique experience! They are at that perfect age when they have developed their language skills enough to begin expressing themselves, but they don't have the self-consciousness of an older teenager that can sometimes lead to creative paralysis.
Recently I let one of my fifth-grade students create his own topic for his homework essay, and he came up with, "Why Jars Are the Best Things Ever." Intrigued, I approved his topic choice and wished him a good week. The following Friday I read one of the most glorious works of writing that has ever come into my hands. I was a changed man; I may never see a humble glass jar the same way.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Shop around! Try a session or two from several tutors until you find one that you are comfortable with. Every teacher has a different teaching style, and what works well for one student may not work well for another. Do not sign up for any program that requires you to pay for a large block of hours up front!