JM Solutions

Welcome, thanks for taking an interest in possibly working with me.  The first thing I try to do is assess if I can can even realistically help you out as a new possible student.  You may need the help, but if you don't have the disposition and commitment to learn, it might be difficult to work with you.  Some educators call this "coachability" and "discipline."  For me it often comes down to how important academics, at the end of the day, is for you and your family.  Unfortunately we live in a world where education and learning is not always respected and or rewarded (teachers and tutors are not always valued and or paid very well). 

If I can help you as a student, assuming you are under 18, I then assess, with the permission of your legal parent(s), if they have the ability to pay the tutoring fee and work with me as well in a reasonable business-friendly fashion.  Next we schedule a trial session and talk about your academic needs and goals.  We discuss expectations, like being on time, how to be prepared for the tutoring session, how to communicate in a respectful way to professional educators, and how to improve study skills and grades.  

To reduce the risk of covid19 I am teaching almost entirely online.  In this way all you need is a stable internet connection and quiet place to attend the session.  We set a time to meet that works for both of us and take it session by session.  From time to time I might check in with your parents to make sure things are going smoothly and to see if your home is conducive to your academic progress.  After three or four sessions, if everything is going smooth, we talk more about medium term education goals and continue to refine as necessary.  I sometimes also assign homework to my students on a case by case basis to make you stronger in the area you need help or where I might see academic deficiencies.  Since I teach a wide variety of subjects we usually discuss specific curriculum frameworks as I learn more about you, your academic goals, and your unique learning style.  You also get to learn a little about me as the tutor, but the focus is almost entirely on getting you in a better position and prepared for higher level studies.  Unlike standardized public education I believe all students learn in different ways so I refine my approach based on you and your parents' learning values and priorities.  Thanks!

10 years professional one on one tutoring.  My first paid experience was as a language instructor and tutor in college.  I worked at an academic counseling center to help students succeed.  I loved the one on one experience and seeing tangible results after sessions.  I also had some study abroad experiences where I tutored English reading, writing, and worked on some translation / editing projects.  Later on in graduate school I assisted tenured professors and learned how to work as a small team to improve academic and learning outcomes for larger lecture classes.  I also learned how to be a good "academic second" to professors who often had hundreds of students and large teaching loads.  Several years later I started substitute teaching in public schools and tutoring in an after-school private capacity.  In terms of numbers I have 10 years experience tutoring and 5 years as a substitute teacher and later as a homebound hospital educator across a variety of K12 contexts.  More recently I have been focusing on secondary education (HS level) and specifically testing and mathematics.  I have successfully trained many students and enjoy seeing them succeed in higher education.  Some of my former students also received generous scholarships from many different colleges. 

Formally I have 3 degrees, a masters in philosophy, education, fine arts, bachelors in comparative literature, and a bachelors in fine art.  But most of my experience comes from cutting my teeth in the classroom and in one on one sessions.  Here I have literally spent "half a decade" going back to high school in many different classes as a substitute teacher and four years as a one on one homebound educator who was responsible for teaching English, Mathematics, Social Studies and Sciences at the high school level (including some AP classes).  My ten years as a private tutor has progressively allowed me to take on not only more challenging subjects, but feel more comfortable with more complex content matter while still having the intellectual humility to let you know if what you want me to teach you is beyond my level and training.  

Sliding scale but my rates are competitive to market area for professional tutors with minimum 10 years of experience.  Pay may slightly differ, for example, between elementary school and high school subject or professional test prep.  In general, I usually charge an hourly rate, adjust to inflation every year, and request payment before the session starts.  

As a middle school student I volunteer taught 2nd grade math in a high school summer enrichment program.  So I started as an assistant volunteer.  But my first paid teaching assignment was through my university academic enrichment program.  The only reason I was able to get into this "tutoring corps program" was because I had high grades in my foreign language ability.  College was serious academics but the good grades eventually paid off because my university rewarded top performing students grade wise with additional scholarship, fellowship and tutoring opportunities.  After I finished my four year degree (1st one) I did a second bachelors (full scholarship), then worked at a law school library helping expand the legal collection, and then went back to school again as a graduate student who also successfuly won several competitive graduate teaching fellowships.  This experience really changed my outlook on what was possible and the rest has been history.

Elementary to adult.  Neurotypical to mild disability.  All types of students from almost all backgrounds.  The students that do the best with me have flexible friendly parents who are committed to academic excellence.  This then trickles down into you as the student who tends to not only make learning and school a priority, but also knows how to work with professional educators who are there to equip you with knowledge relevant for the future.  

Also high school students who have used their own money from part time work have also done exceedingly well.  Students who know the value of money and not to take their parent's assistance for granted tend to view learning as a rare and scarce commodity to be respected and treasured.

Getting offers from the Peace Corps and Teach for America.  Getting the opportunity to teach.  Getting a student into a two top universities (T5 schools) on a full scholarships.  Getting a student a 97/98 percentile on the SAT.  Getting a student into a prestigious summer academic learning program at a world renown university on a full scholarship who initially couldn't have afforded it.  Getting a student initially weak at math to eventually succeed and love higher level mathematics.  Convincing a high school student who didn't think he was smart enough for college beyond 2 year community college programs to change his plans and only apply to 4 year colleges / university programs because he wanted access to medical and law schools (which requires a 4 year degree in the United States).  Seeing students courageously, and with some amount of personal sacrifice, take on graduate level exams despite no one forcing them to go to graduate school (GRE tests).  

See if its okay with your parents first.  Then see if you and I can establish a good tutoring rapport.  

If you are a possible adult student, the most challenging aspect with older students is that they almost always have difficulty transitioning to a student role so they can be receptive of new learning / knowledge because the adult world has conditioned you to be independent and co-equal.  Unfortunately tutoring assumes a certain amount of safety, trust, and respectful power differential between teacher and student.  Adults who have difficulty "being a student again" are likely not going to benefit from working with me.  In other words you need to not only have the intellectual humility to receive, but have the intellectual humility and courageous trust to be a student again.  This is why adult education tends to be much more challenging and the old adage "get your graduate work done when you are young" has some level of truth and purpose.

First see if you can solve the problem by yourself.  Often times we underestimate our capacity to find solutions to our learning struggles.  Second consider how to and in what manner to best approach the teacher.  If the teacher is skilled and or very good at their job, they are likely very busy.  So you should approach in an emotionally intelligent way.  Third don't be scared.  Many students fear they are asking a stupid question.  Good teachers should be on your side.  They are there to advocate for your learning and help you get to the next level.  Finally, I think most teachers, especially male teachers, like to work with respectful students.  Consider your communication style and approach.  Superior communication almost always pays off better in education.  It can also put you in a position to receive more knowledge.