John - Mathematics tutor - Santa Clarita

1^st lesson free

John

5 (2 reviews)

Rate $45
Response 1h
Students
Number of students John has taught since their arrival at Superprof
32
Number of students John has taught since their arrival at Superprof

5 (2 reviews)

$45/h

1^st lesson free

Mathematics
Algebra
Arithmetic
Geometry

Patient Math Tutor in Santa Clarita Helping Students Build Skills, Confidence and Independence — Grades 1–10 & College

Mathematics
Algebra
Arithmetic
Geometry

Lesson location

- at your home or a public place : will travel up to 20 mi. from Santa Clarita

About John

I believe students learn best when they feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and figuring things out for themselves. My goal is to make tutoring positive, productive and—especially with math—far less intimidating.

I am currently available for in-home tutoring throughout the Santa Clarita area, as well as sessions at local libraries and convenient public locations. Daytime, evening and weekend appointments are available.

I have worked with students from grades 1–10 as well as college students, with particular expertise in math. I enjoy helping students visualize numbers and understand why a method works rather than simply memorizing steps. I have tutored students who needed help catching up, students who lacked confidence, and students with ADHD or 504 plans who benefited from a patient, structured approach.

For college students, including adults returning to school after many years, I can help rebuild the high school math skills needed for courses such as algebra, geometry, finite math, business math and statistics. I am often able to identify gaps in a student's foundation quickly and then concentrate on the specific skills preventing progress.

My approach is simple: help students figure it out. I want students to understand the reasoning behind what they are doing so they can eventually solve problems independently rather than relying on a tutor.

Before beginning, I like to speak with parents about their concerns and review whatever information is available—report cards, teacher comments, recent tests, assignments and homework. During the first session, I also ask the student what they find difficult, what comes easily and what frustrates them.

Whenever possible, we begin with current classwork. That gives me an immediate picture of how the student approaches a problem while also giving the student an opportunity for early success. From there, I identify the underlying skills that need strengthening and build them systematically.

I believe confidence is an important part of academic improvement. When students begin to understand the material and see that they can solve problems themselves, they are usually much more willing to put in the effort required to master it.

My teaching and tutoring background

I worked with elementary-school students for five years throughout the Los Angeles area as “Jupiter John” with the Mad Science after-school enrichment program, leading hands-on science activities and demonstrations for students in grades K–6.

I later joined Club Z Tutoring, tutoring elementary- and middle-school students across a variety of subjects, with an emphasis on mathematics. My tutoring experience has since expanded through 10th grade and into introductory college mathematics.

While my son attended Helmers Elementary School in Santa Clarita, I volunteered in the classroom as an art instructor for grades 1, 2 and 4 and taught computer keyboarding to second graders.

I am familiar with the California Common Core curriculum and have experience working with students with ADHD and California 504 plans.

I am also DOJ Live Scan Registered with the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District and have completed Virtus training through Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in Saugus.

A career spent communicating with young audiences

Before becoming a tutor and educator, I spent many years as an entertainment publicity executive, including more than 20 years working with children's television programs, characters and products.

Among the properties I represented or promoted were Pokémon, Pac-Man, Yu-Gi-Oh!, My Little Pony, Jem and the Holograms, Transformers and G.I. Joe. At one point I even appeared as Optimus Prime at promotional events.

I also served as a publicist for Carson-Dellosa Publishing, a major provider of supplemental educational materials.

That career taught me something that applies directly to tutoring: presenting information effectively means understanding your audience. Students do not all process information the same way. Sometimes changing the explanation, drawing a picture, using a number line or approaching a problem from another direction is all it takes for something to click.

Education

I earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Marketing and Management. I graduated at the top of my class and received the class award for earning the highest GPA among students completing a double major.

Finding the right tutor

Subject knowledge matters, but so does personality. A good tutor should be able to establish rapport, provide structure and correction when necessary, and still keep the atmosphere encouraging.

I try to bring a firm approach with a light touch. There is no better reward for me than watching a student struggle with something, work through it and suddenly realize: I get it.

References are available upon request.

I would be happy to discuss your student's needs and determine whether I am the right tutor to help.

About the lesson

I like to begin with a conversation with the parent to understand their concerns, what the student is struggling with, and what may be contributing to the problem. When available, I review report cards, teacher comments, recent tests, assignments and homework so I can get a clearer picture before we begin.

During the first session, I also ask the student what they think they need help with. What feels difficult? What comes easily? What frustrates them? I want to understand not just what they are getting wrong, but how they are thinking about the material.

Whenever possible, I start with the student's current classwork or homework. That allows me to identify gaps in understanding while helping the student make immediate progress on material they are actually being asked to learn.

From there, I focus on the specific skills that need strengthening. In math, that may mean stepping back to reinforce an earlier concept before moving forward. I use different explanations, visual approaches and examples until we find the method that makes sense to that particular student.

My goal is not simply to help a student get the right answer. I want them to understand how to figure it out on their own.

I also believe confidence plays a major role in learning. When students begin to see that they can solve problems successfully, they are usually more willing to take on material that once seemed difficult or frustrating.

I try to bring a firm approach with a light touch—clear expectations, patience, encouragement and enough flexibility to adjust each session to the student's needs.

Review

All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience lived by students with John.

5 (2 reviews)

D

Diane hitchcock and
- 5
Perfect! Jon was an excellent tutor for my 6 year old daughter when we needed help with her Kumon work. He also helped her with additional school work. He is great with kids and we would hire him again.
Read more Read more

D

Diane hitchcock and

Perfect! Jon was an excellent tutor for my 6 year old daughter when we needed help with her Kumon work. He also helped her with additional school work. He is great with kids and we would hire him again.
View more reviews

Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

M

Mamun

Our son (8th grader now) is extremely introverted. It takes a lot of time and effort to establish trust with him. Most people fail. Mr. Russel catered his words, topics and behaviors to tailor to his needs. He put in an unbelievable amount of time and effort to get to know him and earn his trust. So much so that, Mr. Russel is probably THE closest person he has outside his immediately family. Mr. Russel is invaluable and irreplaceable. Grades? his grades went from 2.67 to 3.5 over just 7 months. But, more importantly, he found a friend.
Read more

M
Mamun
Our son (8th grader now) is extremely introverted. It takes a lot of time and effort to establish trust with him. Most people fail. Mr. Russel catered his words, topics and behaviors to tailor to his needs. He put in an unbelievable amount of time and effort to get to know him and earn his trust. So much so that, Mr. Russel is probably THE closest person he has outside his immediately family. Mr. Russel is invaluable and irreplaceable. Grades? his grades went from 2.67 to 3.5 over just 7 months. But, more importantly, he found a friend.
View more recommendations

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Pack rates

5h: $225
10h: $450

free lessons

This first lesson offered with John will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

Details

$45/hr. Minimum 1 hour per week.

Patient Math Tutor in Santa Clarita Helping Students Build Skills, Confidence and Independence — Grades 1–10 & College

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Patient Math Tutor in Santa Clarita Helping Students Build Skills, Confidence and Independence — Grades 1–10 & College

Lesson location

Recommended

About John

About the lesson

Review

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

free lessons

Details

Other tutors in Mathematics

Austin

Hari

My

Joannamarie

Raymond

Alejandro

Ashley

Mila

Danni’s

Katie

Maya

Derek

Peggy

Joseph

Michael

Parshitha

Elizabeth

Nishanyueksel

Travis

Evan

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