Robert

ACT English

ACT Science

ACT Math

ACT Reading

AFOQT

The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test has the same format and content as a combination of the ASVAB and ACT, with some extra material depending on spatial relations skills. The sections on instrument comprehension and table reading are just specialized versions of skills we test in science subjects. The only truly unique section is the one on aviation technical facts, most of which are familiar to a physics specialist like myself. My experience tutoring ASVAB and SAT, my certification in ACT, and my scientific background combine to enable me to tutor the AFOQT successfully. I also was a physics major at Cornell and have a master's degree in education.

TEAS

My broad academic background prepared me well to provide tutoring assistance for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Like the ACT exam, it covers math, English, science, and language skills. I have been successful in all those subjects and have experience tutoring them. Because it consists exclusively of multiple-choice questions, high scores on TEAS are particularly correlated with advanced test-taking skills. An experienced tutor not only focuses the student on the most important facts and concepts, but also provides coaching on how to allocate your time during the test, how to analyze the structure of a question to gain insight into the probable answer, and how to improve your odds of guessing correctly.

Microsoft Access

During my 24 years in the private sector, database work was my specialty. Whatever product was used to store the data (for example Oracle), Access was my preferred tool for quickly generating queries, performing data maintenance, and creating simple reports. Access has also been an important application for home and volunteer activities. For a decade I have kept all my contact records in a small database. More recently, I created a database to house information concerning all media in our house (books, CDs, DVDs, etc). This has been normalized into 10 tables, broken out to support efficient cross-referencing of creators (authors, actors, directors, singers, etc), publishers, titles, genres, and dates. For my church, I co-designed and implemented an Access database to automate our annual silent auction. Currently, this contains 7 tables, 41 queries, 5 data entry forms, 27 reports, and 3 macros. The application holds all the information about the auction items and the bidders. Most importantly, it records the silent bids as they are turned in, then processes that data and organizes the output into bidder invoices that are available within 10 minutes after the close of bidding.

discrete math

I was a physics major at Cornell. "Discrete math" is less well defined as a subject than algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or calculus. The emphasis of a school's particular course will vary according to the program(s) for which it is required. At the introductory level, it might be called "finite" math and include topics important for business majors, such as probability, linear programming (optimization), and matrices. Higher level courses might deal with information theory, logic, graph theory, and operations research. Before taking on a discrete math student, I need to get some idea of what level they are studying. So long as it isn't an upper level college course such as set theory or topology, I can put together a suitable tutoring agenda.

elementary science

A description of "elementary science" is difficult; K-6 covers a lot of learning. However, we can pick a point in time and see how your child is progressing relative to the norms set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For instance, by the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to: • Ask questions and make predictions that can be tested. • Select and use appropriate tools and technology (e.g., calculators, computers, balances, scales, meter sticks, graduated cylinders) in order to extend observations. • Keep accurate records while conducting simple investigations or experiments. • Conduct multiple trials to test a prediction. Compare the result of an investigation or experiment with the prediction. • Recognize simple patterns in data and use data to create a reasonable explanation for the results of an investigation or experiment. • Record data and communicate findings to others using graphs, charts, maps, models, and oral and written reports. For a series of tutoring sessions, I assess where the child is in science understanding relative to grade level expectations, then focus on the weaker areas for subsequent meetings. The teaching mode is one-on-one, and assessment continues each lesson so that your child makes progress each week.

elementary math

A description of "elementary math" is difficult; K-6 covers a lot of learning. However, we can pick a point in time and see how your child is progressing relative to the norms set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For instance, by the end of the 5th grade, students should be able to: • Write and interpret numerical expressions. • Analyze patterns and relationships. • Understand the place value system. • Perform operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths. • Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions. • Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions. • Gain familiarity with concepts of positive and negative integers. • Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system. • Represent and interpret data. • Geometric measurement: Understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition. • Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems. • Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties. For a series of tutoring sessions, I assess where the child is in mathematical skill and understanding relative to grade level expectations, then focus on the weaker areas for subsequent meetings. The teaching mode is one-on-one, and assessment continues each lesson so that your child makes progress each week.

spelling

SSAT

PSAT

physical science

GMAT

ASVAB

My broad academic background prepared me well to provide tutoring assistance for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Like other standardized tests, it covers math, English, science (with a little extra practical assessment of shop, electronic, automotive, and mechanical assembly thrown in), and language skills. I have been successful in all those subjects and have experience tutoring them. Because it consists exclusively of multiple-choice questions, scores on ASVAB can be raised by developing good test-taking skills. An experienced tutor not only focuses the student on the most important facts and concepts, but also provides coaching on how to allocate your time during the test, how to analyze the structure of a question to gain insight into the probable answer, and how to improve your odds of guessing correctly.

probability

SAT writing

SAT reading

GED

Since 1942, GED has been an important component of American education, giving those who were not able to complete high school as teenagers a chance to catch up and "level the field" of opportunity in the competition for jobs or college admissions. I welcome the opportunity to help them persevere through the preparation for this extensive battery of tests. One-on-one tutoring sessions with me will improve the chances of passing all five subtests: writing, social studies, science, reading, and math.

GRE

economics

Today, the study of economics depends highly on math skills: graphing, functional relationships, and statistics. My expertise in mathematics and my extensive experience tutoring it contribute to my ability to help economics students. In addition, my liberal arts college education included courses in both micro- and macro-economics.

SQL

While working in Information Technology, one of the skills I applied on a regular basis was the analysis and adjustment of SQL queries. Databases were my specialty, so I'm able to help troubleshoot SQL statements that just do not produce the expected results.

SAT math

statistics

geography

Geography is not the easiest discipline to define. However, the currently accepted standards include: The World in Spatial Terms 1. How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information. 2. How to use mental maps to organize information about people, places, and environments. 3. How to analyze the spatial organization of people, places, and environments on Earth's surface. Places and Regions 4. The physical and human characteristics of places. 5. That people create regions to interpret Earth's complexity. 6. How culture and experience influence people's perception of places and regions. Physical Systems 7. The physical processes that shape the patterns of Earth's surface. 8. The characteristics and spatial distribution of ecosystems on Earth's surface. Human Systems 9. The characteristics, distribution, and migration of human populations on Earth's surface. 10. The characteristics, distributions, and complexity of Earth's cultural mosaics. 11. The patterns and networks of economic interdependence on Earth's surface. 12. The process, patterns, and functions of human settlement. 13. How forces of cooperation and conflict among people influence the division and control of Earth's surface. Environment and Society 14. How human actions modify the physical environment. 15. How physical systems affect human systems. 16. The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources. The Uses of Geography 17. How to apply geography to interpret the past. 18. To apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future. With topics so varied, my tutoring approach is highly individualized. Especially for someone who enjoys travel, geography is inherently interesting, and I try to find ways to keep the fun in it.

astronomy

Astronomy is naturally attractive to those who have a curiosity about the universe. Sometimes, the actual course content provides more of a challenge than anticipated. Having experienced introductory astronomy personally during my undergraduate years at Cornell, and having taught many of its ideas in my physics courses over the years, I can help high school or college students succeed in it. The content of a beginning astronomy course usually concentrates on our solar system and its components, pretty straightforward material. Often it includes a fair amount on the history of astronomy, and I am very familiar with this because of its close relationship to physics (e.g., Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which explains virtually everything you need to know about orbits). Other astronomy topics that are very much a part of physics include the behavior of light, spectrometry, and how telescopes work. Usually, a good mathematical background through algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is expected. These are also subjects that I tutor, so I am very able to help students through this aspect of their astronomy course.

trigonometry

writing

physics

Microsoft PowerPoint

Since Microsoft Office is such a widely used application suite, PowerPoint is the most widely used introductory presentation application. Many office workers and most students are expected to know the basics. My knowledge of PowerPoint comes from over 15 years using it in the Information Technology field as a group manager and a tech support manager. I worked with the program regularly to create slides for use when running meetings or when reporting to upper management.

prealgebra

precalculus

Microsoft Word

Since Microsoft Office is such a widely used application suite, Word is the most widely used word processing application. Most office workers and students are expected to know the basics. My knowledge of Word comes from over 20 years using it in the Information Technology field, first as a programmer and then as a manager. I used it on a daily basis to prepare memos, technical documentation, and reports. I am eager to share this experience with beginning to intermediate users.

geometry

Microsoft Excel

Since Microsoft Office is such a widely used application suite, Excel is the most widely used spreadsheet application. Most office workers and students are expected to know the basics. My knowledge of Excel comes from over 20 years using it in the Information Technology field, first as a programmer and then as a manager. I used it on a daily basis to perform sophisticated calculations, analyze data trends, and produce informative graphs. I am eager to share this experience with beginning to intermediate users.

grammar

vocabulary

calculus

chemistry

I worked with a couple of chemistry students this past year. The key to my success was my expertise in physics and math. The behavior of atoms and molecules follows the laws of physics, and the discipline of chemistry relies on the use of algebra, in the balancing of equations, calculations of solubility, and determinations of molarity and molality. These are the areas that are stumbling blocks to many students, but my experience allows me to guide them through these challenges.

algebra 2

algebra 1

accounting