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Certified Tutor
2+ years
Haley Shea
Introducing young learners to coding is really about teaching them to think in sequences, spot patterns, and debug when something doesn't work — skills that mirror how they're already learning to read and write. Haley's experience as a Writing Center consultant and supplemental instruction facilitat...
University of North Georgia
AB
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Apoorv
As a master's graduate in Applied Computing with a Computer Science background and over two years of hands-on software development experience, I'm all about making learning fun and engaging! I've had the chance to teach students of all ages, from 5th graders to college students studying Computer Sci...
University of Windsor
Master's/Graduate
Certified Tutor
2+ years
Palak
At the third-grade level, coding is really about learning to think in sequences — "first do this, then check that, now repeat." Palak uses block-based tools and simple visual puzzles to introduce loops, conditionals, and pattern recognition in a way that feels like play rather than homework.
University of Windsor
Master's/Graduate
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Jai
I'm a recent Stanford graduate (Electrical Engineering and Computer Science), and have been working at a major Management Consulting firm for a few years now. I personally scored a 2360 (out of 2400) on the SAT and 35 on the ACT and was successful in gaining admission to several top universities. I'...
Stanford University
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Certified Tutor
Kate
I'm available to tutor biology, chemistry, physics, math from Algebra up through AP Calculus, SAT test prep, and French. I've been tutoring students in science and math for 7 years. I also spent 8 months working and studying in France, and have tutored high school and adult students in French. When ...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelors
Certified Tutor
I am a licensed physician from Florida who is currently changing careers. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2009 and have extensive tutoring and editing experience. While a student, I became a certified writing tutor through the Critical Writing Department. Since I completed my writ...
Nova Southeastern University
PHD, Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Bachelors, History
University of Pennsylvania
undergraduate
Certified Tutor
Erika
I am available to tutor middle and high school math, history and test prep. I have tutored math and history in the past and I previously taught a test prep course at a school in Hanoi, Vietnam. I have a lot of experience teaching all the need-to-know tricks to doing great on the SATS/ACTS! When I am...
Harvard University
Master of Public Policy, Public Policy
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Rhea
I am a current student at the University of Chicago. I am working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and I am on the pre-medical track. I am extremely passionate about tutoring, and I have several years of experience tutoring students in my high school's learning center in various...
University of Chicago
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
Tony
I am a recent graduate of Yale University and incoming first year medical student at Columbia University. Originally from the DC area, I have always had a passion for science and medicine and pursued a degree in Biology while at Yale. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I tutored science, math, Engl...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Top 20 Technology and Coding Subjects
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Pinelopi
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate with a Bachelors degree in Psychology. I have experience tutoring all levels of Spanish language, all sections of the SAT, as well as algebra, pre algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus! I love kids & I have a very flexible schedule and a lot of patience! Let me help you :)
Tiffany
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +56 Subjects
I am available to tutor a broad range of subjects, I am passionate about test preparation, Accountancy, and Algebra.
Annie
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am currently a second year medical student. I was a Physiological Sciences major at UCLA (class of 2015), and pursued research during my gap year between undergrad and medical school.
Sharon
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, and I will be starting a graduate program at Columbia in August. I am about to complete a year of service with City Year, an education non-profit that places young adults into under-served schools. As a City Year member, I worked full-time in the classroom with middle-school students who were in approximately the 10th percentile for math (meaning they score lower than 90% of students). One-fourth of those students were able to grow around 15 percentile points by the end of the year! Hobbies: reading, cooking, gardening, music, art, nature, books, writing
Samuel
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +29 Subjects
I am a freshman at Caltech majoring in Applied and Computational Mathematics. My favorite subject to tutor is math because I find it very rewarding to simplify complex topics to aid in understanding. I have lots of tutoring experience. In high school, I ran and taught an SAT prep class and was vice president of my school's NHS chapter where I ran our tutoring program, and I, myself, tutored. I also was a teaching assistant in the summer of 2020 for a class in discrete mathematics through a program called PACT (Program in Algorithmic and Combinatorial Thinking). I love learning and hope to make the process enjoyable for you!
Sami
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +19 Subjects
I am a Duke University graduate in Economics and Computer Science. I am currently pursuing an MBA degree at the Yale School of Management. I have worked in the financial field, both at a management consulting firm and a fortune 500 company. My hobbies include playing and coaching soccer. Hobbies: reading, writing, art, books, music
Matthew
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +39 Subjects
I'm a highly creative person who works best with visual thinkers. Very recently graduated from Stanford University, I majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Bioinformatics and Stem Cell Science. Technical though my background may be, I am currently gigging as a singer/songwriter/composer in NYC and tackle even the most hard-science of problems with a top-down, big-picture, holistic approach. If you have a propensity to look at problems in a cross- or inter-disciplinary manner (or want to learn how to do so), I'm the tutor for you!
Earnest
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects
I am comfortable with either setting. I'm confident that I can help you (or your student) achieve to the best of their ability, so please don't hesitate to get in touch!
MaryAnn
Calculus Tutor • +21 Subjects
I am a published author who has enjoyed “coaching” our daughter, as she navigated through high school, college and graduate school. I mentor college juniors who are seeking careers in financial services, and I serve as a peer resource to professionals who are transitioning from private industry to the nonprofit sector. Hobbies: reading, cooking, writing, books, music, art, travel
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
The biggest challenge for 3rd graders is transitioning from concrete thinking to algorithmic thinking—understanding that computers follow step-by-step instructions in exact order. Many students also struggle with loops and conditionals (if/then statements) because these require thinking about what happens when code repeats or branches. Debugging is another common pain point; kids often don't know how to interpret error messages or systematically find where their code went wrong. A tutor can break these concepts down with visual tools, hands-on practice, and real examples that make abstract logic feel tangible.
Block-based coding (like Scratch or Blockly) is ideal for 3rd graders because it lets them focus on logic and problem-solving without getting bogged down by syntax rules. Blocks eliminate typos and syntax errors, so students see immediate results and build confidence faster. Once they master algorithmic thinking through blocks, transitioning to text-based languages like Python becomes much easier because the logic foundations are already solid. A tutor can guide this progression, knowing when a student is ready to level up and how to make that transition smooth.
Effective debugging at this age starts with teaching students to read error messages carefully and understand what they mean, rather than just randomly changing code. Tutors use strategies like "talk-aloud debugging" where students explain what their code should do line-by-line, which often reveals the mistake themselves. Breaking code into smaller chunks and testing each part separately also helps isolate problems. With regular guided practice, students learn to approach errors as puzzles to solve rather than frustrations, building resilience and critical thinking skills.
The best projects for this age combine creativity with achievable goals: interactive stories, simple games (like Pong or maze games), animated characters, and digital art projects. These projects naturally require students to use loops, conditionals, and variables without feeling like "homework." A tutor can scaffold projects by starting with templates or partially-built code, then gradually increasing independence as students gain confidence. Projects also provide real motivation—seeing a game they coded actually work is far more engaging than abstract exercises.
This distinction is crucial at the intro level. Tutors emphasize that logic (the thinking and problem-solving) is the hard part and the real skill, while syntax (spelling, punctuation, exact formatting) is just the "language rules" of that particular tool. With block-based coding, syntax errors disappear entirely, letting students focus purely on logic. When students do encounter syntax errors in text-based code, a tutor helps them see it as a formatting fix, not a logic failure. This mindset prevents kids from conflating "my code doesn't work" with "I'm not good at coding."
Rather than pushing forward, a good tutor zooms out and rebuilds understanding with simpler examples or different tools. If loops are confusing, a tutor might use physical activities (like "repeat these steps 5 times") before returning to code. They also break complex concepts into smaller chunks—maybe teaching "what a variable is" before "how to change a variable." Tutors watch for frustration signals and know when to switch approaches, use analogies, or take a break. This personalized pacing prevents the discouragement that happens when kids are rushed through material they're not ready for.
Code review teaches students to think like programmers: reading someone else's code (or their own old code) and understanding what it does, spotting inefficiencies, and suggesting improvements. A tutor guides this by asking questions like "What does this loop do?" or "Could we use a variable here instead?" rather than just pointing out mistakes. This develops critical reading skills and shows students that coding is iterative—first drafts are rarely perfect, and that's normal. Regular code review practice also builds the habit of writing clear, organized code from the start.
Beyond knowing how to code, the best tutors for this age are patient, creative, and skilled at breaking down abstract concepts into concrete examples. They understand child development and know how to keep 9-year-olds engaged without oversimplifying. They're comfortable with multiple coding platforms (Scratch, Code.org, Blockly, etc.) and can quickly diagnose where a student is stuck. They also celebrate small wins, normalize mistakes as part of learning, and adjust their explanations based on how each student thinks best—some kids learn visually, others by doing, others by talking through problems.
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