Matt: Waterloo tutor

Certified Tutor

I hold a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. That academic experience combined with my many years in the IT industry have given me a comprehensive understanding of math and science and I simply love passing that knowledge on to others.

My main area of tutoring has been focused on helping middle school students with the journey through 7th grade and into Selective Enrollment high schools in Chicago. I know from experience with my own sons and tutoring other young people how demanding and stressful this process can be. I am also familiar with high school course work, having guided both my sons in their math and science classes, enabling them to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and utility behind abstract concepts by drawing simpler analogies and providing real life examples.

I take this same approach when tutoring, instilling self-confidence in students to help them succeed in mastering each new challenge presented. I frequently encourage them to come up with a rough estimate of the answer before delving into formulas and calculations, instructing them to think about the problem in a logical manner first. With an easy-going style, I strive to make students relaxed and comfortable, allowing them to better concentrate on the task at hand and be more receptive to learning. My excellent communication and social skills are invaluable in tailoring my approach to each individual.

I consider myself a life-long learner and enjoy pursuing many other interests, including: soccer and disc golf, solving crossword puzzles, reading and watching good science fiction and mystery, cooking, woodworking, kayaking, sailing, photography, card games, writing and debugging software, and occasionally playing select PS4 video games.