Michael

Certified Tutor

I am a graduate of the University of San Francisco. I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology and my Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. While attending college, I was the President of The College Players, theatre company, and performed in many plays at the school. I was elected into "Who's Who in American colleges and Universities" and tutored throughout my collegiate career as a Teaching Assistant and one on one tutoring.
After graduation, I worked in research professionally at CETUS, a Bioengineering company and at the University of California, San Francisco.
I decided to attend the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) to study Acting. I received my Certificate in Acting from LAMDA. I auditioned for a movie, "April Fool's Day", was hired and shot the film in London. After Drama school and the film, I traveled extensively, throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece and Turkey. I returned to Pittsburgh to continue my acting career where I have been an actor to date performing in plays, films, commercials, voiceovers and industrial films. In addition, During this time, I wrote a play called, "Angel's Share" about the demise of a family and the Steel industry in the 1970's.
I am married to my beautiful wife, Tracy, who is a former teacher and now works for Pearson Education which is an education publisher. We have two amazing children in Jeremy and Benjamin. In addition, we have two dogs, Zippy (rescue greyhound), Zoe (rescue beagle/husky mix), Soup (Russian tortoise) and four chickens, Bella, Summer, Ruby and Daisy. We hatched eggs in our Homeschool Coop and they did grow up!
Tracy and I decided to homeschool our children for 5 years. I was charged with facilitating their education. I expressly choose the word, "facilitate", because I believe that a child is in charge of their education. I encourage the student to figure out for themselves what it is they seek to learn. They are responsible for their learning.
Here is a highlight of the type of "Hands on" learning that I am speaking of in regard to children teaching themselves. Jeremy was maybe 5 years old when I gave him the book, The New World Champion Paper Airplane Book by John M. Collins. In this book, were specific designs and the physics behind flight. We went to a local mall on a rainy day and flew the planes to test how they would perform. We were able to match Jeremy's interest with the science behind that interest. The gate for learning was wide open for him to absorb the knowledge in the book. Of course, realistically, some days you just have to memorize Math tables.
I decided last year, as a way of giving back for all that I have been blessed with in my life while finding work more meaningful, I accepted a position as a substitute teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I specifically work in the Montessori elementary school as a building substitute. I love being around the children. I like the variety of challenges that are presented within this school. There are days when I will be directly substituting for a teacher and others when I work one on one with students. My tutoring style is to engage the student through interest, humor and examples in finding the answers to their questions. Also, I am aligned with the Montessori educational philosophy as demonstrated by these Maria Montessori quotes:
Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.
The greatest sign of success for a teacher... is to be able to say, 'The children are now working as if I did not exist.'
One test of the correctness of educational procedure is the happiness of the child.
I truly believe that our future relies on our children. My hope is that I can provide the belief to each child that I tutor they can do it!.
While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about Mathematics, Science, Literature, Theatre and Art. I am passionate about helping students because it brings me so much joy when they come to an understanding of the material presented. They get it! They figured it out! It is very rewarding to see "that light bulb" go on! In my experience, my task is helping struggling students overcome self created obstacles. My hope is to impart a lifelong passion for a life filled with continually educating oneself. I am a huge proponent of education believing it to be necessary for an improved quality of life, personal satisfaction, happiness and the only way to prepare for changes that are constant in our world.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading that which enriches my life, Mindfulness meditation, flower arranging, biking, being a cub scout Den leader, a coach for my boy's basketball and baseball teams and, of course, watching them play.