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Award-Winning Common Core Math Tutors

Melinda

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Melinda

PhD
Melinda's other Tutor Subjects
PSAT Writing Skills
SAT Reading
ACT Reading
SAT

I love to help students to do well on the SAT and ACT Verbal, Reading, and English sections. I have tutored these areas of standardized tests for more than 3 years. My approach is not "standardized" because I enjoy working one-on-one with clients to tailor learning experiences that address each pe...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

John

Certified Tutor

2+ years

John

MS
John's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Trigonometry

My academic credentials include a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Aeronautical Engineering from Stanford University. I am retired from 40+ years of engineering. The last thirty years was working in the flight simulation industry. I had re...

Education

Stanford University

MS

The University of Texas at Arlington

MS

Ruth

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Ruth

PhD
Ruth's other Tutor Subjects
Algebra
LSAT Reading Comprehension
LSAT Logical Reasoning
LSAT

My teaching philosophy is focused on a single objective - that students learn. I have a Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Temple Law School. My GRE score was a 326, and my LSAT score was a 173. I've tutored over 60 students through Varsity Tutors. I'm co...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary

PhD

Madhumitha

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Madhumitha

PhD
Madhumitha's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus
Middle School Math

Knowledge is powerful tool that can change your life and the lives of others. As a tutor my goal is to teach my students how to wield knowledge through embracing their mistakes and teaching them how to learn. I expect my students to approach sessions with an open mind and a willingness to learn. ...

Education

University of Chicago

PhD

Purdue University-Main Campus

PhD

Ning

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Ning

MD
Ning's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Geometry
Algebra
Microbiology

I was accepted to Sidney Kimmel Medical School (class of 2025) on 10/15/20 at Thomas Jefferson University after obtaining my undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Notre Dame in May 2016. With that said, I will dedicate the same quality of care to my students as I would to my future pa...

Education

Thomas Jefferson University

MD

University of Notre Dame

MD

Anne

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Anne

MED
Anne's other Tutor Subjects
Executive Functioning

I hold a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in developmental psychology (with a focus on cognition) and a B.A. from Swarthmore College in theatre and English. I enjoy working with students who are looking to improve their executive function skills as a part of their overall goals fo...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

MED

Swarthmore College

MED

Harleen

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Harleen

BS
Harleen's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Pre-Calculus

I am a Molecular Engineering major at the University of Chicago, I am currently taking time off to focus on other aspects of my career but I don't want to stop tutoring outside college campus!. I am a child of immigrants and have spent my life tutoring my siblings and younger students, and I loved...

Education

University of Chicago

BS

Yoonsik

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Yoonsik

PhD
Yoonsik's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Linear Algebra
Pre-Calculus

I love to teach. I love young minds and fresh brains. Those are just like clean sheets of papers I can draw anything I like. I really like to help young people to achieve their full capacities with my long experience of teaching. I am very patient and good at explaining complex concepts in simple t...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

Straley

Certified Tutor

2+ years

Straley

Master's/Graduate
Straley's other Tutor Subjects
Trigonometry
Elementary School Math
College Statistics
GED

I hold a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a Bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University. I tutored GED math for 3 years in college, so I have experience breaking down concepts for students with a variety of learning styles. I've also informally tutored oth...

Education

Johns Hopkins University

Master's/Graduate

Johns Hopkins University

Bachelor

David

Certified Tutor

2+ years

David

PhD
David's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Finite Mathematics
Statistics
Elementary School Math

I'm an archaeology PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania with extensive teaching experience at the college level. I've taught at Penn, University of the Sciences, and Methodist University in various social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, statistics, public health, and psychology...

Education

University of Pennsylvania

PhD

Kenyon College

PhD

Meet Varsity Tutors Experts

Connect with highly-rated educators ready to help you succeed.

Benjamin

AP Statistics Tutor • +15 Subjects

Full-time tutor, former Chemistry graduate student at University of Pennsylvania, BS Chemistry with Math Minor from Rochester Institute of Technology. My philosophy is that students learn best when they can understand why they're learning the material. I aim to help students effectively utilize and seek out tools for learning concepts while also practicing examples and building knowledge of the concepts themselves. I have a passion for mentoring students in chemistry and mathematics and giving them the knowledge and tools they need to comprehensively understand the foundations and applications of the material they're learning and to succeed in their education.

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Patrick

Elementary School Math Tutor • +36 Subjects

After serving as an intelligence officer in the Air Force for seven years, I completed a doctoral program in American Literature at UNC-Chapel Hill. Since then, I have edited a literary journal, managed a research center, and published several peer-reviewed articles on American autobiography, fiction, and poetry. I live with my wife and three daughters in Durham, North Carolina.

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Elias

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +21 Subjects

I am attending the University of Pennsylvania where I am majoring in Bioengineering on the premed track, with my goal after graduation to become an orthopedic surgeon. My passion for tutoring stems from a genuine love for helping people discover their strengths and succeed in their learning journey, much like guiding a friend through a challenging but rewarding adventure. My teaching philosophy centers on adaptability and personalized instruction, tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of my students. As a tutor, I find immense joy in helping students navigate the field of STEM, while also sharing my enthusiasm for French and Arabic languages. Beyond academia, I am an avid explorer of the world, and I relish the beauty of cultural diversity. In my free time, I enjoy immersing myself in outdoor adventures, savoring diverse cuisines, and partaking in various athletic activities.

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Jacqueline

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +21 Subjects

As a dedicated educator with a PhD in German Studies from Cornell University, I am passionate about nurturing student success through personalized tutoring. With over 7 years of teaching experience, I specialize in a wide array of subjects, including AP courses in Physics, English, and Calculus, as well as German language instruction. My teaching philosophy centers on collaboration and constructive feedback, fostering a supportive environment where students feel confident to express their ideas and enhance their skills. I am deeply motivated by the opportunity to inspire curiosity and a love for learning in my students, helping them not only to achieve academic goals but also to develop critical thinking and writing abilities that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

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Ravi

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

I am passionate about the broad implications and applications of the Science, Math, and Engineering in our daily lives - and enjoy teaching them to my own kids. Towards this end, I also want to leverage my 20+ years in graduate and post-doctoral science/engineering research, past undergraduate level teaching/tutoring experience in physics, math, geophysics, and scientific computation, along with 10+ years of scientific programming & system administration experience towards STEM tutoring/mentoring at school to college level.

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Kevin

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +14 Subjects

I am a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I started peer tutoring in high school, staying after school to help fellow students with AP Chemistry content before major exams and quizzes. I currently tutor in math (up to AP Calculus BC/Calculus II), chemistry, physics, biology and offer test prep for the SAT and several SAT Subject tests. However my favorite subjects to tutor involve chemistry, due to the various real world examples that make the subject more comprehensive and ultimately enjoyable for students. My hobbies and interests include dancing, solving crossword puzzles, binging Netflix TV shows and hiking.

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Stella

Middle School Math Tutor • +11 Subjects

I'm a current PhD student in the history department at Georgetown University who is also an experienced instructor with Varsity Tutors. As a recipient of several degrees, the most recent being a BA in history from Hillsdale College and a MA in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies from Stanford University, I have long sought to make teaching my profession. Meanwhile, as a volunteer grade school teacher and a tutor with this company, I have many years' experience helping students reach their full potential. I am capable of teaching students in many subjects, including reading, mathematics, test prep, Latin, and especially writing, history, and literature. In practice, I am comfortable adapting to different learning styles and specific student preferences. Outside of my academic and career endeavors, I enjoy cooking, reading, and listening to and making music.

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David

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +14 Subjects

My expertise is in classroom, small group, and one-on-one instruction in physics of the first year. I have, however, taught at all levels from non-science major courses through the graduate physics curriculum. My education includes a bachelor's degree in physics from Amherst College and a doctorate from Stanford University. During my career I spent time at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, the University of California, San Diego, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the California Institute of Technology, and Brandeis University, where I worked for nearly 40 years. I am a firm believer that students learn in STEM fields only by doing, not by merely listening. Thus the core of any tutoring experience with me is working on problems. The most formative experience a student can have is to work through a problem, explaining each step to the tutor as he or she goes through it. Only by explaining the concepts and skills to someone else can one be sure of his or her own understanding. My goal in any tutoring interaction is to assist the student in gaining the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to attack any conceivable problem set to him or her by a classroom teacher.

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Erik

AP Statistics Tutor • +34 Subjects

I am a graduate from the University of Florida, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have graduated with scholarship honors in Chemical Engineering with a Bachelor of Sciences from University of Florida, Masters of Computer and Information Technology from UPenn, and a degree in Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I have been a private tutor and also a Teaching Assistant for my four years of study at the University of Florida. I teach various subjects ranging from math and the sciences to test prep such as the ACT. My favorite subject to teach is Chemistry because of my overall background in the field. I enjoy working with students of all ages from grade school to college. It makes me really happy when a student is finally able to comprehend a subject they found difficult before. I am very patient with my students and I will do everything in my power to give them the best education possible.

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Germaine

ACT Math Tutor • +11 Subjects

Hello! I'm Germaine and I am passionate about supporting and empowering students to achieve their academic goals. Over the last five years, I've had the opportunity to help hundreds of students succeed on various standardized tests, research papers, course finals and more across a range of disciplines. Two years ago, I transitioned entirely to ACT, SAT, and LSAT prep where I began focusing on tutoring students in a 1-on-1 setting, and it was here that I discovered my enthusiasm for helping students navigate the nuanced layers of these exams. My love for tutoring comes from the fun of simplifying complex concepts into smaller, more easily accessible units. By cutting down large problems into their constituent parts, any student can become a faster and more efficient problem solver - it's amazing what one can accomplish by employing these effective techniques! My goal as a tutor is to effectively impart these formulas to my students and equip them with the knowledge and confidence to approach any academic challenge that comes their way. After receiving my Bachelors in Philosophy from Princeton University, I moved to the Boston area where my true passion remains teaching and tutoring. Much of my time is spent working with my students, volunteering as a math tutor for disadvantaged schools, and exploring new methods and practices for improving my teaching skill. Experience teaching a variety of subjects and ages has also imbued me with a knack for creativity in coming up with individual lesson plans tailored to fit each unique student. Depending on their particular needs, background, and learning style, I come up with creative solutions to make the material relevant and engaging. Whether through analogies, drawn explanations, or useful anecdotes, I strive to create material that inspires a passion for the subject matter in each student. If you're looking for an experienced tutor who is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential, then feel free to contact me!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common Core Math prioritizes conceptual understanding over rote memorization because it builds deeper mathematical thinking. Instead of just learning "the steps" to solve a problem, students learn the underlying logic—like understanding that 24 ÷ 4 connects to "how many groups of 4 are in 24?" rather than just following a division algorithm. This approach helps students apply math flexibly to new situations and recognize patterns across different topics. A tutor can bridge this gap by helping students see the connections between concrete models (like area arrays or number lines) and abstract procedures, making the "why" click.

Common Core emphasizes multiple solution strategies and clear communication of thinking, which is different from traditional "show your work" formats. A tutor can help students articulate their reasoning using models like tape diagrams, area models, number lines, and equations—tools that are central to Common Core instruction. For example, a student solving a multi-step word problem can learn to draw a tape diagram to visualize the relationships, then explain each step using that visual. This bridges the gap between getting an answer and demonstrating mathematical reasoning in ways that align with how their classroom teaches.

Common Core word problems require students to identify the mathematical structure within a real-world scenario—deciding whether to add, subtract, multiply, or divide—rather than just following keywords. Many students struggle because they're used to pattern-matching ("if it says 'altogether,' add") rather than understanding the actual relationships. A tutor can teach students to break down word problems systematically: identify what's known, what's unknown, and what operation makes sense. Using visual strategies like drawing pictures, making tape diagrams, or acting out the problem helps students see the math embedded in the story, building confidence and accuracy.

In Common Core, solving equations like 3x + 5 = 20 isn't just about memorizing "move it to the other side and change the sign." Instead, students learn to think about equations as balanced statements—whatever you do to one side, you must do to the other. A tutor can help students visualize this balance using concrete models or diagrams, then connect those visuals to the abstract algebraic steps. This conceptual foundation makes it easier for students to understand why the steps work, solve unfamiliar equation types, and catch their own errors rather than just following a procedure blindly.

Common Core emphasizes that equations, tables, and graphs are different representations of the same mathematical relationship—a key insight that many students miss. A tutor can help students move fluidly between these representations: starting with a real-world context, creating a table of values, writing an equation, and sketching a graph. By explicitly connecting these forms, students develop a deeper understanding of functions and linear relationships. For example, recognizing that the slope in an equation (like y = 2x + 3) appears as the rate of change in a table and the steepness of the line on a graph helps students see math as interconnected rather than isolated procedures.

Math anxiety often stems from feeling lost when the "why" isn't clear, which is common when students transition to Common Core's conceptual approach. A tutor works at a student's pace, breaking concepts into smaller chunks and using multiple representations (visuals, manipulatives, real-world examples) until the concept truly clicks. This personalized approach reduces frustration because students aren't rushed and can ask questions without self-consciousness. As students experience success understanding concepts deeply rather than just memorizing steps, their confidence grows—and they often discover that math makes more sense than they thought.

Different textbooks and curricula emphasize different models and strategies within the Common Core framework—one might rely heavily on tape diagrams while another uses area models or number lines. A tutor can help students adapt by teaching the underlying mathematical concepts that transcend any single curriculum. They can also help students learn the specific models and language their new school uses, bridging gaps between what they learned before and what's expected now. This flexibility ensures students understand the core math rather than just memorizing a particular textbook's approach.

Common Core Math is built on recognizing patterns and making connections—like seeing that multiplication is repeated addition, or that the distributive property appears in area models and equations. A tutor helps students notice these patterns by asking guiding questions and encouraging exploration: "What do you notice? What's the same? What's different?" Rather than telling students the rule, tutors guide them to discover patterns themselves. This develops mathematical thinking skills that transfer across topics, helping students solve unfamiliar problems by recognizing similar structures they've seen before.

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