Ways I Can Help

And also what I charge, and why.

  • In-Semester 1x1 Support

    An hour at a time, in quick hits on single topics or over the long-term as support for in-classroom learning. We can work at my place on Main St in Rockland, I can come to you or we can meet somewhere in between.

    I’ve taught HS and Jr High math in New York and Maine, and can support students in achieving in everything from intro / pre-algebra through AP Calculus. I have a special place in my heart for geometry and statisical inference, but honestly, it’s all fun.

  • Homework / Study Group

    If there’s a group that would like regular, ongoing topic-specific or class-specific meeting space and support, that could be a highly-efficient use of time.

    For example — a group of 4 or 5 students who all wanted to work as a group for an hour or two in the afternoon twice a week on trigonometry, tackling class problems or homework, that’d be a fun, effective session I’d be happy to run and serve in as a tutor / supplement to school-hours instruction.

  • Standardized Test Prep

    Oh, standardized tests — you’re the worst. And I say that as someone who absolutely destroyed them: they're not super-useful as indicators, and they're awful as experiences for learners.

    So! Let’s make these as painless as possible by focusing on using time wisely, building an awareness of our strengths and a radar for decoding what specific questions are about, learning to narrow quickly from among a set of multiple choice answers and remembering, always, to breathe.

  • Custom Engagements

    Let's be honest: part of the problem with the entire arrangement is that it struggles to treat students like individuals. Every learner and every situation is different.

    Whatever the project, approach, struggle, goal or constraint you're working with, I'm happy to talk about how I might support the work with an eye to your specific needs and mathematics aspirations.

Pricing: a flexible-ish $45 / hr

I'd like to get paid about as much as your teachers.* Maine's median teacher salary is about $60K, which on a base of 1800 hrs per year is $33 an hour, grossed up to cover social security, health insurance and other benefits get us to $45. So:

  • 1x1 tutoring, 4 meetings minimum: $45/hr

    • I can do fewer than 4, but because starting up a relationship is an investment of time, I need to increase my rate slightly.

  • Group HW or study group support: $60/hr total, up to 5 students

    • This allows for the likelihood of increased follow-up / prep. Different people will be at different places and I want to ensure that everyone gets personalized support.

  • Test Prep: $45/hr for coaching, plus an additional $45 if we do a full practice test section, inclusive of my time to grade and write detailed explanations.

  • Custom arrangements are custom, but will generally be more than $45/hr for instruction due to the need for custom curriculum design. OTOH, it may be less if there's scale to the engagement.

* Of course, I'd like them to get paid as much as they deserve, but that's a different conversation. Rest assured: money is the problem, and we're getting the education system that we're willing to pay for.

Three other things to know

  1. A quick meeting to get to know one another is, of course, free. I prefer Google Meet, but I'm happy to meet at my place or at Rock City, both on Main St.

  2. I'll do a first session for $25, to allow you to get a sense of whether I'm someone you feel you can work with.

  3. I will slide down from these rates if the circumstances justify it, please reach out as I'd be happy to discuss. Keep in mind that I'm shooting for a teacher's rate of pay here, so we're already in a very modest place.