Meet the Tutor
Hi, I'm Dylan!
I help students master material and reach their goals in math, statistics, and physics.
I tutor students (primarily high schoolers) in-person in Orange County, California. I'm also available for virtual tutoring. Leave a message or book a call with me to see how I can help.
My students overcome frustration, do hard things, and realize they’re capable of more than they thought.
The material I've tutored the most is:
- SAT Math
- Pre-Calculus
- AP Calculus BC
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Physics C: Mechanics
- Probability (Counting, Combinatorics)
- AP Statistics
The only topics I do not tutor are pure mathematics (B.A. Math curriculum: set theory, topology, graph theory).
Outside of my tutoring business, I’m an aquatic athlete with a background in swimming and water polo, and I have a golden retriever named Tank.
Here's a bit of my resume. Without the amazing tutors, teachers and professors in my life, it'd be a lot shorter.
Portola High School '20 (3.98)
- 5s on AP Calculus AB, BC, AP Physics Mechanics, AP Statistics.
- 1500 SAT (710 reading/writing, 790 math)
- 800 SAT II Math, 790 SAT II Physics
UC Santa Barbara '24 (3.71)
- B.S. in Financial Mathematics and Statistics
- Honors thesis on stochastic calculus and exotic derivatives pricing
Post-grad
- Worked for two years as a quantitative trader, applying statistical reasoning, programming, and stochastic calculus to a high-frequency trading environment
Tenets of My Tutoring
1) A picture is worth 1,000 words
Issac Newton invented calculus (at 24 years old!) to model the physical world.
Math is inherently visual and becomes much easier when students can actually see a problem's mechanics.
Many students make the mistake of relying only on formulas and memorization. I utilize color-coded graphs, diagrams and visual models to make abstract concepts clear.
My goal with visual aids is to help students build intuition so they understand the big ideas behind their work, and maybe even see the beauty in their studies.
2) Practice makes perfect
Improvement comes from repetition.
Once I've identified an area of opportunity with a student, we drill targeted practice problems together.
They spend the majority of the session doing problems to adress their weaknesses, while I gently correct them and test for understanding beyond memorization.
3) Embrace making mistakes
Mistakes are not failures. They're the best way to learn, and I encourage them in my sessions.
When a mistake happens, I let my students try to fix it first. I pride myself in making students more independent, more resilient, and less afraid of difficult subjects.
Being able to fail with grace is a valuable life lesson. I'm lucky to be able to inspire the next generation of students.
FAQs
Why is my student struggling in math?
Students can struggle in math for a variety of reasons.
Most commonly, students miss a key foundational skill. Misunderstandings compound and the student can quickly fall behind. For instance, a weak understanding of algebra and trig will make calculus impossible.
It's also possible your student doesn't respond well to lecture-style teaching. Improvement in any skill requires practice. Being lectured isn't as effective as your student doing practice problems with the help of a tutor.
Lastly, your student may have exam day anxiety. Students are under pressure from peers, faculty and parents, especially for AP and college admissions testing. This can also be relieved with practice problems and simulated testing.
Do you offer video call tutoring or in-person?
I offer both, online sessions are held over video call using a digital whiteboard and screen sharing.
In-person tutoring will be in a public space or a common space in your home. In-person tutoring is more focused and effective.
How much does your tutoring cost?
My tutoring services range from $80-$120 per hour, depending on the rigor of the subject.
The cost compensates personalized planning, travel, the session, my whiteboard software, and paid practice question banks.
I also set up a group chat with the student and a parent. I respond within a day to subject related questions.
Sessions can be canceled for free with a 24-hour notice.
Do you address my student's current class material?
Yes. I teach directly to your student's curriculum. Prior to the first session, I ask for as much of the students previous work as they can provide.
How often should my student meet with you?
I usually recommend an hour of weekly tutoring. For certain cases, longer or more frequent sessions may be necessary. Discounted rates may apply.
Once a student achieves desirable results, we can move to an as-needed basis. I take pride in graduating students from weekly tutoring to as-needed.