Experience Summary
My name is Mike and I want to help you or your child succeed. I have a Master’s Degree from City College (special Education, Children with Disabilities) and a Bachelor’s Degree from Fordham University (History). I am NYS licensed in Social Studies, English and Special Education. I taught for 10 years in NYC public schools helping middle and high school students adopt better habits for learning as they acquired the skills necessary for content mastery. Let me end your child's academic frustrations and failures and be their guide to success.
I have worked with students and adults of all ages and abilities and in many subjects. I have taught English Composition and Literature, ESL, Algebra and Geometry, Living Environment, American Government, Economics, US and Global History. I can prepare your child for all tests whether standardized exams such as SAT, NY State Regents, Common Core or weekly quizzes, unit tests, mid-term or final exams. I will help your child organize their resources and time in order to maximize their talent.
I have helped adults and new Americans improve their English language skills and prepare to return to school for continuing education and their GED, to finishing that Bachelor’s degree or preparing for grad school. I have worked with students from the city’s elite high schools including Stuyvesant, Hewitt, Dalton,and St. Francis Xavier, and the city’s top colleges such as NYU, Fordham, and Columbia.
I have a patient demeanor and a pleasant, easy-going style that creates a happy, secure learning environment for students. I will always be honest, forthright, and professional. Above all else, I am dedicated educator and your success will be my priority.
Teaching Style
I have a student-centered approach. I tailor instruction to the learner's style and that person's particular needs. My approach is Inquiry-based and Socratic. I use questioning to activate prior knowledge and to elicit correct responses. I believe in guiding students to the correct answers. All too often classroom instruction is one size fits all. This is why many of us struggle. We are individuals, yet education is cookie-cutter. Teaching must be individualistic. I help students adapt their learning style to the methodology employed in their classes.
My Hobbies
I'm a political and history junkie. I enjoy reading biography. I like authors like Doris Kearns Goodwin and also Ken Burn's PBS documentaries. But I can also watch silly sitcoms (just in case I sounded too dull).
Other Comments
I started tutoring professionally in early 2013. Most of the demand, and therefore most of my work, has been in test prep, like the SAT, and English and ESL, especially writing, building vocabulary and using proper grammar. Also, because of my special education background I have been able to help many students with study skills and organization. As students transition from grade to grade and middle school to high school to college, more and more demands are placed on them, and sometimes without adequate preparation or foundation. I have been able to help students make these adjustments and succeed.
More recently many of my students are prospective teachers struggling with the new NYSTCE exams and the Praxis tests. I'm pleased that I've helped these students understand and pass the ALST, EAS, CST's.
The great joy of tutoring is seeing the immediate progress and achievement in one's students. I look forward to working with you and/or your child. Thanks for reading. I hope to hear from you soon. Mike
| ACT |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students for many types of standardized exams, including the ACT. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format. As a NYS licensed English teacher I will help you prepare for the verbal and reading comprehension portions of the exam. I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. I have prepared students for different standardized tests. I can help prepare you for the math portions of the ACT. |
| ADD/ADHD |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have a Master's degree in Special Education, Children with Disabilities. I have worked with students grades 5 through 12 to overcome impediments such as ADD/ADHD. |
| Algebra |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. |
| Algebra I |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. |
| American History |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I was a History major at Fordham University and I have taught US history. I am NYS licensed social studies teacher and American Government. |
| Basic Learning Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children to read, write, spell, and to learn the basics of grammar, phonics, and vocabulary. |
| Biology |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught the Living Environment course which focuses on cell structure, human anatomy, genetics, evolution, and ecology. |
| Communications |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS certified English teacher I have taught the principles of communication theory for students to practice in their lives, such as intrapersonal, interpersonal, small-group, and public speaking skills. I also tutored a college student where the course had an additional multicultural, interdisciplinary component. |
| Composition |
 This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS certified English teacher I have taught students of all ages how to write basic sentences, form paragraphs, and develop essays. |
| Continuing Education |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have helped people prepare for their GED, SAT, and GRE exams after being out of school. Also, I've worked with those re-entering the job market to improve their ability to write emails, memos, and reports. |
| Creative Writing |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS certified English teacher I have taught students of all ages the basics of writing. I have helped them build their capacity and expand creatively into writing poetry and short stories. |
| Dyslexia |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have a Master's degree in Special Education, Children with Disabilities. I have worked with students grades 5 through 12 to overcome impediments such as dyslexia. |
| Economics |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am NYS licensed social studies teacher. I have taught both Micro and Macro Economics, and tutored many students of NYU in freshman microecon |
| Elementary |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children to read, write, spell, and to learn the basics of grammar, phonics, and vocabulary. |
| Elementary Grammar |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children to read, write, spell, and to learn the basics of grammar, phonics, and vocabulary. |
| Elementary Math |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children and introduced them to the basics of math. |
| Elementary Phonics |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children to read, write, spell, and to learn the basics of grammar, phonics, and vocabulary. |
| Elementary Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children to read, write, spell, and to learn the basics of grammar, phonics, and vocabulary. |
| Elementary Science |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children and introduced them to the basics of science. |
| Elementary Social Studies |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children and introduced them to elementary social studies. |
| Elementary Study Skills |
|
| As I a special education teacher and tutor I have shown young students of all ages and abilities how to organize themselves and their environment to maximize their time and talent. |
| Elementary Vocabulary |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored young children to read, write, spell, and to learn the basics of grammar, phonics, and vocabulary. |
| English |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a NYS certified English teacher. I have taught students of all ages the basics of grammar, reading, and writing. I have help students appreciate and understand literature and poetry. |
| English ESOL |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have helped many students who did not speak English at home or who were new Americans learn how to speak, write, and read proper English. |
| Geography |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I was a History major at Fordham University. I am NYS licensed social studies teacher and I have taught US history,Global I and II, and Geography. |
| Geometry |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. |
| Government |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I was a History major at Fordham University. I am NYS licensed social studies teacher and I have taught US history and American Government. I have also studied Comparative Government. |
| Grammar |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS certified English teacher I have taught students of all ages how to write basic sentences, form paragraphs, and develop essays. Essential to writing well is knowing and using proper grammar. |
| GRE |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS licensed English teacher I will help you prepare for the verbal, reading comprehension, and writing portions of the exam. I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. I have prepared students for different standardized tests. I can help prepare you for the math portions (quanitative) of the GRE. |
| Homework Help |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught or tutored almost every subject in the curriculum to almost every age group or learning ability. I can help students understand their assignment and apply their prior knowledge or show them how to use available resources to complete their homework. |
| Language Arts |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a NYS certified English teacher. I have taught students of all ages the basics of grammar, reading, and writing. I have help students appreciate and understand literature and poetry. |
| Life Science |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught the Living Environment course which focuses on cell structure, human anatomy, genetics, evolution, and ecology. |
| Literature |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a NYS certified English teacher. I have taught students of all ages to appreciate and understand literature. |
| Math |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. |
| Poetry |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a NYS certified English teacher. I have taught students of all ages to appreciate and understand poetry. |
| Political Science |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I was a History major at Fordham University. I am NYS licensed social studies teacher and I have taught US history and American Government.
I have also studied Comparative Government, Constitutional Law, the theories of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau |
| Pre-Algebra |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. |
| PSAT |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students for many types of standardized exams, including the PSAT. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format. As a NYS licensed English teacher I will help you prepare for the verbal, reading comprehension, and writing portions of the exam. I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry. I have prepared students for different standardized tests. I can help prepare you for the math portions of the PSAT. |
| Reading |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As I a special education and English teacher, I am literacy specialist. I have helped students of all ages improve their ability to read and their comprehension. |
| Reading Comprehension |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As I a special education and English teacher, I am literacy specialist. I have helped students of all ages improve their ability to read and their comprehension. |
| SAT - Math |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have taught and tutored students in many maths courses including pre-Algebra, Algebra and Geometry.
I have prepared students for different standardized tests. I can help prepare you for the math portions of the SAT. |
| SAT - Verbal |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students for many types of standardized exams, including the SAT. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format. As a NYS licensed English teacher I will help you prepare for the verbal, reading comprehension, and writing portions of the exam. |
| Shakespeare |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I am a NYS certified English teacher. I have taught the plays and poetry of Shakespeare. |
| Social Studies |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I was a History major at Fordham University. I am NYS licensed social studies teacher and I have taught US history, Economics, Global I and II, Geography, and American Government. |
| Special Education |
This is one of my top subjects!
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have a Master's degree in Special Education, Children with Disabilities. I have worked with students grades 5 through 12 to overcome impediments such as ADD/ADHD and dyslexia. |
| Spelling |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| Spelling is a lost art because of modern tools such as spell check. However, I believe knowing the basics is necessary. I teach fundamental phonetic methods and use of an old fashioned dictionary. Spelling is an important precursor to developing vocabulary and reading comprehension skills. |
| Study Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As I a special education teacher and tutor I have shown students of all ages and abilities how to organize themselves and their environment to maximize their time and talent. |
| Teacher Cert Exams |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students and adults for many types of standardized exams. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format.
The new NYS exams are rigorous and extensive. I have worked with two students to prepare them, and currently are working with two others on-line. The on-line sessions are as intense as the face to face meetings. |
| Test Preparation |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students and adults for many types of standardized exams. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format. |
| Testing Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students and adults for many types of standardized exams. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format. |
| Testing Strategies |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have prepared students and adults for many types of standardized exams. Every test has its own format or formula that the test taker needs to master in order to score well. I will show you how to adapt your learning style to the format. |
| TOEFL |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I have helped many students who were new Americans learn how to listen, speak, write, and read proper English to pass the TOEFL exam. |
| World History |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| I was a History major at Fordham University. I am NYS licensed social studies teacher and I have taught Global I and II. |
| Writing |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS certified English teacher I have taught students of all ages how to write basic sentences, form paragraphs, and develop essays. |
| Writing Skills |
Proficiency: Expert
|
| As a NYS certified English teacher I have taught students of all ages how to write basic sentences, form paragraphs, and develop essays. |