Houghton Educational Services

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During the free consultation I will cover any questions you have, including those below based on your specific circumstances.

 

Technology

I use Zoom or Meet for video/audio/screen-sharing and OneNote for the online whiteboard. Students can draw on the screen using Zoom or OneNote. The link is the same for every session. When more precise work needs to happen, students hold their work done on paper up to the screen or email me picture. 

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Communication

At the end of each week I will send a status update to the parents (and students who are high school or college).  The emails talk about the concepts that we are working on, what we accomplished this week, the plan for next week and current financial balance. I also like to check in via phone or video chat with parents periodically sessions. If something urgent comes up free to call, text or email me.

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When requested I also consult with teachers and proctor exams.

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Courses, Content, & Material

I have 14 years experience tutoring grade school through college students in math, science, engineering, and technical writing both remotely and in person. Most of my tutoring has been in:

• prealgebra, algebra, geometry, probability, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, statistics

• ISEE, HSPT, ACT, SAT

• statics, dynamics, strength of materials

• STEM related technical writing

 

I like to reference the same material as the students and teacher, so I often acquire my own copy of the text or ask for a copy digital version provided to the students. When needed, I will create worksheets or practice exams for students to do during tutoring sessions. These will be emailed at least 24 hours prior to the tutoring session to allow for printing.

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Course Organization

I offer an optional Course Organization service. It includes many services I provide as a Home Instructor or ADHD Coach, but on a more circumstantial basis to give students a good start to a new term. The student and I go over the syllabus/structure/requirements for each course they are taking and help them determine if they need a notebook, binder, online bookmarks, etc. Then we decided where to keep work in progress, work to turn in and returned work. This way students are set up for a successful school year.

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Scheduling & Duration

I tutor 8:30am to 6pm Monday through Thursday. Weekend and 7:30p sessions are available near project deadlines and exams. During the first 2 weeks, we will determine a schedule, preferred session length and frequency. As we reach the end of the session time I will ask student if they want to stop or do one more problem. If we are in the middle of a long problem and we hit the end of our scheduled time, I will go a little over to finish the problem or assignment because my goal is client growth. So please advise if you need me to stop at the exact time instead.

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School Holidays

I tutor on school holidays with the exception of:  

• New Years Eve & Day

• Memorial Day

• 4th of July

• Labor Day

• Thanksgiving

• Christmas Eve & Day

On no school days, I shift session times earlier to allow for fun during the rest of the day.

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Summer, Winter and Spring Breaks
I am very flexible with school breaks, so I let students choose. Some students choose to pause tutoring during Summer, Winter and Spring breaks in an effort to get some, much needed, rest and recuperation. Others students choose to use this as a catch up and/or prepare for upcoming tests. My summer tutoring often includes filling in the student's conceptual gaps in foundational arithmetic, reteaching concept not yet mastered from past years, and/or preparing students for what the next year will bring. 

 

Tutoring during breaks is awesome because it can be ANYTHING you want it to be!

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Location & Travel

I like to meet at a neutral, quiet, location -- a library, school, or café -- or at their home or a conference room at work. We can work together to find a mutually agreeable location. The first 15 minutes (one-way) driving to an in person session are free, after that I add $5-15/hour to the tutoring hourly rate. Traffic and distance both factor in to this.  

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My Background

In addition to tutoring, I also taught high school for 2 years and consulted for McMinnville School District, writing curriculum for their engineering pilot program at Evergreen Aviation Center that aligned with Portland Community College’s ENGR 100 course. 

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My Education

• Masters of Business Administration, Portland State University

• Bachelor of Science in Education, Oregon State University

  • Active Oregon Teaching License with High School Advanced Math Certification

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Oregon State University

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