📞 Voice/Text: (301) 246-0670
About Me
Personalized Tutoring Experience
I am a practicing physicist and former university professor who founded NOVA Math and Physics Tutoring to help students build clarity, confidence, and even enjoyment in these subjects. Math is not a passive subject, real learning comes through active engagement: writing equations, testing ideas, and working with structures on the page. With time, this practice becomes second nature, much like muscle memory in sports, so that experts often “just do it” without consciously recalling the underlying rules. This is why traditional classrooms often fall short: they deliver information but not enough guided practice. One-on-one tutoring is more like training, with the tutor as coach, providing targeted practice and instant feedback until problem solving feels natural, powerful, and rewarding.
My Services
One-on-One Tutoring
Customized Learning Plans
I specialize in personalized one on one tutoring, offered online or in person at a public library. I work with students on subjects ranging from Pre-Algebra to AP Physics, advanced calculus, and specialized college level topics. Each learning plan is tailored to the student’s needs and goals, providing focused support that builds mastery and delivers measurable results.
Exam Preparation
Middle-School, High-School, and College Readiness
My tutoring supports students with homework, test preparation, and long term skill building. I work with middle school and high school students, including those preparing for college level studies. The goal is not only to help students succeed on exams but also to help them develop confidence, enjoy learning math and physics, and be prepared for future opportunities in STEM if they choose that path.
Classes Covered
Middle School Math
Math 6
Math 7
Math 7 Honors
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I
Algebra I Honors
Geometry
Geometry Honors
High School Math
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Algebra II Honors
Precalculus
Precalculus with Trigonometry Honors
Trigonometry
Mathematical Analysis
Advanced & College-Prep Math
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Linear Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Probability and Statistics
AP Statistics
Discrete Math
Calculus 3 Honors
Dual Enrollment Math
Specialized STEM Math
Competition Math (AMC, MathCounts)
SAT Math Prep
ACT Math Prep
GRE (General and Subject) Math and Physics Prep
Physics
I offer physics tutoring tailored for students at all levels. For middle schoolers, I cover algebra-based and conceptual physics. At the high school level, I teach Physics I (aligned with Virginia’s SOL), Conceptual Physics, and all AP Physics tracks—including AP Physics 1, 2, and AP Physics C (Mechanics & E&M). I also help students pursue dual-enrollment classes through, such as Elements of Physics, General College Physics, and University Physics, or university-level courses like Everyday Physics and Quantum Physics.
Cost
Middle School
$120 per hour
High School & Test Prep
$150 per hour
Advanced/College-Level or Competition Prep
Custom rates depending on subject and preparation required
Bulk session discounts available.
Why Choose Me
1
Tailored Learning Approach
Every student learns differently, and the best results come from meeting them exactly where they are. My approach blends the strengths of inquiry-based learning, where students develop their own mental models and learn to generalize to new problems, with proven, targeted instruction for immediate skill-building. Some students thrive when they explore and discover patterns for themselves; others need clear, step-by-step guidance to build confidence before tackling bigger challenges. Over my many years teaching, from middle school math to graduate-level physics, I’ve seen it all and adapt my methods to match each student’s learning style, pace, and goals. Whether your child needs to master foundational concepts, push ahead into advanced coursework, or prepare for college-level STEM classes, I create a personalized plan that helps them succeed and enjoy the journey.
2
Expert Educator
I'm a physicist and educator with decades of experience helping hundreds of students discover a love for math and science. I earned my Physics and Applied Mathematics degree from Colorado College, completed graduate work at the University of Washington in Condensed Matter Physics, and conducted research at the Santa Fe Institute and Los Alamos National Laboratory. My career includes faculty positions at Arizona State University and the University of Montana. I have led groundbreaking projects in optics, materials science, computer science, and environmental sensing, but my passion is teaching, helping students build the problem-solving skills and confidence they need to succeed in middle school, high school, and college-prep courses.
3
Supportive Environment
True learning happens when students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and try again. I work hard to create an encouraging atmosphere where curiosity is celebrated and challenges are approached with patience and positivity. I have two middle-school and elementary school children of my own so I understand the distractions and unique challenges of this age group. Students quickly learn that our sessions are a judgment-free space, somewhere they can slow down, think out loud, and take risks without fear of “getting it wrong.” By focusing on progress over perfection, I help build confidence alongside skills, so that even the toughest topics start to feel manageable. Over time, this supportive environment transforms not just grades, but a student’s relationship with learning itself.
4
Technology Integration
In my professional career, I’ve relied heavily on computational methods and modeling. Much of modern science and engineering deals with problems that don’t have neat, closed-form solutions. Today, I also use advanced AI tools and large language models (LLMs) in my work. But before technology can be effective, students must build a strong foundation. LLMs are excellent at solving and explaining math and physics, but they won’t be there with you during an exam. On test day it’s just you, a pencil, paper, and maybe a calculator. That’s why, in person, we work simply and directly with pencil and paper, with a computer to display animated graphs when helpful. Online, we make full use of digital writing tools. Watching how students write and organize math on the page is essential to helping them learn. This is where one-on-one math and physics learning shines over the typical classroom environment. We collaborate in real time through Google Meet, using a shared OneNote notebook, and often make use of Desmos. Every session is recorded to give parents and students a library of notes and videos to review whenever they need.