What My Students Say

Kiley C. · Calculus 1 & 2

Michael tutored me in Calculus 1 & 2. He was truly AMAZING. I have had many tutors over the years, of every kind you can think of. But Michael is easily MAGNITUDES better than others. My comprehension with him skyrocketed. He knows his material inside and out and could probably teach it in his sleep at this point (I’m not exaggerating). One summer, he spent many hours helping a group of students in my Calc 2 class pass our exams. He has really good energy, keeps you feeling positive (esp when math can be so draining and defeating), and it's so refreshing. He made me feel capable and even made me love math again- after it kicked my butt for years. He is much more than a tutor, he is a math mentor. His energy and passion are contagious. He helped me become the best math student I could be. Because of his help, I was able to go from community college to UC Davis, and now I’m at Johns Hopkins. There are few as truly remarkable as Michael.

Jensen D. · Algebra through Calculus

It’s hard to convey through written words how important and talented people like Michael are. Instead of verbally vouching for him, I’ll share the story of how he changed the trajectory of my life.

I grew up homeschooled, and math was something I was always dreadfully behind in. At the age of 12, I was studying Pre-Algebra, and by the time I was 18, my mathematical knowledge hadn’t progressed. I managed to graduate high school by sheer luck; a teacher vouched on paper that I had passed Algebra 2, even though I hadn’t passed Algebra 1.

Shortly after graduation, I decided to sign up for a summer session of Algebra 1 at Cabrillo Community College. One last shot at breaking into the world of STEM before calling it quits.

I met Michael at the tutoring center on campus.

I ended up passing every math class Cabrillo College had to offer with an A+. It wasn’t because of Michael helping me understand math conceptually. It was because Michael empowered me to understand that I can succeed at math; that I was capable on my own. He taught me a lesson about my own identity that will stay with me my entire life.

That was 10 years ago, and today I have an M.S. in Scientific Computing and Applied Math. I know with unwavering certainty that I would never have believed myself capable if it was not for Michael.