FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
$25 / hour. A little more if travel distance is excessive. And I give a little time over if possible. Half an hour, $15, if travel time doesn't make that unprofitable. No contract.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
-- Usually the student has a book and we go over test results and new homework. In teaching math I encourage mental arithmetic, in chemistry visualization. Both I and the student do a lot of talking, practicing good terminology and identifying error types and dangers. My goal is to encourage clear thinking that will last, rather than solution recipes that will be quickly forgotten. -- In teaching Japanese or English as a Second Language, we vocally practice sentence patterns, idioms and vocabulary, downplaying rules. -- In editing papers, I usually just rewrite the unclear or incorrect passages in blue, explaining or asking questions in a separate email. I try to get the paper back overnight, but often it is a full day turnaround. -- In teaching writing, I encourage the student to doubt that his first thought was his clearest thought. -- In teaching piano, I emphasize expressiveness. I haven't taught violin or voice yet. I would concentrate on sound production technique and pitch for beginner students.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
-- EE, University of California Berkeley -- Computer Science, UC Santa Barbara -- History, Fuller Theological Seminary -- Teaching, GLASS Institute for Sunday School Teacher Training -- I taught ESL in Japan. -- I play church organ. -- I've been singing with the Stockton Chorale 15 years. -- I taught Science Olympiad for my children's classes 13 years. -- I've been preaching sermons part time four years.