I am Electrical Engineer with a Ph.D. in Signal Processing and Communications. During my Master of Science studies, I worked as a Teaching Assistant, where I was the head TA for an undergraduate laboratory course. I got my first experience as a teacher while teaching the students the content and then helping them turn this knowledge into working electrical circuits. After completing my Ph.D. I worked as a research engineer at MIT. As a researcher, I had to constantly communicate my work in simple, understandable terms to various people. Currently, I work as Principal Engineer at a major software company, where I use MATLAB and Simulink everyday to solve complex engineering problems. 

Tutoring has been in my family for a long time. My father used to tutor me and neighborhood kids in various subjects. I wants to follow my father’s steps and help students become more confident in math and MATLAB. With the help of technology, I am able to extend my reach beyond the neighborhood. 

I have helped many students in middle school and high school level math classes. I have helped college level students in subjects such as linear systems. I have also helped students from various fields use MATLAB for their projects. I may not be familiar with your subject, but my deep technical background and 20+ years of MATLAB programming experience enables me to help you. If you have the theory and the equations, I can help you turn those into MATLAB programs.

Teaching Philosophy

I love math. I love helping kids understand the “why” behind the mathematical concepts so that they can become more comfortable and confident with math. I have been tutoring my children and their friends in math. I get my enthusiasm for teaching from my father who tutored numerous children, including me. I would like to follow in his steps and share my knowledge with children and hopefully make them more comfortable and confident in math so that they can keep learning and be successful.

During my tutoring experience, I have noticed a couple things that keep students from being successful learners:
1) Students tend to think too complex and miss the basics. I think this is because they think that “math is hard” and the solution must be a complex one.
2) Students most of the time miss the “why” behind concepts and try to memorize strategies. This leads to confusion as they try different strategies. As they fail to find the right one, they start stressing and get more confused.

I teach my students
1) The “why” behind the concepts. In more mathematical terms, they will learn the “proof” of concepts and will not need to memorize strategies
2) How to dissect a problem into smaller basic parts so that they can formulate the solution no matter how complex the problem is
3) How to look at everyday problems through a mathematical lens and write down these problems with the language of math
4) How to identify patterns in problems
You can find examples of my strategies in my answers to “Ask an Expert” questions.

I believe that learning math does not mean memorizing strategies but understanding the concepts behind those strategies. I try to teach by using everyday concepts as tools and examples. I strongly believe in the “elastic brain” concept: a failure is a chance to learn. I will help you identify the gaps in your knowledge and create a strong background in math.

I follow the same methodology in teaching programming with MATLAB. I help students of all levels with their homework. I make sure that the students learn the necessary skills required by the homework and reach the solution by themselves. If we are working on a bigger project, I help the students first design the program, then code it step by step, adhering to good programming practices. In my lessons, I use every opportunity to teach 

  1. Designing a solution, big or small
  2. Breaking down the problem into smaller more manageable pieces
  3. Debugging techniques
  4. Why a problem occurs so that we can resolve it
  5. Tips and tricks
  6. Good programming habits

Code of Ethics

The following is adapted from The National Tutoring Association Tutor Code of Ethics.

  1. I understand my role as a tutor is to guide students’ to do their own work using the best learning approach possible.  
  2. I will provide honest feedback in the form of positive praise and/or constructive suggestions to students I serve in a manner beneficial to their overall learning.
  3. I will demonstrate faith in each student’s learning abilities understanding my primary goal is helping them discover and develop skills needed to reach their desired educational outcomes.
  4. I understand my relationship to each student I tutor is professional and not personal.
  5. I will respect and be sensitive to students’ cultural background and personal value system; keeping in mind their personal dignity.
  6. I recognize I will not have answers to every question asked. Therefore, I will seek assistance in finding answers to the student’s questions and/or directing the student to “how” and “where” appropriate resources are for the information needed.
  7. I will maintain accurate records of tutoring sessions to fulfill expectations & requirements which exemplify excellence in tutoring.
  8. I will respect each student’s personal dignity at all times.
  9. I will be on time for tutoring all appointments understanding excellence does not compromise time nor make excuses.
  10. I will keep information about all students I work with confidential.
  11. I understand the ultimate goal is to assist students in discovering how he/she best learns. I will accomplish this by helping each student develop the skills needed to achieve their best educational outcome.
  12. I will share any concerns I have with my supervisor.
  13. I recognize the win-win relationship tutoring fosters. I expect to learn along with each student I assist.
  14. I will keep current in both my subject area(s) and learning methodologies.
  15. I will remain flexible to my approach to student learning, respectful of the various learning styles and preferences.
  16. I will share techniques for improving study skills with students; respecting their differing learning styles and preferences while exhibiting excellence in my approach to the content being tutored.