Sarah Harvey

I have been a private math tutor for approximately 35 years working in the Orinda, California area. My emphasis has been on high school math, i.e. algebra through calculus, although I also tutor middle school students. I do not tutor high school statistics. The only language I am actually fluent in, is English.

One of my main goals when working with any given student, is to emphasize the development of critical thinking skills (as opposed to memorization skills). Learning math should be all about understanding concepts, and applying them to solving problems. I find that some students are relieved, once they start working with me, to find out that becoming skilled in math does not involve memorizing vast numbers of formulas and procedures (although there is, admittedly some memorization required), but rather, using one's understanding and intelligence to solve interesting puzzles. Other students are wary at first, when I show them that math can (and should) be about creative thinking, but I can usually get them to open up to this point of view.

In my view, teaching is not about unzipping someone's head, pouring knowledge into it, and zipping it back up again. The process has to be far more interactive than that. Because of this, I have had to learn, over the years, how to get inside the thinking process of any particular student, to be able to see where their stumbling blocks might be. Stumbling blocks that they themselves may not yet be aware of.

For most of my time as a tutor, I have done one-on-one, in-person tutoring in my office, but in more recent years, I have also started doing online, remote tutoring. I don't use Zoom, as I prefer platforms that include an interactive online whiteboard, in addition to a video feature. At this point, I am wanting to find more online students, as it is so very convenient to work from my home.

I do have a website that may contain useful information: www.sarahharveymathtutor.com. I can provide references upon request.

• Fixed circuit boards and wire harness problems using schematics, wiring diagrams, and testing instruments.
• Enhanced system performance by troubleshooting and repairing electronic equipment.