PrepNow Tutor - Darren R.
Darren’s training in mathematics and data analytics makes him a natural math and physics tutor. He holds a BS in mathematics with a minor in computer science and an MS in data analytics from the University of Central Florida. While working on his undergraduate degree in 2015, Darren began working as a mathematics instructor with a private educational company. A year later, while still employed as an instructor, Darren also began working for the University of Central Florida’s student athlete tutoring program. Also, following the completion of his master’s degree at Central Florida, he began private tutoring, a position in which he has worked continuously since. All in all, Darren has worked with students from elementary school to college; and he has taught or tutored an impressive array of STEM subjects: grade-level math, pre-algebra, algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus BC, statistics and probability, physics, calculus, biology, chemistry, introduction to programming, computer basics, and computer science.
Darren believes that effective tutoring begins by meeting students on their own terms. Therefore, because STEM subjects can be quite dense and technical, Darren begins by appealing to students in everyday language and with commonplace examples. He says, “Once students and I can have a comfortable conversation pertaining to the topic at hand, I work to fill in any gaps with the vocabulary and structure needed not only to overcome our immediate obstacle but also to ensure student confidence and competence in the future.” To wit, Darren employs as many educational approaches as possible—aural, visual, and kinesthetic, for example—to appeal to whatever mechanisms each student prefers.
As already noted, Darren is passionate about his field. Thus, after his stint as coach of the math team in high school, he joined the Collegiate Mathematics Society, as well, serving as both Secretary and President. That said, his interests have never been limited to just math. Indeed, he participated in football, soccer, track and field, and weightlifting in high school, and he participated in weightlifting and yoga in college.
Since graduation, he has become an avid member of a cover band, among other musical projects; he plays piano, guitar, synthesizer, and bass, but he mostly plays bass and sings backing vocals these days.
