What experience do you have in teaching?
I have a rich professional teaching experience that stretches from the start of my master’s degree in Fall 2016 and extends to this day. Along the way, I’ve hosted anything from my own courses in a college setting, tutorials, labs, observatory tours, replacement lectures/presentations for UW supervisors, you name it! Some pics from the aforementioned endeavors are presented below!
What is your education background?
I'm an astrophysics graduate and current holder of a Master’s in "Astrophysics and Gravitation". I’ve been nominated 3 times for the “Sandford Fleming Teaching Assistantship” award and have won it twice in Winter 2018 and Fall 2019! This is a prestigious TA award from the engineering faculty that recognizes superb TA performance. I hold the “Fundamentals of University Teaching” certificate from our very own Center of Teaching Excellence since April 2017. Below you may see a collection of the aforementioned milestones!
Do you have your own practice material?
I have over 1000 problems across tens of courses that I have collected from hundreds of students that I have personally tutored in the past. I've organized these in a neat OneNote problem repository system! Trust me, there is nothing you can ask for in the courses I offer and I won't have something about it! You can set your expectations by looking at the images below!
What payment methods do you accept?
If you are a student that resides in Canada, you may use either cash or direct e-transfers. If you reside outside of Canada, we can discuss your circumstance individually.
What types of classes do you host?
I host 1-on-1 tutorials, small group tutorials (up to 3 students) and small classes (5+ students), Most students settle in the 1st and 2nd category, while the last one is often an option that occurs during periods of exams. There are several advantages you can enjoy by being a part of a group, such as, a significantly lower hourly rate, creating new study buddies and a more relaxed atmosphere!
When can I book a session?
Although the times I offer for classes can shift from term to term, they generally span the 1:30pm-10pm range from Monday to Friday. Fortunately, I don't leave you guessing, as you can find my full availability when you click on the "Book Now" link on my homepage which will lead you directly to my Calendly. There you will find every day and time available to give away to students for classes, where you may select a time that works for you!
What are your rates?
My rates change at the start of new academic terms (January, May and September of each year) and typically increase by 2-4%. A list of the current term's rates can be found below:
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
$45 per hour
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
$42 per hour
$45 per hour
Agreed on a case-by-case basis
GROUP DISCOUNTS
-28% to the applicable 1on1 rate for EACH student
-40% to the applicable 1on1 rate for EACH student
-50% to the applicable 1on1 rate for EACH student
To be discussed on a case-by-case basis
During the 1st session, students will be asked to provide a signed promissory note, promising to be conforming to the rules of the tutorial service and punctual with their tuition payments. The tutor also signs this document promising fair business practices. The document can be found below and is valid for one academic term.
Where do you host sessions?
Currently, I host in-person sessions at my residence in East Waterloo (More details upon inquiry) where I've modified my basement into a mini-classroom equipped with a 2-student desk and large whiteboard for instruction. I also host sessions virtually via Discord or MS Teams. For virtual sessions I use a stylus pen on OneNote, and the experience is minimally different from an in-person one!
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes! Penalties begin from the 16 hour mark and increase up to the point of the booked class, at which point the student is required to clear their full booked class's dues. Details are outlined in the "Info & Rules" page but also the "Promissory Note"
Do I have to sign a contract?
Technically, no, but you will be considered a "Drop-In" student if you don't contract your hours, meaning, you will be scheduled on a weekly basis based on availability, and if traffic is high you may not get the service that you need. If you do decide to contract, then the benefit is you get to reserve a permanent time slot of your choice for a designated term (or period of time specified on the contract). Note that you will have to pay for that time even in no-show scenarios, which makes this option only ideal for students looking to get into a regimented program! Finally, ALL students are REQUIRED to sign a "Promissory Note" regarding abidance to the tutoring service's rules and the clearance of all worked hours to the tutor. See more on "Info and Rules" regarding this "Promissory Note".
How is the cost of a session calculated?
Typically the students are charged for their exact booked time, however, in certain classes extensions may be needed or requested by the student (i.e solving a complicated problem that goes overtime by 10-15 minutes, or desiring to spend some more time practicing material). In such cases the time charged is rounded to the nearest 5 minute marker. In groups, if an attendee has to leave early, the time is split and charged accordingly based solely on the number of attendees on each chunk of the class. There are group situations which require alternative arrangements, but those are discussed on an individual case between tutor and students.
Can I share material we've created with others?
Distribution of materials created in our tutorials is strictly prohibited, unless, the student has obtained permission by me, the tutor. On the other hand, distribution of material pulled directly from university exam banks, and/or a student's sample midterms/finals provided from their professor IS STRICTLY prohibited as almost all academic institutions protect their intellectual property with specific "Intellectual Property Rights" policies (Example, policy 73 in University of Waterloo). "GeorgeTutors" does not take responsibility for students choosing to violate their institution's IP policy and will always assume the material provided by a student is permitted for circulation.
How do I make the best out my time in a session?
Come in organized! First, note down everything that you don’t know. This can be a topic, or a particular problem you can’t solve. Make a list of these, then provide them to me on Discord/email. If this is done, we can immediately attack your weaknesses from the moment you step in, rather than look around for this information on the spot. Furthermore, since I will have seen what you will be bringing in too, I will spend minimal time thinking my way through your problems, and use it to explain them better to you instead! 🙂