What Does it Cost?

My rate is $50/session if we meet at one of the below public libraries, or $60/session if you would rather I travel to your home, office, or other location. 

Public Libraries:

• East Shore Area Library (Ethel St, Harrisburg)

• George & Hettie Love Memorial Library (29th St, Hbg)

• Middletown Public Library

• Alexander Family Library (Hummelstown)

• Hershey Public Library 

My Mathematical (and Life) Experience

• I am a veteran of the US Navy (2000-2004), where I served as an electronics technician on the USS Paul F. Foster (DD-964) and the USS Detroit (AOE-4)

• I worked as a test engineer at nuclear power plants nationwide from 2004 to 2007, diagnosing problems and recommending solutions.

• I earned my B.S. in Mathematics from Shippensburg University in 2011, along with my Pennsylvania State Teacher Certification

• I worked as an independent math tutor during college from 2008 to 2011.

• I was a middle school residential houseparent (and tutor by extension) at Milton Hershey School from 2012 to 2019.

• I taught Algebra 2, Geometry, Statistics, and Precalculus at Bishop McDevitt High School from 2019 to 2024.

• I currently work as adjunct faculty at any local college that will let me!

After You Book Your First Session

You will receive a calendar invitation right away. I will then contact you via your preferred method to confirm details of the appointment. 

The Initial Session

The first session will include 10-20 minutes of discovery and planning time, followed by a full 60 minute tutoring session.

• Helpful Materials to Bring: Your textbook, test prep book, any recent exams or quizzes, and/or your school device on which you can access these. You should also bring a notebook and some paper, because we're going to be doing some math!

• Initial Assessment: We'll spend time discussing topics that are challenging, your past mathematical experiences, and your immediate goals. I'll ask clarifying questions to help me understand your current proficiency and identify any immediate knowledge gaps.

What a Typical Tutoring Session Looks Like

Each session will be individualized per student, but the basic flow is:

1. Review and Check-In: We'll review what you've done since our last meeting and make note to address any issues that arose since then.

2. Targeted Concept Instruction: We'll identify the most challenging topic and start there. I will use (or make up) problems of increasing complexity until you reach a point you can do them alone. I'll use real-world analogies, visual aids, and step-by-step logic (when necessary) to ensure that you are understanding the problems and not just "doing them".

3. Active Problem Solving: Once we've tackled the challenging topics, we'll use any additional time for more challenging problems, developing independent problem-solving skills that are crucial for doing well on exams.

Services I Will Not Provide

I value integrity and the academic process. As such, I will not:

• Do your homework, online exams, or other work for you.

• Sit next to you and "help" you while you do online coursework.

Do you do Zoom/virtual tutoring?

No. It is much more difficult to do what I do over video, when I cannot watch you work, etc. Special arrangements can be made for existing students if in-person sessions are no longer an option for some reason, but this only works when I am already familiar with the student.

Do you work with homeschool students?

Yes! I do have some daytime availability if you would like to arrange weekly lessons for your student or homeschool group. Please contact me at shawn.stipe@gmail.com. Rates would be dependent on specific circumstances, number of students, necessary planning/prep, etc.

What payment methods do you accept?

Cash, PayPal, or Zelle.