Math Inspired Tutoring Math Inspired Tutoring
1452 Owen Sound Drive
Sunnyvale, CA
408-737-8192

Math Inspired Tutoring provides one-on-one
tutoring specializing in math and science for
middle school, high school and college level students.

I welcome students of all levels and abilities who have a desire to improve. Typically I work with each student from one to two hours per week in my office using materials that I provide as well as materials from the student's school. Periodic progress reports are sent to both the parents and students. Students also take home all the work we do during the sessions so they can review anything forgotten and allowing parents to see what material is being covered.

I see the greatest interest in math tutoring since these problems are quite common:

A student is struggling with the grade level material due to knowledge gaps or math anxiety, often caused by poor progress in previous years. With these students, I work to identify and correct the knowledge gaps that are holding up progress. By engaging the imagination and exploring different ways of viewing and solving problems, we can combat the anxiety or drudgery many students feel. Once the students get more comfortable with the material they relax, enjoy it more and progress faster. Success breeds success!
A student has mastered the grade level material and is bored with math because no appropriate challenge is presented. This happens because some teachers don't recognize exceptional math ability or know how to nurture it. My experience with these students allows me to provide sufficient challenge. The students then grow at their true potential and have more fun besides. I quantify and document each student's progress, which may help in working with the schools toward appropriate class placement.

I also see many students who need help for the first time when they reach the advanced placement level in physics or chemistry. Often at first students find it difficult to adjust to the higher expected level of understanding required in the AP courses and also some of the high school teachers are not up to this task. Whatever the problem, I have the knowledge, experience, and patience needed to help students gain confidence as they learn to better understand and enjoy their subject.

There is no charge for the first one-hour session, to give you a chance to get to know me and determine if my teaching style is a good match for you. Email me using the contact information below. If you don't get a response quickly, give me a call at 408-737-8192.

Paul Mennen's Biography:
I graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BSEE and earned a Masters degree from Stanford in Electrical Engineering with a minor in statistics. In my three decades as an engineer I specialized in Fourier analysis and global positioning systems, both highly mathematical specialties. If you want to know even more about me, visit my website - www.mennen.org

Teaching experience:
Even before starting Math Inspired Tutoring 10 years ago, I have always mixed teaching with whatever else I was doing. I first recognized my talent for teaching when my four siblings (including an older sister) would request my help, especially in math. This trend continued into college where my classmates would line up outside my door for help with just about any subject. I also tutored my own children including some home schooling (several years of math and one year of physics). I am a past director of the Stanford Math Circle, and have logged about 300 hours as a flight instructor including both primary and instrument training.