Ian Hovander

Academic Tutor


In high school, I was inspired by my enthusiastic and engaging teachers to pursue an academic path that would challenge me and enrich my understanding of the world. Thus, I set off across the country to Brown University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. I deeply enjoyed the cooperative academic environment and the expertise of the faculty. I also relished the opportunity to help peers and friends digest difficult concepts and make breakthroughs with their classwork.

After graduating from Brown, I had the opportunity to coach a high school FIRST robotics team. The students started from a desire to build a robot and, over time, ramped up in focus and determination as they become more comfortable with exploring the topic. I found that I had a talent for supporting the growth of students and fostering their problem solving skills. Developing an interest in helping high school students led me out of software engineering and into tutoring. I currently tutor students in math and science subjects like physics and calculus with which I am well acquainted as a student, an engineer, and a tutor.

As a tutor, I aim to provide stories that highlight my current framework for understanding the topic, while setting reasonable expectations and creating structure so that progress can be achieved and celebrated incrementally. Students often get frustrated because progress is not immediately obvious, even though understanding and mastery are growing slowly beneath the surface. The process of breaking through conceptual difficult to succeed on an exam can be incredibly rewarding, and I love helping my students reach their academic goals. I also believe learning is an emotional journey, and I strive to help students see that their actions are consequential and that they have power over their destiny.

Other than tutoring, I enjoy playing board games, tinkering with electronics, and following politics.

Subjects Tutored

Academic Algebra 1
Academic Algebra 2
Academic Calculus
Academic Computer Science
Academic Geometry
Academic Physics
Academic Pre-Calculus
Academic Trigonometry
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
AP Physics C

Offices Served

In-Home

 

Happy parents and students.

 They are very organized and serious about their work and I’ve succeeded a lot.  Read what others are saying

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