My name is Robert Starr, and I have over 4 years experience private tutoring. During the week, I’m a Math teacher at a private school in the Los Angeles area, and an assistant to the principal there, but I typically tutor in the Conejo Valley on the weekends.

I graduated from Oak Park High School in June of 2002, after having spent a year at USC in their Resident Honors Program. I graduated from USC two and a half years later, in December of 2004, with a degree in Critical Studies of Cinema-Television and the intention of becoming a multi-million dollar screenwriter. That has yet to pan out.

So in the meantime, I've been teaching during the week and tutoring/visiting my parents on the weekend (They're always very excited to see me). I've found Mathematics (and Physics) to be very helpful for me over these past few years. I'm often shocked every time someone asks me, "Yeah, well when do you use ever use math in life?" 

Are you kidding? I use it every day! 

While my friends have been struggling with internships and jobs waiting at restaurants, I've had a pretty consistent career, and that's what I tell my students. People with strong Math skills are always needed in the working world, so until I make a killing selling my four million dollar spec script, I have a comfortable career that I enjoy.

Additionally, I have started going back to school, going further in math than any sane person would, and starting down the road to a Masters degree in Physics. Though I'm not 100% sure what I want to do with it, my love of the sciences has convinced me that that's the direction I want to take my life.

Although not without its struggles, I find teaching to be a rewarding way to make my living. Seeing students reach new breakthroughs in understanding difficult concepts is the fuel that keeps me going. Seeing a student come home with their very first "A" on a math test is the kind of joy money can't buy. Especially after working with said students for several months to get there.

I'm also learning to play the piano and sing. I often use these as a mental metaphor for myself when working with students because although math has always come easy for me, the piano is a constant challenge and I've had several people over the years tell me that my voice wasn't designed for singing. Still, through hard work and constant practice, I've made great progress. Through the lessons I've taken over the past few years, I've learned that while I may never be a Mozart, I can still become an accomplished musician through dedication.

Much is the same with Mathematics and Physics for my students, and it's always a delight to watch them succeed.

My other interests include discussing theoretical physics (or any science, to be honest), watching movies, reading, running, performing improvisational comedy, and writing. Spare moments are few and far between.