1^st lesson free

Derek

5 (1 review)

Rate $40
Response 1h

5 (1 review)

$40/h

1^st lesson free

Reading
Test prep
Preparation for business school
Preparation for the French bac

Dynamic, unique English, Psychology, Law, Government, History, and Philosophy teacher and tutor with a Doctorate---AP Lit, AP Lang, AP Psych test prep; Documented history crafting unique College Admis

Reading
Test prep
Preparation for business school
Preparation for the French bac

Lesson location

- online

About Derek

My educational background is as robust and multifaceted as the subjects I have taught:

--PhD and MA in English
--MEd in Education
--Gradute certificate in Law from an ABA Approved Law School
--BA in Psychology

Overall, however, students have found me very approachable, as I tend to treat them like adults already, and I show them genuine respect. I love to converse about the subjects I teach, naturally, but I am also interested in just about anything. While I myself am somewhat laid-back, I'm also honest about the kind of work ethic it takes to pursue a rigorous education or to study for AP exams.

I know your time is valuable, so I genuinely do not waste it. My goal is to make every session with me useful to you in some capacity.

I am currently located in the SLC Metro area of Utah, though in the past I have lived and worked in numerous states. I was born and raised in Alaska, but I went to college in Washington state, grad school in Oklahoma, and I have resided for brief periods in Virginia, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

About the lesson

With 18 years of classroom experience across secondary and post-secondary settings, I offer comprehensive tutoring in the humanities and social sciences, including AP Psychology, AP Literature, AP Language & Composition, U.S. History, Law, World History, Government/Civics, Philosophy, and advanced English courses (including Concurrent Enrollment and college-level writing).

My AP students receive targeted instruction in exam strategy, analytical writing, timed essays, multiple-choice reasoning, and content mastery. I don’t just review material—I teach students how the test is constructed, how rubrics work, and how to produce high-scoring responses under pressure. Whether preparing for AP exams, SAT/ACT reading and writing sections, or general test prep, I focus on transferable thinking skills that elevate performance across assessments.

I have extensive experience supporting students with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, and other forms of neurodiversity. After nearly two decades in education, I’ve worked with virtually every learner profile imaginable and tailor instruction to meet students where they are—building both competence and confidence.

Writing instruction is my particular strength. I specialize in developing clear, compelling academic prose at every level—from middle school essays to graduate theses and dissertations. I help students refine argumentation, structure, voice, and rhetorical precision.

I am especially adept at guiding students through the college admissions essay process. Students I have mentored have earned admission to institutions including Harvard (multiple students), Yale, Brown, Cornell (twice), Dartmouth, University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, University of Chicago, University of Washington (four times), University of Texas (twice), UC Berkeley (four times), University of Virginia, University of Southern California (four times), Stanford, UCLA (twice), Rice, Georgetown, and the University of Michigan. My approach emphasizes authenticity, narrative clarity, and strategic positioning—helping students articulate who they are in ways that resonate with highly selective admissions committees.

Above all, my tutoring is built around rigorous thinking, intellectual independence, and individualized mentorship. Students leave sessions not only better prepared for exams or applications, but more capable of thinking and writing at an advanced level across disciplines.

I am also available for legal consultancy on cases of all types, but I'm especially adept at criminal, personal injury, sexual harassment, property, landlord-tenant disputes, civil rights, and employment-related matters. Among the more high-profile cases I've worked on is the NRA relocation case a few years ago, in which I advised the New York Attorney General about the feasibility of a fraud-on-the-court charge.

I have taught the following subjects:
--AP Literature
--AP Language
--AP Psychology
--Philosophy (mostly Civics)
--Debate
--U.S. History/World History
--Creative Writing
--Public Speaking
--Drama

Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

J

James

I am an English professor. Derek worked with me when he was a PhD student. He completed my grad seminar, a months-long qualifying examination, and a dissertation in American literature. I was a member of the faculty team that supervised his research in all three phases of doctoral study. I also evaluated his teaching for my university's first year writing course. I highly recommend him for tutoring.

Derek is a hard-working, experienced, and innovative teacher of college writing, high school Language Arts, and AP Psychology. His work experience in public universities and a selective college-prep high school mean he is ready to work with a wide range of students.

Derek is a dedicated advocate for students and for the subject matters that he teaches. He will work hard to adapt his teaching to meet students' needs and current challenges (i.e. the introduction of AI into teaching).
Read more

J
James
I am an English professor. Derek worked with me when he was a PhD student. He completed my grad seminar, a months-long qualifying examination, and a dissertation in American literature. I was a member of the faculty team that supervised his research in all three phases of doctoral study. I also evaluated his teaching for my university's first year writing course. I highly recommend him for tutoring.

Derek is a hard-working, experienced, and innovative teacher of college writing, high school Language Arts, and AP Psychology. His work experience in public universities and a selective college-prep high school mean he is ready to work with a wide range of students.

Derek is a dedicated advocate for students and for the subject matters that he teaches. He will work hard to adapt his teaching to meet students' needs and current challenges (i.e. the introduction of AI into teaching).
View more recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

5h: $200
10h: $400

online

$40/h

free lessons

This first lesson offered with Derek will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

30mins

Details

My rate reflects 18 years of teaching experience, advanced subject specialization, and extensive success helping students with AP exams and college admissions writing. I provide structured strategy, not just homework assistance, and I tailor instruction to each student’s specific learning profile.

In other words, my $40/hour is not for “an hour of help.”
It’s for:

--Higher AP scores (which affect GPA weighting and scholarships)

--Stronger college essays (which can affect six-figure financial aid outcomes)

--Writing skill that transfers across disciplines

--Executive functioning support for neurodivergent students

--Long-term academic confidence

If a student gains 1 AP point or improves a college application outcome, the return on investment dwarfs $40/hour.

Dynamic, unique English, Psychology, Law, Government, History, and Philosophy teacher and tutor with a Doctorate---AP Lit, AP Lang, AP Psych test prep; Documented history crafting unique College Admis

Lesson location

About Derek

About the lesson

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

free lessons

Details

Other tutors in Reading

Andrea

Mary

Pierre

Poe

Adrien

Rekha

Davis

Suzie

Nagatt Rose

Aryaman

Alexandre

Nev

Susan

Al Hamza

Mark

Connor

Pablo

Marjolein

Sandy

Dr Fouzia

Dynamic, unique English, Psychology, Law, Government, History, and Philosophy teacher and tutor with a Doctorate---AP Lit, AP Lang, AP Psych test prep; Documented history crafting unique College Admis

Lesson location

About Derek

About the lesson

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

free lessons

Details

Other tutors in Reading

Andrea

Mary

Pierre

Poe

Adrien

Rekha

Davis

Suzie

Nagatt Rose

Aryaman

Alexandre

Nev

Susan

Al Hamza

Mark

Connor

Pablo

Marjolein

Sandy

Dr Fouzia

Share

Verified teacher profile

levels

All languages in which the lesson is available

Review

Évaluations

Recommendations

free lessons

Report this posting