Fairfax Home Tutoring -- Gene Levinson PhD


  • Scheduling
  • Contact
  • Policies-and-Terms-of-Use
  • SOL Alert!
  • Join My Mailing List
  • Schools

Welcome, Parents and Students!
In-Home Tutoring by Teacher/Scientist

Tutoring is My Full-Time Profession


Math, Chemistry, Biology
SAT/ACT,Study Skills, TJ 


High School, College, Middle or Elementary.
Over 160 top ratings at WyzAnt. 
Over 1000 hours recent tutoring experience.
Full-time Professional Tutor.
PhD, trained at Harvard, Berkeley, Irvine, TJ.
Public School, Private School, Magnet School, or Homeschoolers.
Lessons Held In Your Own Home

or a Nearby Library or Bookstore.
All Lessons are Customized. 

Frequent Assessments. 

This is a family practice, run by one professional home tutor-- (not a third-party tutoring agency).

Picture
Hello, prospective students and parents!  If you are looking for an experienced, top-rated, professional home tutor in either basic or advanced subjects, for college, high school, middle, elementary school, or homeschooling, please read on! 

I am a down-to-earth, friendly PhD scientist who knows how to speak in plain language, and knows how to listen. I am very patient and give lots of positive feedback. I have
 four kids of my own in Fairfax County schools.  My success depends on my experience and user-first tutoring philosophy: I go the extra mile to meet student's individual needs. 

Every one of my students receives personalized, customized assistance. I focus on your specific situation and requirements, based on frequent assessments and feedback. Sessions are relaxed, but they are also efficient and productive. We cover a lot of ground. I don't waste your time or money watching you, or your student, perform tasks that can be done on your own time. I provide links to outside resources that are both free and easy to access. 

I enjoy my work.  Our sessions are positive and optimistic. I myself learn from every student, and I have never stopped learning.  I have seen what works and what does not. I know how to get results. I care deeply about the success of each one of my students. Students are quite comfortable with my tutoring style, and look forward to my tutoring sessions--as I do. I know how to motivate and build confidence with guided practice and positive feedback.

I help students in all kinds of situations:
  • Highly capable students who want to get the best possible grades
  • Students who are failing a class and need immediate crisis management
  • Students who have problems with procrastination or focus
  • Students who want to get ahead with early preparation
  • Students who need to rebuild a basic foundation in math or science
  • Students with poor motivation, study skills or self-confidence
  • Students with bad teachers or disruptive classrooms
  • Students who want to improve their scores on SAT, ACT, or other standardized tests

Having a bad semester?
Please let me help you turn it around!

Get Ahead This Summer, with Specific Subjects or New Study Skills


Current or former tutoring clients include: 
  • Public school students of all abilities, grades 3-12
  • Private and prep school students of all abilities, grades 3-12
  • TJ students (Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; rated best public high school in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.) 
  • College students (George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community Colleges, American University, Georgetown...)
  • Homeschoolers, grade 3-12
  • Adults who need to take the GRE, PRAXIS, ASVAB, etc.
  • High school students, college students and adults who need to restore a solid foundation in basic math or science, with customized lessons based on individual assessments.


Picture

Tutoring Subjects and Skills (not a complete list):

Test Preparation & Review: 
ACT, ASVAB, GRE, GRE-Biology,  PRAXIS, PSAT, SAT, SSAT, SOL,  TJ-Admission, Others

High School Science & Review:
Chemistry: General, Honors, IB, and AP Chemistry
Biology: General, Honors, IB, and AP Biology, Anatomy and Physiology

High School and Grade 4-8 Math & Review:
Algebra: Prealgebra, Algebra I and II-- General, Honors, IB

College Science & Review:
Chemistry: General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry

Biology: General Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Anatomy and Physiology, Developmental Biology, Molecular Biology, and more

Elementary & Middle School Math & Science & Review:
All Math and Science Subjects, Grades 4 - 8.

Study Skills:
Problem Solving, Word Problems, Test-Taking Strategies, Homework and Work Habits, Procrastination, Organization, Motivation, Memorization Techniques, Focus and Concentration.


More about me: 
    Education:
       Bachelors in Biology, Magna cum Laude, 
       University of California at Berkeley 

       PhD in Biological Sciences, Specializing in Molecular 
       Genetics, University of California at Irvine

    Recent formal teacher training at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

    Licensed teacher in Biology and Chemistry (Grades 6-12) in the State of Virginia (2010-11)

    Teaching, Tutoring Experience, Awards:
    • Tutor in Biology at Harvard University for three years
    •  Awarded Certificate of Recognition by the Biology Committee for Undergraduate Studies and Students at Harvard University, for Excellence in Teaching
    • Hundreds of hours of tutoring experience over past 6 months
    • Awarded two teaching excellence awards by the faculty of the University of California at Irvine, as a graduate student teaching assistant in undergraduate Genetics laboratories
     
    References and Background Check:

    • Independent background check completed Feb. 2011
    • Personal references available on request

    Professional Experience in Science, Technology and Communications: 

    Many years of experience in biotechnology, clinical laboratories, basic research, and IT, including:

    • Pharmaceutical Discovery Research
    • Basic Research at the NIH
    • Founded and directed a clinical genetics laboratory for eight years
    • Director of Communications at the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute 
    • Popular and technical science writing
    • Technical trainer for information technology 

    Philosophy:
    I believe that motivation is at least half of the battle for success in school, and I know that both kids and adults are motivated when their teachers capture their imagination, provide frequent positive feedback, praise and a sense of accomplishment, and above all, make learning fun and exciting! I am also big on practicing study skills, not just for one course or exam, but as a toolkit that students can carry with them for life. 

    My current rates are listed here. 

    Questions? Special concerns? Please contact me. The fastest way to reach me is by  by email or text messaging. 

Picture
Minor Policy: You must be 13 years of age or older to contact Fairfax Home Tutoring LLC regarding tutoring services. Fairfax Home Tutoring LLC is a licensed Limited Liability Corporation in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Policies and Terms of Use.

Serving the Fairfax VA Region 

Picture


Rated among 50 top tutors in U.S., across 223 subjects, by WyzAnt, with a record number of lessons, plus 5-star ratings from parents and students.


Extensive Tutoring Experience. Professional Scientific Background.
Certified Biology and Chemistry Teacher, With Formal Teacher Training at TJ High School.

Picture
A good, professional tutor is like a good, professional coach or personal trainer.

A serious student who wants to succeed uses a personal tutor the way a pro basketball player uses a coach, or a pro swimmer uses a personal trainer. Getting help from a professional  is a source of pride! 


Parent and Student Feedback:

"Very Pleased" - Tracey from Lorton, VA:
"Yesterday, all I heard from my daughter was, 'I don't understand a thing" and 'I'm clueless'. After our second tutoring session today in Chemistry, I'm hearing, 'I love this', I'm so happy' and 'I'm so excited'. As a parent, it makes me very happy to see such a positive attitude over a subject that she has struggled with for the entire school year. It also makes me realize that if I had stepped up sooner and got her the help she needed, her grades might not be where they are today. I have the utmost confidence in this tutor and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing help in Chemistry. He is patient, a great listener and simply put...he knows his stuff."

"Patient, Calm, Smart" - Charmaine from Burke, VA
Gene is a patient, calm, knowledgeable tutor who helps my son with Algebra. We are very grateful for his nurturing nature as well as appreciate his depth of knowledge. He takes a student where he is at without criticism and seeks to strengthen his students' capabilities. 

"Outstanding Tutor" -  Janet from Burke, VA
My son is currently struggling in Algebra 1. After the first tutoring lesson, my son took a major Algebra 1 test. His grade increased by 14 points [out of 30] from the previous test he had taken. The teacher told my son that he had the highest test grade in the whole class. My son states that Gene L. is patient and explains the algebra 1 concepts to him. We are very fortunate to have Gene L. for our tutor.

"Tutor for Chemistry" - Dena from Waldorf, MD
Now I understand why he is so busy. My granddaughter was so happy and relieved to finally "get it" with chemistry basics. He quickly assessed what level of aid she needed and proceeded to break it down so that she achieved that priceless EUREKA! moment. I am extremely pleased with Dr. L's work. 
                          
"Very patient; anticipates studen
t's needs" - Karen from Alexandria, VA
Gene is a very good tutor who works with the student at her own pace and tries to anticipate the needs of the student as she prepares for a very difficult exam.

"He gave my son the tools he needed to hit his target" - John from Bethesda, MD
Gene made himself available on short notice and at odd times in order to give our son the help he needed to feel comfortable heading into the last few tests and the final exam in Chemistry. After a few ... low grades, our son had lost confidence. Gene was able to calm his concerns and get him back on track in order to finish solidly. I  was particularly impressed by the way he gave my son steps to remember when facing any word problem. It's that sort of tool that can really make the difference.

"I wish I had done this at the beginning of the year!" - Eduardo from Washington, D.C.
 

Picture

Specifics: 

Location: 
In your home (with an adult present) or at a nearby location such as a library, bookstore, or coffee shop. No charge for travel within 12 miles of zip code 22032.

Available Hours: 
Weekdays and weekends, morning, afternoon, or evening, 7 am to 11 pm,  by appointment, or regular weekly schedule. 
 
Customized Summer Courses:
  • Adding Powerful Study Skills
  • Math Remediation
  • How to Solve Any Problem (that can be solved) 
  • Focus and Concentration
  • Time Management and Self-Discipline
  • Your Chosen Topics
Please let me know how I can serve you or your child.

Picture
Copyright (c) 2012 by Gene Levinson, Ph.D. All rights reserved. Updated April, 2012. See Policies and Terms of Use.