Construction versus repair
If at all possible, I prefer to construct my students’ understanding rather than do last-minute repairs before an exam. Students need time to learn science concepts thoroughly enough to hold up under the stress of a graded test.
It is thus better to start early and meet regularly. I take considerable pride in this sort of work, and over time I have learned how best to help students achieve their goals.
Yet even though it is preferable to begin early, I am still happy to help later in the term or as an exam approaches. I have the experience and talent to quickly diagnose and remedy deficiencies.
Lesson length
An hour is sufficient to cover one topic, or possibly a couple. Two hours or one and a half are needed for more topics, more explanation, more practice.
These guidelines also depend on the individual - how long the student can maintain a productive and absorptive attention for the subject.
In special cases I will continue lessons beyond two hours, although if I see the student becoming tired or less attentive, I will encourage ending the session.
Cancellations
Please respectfully try to avoid cancellations on short notice.
Success!
"My granddaughter is in her senior year at Tam High, in Mill Valley . . . Prior to obtaining the services of Dr. Lowenthal, we contracted the services of a private tutoring agency for which we were paying $100 an hour for 'tutors' who didn’t possess one tenth of the skills or background that Dr. Lowenthal possesses. Christina was getting by with their help, but that was it, just getting by . . . After a year with this tutoring agency and with her grades remaining the same, we decided to seek an alternative source of help and terminated their services.
How fortunate we were that a person of such caliber came into our lives . . . Dr. Lowenthal assessed the situation and immediately knew what Christina needed; her patience and remarkable academic abilities were the perfect match. Christina’s AP Chemistry grade improved within a short time which has allowed Christina to go beyond what she had hoped . . . The student’s needs always come first with Dr. Lowenthal."
Carmel B.
(Grandparent - Sausalito)