Growing Up with Math — Purdue

Math has always been a part of my life.  I grew up in West Lafayette, Indiana, home of Purdue University.   A mathematical approach to things was sort of just “in the air”.  And my father, who was actually a historian, delighted in doing basic arithmetic, simple averages, and percent calculations in his head.

I spent my primary and secondary school years surrounded by the sons and daughters of mathematicians, scientists, and engineers, in a school system where academic excellence mattered and where math was an important focus.

My math challenges while growing up came from being in an environment where I was competing with some rather gifted fellow students.   This left me with an appreciation of both the frustration and the elation than can come with studying math.

Math Tutoring and Computer Science — Ann Arbor MI, and Boulder, CO

After graduating from Purdue with a Bachelor’s in liberal arts, I moved to Michigan where I pursued a Master’s in Computer Science.  It was in Michigan that I started tutoring math and discovered the joys of sitting down at a kitchen table with a student to make a seemingly difficult subject much, much easier.

From there I moved to Colorado, and taught classes in a variety of computer related subjects.  Much of my work was for the University of Colorado Continuing Education, where I taught a series of beginning programming courses that formed the foundation of their Programming Certificate.

I love teaching, both one-on-one and in a classroom environment.  I believe one-on-one tutoring is perfect for math, and I love those “aha” moments when things start to click for my students.

Tutoring for Tucson … and Beyond

While I am now relocated to Tucson, Zoom makes it possible to tutor pretty much anywhere there are compatible time zones.

My local students are fun because I actually get to meet students and parents in person.  Students that are located in the eastern part of the U.S. are much appreciated as the time difference helps make my work day run earlier, and my west coast students bring in a little bit of the California vibe.  I’ve even worked with a student in Spain — we schedule for when it is morning for me and evening for him.

Regardless of where I am settled, I love the outdoors and enjoy hiking.  I am an avid international folk dancer, and also an enthusiastic reader.   Fantasy is my favorite genre and I loved working my way through George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones” series.  (I just wish he would finish the last two books!!)

Tutoring lets me reach beyond the boundaries of one place, and all of my students give me the chance to bring light and understanding to a subject that often yields more than its share of aggravation and tears.

Wishing you well!

Charry Stover

B.A. Purdue University, “With Highest Distinction”, Phi Beta Kappa                                  M.A. University of Windsor (Canada)
M.A. Computer Science, University of Michigan

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