Samuel Clay has been a tutor in New York City and online for over ten years. After graduating from the Ivy League in 2010, he has worked with over 100 students ranging from first grade to graduate school.
About me
I’m a New York City-born, Midwest-raised son of immigrants, and I graduated from Cornell University in 2010. My lifelong devotion to mathematics and music led me to study both subjects in school, as well as taking coursework in the sciences, French literature, and medieval studies. I ultimately chose to major in music and become a classical composer. I’m a native speaker of English and Spanish, proficient in French, and speak basic German.
I’ve been tutoring in New York City for over ten years and have worked with over 100 students, ranging from first graders to graduate students who have attended both private and selective public schools. I have extensive experience working with students with learning and developmental differences, including autism, ADHD, and dyslexia; gifted and twice-exceptional students; and students for whom anxiety and depression impact their learning.
I regularly work with students for several years, and my students often refer me to their friends and siblings. Both my long-term and SAT students have gained acceptance to the Ivy League, selective liberal arts colleges, and other schools that have met their needs. Most importantly, they’ve been happy with and proud of their final choices.
How I teach
My teaching is fundamentally collaborative and centered on developing insight. I focus above all on conceptual understanding, together with the routine and repetition needed to solidify that understanding.
I help my students work with their minds, with an emotionally supportive approach grounded in patience and flexibility. This can range from helping a struggling student feel confident enough to meet their potential to helping a high-achieving student learn to push themselves without burning out.
In addition to learning the course material, my students also learn how to study more productively and how to more effectively manage short- and long-term tasks. By becoming better learners, they see academic improvements that extend even beyond the improvements in their letter grades.
Services
I work with students in their homes in Manhattan and Riverdale as well as remotely with students across the country. I generally meet with students for 1–6 hours each week depending on their needs.
General Academic Support
Help with all schoolwork, ranging from preparing for math exams to organizing history notes to writing analytical essays. Besides academic content, there is a significant focus on study skills, homework planning, and test preparation.
Targeted Support
Support for a specific course, including but not limited to math, science, and English up to AP/IB or equivalent level, as well as Calculus I-III, Inorganic Chemistry I-II, and music theory at college level. Additional college courses by request.
Preparation for the SAT, as well as many AP and IB exams. Learning to manage planning, stress, and testing anxiety is woven into this work.
Test Preparation
College Application Writing
Assistance with each step of the process of crafting an essay that tells a compelling story in the student’s own voice. Additional focus on time management and planning during the college application season.
Extracurricular Enrichment
I create and teach a customized curriculum, usually including topics not generally covered in school, a preview of material from the following school year, or making up for learning loss. Subjects include writing, math up to calculus, and music theory at any level.