Private lessons over Zoom

Online coding and math tutoring

Personalized lessons for kids, teens, and college students—from first projects in Scratch and Python to math support, AP Computer Science, college coursework, and more advanced programming.

Who lessons are for

• A beginner who is curious about programming but does not know where to start
• A Scratch creator ready to understand more advanced concepts or try Python
• A high school or college student who wants patient help with a computer science course
• An AP Computer Science A or AP Computer Science Principles student who wants clearer explanations and deliberate practice
• A student who wants to understand difficult math concepts and develop stronger problem-solving habits
• A young programmer with a game, website, app, or other project idea
• A learner who knows some syntax but wants to become better at solving problems independently

No prior coding experience is required. Family members do not need to know programming either.

What a lesson is like

Lessons are live and one-on-one over Zoom. We can begin with a guided project, explore an idea the student already has, review a difficult concept, or debug something that is not working. I ask questions, model useful problem-solving habits, and gradually hand more of the thinking back to the student.

The exact path is flexible because interest matters. A learner who loves stories may animate one in Scratch; a learner who likes puzzles may write a Python game; a student in a class may focus on the concept behind an assignment instead.

Subjects I teach

If you are unsure which language makes sense, describe the student’s interests and experience in your email. I can recommend a starting point.

About your tutor

I’m Matthew McLaughlin. I have taught since 2019 and currently teach math at Art of Problem Solving Academy in San Mateo. I believe in its focus on challenging problems, conceptual understanding, and learning how to think rather than relying on rote memorization. I earned a B.S. in Computer Science from UC Irvine, where I tutored the introductory Python series for first-year students. I have also taught with Girls Who Code and theCoderSchool in Irvine and work with private students online over Zoom.

I have studied Chinese for over six years. I created Waabl, an educational iPhone and iPad app, to help myself and other learners build vocabulary by learning a new Chinese word each day.

My aim is to help students become confident, resourceful learners: people who can break down a hard problem, make a small experiment, learn from an error, and try again.

Common questions

Does the student need coding experience?

No. Lessons can start from the very beginning. For a student who already codes, I first look at what they understand, what they have made, and where they tend to get stuck.

Is this a class or one-on-one tutoring?

Tutoring is one-on-one. That makes it possible to adjust the pace, examples, and projects to one learner rather than asking them to keep up with a group curriculum.

Are lessons online or in person?

Lessons are available online over Zoom, so students can join from home and share their code or screen in real time. I am based in Millbrae, California, and in-person lessons may also be available for students in the Bay Area.

Can you help with school assignments?

I can help a student understand the concepts, interpret errors, and develop a solution process. I do not simply complete graded work for them—the point is for the student to leave able to do more on their own.

How much does tutoring cost?

I discuss rates directly with each family because the arrangement can vary with the number of students and how often we meet. A regular or multi-session arrangement may have a lower per-session rate. Email me with what you have in mind and I’ll explain the options before you commit to anything.

What equipment is needed?

A computer that can run Zoom and the tools used for the chosen language, plus a reliable internet connection. Scratch runs in a web browser. I can discuss the setup for other languages before the first lesson.

How do we get started?

Email me with the student’s age or grade, current experience, interests, and what they hope to learn or create. I will reply personally with a suggested next step and current availability.