Tutoring & Mentorship
Learn C++, Python, algorithms, and AI-assisted coding — one-on-one, project-first, with a programmer who’s been doing this professionally since 1980.
The Short Version of My Story
I sold my first video game in high school — 10,000 lines of assembly language, written one instruction at a time. I learned C++ at Bell Labs in 1987, earned my computer science degree at Columbia (Dean’s List), and I’ve been a professional programmer ever since — most of it back-end C++, the kind of code nobody sees but everything depends on.
Along the way I founded software companies, designed a UAV for the U.S. military, wrote two technical books and 350+ articles, and built products used by more than 30,000 people.
These days, I teach. Over 1,000 one-on-one sessions and counting.
Who I Work With
There’s no such thing as a typical student:
- Teens (middle & high school) — Capstone projects, AP Computer Science, and going from complete beginner to launching your own app, game, or website.
- College students — Data structures, algorithms, C++, and coursework support that makes the material actually click.
- Career changers — A practical path into software, built around real projects that become your portfolio.
- Working engineers — Level up in C++, Python, algorithms, performance optimization, and AI-assisted development.
How I Teach
We learn by building. You pick a project you actually care about, and we build it together. I’ll show you what’s going on under the hood — not just which buttons to press, but why.
Sessions are relaxed and practical. I’m patient, we go at your pace, and there are no dumb questions. Forty years in, I can smell bad code a mile away — and I’ll teach you to spot it too.
Coding With AI, Without the Bad Habits
I use ChatGPT and Claude every day in my own work. I’ll teach you how to direct them, how to review what they produce, and how to catch them when they’re confidently wrong. AI makes a good programmer faster — but only if you understand what it’s doing. That understanding is what we build together.
What We Can Work On
Modern C++ (C++11 through C++23) · Python · Algorithms & data structures · AP Computer Science · Debugging technique · Performance optimization & profiling · Capstone and portfolio projects · AI-assisted software development
Pricing
$99 USD per hour, billed in 5-minute increments after the first hour.
- Most students book 1-hour sessions
- Questions between sessions? Quick email follow-up is free
- Payment via credit card (processed securely; I never see your number)
Booking & Logistics
- Where: Online, one-on-one, with students worldwide.
- First step: A free 15-minute call. Tell me what you’re working on — and if I’m not the right mentor for it, I’ll tell you straight.
- Already had your free call? Book a Session — $99/hour →
- Found me through a tutoring platform such as Crimson Education or Wyzant? Please book through those websites instead — the links on this page are for independent students.
- Rescheduling: Please give 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel.
Common Questions
Do you work with complete beginners?
Yes. Many of my teen students start from zero and end up shipping their own app, game, or website. All you need is curiosity — we'll find a project you care about together.What ages do you teach?
Middle school through working senior engineers. There really is no typical student.What happens in the free call?
You tell me what you're working on and where you're stuck. I tell you honestly whether I'm the right mentor for it. Fifteen minutes, no pressure.Ready?
Book a free 15-minute call. Tell me what you’re working on. If I’m not the right mentor for it, I’ll tell you straight — but if I am, let’s build something.