Among Dave's favorite pastimes are playing the drums with local bands and creative writing. Some of his poetry has been published. Tutoring United States history, writing, SAT prep, and study skills is among the activities he enjoys most. "I love working one-on-one with the students I tutor," says Dave. "It's a nice way to get to know them on an individual basis. This lets me help one person at a time, tailoring the tutoring to his or her specific needs."
A sense of humor comes in handy. "It can lighten the mood," he says.
Interestingly, beyond offering drum lessons in his spare time and playing with local bands, Dave, who was a professional musician for three years after graduating from college, has found a way to share his love for music with students who also show an interest. He draws their attention to bands whose lyrics can improve their vocabulary. For example, he notes, one popular rock band lyricist, who has a doctorate and teaches at UCLA, uses advanced vocabulary in his songs. Dave's approach reflects each student's individual likings. "One may share an interest in television while another likes to discuss different styles of music," he says.
It's hard to believe from his accomplishments that Dave wasn't always a top student. But he recalls not totally focusing on his schoolwork until hitting college. "I was not that motivated myself, so I can relate to students who are having a struggle getting their work done or who are having a hard time tapping their potential," says Dave. "I can help them get past that because I have been there myself. With the right kind of direction, a student can change his or her outlook and start focusing and making progress."
Dave knows firsthand the benefits of tutoring: "When I was in high school I had a math tutor. My D's became A's." He graduated from Rutgers where he majored in English and minored in Social Science. "That covered history, sociology, psychology, politics, and a bunch of other stuff," he says modestly.
During and after his undergraduate work, and prior to going for a master's of science in education at the University of Pennsylvania, Dave played the drums and wrote lyrics for a band that toured the country four or five times. "We played on the radio and recorded a full-length album with a producer who also worked with big-name artists," Dave recalls.
His interests merged when the band started an education non-profit called "Rock for Dreams" with the support of corporate sponsors. during a year-long charity tour, the band raised $10,000 for the "I Have a Dream Foundation", a national education charity, and $40,000 for various veterans' organizations. "Near the end of the tour I decided I wanted to go to graduate school and to do music on the side," says Dave.
As if all that isn't enough, Dave also taught English and SAT prep courses at Bodine High School in Philadelphia last year prior to teaching social studies this year at Philadelphia Learning Academy North, an alternative school for students who have been expelled from other schools.
This opportunity has led Dave to a new career path, and he will start law school this fall. "My experience there got me interested in juvenile justice and education law," he explains. "I chose to teach [16- to 19-year-olds] at the Learning Academy because I wanted a challenge. Some of the students didn't want to be there, but for those who did, I feel I made a positive contribution by being supportive and taking an interest in their education and personal development."
Dave further explains the benefits of tutoring for varied students. "It's worth their time to get the necessary help if they can't do their studies on their own," he says. "But for someone who already has good study habits, I focus on the subject content and work with them to ensure their B's become A's." When it comes to SAT prep, Dave notes that this is a "challenging test involving a lot of practice and strategy, and there are lots of tips to be offered that help students do well," he says. "Regardless of skill level, a student who prepares is better off than one who doesn't."