Ray Dykeman Tutoring

Expert Math & Science Tutoring Middle School • High School • College Personalized One-on-One Instruction Serving Bethesda, MD • Washington, DC • Online Nationwide

301-717-8204

Ray Dykeman is an exceptionally knowledgeable, skilled and dedicated full-time tutor with over 20 years experience teaching and tutoring math and science at the elementary school, middle school, high school, college and graduate levels. In addition to tutoring a wide variety of math and science subjects, he has taught Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Earth Science, and MCAT prep classes.

 

Ray will meet you at home or at school - the perfect solution for the overscheduled student!

 

Ray has worked with students from many Montgomery County and Washington, DC schools including Bethesda-Chevy Chase (BCC), Walt Whitman, Walter Johnson, Wilson, Winston Churchill, Pyle, North Bethesda, Westland, Bannockburn, Bethesda, Bradley Hills, Burning Tree, Carderock Springs, Chevy Chase, North Chevy Chase, Westbrook, Wood Acres, Wyngate and others. He also works with students from area private schools including Bullis, Burke, Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, French International School, Georgetown Day School, Georgetown Prep, Green Acres, Gonzaga, Holton Arms, Holy Child, Landon, Mater Dei, McLean School of Maryland, Potomac, NCS, Norwood, Sidwell, St. Albans, St. Jane de Chantal, St. John's, St. Patrick, Stoneridge, Washington Episcopal School, Washington International School, Washington Waldorf, Woods Academy and others.

Helping students understand how ideas connect, so mathematics and science become meaningful, memorable, and genuinely exciting.

Scientist. Teacher. Mentor.

I earned a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and I've spent more than twenty years helping students succeed in mathematics and science.

I've spent my career studying science, teaching students, and helping young people discover what they're capable of. My background in chemistry and biochemistry, combined with decades of one-on-one tutoring, allows me to explain difficult ideas clearly while helping students build genuine confidence.

One of the things I enjoy most about tutoring is helping students discover that mathematics and science aren’t just collections of formulas to memorize. Rather, they’re powerful ways of understanding how the world works.

The most rewarding moments often happen when a student gains insight into how something works or how different ideas fit together. Then I say,

"Isn't that cool?!"

Because it is.

I also add related stories from history or my own experience to give greater context to what the student is learning. Those stories help put the concept into a larger, clearer picture of the overall subject. They make ideas easier to understand and remember because the student can see how the concept fits into a story, how it connects to other ideas, and how it relates to the real world.

My goal is to help my students understand how things work, see how ideas fit together, and connect mathematics and science to the real world. I want them to do well academically, but even more importantly, I want them to develop the confidence that comes from genuine understanding and to discover that these subjects really are cool!

Ray Dykeman combines the perspective of a scientist, the experience of a teacher, and the commitment of a mentor to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematics and science. His goal is not only to improve grades, but to help students become confident, curious learners who understand how ideas connect and apply to the real world.

Education and Academic Background

B.S. in Chemistry,

M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. (straight A's and was exempted from the comprehensive examinations)

MCAT: Perfect score (15/15) on the Physical Sciences section; 95th percentile on the Biological Sciences section.

National Teacher Examination: Perfect score (800/800) in chemistry, physics, and general science

Why I Teach

While I enjoy research, I realized that I enjoy helping students even more. I also value the independence that tutoring provides because it allows me to work closely with each student and teach in the way I believe is most effective. Those are the reasons I chose to devote my career to tutoring.

Professional Experience

Teaching

More than 20+ years of full-time tutoring

Thousands of one-on-one tutoring sessions

Experience from middle school through graduate school

Extensive success helping bright students with ADHD

Developer of a mathematics through investing curriculum

Coordinated a technology grant at Los Angeles High School, to integrate technology into science and math education

Contributor to the first edition of The Princeton Review MCAT Review

Scientific Research

M.S. Thesis: Characterization of the H-trp3 Calcium Channel Protein

Worked in advanced materials research developing coatings for ships and aircraft

Conducted research on osmium and ruthenium organometallic compounds to explore their applications as catalysts.