Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark McGovern.
Mark, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always loved math, and I did well with it when I was in school. I had always wanted to be a writer, too. After serving six years in the Navy aboard the submarine USS Maine and then working a regular day job, I went to college. I earned my bachelor’s degree in English, graduating from Georgia State University with honors in 2019 at the age of 41.
I started tutoring while I was in college, helping my friends’ kids with their math homework. One time, a friend gave me some money for it. I hadn’t really considered doing it full time, or that it could even be done full time. I gained clients, mainly through word-of-mouth over the course of earning my degree, and when I graduated I slid right into running my own tutoring business. I worked for a test preparation company to gain experience in the SAT and ACT preparation during that time as well. My math and science background and my degree in English give me a well-rounded and insightful ability to prepare students for the standardized tests. It is really fulfilling work, too. It’s an amazing feeling, finding a new way to teach someone a difficult math concept or how to recognize what punctuation to use in their writing.
By the time COVID-19 hit, I had already been working on offering online lessons, so I was able to switch most of my lessons––and then all of them––to online. With most students having to do distance learning and online lessons, I am able to provide my services on a nationwide basis while still providing a one-on-one experience! It’s really wonderful, and I’m looking forward to a fabulous and busy school year coming up.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been surprisingly smooth. There are always a few challenges with running a business, like making sure to set money aside for taxes and making sure the schedule doesn’t overlap, but overall it’s been smoother than I had expected. One of the main struggles has been COVID-19, as in many organizations and endeavors. When many schools sent their students home, it added to the confusion the parents were experiencing. Many of them simply paused their kids’ tutoring schedules. That took a little bite out of the revenue, but I did have several students who didn’t miss a beat. We picked up online where we left off the week before in person. And, now that everyone is more used to online lessons, I predict a great school year in 2020-21!
Please tell us about Mastering It With Mark.
Before the pandemic, I would go to my students’ homes and work with them in person on a one-on-one basis. This type of instruction is ideal for tutoring since the tutor can adjust the teaching style to suit each student. I’ve been able to adapt to each of my students, explaining concepts in different ways to ensure understanding. I specialize in algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, but I also work with students on all sections of the ACT and SAT tests. These include reading comprehension, English language usage, and science in addition to math. Most of my five-star reviews have mentioned my ability to explain the tough concepts to students even when they normally had trouble understanding before that. I don’t feel like I’m in my 40s––I feel much younger––and I have been able to relate to my students well. That’s probably what sets me apart, and that is why parents tell their friends about me.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I focus on mastering the material, which is why I named the business “Mastering It.” I truly believe that every student has the ability to learn the tough math and English concepts. I make sure that my student fully understands each problem or concept before moving on to the next. I can tell when I’ve moved too fast over a subject. Teenagers give pretty obvious body-language clues when they don’t fully understand something. My business is a success because I care about whether my students learn the concepts and material.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://Masteringit.net
- Phone: 404-663-3263
- Email: markmcgovern@live.com
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/MasteringItWithMark
- Other: https://www.thumbtack.com/ga/atlanta/test-prep/mastering-it-with-mark/service/299543652723736744?utm_medium=web&utm_source=txt&surface=sp
Image Credit:
Mark McGovern
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