Jefferson Pinzon

Meet Jefferson Pinzon - Expert Math, Physics, Coding & Spanish Tutor

Jefferson Pinzon is a mathematician and former Mathematics & Physics teacher who tutors elementary math, middle school math, pre-algebra, Algebra I and II, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, differential equations, statistics, high school physics, coding (Python, R and C++) and Spanish. He holds a Bachelor in Mathematics from the Industrial University of Santander in Colombia, evaluated as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in mathematics, and scored 170 on the Praxis 5165 Mathematics exam. At Colegio Niño Jesús de Praga in Colombia, he taught mathematics and physics to more than 150 students in grades 8–11, and he has worked as a private math tutor for middle school, high school and early college students. A native Spanish speaker who can tutor in both English and Spanish, Jefferson tutors in person in students' homes and at local libraries across Alexandria and Arlington, finding exactly where a student's understanding breaks down and rebuilding it step by step.

Areas Of Expertise

  • Elementary Math: Elementary math is among the math subjects Jefferson lists as ones he feels confident and experienced tutoring. He stays positive and patient and celebrates small wins, so students can see their own progress.

  • Middle School Math & Pre-Algebra: Jefferson has tutored middle school students one-on-one in math, including students with learning differences. He coaches students to approach math with a plan, remember multi-step processes and work independently.

  • Algebra I & Algebra II: Algebra was a core part of the curriculum Jefferson taught to students in grades 8–11 at Colegio Niño Jesús de Praga. He breaks each concept into small pieces and rebuilds it step by step with guided practice, solving one example with the student before they try the next on their own.

  • Geometry: Geometry is one of Jefferson's preferred math subjects, and he taught it to students in grades 8–11 in Colombia. He connects each concept to something the student already knows or to a real-life example.

  • Trigonometry: Jefferson taught trigonometry to high school students at Colegio Niño Jesús de Praga, where he designed simulation-based lessons and tracked student progress. He checks understanding with quick questions before moving on and is never in a rush to just give the answer.

  • Precalculus: Jefferson has taught precalculus in the classroom and covers it in his one-on-one tutoring. He sets short, reachable goals for each session so students can see their own progress.

  • Calculus (AP Calculus AB & BC and College Calculus): Jefferson tutors calculus from AP Calculus AB and BC up to college calculus, building on university coursework in calculus, linear algebra and complex analysis. He varies each session with worked examples, practice problems, real-world applications and quick challenges.

  • Differential Equations: Jefferson tutors differential equations at the college level, and his university thesis was on the Dual Reciprocity Method for solving partial differential equations. He first finds out exactly where a student's understanding breaks down, because the real gap is often an earlier step.

  • Statistics: Jefferson studied probability and statistics at university and has offered tailored instruction in applied mathematics and statistics as a math consultant for private students and professionals in Australia. He always connects the math to something the student cares about.

  • High School Physics: Jefferson taught physics, including introductory physics, to students in grades 8–11 at Colegio Niño Jesús de Praga, using simulation-based lessons. He connects each concept to something the student already knows or to a real-life example.

  • Coding (Python, R & C++): Jefferson tutors coding in Python, R and C++, and he has completed a Data Analysis with Python course from the Universidad de Málaga and 14 MathWorks MATLAB Academy courses. As a mathematician, he designed optimization algorithms and models for structural engineering problems.

  • Spanish: Jefferson is a native Spanish speaker from Colombia and is comfortable tutoring in both English and Spanish. As in every subject, he keeps students engaged by varying the activities and checking understanding with quick questions.

  • Grade Levels: Elementary through college, plus adult learners. Jefferson is most comfortable with 6th grade through college and adults, has taught students in grades 8–11, and also tutors elementary math.

Teaching Philosophy

"When a student is struggling with a concept, I first find out exactly where the understanding breaks down. I ask the student to explain the problem back to me or walk me through what they tried, because the real gap is often an earlier step, not the one they are stuck on. Then I break the concept into small pieces, connect it to something they already know or to a real-life example, and rebuild it step by step with guided practice — I solve one example with them, then they solve the next one with my support, and finally one on their own. I check understanding with quick questions before moving on, and I am never in a rush to just give the answer. To keep students engaged and motivated, I stay positive and patient, celebrate small wins, and set short, reachable goals for each session so the student can see their own progress. I vary the activities — worked examples, practice problems, real-world applications, and quick challenges — and I always connect the math to something the student cares about. When students see that they actually can do it, their confidence and motivation follow."

What Makes Jefferson Special

  • Mathematics & Physics Teacher, Colegio Niño Jesús de Praga: From 2021 to 2022, Jefferson taught mathematics and physics to more than 150 students in grades 8–11 in Girón, Colombia, covering algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus and introductory physics. He planned daily lessons aligned with curriculum standards, adapted instruction to different learning levels, created assessments, and communicated student progress to parents and guardians through regular reports and meetings.

  • Private Math Tutor: In Northern Virginia, Jefferson has tutored middle and high school students one-on-one in math. His one-on-one work includes supporting students with ADHD, learning disabilities and math anxiety, and building their study and problem-solving strategies.

  • Mathematician, Constructora Visión Futuro S.A.S: As a mathematician in data and structural analysis, Jefferson designed optimization algorithms and mathematical models for structural engineering problems. He translated mathematical results into clear reports for non-technical audiences.

  • Praxis Mathematics Score: In October 2026, Jefferson scored 170 out of 200 on the Praxis 5165 Mathematics exam, above Virginia's passing score of 159.

  • Communication: Jefferson is comfortable using text and email to stay in touch, and he describes his communication with students and parents as warm, patient and dependable.

Education & Achievements

  • Bachelor in Mathematics, Industrial University of Santander (Bucaramanga, Colombia). Evaluated (ECE) as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in mathematics; thesis on the Dual Reciprocity Method for Solving Partial Differential Equations; coursework in Calculus, Functional Analysis, Complex Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Numerical Methods and Linear Algebra.

  • M.S. in Mathematical Engineering and Computing (in progress), UNIR.

  • Certifications: Praxis 5165 Mathematics, score 170/200 (October 2026).

  • Languages: Spanish (native); English and Portuguese (professional).

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