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Red fox

Expert tutoring in mathematics, computer science, coding, test preparation, interview preparation, and more.

Portrait of Misha Zitser, founder of Red Fox Tutors

Photo credit: Chaya Gruber

About RedFox LogoTutors.

Hi! My name is Misha Zitser, and I'm the founder and CTO (Chief Tutoring Officer) of Red Fox Tutors, one of the premier tutoring companies headquartered in New York City.

I would like to wholeheartedly thank you for considering my tutoring services! I hope you find the following Q&A section useful. I look forward to speaking with you in person when you book a free 15-minute consultation.

What is your educational background?

I studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and received a Bachelor's in mathematics and a Master of Engineering degree in Computer Science. I am a Stuyvesant High School alum.

What teaching experience do you have?

My teaching experience began at MIT as a teaching assistant for two semesters for a Probability and Statistics course taken by computer science majors. I led weekly recitations, tutorials for small groups, and conducted final exam review sessions for a class of 300 students.

After graduating from MIT, I took an engineering job at a quant hedge fund. In my spare time, I tutored one-on-one, mainly teaching computer science and coding skills. More than 23 years later, and I am still tutoring. Over these two decades, I tutored hundreds of students in computer science, mathematics, computer programming, machine learning, and physics. I helped students prepare for tests, such as the SHSAT, the Hunter High School admissions test, the PSAT and SAT.

I have also helped a large number of job seekers prepare for quant and software engineering interviews. Having been a software engineer and quantitative analyst myself, I interviewed many candidates over the years. That has helped me to give useful advice to my students who enroll in my interview preparation sessions.

Do you have any industry experience writing software or working with mathematical models?

I have worked for over two decades at some of New York City's most successful firms, including D.E. Shaw, Bloomberg, Millennium and Balyasny Asset Management. I have written high-performance C++ code for the Bloomberg Terminal, a well-known software product used on Wall Street and at financial institutions around the world. I have also built quantitative trading models to trade stocks using statistical patterns. When I teach computer science and programming, I not only base my teaching on textbook theory but also on many years of real-world experience. The practical details that are often omitted in textbooks are very important to be aware of when writing high quality code.

What areas of computer science and software engineering do you tutor in?

I offer lessons both in theoretical computer science concepts, as well as hands-on help with coding projects. If you are looking to improve your software engineering skills or are looking to start a new career in software engineering or a related area, I can help you get to that goal. I try to teach folks how to think like a software engineer, rather than asking them to memorize programming language syntax. The subjects that I offer lessons in include:

  • Algorithms and Data Structures
  • Python
  • C++
  • Java
  • Object Oriented Programming
  • Machine Learning and AI
  • LeetCode Problem Solving

What mathematics subjects do you tutor in?

I tutor students of all ages in different areas of mathematics, ranging from elementary to college level subjects. Areas of mathematics that I offer lessons in include:

  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Precalculus
  • Calculus
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Linear Algebra
  • Number Theory
  • Probability
  • Statistics
  • Competitive Math Preparation - AMC, AIME etc

Why Red Fox Tutors?

A better question is "why not?" :) Red foxes are super cute, clever, and curious! I've been following the red foxes in my neighborhood of New York City for a few years, and I've really grown to love these animals. So, I thought it would be a great name for my tutoring company.

Do I have to be a fox to be a client of Red Fox Tutoring?

No. We are an inclusive company. Everyone is welcome to take lessons with Red Fox Tutoring, not just foxes.

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Help with Homework and Enrichment Learning

Customized lessons tailored to each student’s goals and learning style.

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Test Preparation

SAT / PSAT / SHSAT / Hunter High School Exam preparation and strategies.

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Interview Preparation

Helping you succeed on coding interviews and land your dream job.

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Flexible Scheduling

Sessions that fit your busy schedule—online or in-person.

What Students Say

Misha is a unique instructor with exceptional mastery of mathematics, AI, and teaching. He has a talent for understanding complex concepts and explaining them clearly through a Socratic approach that deepens student learning and critical thinking.

He is an outstanding resource for strengthening coding skills and building confidence in technical problem-solving.

Dr. Jacques J. - Healer, Coder and Lifelong Learner

I was working on a computer science degree at Columbia University’s School of General Studies while working full time and Misha was my tutor.

If you want to learn the material and have a person understand what you know and where you need help, Misha is your choice. You won’t find a more knowledgeable and patient tutor. Misha gets my highest recommendation.

John P. - Founder of AI Startup

Misha taught my son Python during the early middle school years. His patience, cheerful personality, and deep knowledge of programming made him an ideal tutor. The lessons ended when we moved out of state, but my son went on to achieve a top score in AP computer science, so Misha was an excellent choice for building a foundation.

Laurel K. - Parent

Misha Zitser is, without question, the most effective mathematics tutor I have encountered in the past fifteen years. He combines exceptional academic credentials with patience, kindness, and a rare talent for teaching complex mathematical concepts in a clear and engaging manner.

Misha graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York City, one of the nation’s most selective and highly regarded specialized high schools, and later earned his degree from MIT, consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. His academic background is matched by his outstanding ability to mentor and inspire students.

With Misha’s guidance, my children were admitted to New York City’s top Specialized High Schools and later to an Ivy League university. His instruction not only strengthened their mathematical abilities, but also built the confidence and discipline necessary for success in highly competitive academic environments.

In today’s extremely demanding landscape of high school and college admissions, working with someone of Misha’s caliber is invaluable.

Alexei C. - Parent, Age 59

Misha Zitser was my mathematics tutor for several years, during which he guided me well beyond the standard middle school curriculum and thoroughly prepared me for the SHSAT. He combines patience, kindness, and professionalism with the qualities of an exceptionally effective educator.

One of Misha’s greatest strengths is his ability to make even the most challenging and seemingly tedious mathematical topics both understandable and genuinely enjoyable. His teaching style is clear, engaging, and highly motivating.

Misha was also remarkably flexible and accommodating, consistently adjusting our lessons to fit my often demanding and rapidly changing school and personal schedules. I am deeply grateful for his dedication, tireless effort, and unwavering support throughout my academic journey.

Natalie E. C. - Student at Bronx High School of Science, Age 14

I worked with Misha Zitser from middle school through high school. Knowing that Misha himself graduated from Stuyvesant High School was incredibly motivating and gave me the confidence to believe in my own abilities, which ultimately helped me excel on the SHSAT.

Misha has a remarkable ability to break down difficult mathematical concepts into simple, intuitive components. Whether working through challenging parts of the standard curriculum, AMC competition problems, or material from 'The Art of Problem Solving' series, he consistently made advanced mathematics approachable and engaging.

Beyond his technical expertise, Misha is exceptionally friendly, patient, and supportive. Working with him was always enjoyable and never stressful, even when tackling highly demanding material. I can confidently say that he is one of the most effective mathematics tutors I have ever encountered.

The mathematical foundation and problem-solving skills I developed under Misha’s guidance continue to benefit me today as a Ph.D. student in applied mathematics.

Matthew C. - Stuyvesant High School Advanced Regents Diploma With Honors, Cornell University Double Major in Mathematics and Physics, Age 22

Contact

Reach out to schedule a free consultation or ask questions about tutoring.