My name is Dean McElroy (Mac), and I have been a high school music and math teacher for 30 years. My primary position is the instrumental music teacher at San Juan Hills High School, but I also have a math credential and have taught various math levels every summer.

I taught AP Music Theory for several years, but as my ensemble class load grew, I maxed out on classes I could teach, and another teacher took over that role. I love teaching AP Music Theory, and I am often asked to tutor students. As much as I wish I had time to do so (and I do when I can), I decided to make videos so students can get extra help as they need it. They encouraged me to share these videos with others. I am not a fan of online learning. I believe that an in-person relationship is the best way to teach and learn, but if you treat these videos as ‘extra’ to help you with topics you are struggling with, I hope you find these valuable.

In math, I also have a math credential from my early years in college studying science before moving to music. I have taught summer school math for 30 years, and I taught Algebra at my current school when we opened with Freshmen only, and I needed some extra sections while building our music program. No, I’m not a full time math teacher, but I have successfully worked with students who initially struggle with math, and I take that approach in these videos. For students who understand math pretty easily in the first lesson, these may not be terribly valuable, but for students who struggle with certain topics, I have developed a rapport, lingo, and strategies that have proven to work with the student who lacks confident in math. It is my hope that students gain confidence in Algebra, and that confidence and basic Algebraic foundations help propel them to success in future math classes as well.

This website is currently under construction, and I hope to have complete courses finished by Summer ‘26, which I will refine throughout the ‘26-’27 school year. I will start by making instructional videos, then I will add worksheets (It will take some time to make my own as I don’t want to break copyright laws by using published materials here). It is my hope that my personal students can use this as a valuable tool to help them and may become a valuable resource to any student who comes across this page