Nathan Wu

Biography

My teaching journey began before I had even graduated elementary school. After teaching myself origami from books, I started posting videos online to show others how to fold my own designs. This passion for sharing knowledge followed me through high school and college, where I regularly helped friends with their math and programming coursework.

I was born and raised in San Mateo, California, and later earned my degree in Computer Science from UC Santa Cruz. While at UCSC, I spent a quarter as part of my professor’s teaching team, tutoring undergraduates in Artificial Intelligence, and conducting research at the university’s Artificial Intelligence Lab. I’ve always had a strong foundation in math and science, and Computer Science turned out to be the perfect blend of both.

My teaching experience spans all age groups, from kindergarteners to college seniors. I’ve worked as a summer camp counselor for two summers and as a coding instructor, teaching programming and game design to students in grades K–8. Each of these roles helped me understand how students learn differently at various ages and allowed me to develop skills in adapting to a wide range of academic needs.

What excites me about working with new computer science students is watching them overcome the initial learning curve and start having fun with the material. As students tackle unexpected challenges and explore new technologies, they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills are just as valuable when preparing for standardized tests like the SAT, where success combines a solid foundation of reading and math with effective test-taking strategies. While the content can be learned through study, making smart decisions under time pressure is a separate skill that I’m excited to help students master.

My tutoring approach focuses on building strong rapport with students while we work together to understand the material. I actively listen to students’ struggles, interests, and needs, maintaining a positive outlook and sense of humor to keep sessions enjoyable. The one-on-one format allows me to tailor each lesson to a student’s individual learning style and specific needs.

Outside of tutoring, I enjoy practicing cardistry, origami, speed cubing, and rock climbing (both indoors and outdoors!).