Lisha Ou

Biography

While pursuing my bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley, I learned that my greatest passion is learning. At the time, learning meant asking questions, gathering information, and discovering new ideas. That curiosity drove me to pursue my Ph.D. at Stanford University, where I could explore our world through the lens of biochemistry. During my studies, my passion for learning became increasingly intertwined with a passion for teaching. I mentored young scientists as they conducted their first experiments and helped undergraduate students develop a deeper understanding of chemistry concepts. Since then, I have come to believe that teaching is itself a form of learning; to be a teacher is to dedicate one’s career to being a learner.

That is the approach I bring to AJ Tutoring. I tutor with the intent to learn about what each student needs to succeed in their classes. A single concept can be explained in countless ways, and my goal is to discover which explanation allows each student to reach a level of understanding that class alone may not provide. By approaching tutoring this way, I hope to spark the same curiosity that has shaped my own life—a curiosity that encourages students to ask questions, seek out information, and discover new ideas for themselves.

Having a passion for learning also means I have an ever-growing list of hobbies and interests. To spare anyone from reading the entire list, I’ll mention a few that give a sense of the range of activities I enjoy. I am often knitting or crocheting; I grow flowers, herbs, and vegetables in my own garden and volunteer at a local community garden; and I boulder and top-rope at an indoor rock climbing gym. If there’s a hobby that isn’t on my list yet, best believe it will likely be there soon!