I first became interested in tutoring during university, when I began leading study groups for some of my more difficult courses. These experiences taught me how invaluable one-on-one mentoring is and that any student can gain mastery over their course material with the right learning environment.

I was born and raised in Redwood City, and I attended Woodside High School, where I participated in the debate team, placing in regional congressional debate style competitions. I received my Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of San Diego. Working with my professors one-on-one during office hours drastically improved my confidence and inspired me to help others live up to their potential as well.

I have always enjoyed working with kids, and my experiences in babysitting, camp counseling, and as a swim instructor taught me that while children are fast learners, not all children learn the same way. I enjoy teaching students better study habits that are specific to their needs, and strengthening their understanding of material they may initially find difficult. Building students’ confidence in math and writing from a young age sets these students up for success both in school and their future careers.

I also have experience as a mentor through ROTC in college, where each year I supported a small group of freshmen with time management, goal-setting, and personal development as they adjusted to life in university. I found that breaking down larger problems into smaller, actionable steps has a massive impact on a student’s success in school and their ability to manage difficult situations. This thought process applies to specific educational concepts as well, since many students often get frustrated and lose hope when faced with a challenging new topic. Learning to guide others through these challenges taught me a lot about how to deal with problems that seem impossible to solve at first.

My personal tutoring philosophy is that every student has the ability to learn any subject provided they have adequate help with building their studying skills. In one-on-one sessions, I start by assessing what my student is struggling with, determining the level they are currently at and where they need to be, and then helping develop a road map to get to that point. I include my students in this processes so that they learn early to manage their own studies and develop their independence.

In my free time, I play bass in a jazz ensemble with the College of San Mateo and play guitar recreationally. I also enjoy surfing, backpacking, and rock climbing.