Derek Lin

Biography

There were many twists and turns in my path before I landed in education, but those experiences invariably taught me the value of being a mentor. After graduating from UC Davis with a biotechnology degree, I worked in that industry for a short time before deciding I wanted to take more creative liberties in the field of web design. From there I jumped to software development, before working at an after-school program where I accidentally discovered the joy of teaching and guiding today’s youth. Now, I find myself actively building on this passion of mine!

I remember many times I was privileged enough to experience a student’s “Aha!” moment. Whether it was an academic or behavioral understanding they came about to, those seconds in which clarity could be physically seen in their facial expressions, in their eyes—the significance in those moments have always kept me striving to become a better educator.

Speaking of which, I firmly believe every student has their own unique style of learning. Tapping into and blending stylistic aspects they connect with can therefore have a powerful effect on a student’s academic progression, academic perception, and even confidence levels. Thus, my approach is to provide better personalization: I want to master the way they learn, then integrate it into the way I teach. With this methodology, I can address their academic concerns and goals in a more holistic manner.

As for my life outside tutoring: I enjoy keeping active through sports, dancing when no one’s watching, and viewing works of fiction that depict deep philosophical aspects of reality.