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 have more creative freedom 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 young people.

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

I firmly believe that 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 tot tutoring is to provide more personalization: I want to fully understand the way students learn, then integrate it into the way I teach. With this method, 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.