Jay Nguyen

Biography

I grew up in San Jose, California, hopping from school to school as my parents searched for the best fit, until the next one came along. The first school I actually got to choose for myself was UCLA, where I studied Economics and minored in Environmental Systems and Society.

I began tutoring in high school and continued helping friends with math and economics throughout college. Although the internet makes information more accessible than ever, I believe there’s something uniquely valuable about learning from another person. A good tutor can recognize when an explanation isn’t clicking, approach a problem from a different angle, and answer the questions a student might otherwise hesitate to ask. I want my students to feel comfortable admitting when they’re confused, knowing we can work through it together. It’s incredibly rewarding to learn and adapt alongside each student, and those “aha!” moments never get old.

Not to play favorites, but I’ve always been a “math person.” There’s something satisfying about working through a difficult problem and discovering how different concepts fit together. To me, math is like a puzzle: memorizing the steps might get you through a familiar problem, but understanding why they work gives you the tools to tackle something new. My goal is to help students develop that deeper understanding so they can approach unfamiliar problems independently and confidently. And if they happen to discover a love for math along the way, I’ll happily welcome them to the club!

Outside of AJ Tutoring, you can find me with my nose in a nonfiction book, knee-deep in gardening, or watching the latest Hollywood flick.