Karen Vazquez

Biography

I grew up in the Bay Area and have always enjoyed living in this vibrant region of California. I initially pursued a career in veterinary medicine and earned a B.S. in Animal Biology from UC Davis. Though I eventually realized that veterinary work wasn’t the right fit for me, that experience led to a more meaningful discovery: my passion for education and student support.

While in undergrad, I joined the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) program, which is designed to support first-generation Hispanic students in STEM. As the HSI STEM Club President, I organized study groups, led club meetings and operations, and worked to foster a strong sense of community. I also began mentoring incoming freshmen–helping them adjust to college-level learning and coursework.

Since then, I’ve continued mentoring underserved communities and am now proud to support AJ students through mathematics and K–8 tutoring. I take a personalized approach to tutoring, tailoring each session to meet individual students’ needs and learning styles. My goal is to make learning both engaging and meaningful–helping students sharpen their skills, build confidence, overcome challenges, and rise above perceived limitations. As a math tutor, I’m especially excited to share my enthusiasm for the subject and demonstrate how, with the right support, math can be fun and rewarding.

Overall, I’m passionate about education, lifelong learning, and empowering others in academia. My own education has been transformative–it taught me resilience, refined study techniques, and the value of a growth mindset. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with others and am always looking for ways to improve and grow as an educator.

Last but not least, outside of tutoring, I enjoy baking, listening to music, and eating frozen yogurt!