Madeline Coquilla

Biography

After graduating from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Neuroscience, I dedicated myself to education and advocacy for students in the Bay Area. I began my journey as a substitute teacher in San Jose schools, working primarily in middle and high school classrooms across a wide range of subjects, from math to biology. These experiences deepened my passion for working with students and shaped my approach to education. I believe in a whole-child approach to tutoring that considers students’ social, emotional, cognitive, and mental well-being alongside their academic needs.

Working with young minds has always been a calling of mine. That interest led me to conduct developmental psychology research at Stanford University and Santa Clara University, where I studied how attunement and tone work together to influence how children listen to and internalize information. I bring these principles into my teaching by focusing on the individual student and creating an environment where they feel understood and supported. I also believe in the value of productive struggle: giving students the space to work through challenges, build independence, and develop confidence in their abilities. Beyond academic growth, I hope to help students become more empathetic and compassionate individuals.

When I’m not tutoring, I enjoy reading, writing plays and short stories, watching musicals, and exploring art and science museums. My most recent visit was to the Field Museum in Chicago, which I found inspiring. Next on my list is the American Museum of Natural History in New York!