Mark Menz

Biography

My goal at AJ Tutoring is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where students can build confidence and achieve their academic goals.

Before I became a tutor, or even a student, I was an artist. As a kid, I loved drawing, painting, and making videos, and I was thrilled when I was accepted to UC Berkeley to study film. While attending Berkeley, I discovered a passion for economics and applied mathematics. Pursuing film production also taught me the importance of business, from financing projects to analyzing audiences and solving problems. I came to appreciate how much math underlies the problem-solving we do every day, and that’s why I love teaching it. Math is full of puzzles, offers a new way of thinking, and helps students develop skills they can use in countless future pursuits. For me, every solved problem is an opportunity for a student to recognize their abilities and discover new possibilities.

I’ve tutored algebra and precalculus one-on-one, as well as Japanese during college. I also worked as a teacher and discussion facilitator for economics courses at Berkeley, where I learned how important guidance and leadership can be in a student’s academic journey. One principle I always emphasize is that there is no failure in learning, only hurdles to overcome. Math and economics can be challenging, but students can make progress by breaking difficult concepts into manageable steps. Through my tutoring experience, I’ve seen that students are capable of improving when they have the right support. My role is to help them work through challenges, understand where they may be getting stuck, and build the confidence to keep going.

Outside of tutoring, I enjoy drawing, cooking, and watching movies, especially animation. My favorite movie is Princess Mononoke.