Martin Cabello

My tutoring journey began when I personally experienced the profound impact a dedicated tutor had on my own academic growth. These experiences ignited my passion to help others navigate their educational challenges, and I find great fulfillment in witnessing students achieve their full potential through tutoring. My goal is to inspire a love for learning and foster academic success in those I work with.

I was born and raised in the Bay Area and attended Sequoia High School. I grew up watching technology explode with innovation, and I have always been interested in learning new technologies. I joined a coding club in high school, quickly became very fascinated in the topic, and pursued my undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I earned my degree in computer science. My college experiences reinforced the importance of adaptability, resilience, and effective communication, equipping me to better prepare my students for an ever-changing world.

Learning programming is like learning a new language with a new alphabet and new syntax, so it can be tough at first. However, once you get comfortable, it becomes useful and applicable. I also love teaching Spanish because I realize the importance of knowing the Spanish language in this country. I translate English to Spanish on a regular basis, and I understand the similarities and differences, the nuances, and the advantages of using one over the other depending on the situation. 

My teaching experiences began at Project Read, where I volunteered to help middle school students improve their reading and mathematical skills. Every student learns in different ways, so I prepared material and teaching approaches for scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. I was also an undergraduate learning assistant for several quarters at UCSB, and there I helped prepare and lead introductory computer science sections in which I answered students’ questions and explained common misconceptions of the concepts covered in lecture. I held bi-weekly office hours to help students catch up or get ahead of the course schedule by going through lecture notes, practice problems, exam questions, and projects. 

Overall, my tutoring approach is rooted in a student-centered philosophy: I tailor each session to the learning style and individual needs of the student. The one-on-one format allows me to customize lessons, pay full attention to the student’s needs, and provide immediate feedback by leveraging various tools and skills, such as interactive online resources, practical examples, and real-world applications, to make complex topics more accessible. I excel at breaking down complex concepts, building strong foundations, and instilling problem-solving skills. Whether it’s helping with computer science programming or language acquisition in Spanish, I’m dedicated to fostering a deep understanding and confidence in my students.

When I’m not coding, you can catch me working out at the gym, watching sports, or trying out a new restaurant!