Mary Zimmerman

Having grown up in the heart of Silicon Valley, I am well acquainted with the stress that academics can impose on us from an early age. In middle school, the thought of going to math class terrified me. I felt that all my other classmates were miles ahead of me, and there was no way I would ever catch up. In high school, I learned that a good teacher makes all the difference. Once I had teachers who made me feel comfortable enough to speak up when I was confused, I was able to flourish in my math classes and found that I wanted to study the subject further.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a minor in computer science at the University of Redlands. During my time in school, I became a calculus tutor for the math department and discovered my love for tutoring and being able to work with students individually. With every session, I aimed to help my students get to the point where they could look forward to going to class, confident not only in their ability to succeed on their own, but also in their ability to ask for help when they needed it. 

I enjoy tutoring math in particular because I believe out of any subject, it can have the biggest effect on a student’s confidence. Society places so much weight behind mathematical ability, it is no wonder that a student underperforming in their math class can feel pretty bad about themselves. Students forget that struggling with a concept is not a character flaw, but rather an opportunity for growth, and it is my goal to help them learn the difference.

When it comes to the SAT and ACT, I recognize the significance that these tests play in students’ lives, and know the stresses that they create. As with math, my goal is always to develop students’ confidence, help them see the ins-and-outs of the test, and set them up with test taking and critical thinking skills that will help them now and throughout their lives. 

In my free time, I enjoy painting, baking, and playing the piano, though not necessarily well. You can also always find me spoiling my pet rabbit, Tigger.