Namita Sherlekar

Biography

Growing up in the Bay Area, school and academics in general created a healthy sense of competition, which later grew into a supportive network as we reached high school. I went to Monta Vista High School, and during exam season, as part of test prep, my friend group would take on the role of a “teacher”, like taking turns explaining a difficult topic out loud. It would naturally be that whoever understood something best would step up, and I would always gravitate to the math subjects. This is where I first got into tutoring, and more importantly, developed a passion for helping others understand and enjoy math. My love for teaching also comes from having great teachers myself (Mr.Yu in my Algebra 2 Trig class is still one of my biggest cheerleaders), and from how they made a subject like math feel intuitive, which inspired me to pursue it as a major in college.

In high school, I started privately tutoring students one-on-one in subjects ranging from algebra to calculus, adapting my style and pace to match how each person learned best. Tutoring has taught me as much as it’s taught my students; every time I explain a concept or talk through a problem, I understand it better myself through their questions, one of the biggest reasons I fell in love with it. Over the years, I’ve honed how to break down and communicate complex ideas, along with balancing priorities, which I carry with me in my day to day life. Later on, I graduated from UC San Diego (staying on the sunny coast) with a BS in Mathematics-Economics. I continued tutoring in college through UCSD’s Math Department, covering calculus, linear algebra, and upper-division math courses. While there, I collaborated with other tutors to create lesson plans, practice exams, and study materials, and leaving behind a library of resources for future tutors was one of the most rewarding parts of that experience.

I enjoy teaching math specifically because I know firsthand how important confidence is to success. Math anxiety is all too common, and I’ve found it usually stems not from the subject itself, but from past experiences or a pressure to perform. I’ve worked with students ranging from middle school through college, some with learning differences or varying levels of preparedness. My focus and common thread I keep in mind is to always emphasize independence and confidence first, then build on their skills.

Developing trust with a student is crucial, especially when the subject itself feels intimidating, and I believe that a strong support network can help anyone rediscover their fearlessness. When I start teaching someone new, I meet them where they are, rendering their learning style, needs, strengths, and goals. From there, I can adapt my lessons and tailor a structured routine, creating clear goals, consistent feedback, and small wins to grow their sense of confidence and capability. Then, with creative freedom and collaboration in mind, we can chart a roadmap together toward their vision of success, keeping students motivated to tackle challenges they once thought were too difficult.

Aside from tutoring, I’ve been influenced by my time in southern CA and spend my Thursdays going salsa dancing! I love hitting up the beach even during the winters, reading fantasy series like Cradle and Discworld, playing video games, and baking desserts (my earl grey pie has become a bit of a Thanksgiving tradition). I keep up with crochet and embroidery, something I learned from my grandma on my mom’s side who lived with us my whole life until she passed in 2019, and recently finished a dragon amigurumi as a gift. Most of my family’s based in CA, but I visit Boston and NYC often for family and friends, a taste of the falls/winters over there, and to catch any Broadway show we can!