Thomas Cai

Biography

I was born in San Jose and have lived in the Bay Area my entire life. As a student, I excelled in many subjects, but my greatest passion was always mathematics. Friends and teachers alike were impressed by my achievements, from winning math competitions to taking Calculus in ninth grade. It came as no surprise that I continued pursuing math in college, earning a degree in Applied Mathematics from University of California, Berkeley and later completing a master’s degree in Mathematics at San Jose State University.

During college, I realized that while I enjoyed doing math, what truly excited me was talking about math. Collaborating with classmates was always rewarding, but my experience as a teaching assistant at San Jose State sparked a genuine love for teaching. Although I taught multiple courses, my favorite by far was the Discrete Math Workshop. In that setting, I worked closely with students in both group and one-on-one environments, challenging them to think logically and deeply about complex problems. I often stayed after class for up to an hour, continuing discussions and helping students refine their understanding.

When tutoring, I focus heavily on the reasoning behind each process. Many students prefer to memorize steps, but I’ve found that this approach is limiting in both the short and long term. In the short term, understanding where a formula or method comes from makes it much easier to recall and apply. When students grasp the underlying concepts, they can navigate toward solutions even if they don’t remember every step perfectly. In the long term, connecting the process to reasoning strengthens retention and builds the flexibility needed to apply ideas to new and unfamiliar problems. Beyond academic success, this approach helps students appreciate the beauty and elegance of mathematics.

Outside of AJ, I enjoy reading, playing video games, and solving all kinds of puzzles.