Will Fitch

I grew up in Los Altos, where I fell in love with math and computer science at an early age. I have always been drawn to these subjects because of their consistent and logical structures: there are many different ways to approach any given problem, but they will all lead you to the same correct answer. I love to look for interesting mathematical patterns and complex problems!

After high school, I wanted to experience an environment other than the suburban Bay Area, so I went to Colby College, a small liberal arts college in rural Maine. There, while pursuing degrees in both mathematics and computer science, I sang in an a cappella group, played ultimate frisbee, and started a board game club. I also served as a TA for several classes and held office hours in which I tutored students of all levels. I have found that students often get discouraged when beginning to learn computer science, but once they make it over that hill, they begin to build a real understanding. I love teaching because I find it incredibly satisfying to help others develop that understanding and confidence. Math too can also be difficult, but it’s a beautiful subject, and it is very rewarding to help people find that beauty.

I believe that the most important quality for a tutor to have is empathy, both emotional empathy and, crucially, cognitive empathy. By ‘cognitive empathy,’ I mean the ability to put oneself in the student’s shoes to understand what they are struggling with. Everyone learns differently, and the challenge of tutoring is finding a way to explain information that makes sense to the student. Because I’ve tutored many different levels, I have learned to quickly assess where students are in the process and adjust my lessons accordingly. I also guide by asking questions, rather than simply giving answers. When a student figures something out by themself, they are much more likely to remember it.

When I’m not working on fun math problems, I love to backpack, write fiction, and play board games. I have also taken up pickleball.