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Learn more about Aspen

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  From a very early age, I knew that I had a special passion for mathematics. Equations, formulas, and these analytical problems all come very naturally to me. I'm one of the 'lucky few' who are gifted at math. My mathematical skill is a core part of my identity and is largely the reason why I aim to be a mathematician.
  
  When I entered high school in 2018, I noticed my peers struggling in our shared math classes, so I decided to peer-tutor them. I discovered I had a 'knack' for tutoring when my classmates would turn to me instead of our teacher to answer their critical questions. Initially, this venture was just to help friends who were struggling in Geometry and Algebra, but it then turned into a source of happiness.
  
  Through tutoring, I hope to share my mathematical gift with all my students so that they can see the beauty of mathematics.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I tutor all math levels up to my current math class (Calculus 3) with the exception of Statistics and Pre-Calculus. It brings me great joy to see the face of understanding on my students when they finally understand how to tackle a problem, and this joy is enhanced by the fact that I actively helped them come to that realization.
  
  I really like to talk a little bit about the applications of whatever math my student is learning in either future math courses or in the real world because the whole idea that math builds off itself and is derived (mostly) from real life is so fascinating. In response to this, my students usually ask "but why" to which I respond "but isn't it awesome!?" Just talking about math brings a smile to my face :).
  
  So far, I haven't come across any topics that I don't like discussing with my students, possibly because they all have been so kind and amicable.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  My Pre-Calculus teacher changed my life. She introduced me to the idea that I did not have to study engineering, architecture, or any of the other "real" applications of mathematics; I could simply just be a mathematician.
  
  I always knew mathematics was going to be an integral part of my life, but I didn't know that mathematics could be my life. This revelation changed the course of my future because I wouldn't be entering college as an engineer or architect; I would be a mathematician.
  
  I admire Matt Parker, Dr. James Grime, and Carl Gauss for their ingenuity, creativity, presentation, and wits. The story of Gauss summing all the natural numbers up to 100 has been with me ever since I first learned about it in 2019. Not only is it a testament to Gauss's genius, but it also serves as a reminder that under all those formulas we learned, there's a rich history of tedious labor, and that these formulas are merely shortcuts that were conjured by clever minds.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  A good tutor must be:
  
  -proficient:
  
  It is absolutely necessary that a tutor is able to explain the concepts that they're teaching. Additionally, they must be able to answer their student's questions with confidence.
  
  -patient:
  
  Students might not always understand concepts the first time around, and that is okay. It often takes several explanations, problems, or sessions to finally understand difficult concepts. Tutors serve as a guide to navigate this treacherous terrain and must be there for their students, no matter how long it takes them to grasp something.
  
  -amicable and friendly:
  
  Being a friend to students is critical to unlocking their desire to continue learning. Students with relatable tutors will find it easier to talk to them and ask them questions about the material. Developing a friendly relationship with students is essential to being a good tutor so students would be excited for their sessions.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I was invited to my friend's costume party where all the attendees had to dress as a character or historical figure starting with the first letter of their name. I selected Albert Einstein, who was a well-known, yet quirky, theoretical physicist and mathematician. During the party, I gave a lecture on nuclear physics and chemistry as it related to Albert Einstein. Because of my extensive knowledge in science and mathematics, I placed in the top three of the costume contest. Everyone enjoyed learning something new.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  For the first time, I experienced the confusion and frustration that so many students endure when I took AP Physics C: Mechanics. This class is a Calculus-based course, however I was only enrolled in Pre-Calculus at the time; I did not have the prerequisite math knowledge for the course.
  
  As you can imagine, this caused countless breakdowns because I- someone who had never struggled with math before- could not wrap my head around the equations, their origins, and their applications. I was extremely frustrated with myself because I thought that I wasn't smart enough.
  
  This experience showed me the pain that most students experience on a day-to-day basis in their math classes, and because of that, has made me much more understanding of their situation.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I am passionate about mathematics through and through. Math is my passion. I identify myself as a mathematician. It's safe to say that I would not be Aspen without mathematics.
  
  Because of my passion for math, I opted to become a tutor which was the best decision ever! I did not know how fulfilling teaching is until I started tutoring. Watching my students grow and helping them achieve the "eureka!" moment brings such a big smile to my face. Tutoring enabled me to discover the joys of teaching

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P)?

  While on the surface, tutoring may seem like a way to help students pass their classes and exams, there is a much deeper purpose behind it. Superprofs, like myself, help to expand students' minds and enrich their understanding so they can apply their knowledge gained from tutoring sessions to the real world, not just their classes.