Math and Physics Tutor | UCLA Undergraduate Student

Ian D.

Hi! I am currently studying Physics at UCLA, where I am continuing to develop my understanding of mathematics and physics. My academic background includes extensive experience with calculus and physics, and I have continued building on that foundation through university coursework in calculus and introductory physics. I am particularly comfortable tutoring mathematics and physics from middle and high school through introductory college-level material, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. I received a 5 on AP Calculus BC, with a 5 AB sub score.

I have experience teaching and tutoring students in both individual and group settings. In high school, I was a Calculus teaching assistant and regularly helped classmates and other students with calculus, physics, and chemistry. I also provided one-on-one tutoring for AP Calculus and AP Chemistry students. These experiences taught me that effective tutoring is not simply about showing a student how to solve a problem; it begins by identifying where their understanding breaks down and helping them learn the underlying concepts so they can solve unfamiliar problems independently.

My tutoring approach is patient, collaborative, and adaptable to each student's needs. I like to begin by determining what a student already understands and then work from there, using examples, dynamic models, and questions to guide them toward the solution rather than simply giving them an answer. I focus on developing intuition alongside problem-solving skills, since understanding why a method works is often much more valuable than memorizing a procedure.