Carnegie Mellon Graduate - Math Tutor for Algebra to AP Calculus

Yuki K.

While I'm new to Wyzant's platform, I've had experience tutoring at a center as well as taking on many students privately through referrals and word-of-mouth. For me, the best moments are those "oh wow!" moments of excitement that students express when they grasp a topic and see the beauty and the connections in mathematics.

I truly believe that every student can understand the math learned in school. Now, my role as a tutor is to cater to the individual learning style and needs of each student and guide them through the "why" and "how" of every step of the problem. More importantly though, it's with the right tutor that students gain confidence in their own skills and ability to problem solve, and that leaves a bigger impact on their future than grades alone. The mother of a current Algebra II student once shared:
"My daughter is shy and had trouble with tutors pushing her to talk. After her first lesson with Yuki, she said she wanted to stick with her! Finding Yuki was a miracle. We are so grateful that she's getting to know our daughter and giving her the confidence to get through school."

Some students are hesitant to appear wrong, which is why I try to create a judgment-free environment where every thought and approach they may have is worth sharing and has its merits. In math especially, it's completely normal to try out an approach and have to course-correct a few times. Even the best mathematicians do this! Very few can look at a completely new problem and just know how to do it in their heads instantly.

Through my experience, I've noticed that many students tend to abandon questions if, at first glance, they seem unfamiliar or difficult. However, when the question is broken down into understandable portions, students are capable of working out a few steps or reaching the answer by themselves. Understanding each step of the problem allows students to apply the concept to other problems, even if they seem different.