Knowledge and Interactive in Math

Samuel A.

My name is Samuel A., and I’m currently a high school graduate. In the fall of 2026, I will be attending Haverford College, where I plan to double major in Mathematics and Computer Science.

Since January 2025, I have been volunteering at a local non-profit organization, helping immigrant students and families between the ages of 13 and 40 learn math. My goal has never been to simply teach students how to get the right answer, but to help them understand how to think through problems independently.

One of the biggest challenges I see is that many people think math is just about numbers. They look at the numbers in a question and try to decide what operation to use without understanding the context. Math is more than the numbers you think stand out; it’s about understanding what the question is asking.

To help students build this understanding, I teach a simple four-step problem-solving process:
1.Look for key words.
2.Determine the known and unknown information.
3.Identify the correct process (multiplication, division, addition, or subtraction).
4.Select the formula or strategy that is most appropriate based on the question.

I also use the Feynman Technique throughout my lessons. After introducing and explaining a concept, I ask students to teach it back to a peer using simple language. If they can’t explain it clearly, it shows they need a deeper understanding. This encourages active recall, where students learn to remember concepts from memory rather than simply recognizing them from notes. I believe this is one of the most effective ways to learn and retain math.

I completed the highest level of math offered at Capital Prep Harbor School and look forward to continuing to help students build confidence, strengthen their problem-solving skills, increase their academic knowledge, and most importantly help them build confidence in a subject that they taught they couldn’t do before.