Academic Tutor for K–College Students | Columbia University Graduate

May A.

I recently graduated from Columbia University with a bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science and Evolutionary Biology. My academic focus was on how people learn, how attention works, and how to break down complex ideas in a way that actually sticks. Before Columbia, I earned four associate degrees from San Diego City College with a 4.0 GPA and graduated with honors. My strongest subjects have always been math and English, and those are the areas I built most of my teaching experience in.

I have been tutoring for about fifteen years, working with students from kindergarten through college. I’ve taught in one-on-one settings, small groups, and classroom environments. I also worked as an ABA therapist, which required me to support students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Because I have ADHD myself, I’m able to spot where students get stuck and adjust the lesson in a way that keeps them engaged and reduces frustration. I’ve created individualized study plans, taught foundational reading and math skills, supported middle school and high school coursework, and helped college students organize and complete writing assignments.

My approach is straightforward: I figure out how a student learns best, break material into manageable steps, and keep the pace steady without adding pressure. I’ve worked with students who needed long-term academic support and others who just needed help mastering a specific topic. Over the years I’ve developed methods that work well for visual learners, students who need repetition, and students who need a faster, more structured approach. My goal is always the same; clear explanations, steady progress, and helping students feel capable in subjects that once felt overwhelming.