Patient and Knowledgable Ivy League Math Tutor

Kai Z.

Hi! My name is Kai, and I'm excited to work with you on the SAT, ACT, and/or any STEM subject. I hold a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Brown University, and I scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. In a previous life, I considered pursuing graduate studies in mathematics, and I also spent some time working in software engineering. In college, I was a teaching assistant for two years for both an introductory computer science course and a discrete mathematics course, which often serves as an introduction to formal mathematical logic. In this setting, I worked with both individuals and small groups of students on refining their problem-solving skills. I'm happy to work with students of all ages.

There’s a well-known saying that math isn’t a spectator sport, and I think that captures my teaching philosophy pretty well. I like to give students lots of opportunities to practice and, most importantly, to experience the process of working through a problem themselves. I’m there to provide feedback, ask questions, and step in when they’re truly stuck, but I think there’s a lot of value in letting students wrestle with a problem before jumping in with the answer.

I also think it’s easy to forget what it was like to be a beginner once you’ve become comfortable with a subject. I remember struggling in computer science and other STEM classes myself, and those experiences have made me particularly empathetic toward students who are working through that same frustration. I understand that sometimes the hardest part isn’t the material itself, but figuring out how to approach it. I really enjoy helping students get over that hurdle and build the confidence to tackle problems on their own. Please reach out if you think this sounds like a good fit for you or your child!