Hi! I'm Ann. I'm a junior undergraduate student at the University of Utah and I'm pursuing a degree in Applied Mathematics and Physics. I didn't always enjoy math, but during college I found that effort is key especially in fields in STEM. I noticed in my freshman year that the more effort I put in to reach out for help from instructors, peers, or tutors, the more I enjoyed the material I was learning. I have carried this through my last 2 years at the U of Utah which has helped me maintain my GPA of 4.0 and love all my classes in math, physics, biology, and chemistry.
I've become really inspired by my discovery that tutoring can help and motivate me greatly, so I've pursued a few different tutoring roles. I privately tutor a few elementary and high school students in math by reaching out through neighborhood apps, and I am also a Peer Mentor at the U of Utah. Generally, my strategy when I'm tutoring for math is to encourage students to work problems out individually. In math, practice is key because it's really like a puzzle that just takes getting used to. I like to guide students through problems initially and then step back gradually until they can manage well on their own. For me, it's a great feeling to see students slowly understand math and begin to enjoy it. Especially in elementary school, I think math can be stigmatized so that it's viewed as something too difficult to enjoy or learn thoroughly. My goal is to remove that stigma and change students' perceptions about math or any field in STEM.
Additionally, when I work with younger kids they can be shy about seeing a tutor because it makes them feel like they aren't as smart as their classmates. I've found that I enjoy removing that fear of seeking help by reassuring students that everyone needs help in school (especially me)! This perception of tutoring is also something I work to change.
I enjoy tutoring and I hope I can help you! Feel free to reach out anytime.