Biography

I have had a long and complex history with tutoring that has brought me to where I am today: a member of the AJ tutoring team. In elementary school, I was enjoying reading Amelia Bedilia while my classmates were reading Geronimo Stilton and even Harry Potter. Knowing I lacked a foundation for reading and writing, my parents decided to hold me back a year.

During this time I began meeting with my own tutor who provided me with the time and resources I needed to catch up and succeed. As a result, I am happy to say that English is now my strongest subject: it was my first honors and AP class, and the subject I feel most passionate about tutoring. While difficult at the time, my past experiences have shaped me into a stronger and more empathetic tutor. I truly know what students are going through!

I grew up in Cupertino California, also known as Apple headquarters. Although the Cupertino school district is highly rigorous and competitive, it provided me with a solid education and allowed me to excel in college. I attended the University of California Riverside where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

During my time there, I took a wide variety of courses including developmental psychology, education, and creative writing. I also participated in Japanese and Filipino social cultural organizations which helped me connect to both sides of my heritage. My time as a college student taught me a plethora of important lessons and information about organization, study methods, and time management that I continue to impart on my students.

Tutoring and teaching have become true passions of mine, offering me a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose. My journey as a tutor began in high school with the AVID program (a school based program that helps students in grades 4-12 prepare for college). I continued tutoring through college, where I supported student athletes. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many students, each one offering a new learning experience for me as well.

I approach tutoring with the goal of being a supportive figure in my students’ lives. I want them to feel that they can share their academic concerns with me, and together, we can tackle their challenges. My favorite part of tutoring is watching the transformation: seeing students leave sessions with more confidence and a greater sense of accomplishment is incredibly rewarding.

Outside of tutoring, I enjoy a range of hobbies that help me unwind and maintain balance. As I mentioned before, I now love to read, and I especially enjoy literary classics. In addition to reading, I also like to write my own work and take quiet walks in nature.