Joseph Clayson

Biography

Hi, I’m Joey! With over three years of tutoring experience in mathematics and chemistry, I love making connections with students and finding new and innovative ways to break down challenging concepts! I grew up in Las Vegas, then moved to the Bay Area my sophomore year of high school. I studied biochemistry at Brigham Young University, where I tutored high school students as part of BYU’s continuing education program. On top of that, I was a teaching assistant in various chemistry courses, where I helped students navigate the often overwhelming subject of chemistry. Tutoring and teaching are some of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences I’ve ever had! Outside of tutoring, I enjoy playing the piano, hiking, and running.

My teaching philosophy is centered around concepts and their applications. I believe that a firm grasp of concepts is the key to solving any problem and answering any question. My approach always begins by figuring out where a student is in their understanding of a topic. Then, I help them build on that understanding by showing them that new and seemingly foreign ideas are often deeply related to ones they are already familiar with. While practice and drills are certainly crucial to the learning process, they can’t cover every type of problem out there. A strong conceptual understanding will equip students with the skills they need to tackle problems they’ve never encountered before.

I’m excited to get to know you and help you succeed!