Biography

I’ve always been someone who loves learning. Growing up, I begged my parents for books and trips to local museums more than anything else, endlessly fascinated by the complexities of our world. I hope to encourage that sense of curiosity in my students and help them develop an appreciation for education.

I was born and raised in San Jose, California and explored the beautiful Bay Area throughout my childhood. Although I love the California sun, I decided to enroll at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to experience the autumns of New England. After only three years, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from UMass’ Commonwealth Honors College with an interdisciplinary degree combining media and cultural studies.

More than anything, my time at UMass taught me the importance of experimentation and collaboration. I worked hard alongside my peers and professors to develop creative ideas for assignments and receive honest feedback that improved the final product.

Prior to working at AJ, I worked as a full-time camp counselor the summer after I graduated high school, which was one of the formative experiences of my life. Working with children ages 4-13, I received a crash course in empathy, patience, and playfulness. My time as a camp counselor inspired an interest in K-8 education, which serves as the foundation for our entire lives.

In my experience, teaching students how different subjects like math and reading intertwine results in a deeper understanding of education that will benefit them for the rest of their academic lives. I approach the other subjects I teach, like history, with the same level of of nuance. Understanding the patterns of cause and effect from history not only enables us to understand the past but provides insight into the present. As a tutor, I want my students to do more than memorize information for a test; I want them to retain what they have learned and apply it to their real lives.

If I’m not at the theater watching the latest Oscar-nominated movies, I’m at a coffee shop with my sketchpad working on a new drawing, or at the beach with my adorable dog, Suki.