William Lee

Biography

Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I discovered my passion for education when I began tutoring algebra in high school. Seeing students’ faces light up with understanding reminded me of my own journey learning complex concepts, inspiring me to continue helping others master challenging subjects. The satisfaction of helping peers overcome academic hurdles showed me the profound impact a dedicated tutor could have on a student’s confidence and success. I went on to attend UCLA, where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, consistently maintaining academic excellence while balancing various leadership and service roles.

My interest in teaching algebra and chemistry stems from recognizing these subjects as fundamental building blocks for scientific understanding. As a UCLA learning assistant for organic chemistry, I developed strategies to explain complex concepts to diverse learners, particularly appreciating how students approach new topics with unique perspectives. Drawing from my own academic journey, I understand the challenges students face when encountering difficult concepts and have developed effective methods to help them overcome these obstacles. This experience taught me the importance of adapting teaching methods to individual learning styles and building students’ confidence alongside their knowledge.

Through my roles as a learning assistant and peer tutor, I have refined my teaching philosophy to focus on creating an encouraging environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes. I emphasize understanding core concepts rather than memorization, often using real-world examples to make abstract ideas more concrete. Having worked with students of varying abilities and backgrounds, I have learned to identify common stumbling blocks and develop targeted strategies to address them. My approach involves breaking down complex problems into manageable steps while helping students develop problem-solving strategies they can apply independently.

Beyond academia, I am an avid cyclist, pianist (which I have played for over 18 years), and volunteer crisis counselor.