Certified High School Math Teacher with a background in Psychology teaching math for grades 3 and up

Find out more about Sara

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  When I was in High School, I fell in love with math. Something about solving math problems was deeply satisfying and fun to me, like filling in a coloring book. I was always helping my friends and family with learning, both with academics and with hobbies like cooking and sewing. I felt naturally drawn to teaching and I love everything about it, it is my passion. I decided to try my hand at private tutoring in college, and ever since then, I have wanted to do nothing else.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I teach math from the 5th-grade level up to college Calculus I, academic English, and SAT prep. Calculus is my favorite subject both to practice and to teach, my goal as a teacher is to share that genuine love of learning with my students.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  My high school art teacher, Mrs.Lee, was one of the most supportive people in my life. She was my mentor as an artist and she helped guide me with my college decisions. I hope to be a teacher students can rely on like that.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I think a good tutor should be patient, knowledgeable, and empathetic. Students need someone who sees them as a person, who understands what they are going through and who has the capacity to guide them. A good tutor knows their subject well, but a great tutor knows how to inspire their students to love that subject.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  When I was a sophomore in High School, I was struggling with Algebra II and almost failed the class. I had to start tutoring myself, and at the time, the weight of that perceived failure was crushing. I had always been a straight-A student, at the top of my class and taking advanced classes. To not just struggle with, but actually fail a class felt like the end of the world. Tutoring helped me regain my confidence both in myself and in my academic ability. It is part of what inspired me to become a teacher and allows me to approach all of my students judgment free. I've been where they are now, and I know what it can be like to stop wanting to learn.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I personally strive to approach challenges head-on, treating them as an opportunity for growth. The only real "struggle" I have with my subject is also the reason I love teaching it. Academics is constantly changing and evolving, so sometimes I am the one learning from my students. I love it when a student brings me a challenging new problem to grapple with, it keeps my job exciting and lets me continue to grow as a teacher.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I have many passions in life, I have always been an artist, and in many ways, I have always been a teacher. I have always been passionate about sharing a love of life with the world, whether that is through creative pursuits or through learning. My favorite part about teaching is being able to change how a student sees their education. I want all of my students to love learning, even if they struggle with it.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering this interview questions :-P)?

  I think the reason I am a great tutor is that I have the empathy needed to truly connect with students. I understand both my clients and the subject I teach, and that gives me an advantage over those who only know their subject.