BA, Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley
K-College Encyclopedic Math and Science specialist for private school students.
Areas of focus
ISEE Lower / Middle / Upper Level — all sections.
SSAT Middle / Upper Level — all sections
ERB / WPPSI / WISC prep, Grades K–4
High-school Science – AP Biology, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP HUG, AP Environmental Science, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1 and 2
High-school Mathematics – AP Calculus AB/BC, AP statistics, AP Pre-calculus
College level science – General Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry
College level math – Calculus
High School Test Prep — ACT, SAT
College Level Test Prep – GMAT, GRE, MCAT
Background
BA, Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley
20 years tutoring independent-school families
Recent outcomes
Honors Geometry | 8th grade | Harvard-Westlake | Grade: B → A
Algebra 1 | 6th grade | Grade: A → A+
AP Pre-Calculus | 10th grade | Public School | AP Score: 5
AP Biology | 9th grade | Harvard-Westlake | AP Score: 5
AP Biology | 9th grade | Harvard-Westlake | AP Score: 4
ACT | 12th grade | Torrance Public High School | 33 → 36
ACT | 12th grade | Catholic High School (Notre Dame) | 33 → 35
Academic Pentathlon | 8th grade | Math (1st place, perfect score), Science (Physics, 1st place)
AP Chemistry and AP Calculus BC | 12th grade | International School | AP Score: 5 on both exams
Approach
When I work with a student, we have a discussion, not a lecture. I ask questions. The student asks questions. We have a back-and-forth. Conversations on the Calvin Cycle or Newtonian Physics can be memorable in that way. At the end of a tutoring session, the student realizes a simple yet power lesson: he or she has the capacity to master any school-related topic.
Q&A
A resource you’d hand a curious student?
AMC (American Mathematics Competition) workbook
The mistake you see most often?
Not reading the question carefully and therefore answering the wrong question.
What you look for in a good-fit student?
Good parents (The apple does not fall far from the tree.)
What parents or students get wrong about prep?
There is no silver bullet. Improvement takes time, resources, and requires commitment from the student.