Leanne: New York tutor

Certified Tutor

My passion for teaching emanates from cherished memories of my own time in the classroom. My teachers, with their boundless enthusiasm and dedication, cultivated an environment where I always felt safe to challenge myself and fostered my belief that the potential to learn is limitless. These experiences kindled my desire to impart the same sense of wonder, confidence, and resilience in future students. This is particularly important to me as I recognize the influence educators have had not only on my own pursuit of advanced academic endeavors but in my personal growth.

My expertise is in Algebra, Algebra II, and Pre-cal, not only because I taught these subjects in a formal education setting, but because I grew to love math. I struggled with the subject matter for the majority of my years in grade school; however, an immersion in various subjects involving math my senior year, like physics, computer science, and calculus, helped me unlock an understanding of math that I could never tap into in the past. This newfound passion for math led me to major in it during my college years and as a result, my understanding of the rest of the physical sciences developed more, and, combined with my ardor for the humanities, I eventually found my calling in the sphere of health. However, while I was debating which career path was right for me, my blossoming interest in education has taken me to various corners.

My teaching philosophy & experience:

I have had the privilege of working in a variety of educational settings. I was a Math instructor at two Mathnasium locations, one in Queens, New York and another in El Paso, Texas. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to work with students of all levels and develop my teaching methods for teaching students mathematics in a way that "sticks". Shortly after university, I started teaching as a high school math teacher (algebra, algebra II, and pre-calculus) at Loretto Academy in El Paso, Texas in fact, I taught during the pandemic, which was simultaneously a wild ride and a great learning moment for me, as I helped students succeed even through a virtual setting. I still love teaching even now, as a premedical student, I work in curriculum development for Columbia University's CHI-FAN (Chinese Heritage and Identity through Food and Nutrition), an initiative to help inner city children learn more about their food choices and how it affects their lives. My teaching philosophy orbits around the concept of "joyful" engagement and personalized learning. Recognizing that each student is a unique individual with distinct needs, my tutoring style adapts, seeking out the methods that resonate most effectively with every learner.

My academic journey:

I attended St. John's University for college in Queens, NY, where I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Physics back in 2019. Currently, I have submitted my Master's Thesis and eagerly await the approval of my Master of Science Degree in Human Nutrition from Columbia University while I apply to Medical School. Though I have decided to follow a different career path, I have chosen to continue to embrace my role as an educator. As a STEM student myself, I am intimately familiar with the challenges of learning the sciences and math while juggling my other interests; I recognize the pivotal role a skilled teacher plays in a student's academic triumph. It's my mission to ensure that every student I have the privilege of guiding feels the same sense of accomplishment and confidence in their own academic journey. I hope that I can provide the tools to not only master their subjects but to recognize the infinite potential within themselves.

Looking forward to meeting you all!