I am a rising sophomore at Rice University pursuing a BS in Mathematics and a BA in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've had a lifelong interest in math and the problem-solving process and have prepared motivated middle schoolers for both in-class and out-of-class examinations. I had the privilege of having some phenomenal instructors in high school and college who taught me not to focus on rote memorization, and instead to concentrate on conceptual understanding and learning how to think about tough problems. I love to pass that knowledge on and greatly enjoy seeing students gain a deeper understanding of concepts that often aren't taught well in school. I firmly believe that when you understand why something works and why it is important, it increases not only your ability to excel academically, but also your enjoyment of learning. I think one of the best ways to learn is by doing -- nothing motivates students like feeling successful.