Students Taking Charge

Before seeing the student, I ask them to complete a Google Form asking for what they hope to gain from working with me, what their learning style looks like, what particular area(s) they’d like help in, what their strengths and weaknesses in academics are like, ask them their time preferences for sessions,

At our first session, I first like to introduce myself, give a bit of background, then ask the student to do the same so I can see where I can relate to them. I’d ask them to outline their goals and what they hope to gain from tutoring, no matter how simple or elaborate they may appear. 

At the end of the first session, I also request that the student completes a feedback survey so I can see if they’d like to continue working with me in the future, as well as for my own areas of improvement. During sessions, I try my best to take note of what I notice to be their strong and weak points, what works and what doesn’t, and try to be attentive to their holistic wellbeing (outside of the world of school).

In high school, I worked with a non-profit called Today’s Youth Matter, an organization which integrated tutoring with mentorship and catered to at-risk Bay Area youth, particularly in the Richmond-San Pablo areas. It was an experience which rooted me in always teaching and guiding with love and the willingness to prioritize the needs of others.

I graduated from high school in the spring of 2021, and excelled in almost all of my classes throughout my four years. Most of my classes were in the AP/Honors area––including APUSH, AP Lang, AP Lit, AP Bio, AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, Geometry Honors, Chemistry Honors, US Government Honors––as well as other areas including Sports Medicine, Anatomy, Ethics, and Social Justice. 

Growing up, I also participated in an education program called Kumon. I wasn’t the best student while in the program, and I did develop some of my bad study habits because of the extra workload. However, I firmly believe that  joining this program as a child changed the trajectory of my education and was a big factor in my history of achieving high relative to my peers in my educational journey. Aside from introducing advanced-level mathematic and reading from an early age, it taught me how powerful it is to develop the young mind in academia from an early age; cultivating the education of a child is paramount to their likelihood of success.

The rate for tutoring students in school subjects is currently $25/session.

The hourly rate for college admissions assistance (i.e. navigating portals, writing essays, proofreading, etc.) is currently $30/session.

My availability is typically in the afternoons and can go as late as midnight if need be. Acceptable forms of payment include Venmo and Zelle.

The Filipino retention project (SPEAR) at UCLA offers various resources for current students including peer counseling, mentorship, and internship. I had the opportunity to be a student receiving their services, as well as one who would facilitate activities and workshops during events and internship class. Though I haven’t been a main facilitator in such classes, I’ve learned from and been surrounded by people who study and bring to light the importance of and issues within academic institutions, retention, and access.

I understand the importance of pursuing higher education in this era that we live in. I have witnessed firsthand the difficulties and hurdles in place for students who come from marginalized communities to have access to higher education. As a way of paying it forward, I hope to be a force that breaks institutional barriers by helping and serving one student at a time.

Elementary, middle school, and high school students (ages 8-17), low-income students, students of color. 

Find a teacher who fulfills your needs. If you are in the position of having access to outside help, use your resources and ask all the questions you have! Your teachers want to see you grow and be successful. Always remember that closed mouths don’t get fed.

What are the best methods that facilitate your learning?

Do you prefer being spoken to or working through problems alongside a mentor?

How much time am I willing to commit to improving my knowledge of this subject?

What are my strengths and what are my weaknesses when it comes to learning?