In grade school, math came easy to me and became my favorite subject. Because I was a good math student, I decided to major in engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University to make some use of this skill. During my freshman year, I was asked to be a math tutor for a local high school. It became clear after only a few hours that several of the struggling students did not have the solid foundation in math that would allow them to be successful in their current and future math courses. It saddened me and made me wonder about the state of education, especially in urban areas. I wanted to find more ways to help.

This tutoring experience made me aware of my ability and desire to teach, and my talent for simplifying material in order to help students learn. Ultimately, it also inspired me to pursue a teaching career in an inner-city environment. This new knowledge motivated me to continue to pursue other tutoring opportunities. My calling was in education, so I decided to change my major to math with a concentration in education.

I, just like Varsity Tutors, am passionate about educating students to be successful. I realized that the students I tutored succeeded because I was passionate about the subject, and about helping them understand the material. My educational philosophy has changed and has been impacted by each of my experiences. I appreciate the education I received, growing up in the city of Richmond, and ultimately want to give back to the community that gave me so much. My goal is to be a passionate and motivating educator. I hope to make a difference, prepare my students for the real world, and help them gain a foundation that will broaden their minds and help them become successful.