Hi! My name is Sergio. I have a Master's in Mathematics, and I love helping others improve their math skills!

Find out more about Sergio

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I've always loved math. Even when I was a little kid. It only made sense for me to pursue a master's in math. I started tutoring during my undergrad. I enjoyed (and still do) helping others better understand the subject.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  Mathematics is a very broad subject. There are many "branches" of math. I had the privilege of exploring a lot of them during my university studies, and I've come to the conclusion that I find all of them quite interesting and enjoyable. However, if I had to pick, I'd say that Linear Algebra and Abstract/Modern Algebra hold a special place in my heart.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I've had many great teachers and professor. My high school Algebra I teacher is one of them. He was a great inspiration for me. He was very impressed by my mathematical skills when he first met me, and truly believed that I could succeed in the subject. It made me feel really good about myself. Definitely influenced my decision to pursue mathematics; it is human nature to pursue what we are told we are particularly good at. He was an MIT alumni, so it meant a lot coming from him.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  I believe that the main quality one must have to be a good tutor is passion for the subject. It makes teaching/helping someone with the subject so much more enjoyable for both the tutor and the student.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  I remember the first time I learned about Taylor series. I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. It was one of those things that made me realize how beautiful math is. It reinforced my decision to pursue mathematics.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  I believe that there is a big problem in the way that mathematics is taught. I feel like the way that most of us are taught mathematics is all about learning HOW to solve problems without really understanding WHY we do what we do to solve those problems. I think that's why people struggle so much with math. You give them a problem that is slightly different from what they've seen before, and they don't know what to do to solve this new problem... even if they are conceptually the same. Mathematics is not about memorizing a sequence of steps. Mathematics is about problem-solving.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  Mathematics is definitely one of my biggest passions. I love talking about it, learning about it, reading about it... and of course, teaching it!

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering this interview questions :-P)?

  I believe that my passion for mathematics along with my experience teaching the subject are what make me a Superprof!