Mike L

My math teaching philosophy emphasises concepts over memorisation. I enjoy working with a wide range of students, from those aspiring to math competitions and advanced secondary classes, to those who find math difficult. For those who already enjoy math, I teach how to improvise mathematically, to adapt to a variety of situations given fixed parameters in a confined universe. For those who find themselves struggling with math, I aim to connect everyday concepts to abstract mathematical ones as a strategy to build their mathematical confidence. I believe math is accessible to all, and patience and persistence can bring any student up to speed.

Subjects

Maths at all levels [IB / GCE (+IAL) up through Further Pure Math / AP Calc and Stats / (I)GCSE] SAT Maths ACT Maths TMUA (formerly MAT) TARA (formerly TSA) Math Competition Prep

Education

BA Economics and BA Mathematics from the University of Colorado - Boulder IB Maths Examiner

Experience

Mike has been in private education for the past 15 years, largely in Hong Kong. His two major realms of teaching are maths and US admissions. On the math side, he spent 9 years teaching in an A-Level school with the UK’s GCE/IAL/(I)GCSE exam boards; he grew up in the American system with AP Calculus and Stats; and he serves as an IB Maths Examiner. He competed in math competitions back in secondary school, winning the Colorado State Math Day competition twice. For US admissions, he has helped over 55+ students into top 20 US universities (Stanford, MIT, the Ivy Leagues, Duke, Rice, UC Berkeley, JHU, Northwestern, Parson’s, RISD, etc.). Mike doesn’t just help students into universities. He teaches them how to explore their own sense of self. To shape and express their own goals and parameters of purpose. To struggle to articulate the ineffability of their own existence. To persuade others into their missions and bring collaborators into their orbit. To manifest whims into plans, and plans into realities. To love to learn to write, to read, and to be playful with language. And to wield it with confidence and precision.