PrepNow Tutor - Luna Z.
A performance-oriented tutor, Luna is passionate about making math, computer science, and standardized testing accessible and enjoyable for students of all ages. She holds a BS in data management and data analytics from Western Governors University and is pursuing an MS in applied data science from the University of Michigan. She also completed coursework toward a BS in computer science at Cornell University.
Since college, Luna has worked in various software engineering positions with a focus on machine learning and data science; she also has completed independent research in machine learning, specifically deep learning. In addition to tutoring test prep, Luna is currently working part-time at an educational technology company, assisting students across artificial intelligence and data science programs.
Luna started teaching at Cornell University when she worked as an undergraduate teaching assistant in a discrete structures class. Over the years since, she acquired ample experience—teaching students from elementary school to college level in topics ranging from computer science to math to test prep.
“I love teaching and tutoring for several reasons, but most importantly, it's the sense of fulfillment I get from seeing my students grow and succeed,” Luna says. “There's a unique joy in witnessing the 'aha' moments when a concept clicks for someone; knowing I played a part in that learning process is incredibly rewarding. Tutoring is not just about imparting knowledge; it's about inspiring curiosity, fostering a love for learning, and helping students realize their potential.” Luna also appreciates the personal growth that comes with tutoring, as it challenges her to constantly improve her understanding and find creative ways to explain complex ideas.
“My approach to tutoring is student-centered, focusing on individual learning styles and strengths,” Luna says. “My goal is to create a supportive and interactive learning environment where students can ask any questions and explore various problem-solving methods. I strive to make complex concepts easy to understand.” Luna creates interactive and engaging lessons using real-world examples, and she encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills. “I base my tutoring style on each student’s unique qualities and needs,” she explains. Throughout her career, Luna has learned how to communicate effectively with students in both remote and in-person settings.
In high school, Luna was the captain of the math team, where she helped to teach her teammates tips and tricks for competition-level math. In college, she was a member of a student organization in which she led an outreach program that taught introductory-level computer science to middle school and high school students for free.
Luna received perfect scores on the math section on the SAT and SAT Math II Subject Test and received an almost perfect score in Quantitative Reasoning on the GRE. An accomplished academic, she received honor society invitations from the University of Michigan and Western Governors University. She was also the recipient of the John McMullen Dean’s Scholarship and was on Cornell's Merit List.
She enjoys watching Korean dramas, listening to K-pop, playing board games, doing yoga, and traveling to new places. “I was born in China but I immigrated to the U.S. when I was one-year old,” Luna shares.
