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Introduction

Hello, My name is PJ Yim. I have been teaching mathematics at a high school level since 1999 in the suburbs of Boston. My life as a teacher continued even after moving to California in 2001. 

In high school classroom, I have taught every math class starting from basic level Algebra One to more rigorous Advanced Placement classes such as Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and AP Statistics. 

In addition to teaching high school mathematics, my relationship to mathematics include serving as a math club advisor for many years. 

• 2001-2007: Leland HS Math Club

• 2003-2007: Bret Harte MS Math Club

• 2008-2016, 2019-20: Saratoga HS Math Club

• 2010-2023: Redwood MS Math Club (aka Toga Jr. Math Club)

  • served as California MATHCOUNTS coach for the National MATHCOUNTS Competition in 2012, 2015, 2016, , 2020, and 2023

I am a full-time school teacher. For this reason, I limit the students I mentor during the school year. I do take on extra students during summer depending on my summer plans.  

Service

I help students mostly in private tutoring setting, but have done some group setting. I can do house calls, but I charge for travel time. While I can do sessions via Zoom, I generally prefer to meet do in-person session until I can establish a rapport with the student. 

I've helped students with college level mathematics (Multivariable Calculus) and beyond, but I much prefer to work with middle and high school students who is taking Algebra 2 or before. I am more careful to work with students taking Precalculus or later as students tend to be more fixed. For right students, I can and have helped with prepare for Olympiad type using Art of Problem Solving textbooks.

I expect to have one-hour consultation/interview (sorry, my time is not free) prior to starting private tutoring session. Please note that the consultation does not guarantee a commitment.

Expectations

I consider private tutoring/mentoring session a privileged environment for me and the student. Having a balanced relationship between a teacher and a student is crucial. To borrow from a proverbial saying, I cannot make students learn as I am merely a guide to a learning process. I expect the students come thirst to learn with questions ready to discuss, and to engage in active exchange of ideas.

I am primarily a school teacher. For this reason, expect limited availability during busiest part of school calendar.

What Makes a Good Student? 

Q. How can my student do better?

I get this question quite a bit. Here are my common responses to the question. This response isn’t so much about doing better, but rather it’s more about my idea of what a good student does. There are students who get good grades, but aren’t good students. But, at some point, not having good habits that a good student has will adversely affect those who rely strictly on their “smarts”. I have captured my thoughts here.

Contact Information

I am not taking on another student as at this point. If you'd like to be on the waitlist, feel free to complete the inquiry form.

To inquire, please complete the form by following the following google form. 

Inquiry Form

If you don't hear from me within couple of days, you can email me at math@yimcentral.net. Depending on the time of the year, I may not respond immediately as I'm a full-time school teacher.