Hana S.

Hana discovered a love for puzzles and problem-solving early on in her childhood. In high school, this interest developed into a profound love for mathematics, driving her to take advanced courses early on and dual-enrolling at her local community college, exposing her to topics like Differential Equations and Linear Algebra.

Her exceptional aptitude was demonstrated by her top academic results, including earning the AP® Scholar with Distinction honor, achieving perfect scores (5) on both the AP® Calculus AB and BC exams, an 800 on the SAT® Subject Test Math II, and an ACT Composite score of 35 (36 Math, 36 Science).

It was also during her high school years that Hana began her teaching journey. She formally tutored several fellow students in geometry and algebra and gained valuable informal experience through the Mathematics Honor Society. This mentorship continued throughout her undergraduate career where she tutored peers in advanced subjects like calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.

This dedication to mathematics and problem-solving carried on into Hana’s college career, where she studied Environmental Science and Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), establishing an extended foundation of knowledge in the natural sciences, law and policy, and social sciences. She graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a BS in Environmental Science and minors in Mathematics and Environmental Engineering.

In pursuit of further education and connection with her Japanese roots, Hana moved to Tokyo upon being accepted to the Global Environmental Studies graduate program at Sophia University in Tokyo. In her final year at Sophia, she is currently conducting comparative legal research concerning forest management policy and its industrialization in response to war and occupation.

Hana believes that a student-centric approach to learning, catering to the needs of each student and recognizing their strengths and weaknesses, is vital for their success. She also believes that it is key to establish a strong foundation in any subject by focusing on full comprehension of core principles, keeping students motivated, teaching them to recognize patterns, and making new topics approachable and exciting. As a soon-to-be Master’s graduate, she is excited to encourage younger generations to find fulfillment from their education.

Outside of her academic career, Hana enjoys spending time in the outdoors, including swimming, hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, and spending time with her family who now live in Colorado.

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