Falcon Focus: Junior chemistry tutor helps students in Honors class

A student struggling with a D- in Chemistry Honors approached junior Nathan Kang mid-first semester, asking him to tutor her in the class. The struggling student ended the semester with a B-plus, bordering an A-minus, owing to Kang’s tutoring and chemistry expertise.

Kang began offering his tutoring services when some students in Chemistry Honors, like sophomore Kaitlyn Lee, turned to him for simple advice on studying for the tests.

“I ended with an A-plus in the class both semesters last year and chemistry just turned out to be my forte,” Kang said.

As word spread about Kang, more students approached Kang and teacher Janny Cahatol even personally referred some of her students to him for tutoring.

“I like how he teaches the students the concepts fully,” Cahatol said. “He is surprisingly good at tutoring.”

“I think my tutoring has helped,” Kang said. “Chemistry Honors kids tell me they felt more prepared and it helps that they can talk to someone about it.”

Kang’s tutoring business is relatively freelance — whenever a test closes in, students contact him and pay $20 per hour for his help. They meet at locations like Starbucks and the Saratoga Library, where they analyze complicated problems to prepare for upcoming exams.

“Usually I give preliminary quizzes, just like five to ten questions to get a sense of where they are,” Kang said.

After the students complete the quiz, he runs through their notes and verbally questions them to check for their understanding.

Tutoring has also helped Kang improve on his own proficiency in his own AP Chemistry class.

“It keeps me in check and makes sure I’m on top of my chemistry skills,” Kang said.

In addition to making some spare money, Kang also has a more altruistic reason for offering tutoring services.

“I love helping people and it makes me happy to see people being successful in a hard class like Chemistry Honors,” Kang said.