Andre is a really really great teacher.
When I first started my lessons with him, it's not like regular classes, where the student learns about the topic; he challenges you to think and dive deeper about the topic. It's not a mere discussion; it's an exploration into every aspect of the topic, thoroughly examining the sentence until every word is at least connected to something else.
As we dived into complex topics within our lessons, everything also turned into math -- English, Chemistry, etc. Math was a way to simplify the topics, representing them as functions. By using math functions, it became easy to connect an object with its job and then link it to other objects; connections were just equations, clear, and understandable.
This provided a different approach to analysis. It was subtle yet simple, an interesting mix. He was a very thoughtful man, pondering about these connections. He was the kind of person who would question the world and made sure he understood every tiny detail about it, and I began to respect his curiosity for the world.
We went from speeches to Biology and all around the world. As I began to develop a passion for Physics, we talked a lot about it, and this was where I came to admire him.
It was another lesson. This time, we talked about Physics for a good amount, discussing the subject of gravity. He asked me: "What is gravity?" I thought about it for a little while and then gave the technical definition. He asked me again, to which I replied with the same answer. He then asked me a third time, to which I thought carefully about the question. This began our conversation about Physics.
Later that night, I left the discussion having learned an important part of the Theory of Relativity: without air resistance, two objects, with or without the same mass, would land at the same time if you dropped them at the same time. The concept is difficult to explain, but it's because of the gravitational force, even if it's minuscule compared to the Earth's.
At first, I didn't think it would be true; there was no way that the objects would land at the same time. However, as André patiently explained the idea, the fog began to dissipate. It was clear that he had put a lot of thought into the complicated and abstract concept, and it was obvious that he had questioned the idea himself, pondering and trying to make a logical conclusion. I admired this passionate pursuit of the answer and his detailed explanation. By wondering about the world and understanding every tiny detail, he was able to become knowledgeable in every part of the world.
As we conversed weekly, I began to learn: I've learned to continue wondering about the world and about how things work. I've learned to think critically and analyze situations from every perspective. I've learned to think for myself and decide the righteousness of a situation, avoiding negative outcomes. I've learned to take on his traits for myself.
Andre really isn't like a normal, everyday tutor. He's a passionate teacher capable of explaining Biology to Physics to English and grammar -- and to him, it's not just a matter of explaining the concept, it's to make sure that you get the concept and understand it inside and out. read more
