About Me
Tom Chan
A career dedicated to making math accessible, understandable, and even enjoyable.
My Background
Hi, I'm Tom Chan. With a BA in Mathematics in hand, my teaching journey actually started earlier — tutoring all four years as an undergraduate, which paved the way to the classroom. Over the next 24 years, I taught high school math to everyone from freshmen in their first Algebra class to seniors tackling AP Calculus BC. This isn't a side gig — it's my life's work.
In my most recent year teaching, my AP Calculus BC students scored an average of 4.4 on the AP exam — a testament to the depth and rigor of the instruction.
My Specialty: AP Calculus AB & BC
Calculus is where I do my best work. As an undergrad tutor, I worked mostly with Calculus 1 and 2 students — four years of it — which built the foundation I carried into the classroom. As a former AP Calculus teacher, I made sure my students learned what they truly needed: not just enough to pass the AP exam, but enough to hold their own in a real college calculus course. That's the standard I hold every AP Calculus AB and BC student to.
Who I Help
Students who need stronger foundations
Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 students who need concepts explained clearly and systematically.
Students preparing for advanced mathematics
Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry students preparing for AP Calculus.
AP Calculus students
Students taking AP Calculus AB or BC who want help mastering concepts, preparing for exams, and working through challenging problems.
High-achieving students
Students who aren't necessarily struggling but want to move from a 3 or 4 towards a 5.
What Makes Me Different
Most tutors know math. I know math and how teachers think. After two decades in the classroom, understanding how tests are designed, which concepts teachers emphasize, and where students consistently struggle is second nature — and that insight gives my students a genuine advantage.
Subjects I Cover
Core Math
- Algebra 1 and 2
- Geometry
- Pre-Calculus and Trigonometry
Advanced Math
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
*AP Statistics is not offered.
In-Person & Online
Online sessions are available anywhere via Zoom or Google Meet. In-person sessions are only offered at a local library in the Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco (Taraval or Ortega Branch libraries). My teaching approach adapts to work effectively in either format.