Paul Simon Castro
Senior Tutor, STEM & Humanities Specialist
B.A. in Data Science & Applied Mathematics, UC Berkeley

I know firsthand how transformative the right support can be. Growing up, I was fortunate to have teachers and tutors who not only helped me master the material but also believed in my potential—and I strive to be that kind of mentor for my students.

I began college on the pre-med track, taking rigorous courses in biology, chemistry, and physics, before discovering a deeper passion for mathematics and data science. I ultimately graduated from UC Berkeley with degrees in Applied Mathematics and Data Science, giving me the versatility to support students across STEM subjects.

My tutoring journey started in college and it quickly grew into my full-blown passion for education. I started tutoring elementary through high school students. Later, I worked as a STEM tutor at a community college, supporting students from a wide range of nontraditional backgrounds, including parents balancing jobs, students returning from incarceration, and others pursuing education outside the traditional path.

At UC Berkeley, I spent five semesters tutoring for Data 8, the school’s largest undergraduate course, and worked with the Data Scholars program, helping underrepresented students who often lacked confidence because they had little to no prior experience in coding or statistics. Most recently, I’ve taught one-on-one at Tilden Prep in Walnut Creek, where individualized instruction of an entire course deepened my appreciation for the personal side of learning.

All of these experiences reinforced my belief that tutoring is much more than helping students master content. It is also about helping them develop the long-term skills and a growth mindset that they can carry into any challenge. 

In my sessions, I create a welcoming environment with humor, empathy, and calm encouragement, so students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow. Outside of teaching, I love hiking, playing Pokémon, improving my badminton game, and treating myself to pastries and coffee at local cafés (while appearing to be extra hard at work).