My story · 我的数学之路
For parents who want to know more about my background and why I teach math, here is my story in both English and Chinese.
My path into mathematics (English)
Elementary school
I was born in a small town in Quxian, Sichuan, and moved to the countryside when I was four. After finishing fourth grade at the village primary school, my parents sent me to a school in the nearby town of Liduzhen because I was doing well in math.
There I met a math teacher who changed my life: Ms. Lei. I finished the textbook problems quickly and wanted more practice, so she gave me extra exercises but never demanded that I complete them all. Whenever I was stuck, I went to her office and she patiently explained each question.
That was the first time I really felt that doing math problems could be joyful and satisfying, not just homework. It was also thanks to her recommendation that I had the chance to attend middle school in the county.
Middle school
Fortunately, I had several excellent math teachers. They encouraged me to study and participate in math competitions.
During winter and summer breaks, I started tutoring other students in math. The small income helped my family, and I gradually realized that I genuinely enjoyed explaining ideas and watching students make progress step by step.
After university
Later, at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (UIUC), I did mathematical research and also taught undergraduate courses.
One of my favorite classes that I taught was called A Mathematical World. In that class, I introduced mathematics through everyday questions, for example:
- Euler’s Seven Bridges of Königsberg leading to graph theory
- How to divide a cake fairly leading to game theory and fair division
Through these experiences, I became more and more convinced that math is not just a tool for exams, but a way of thinking and a way of seeing the world. This is the experience I hope to share with the students I teach.
我的数学之路（中文）
小学
我出生在四川渠县李渡的乡镇，四岁时搬到乡下农村。 在村里的小学读完四年级后，因为成绩还不错，爸妈把我送回李渡镇上的小学。在那里，我遇到了改变我一生的数学老师——雷传芬老师。 课本上的题我做得比较快，就想多练习一些，雷老师就额外给我布置习题，也从不要求必须做完。遇到不会的题，我就去她办公室问， 她总是很耐心地讲解。那是我第一次真切地感觉到：做数学题是可以带来快乐和成就感的。也是因为雷老师的推荐，我才能去县城上中学。
中学
很幸运的是，中学又遇到了几位很好的数学老师。他们鼓励我学习并参加数学竞赛。 寒暑假时，我开始做数学家教，既能补贴家用，也慢慢发现自己其实很喜欢给别人讲题、看着学生一点点进步。
大学之后
在 UIUC，一边做数学研究，一边给本科生上课。有一门我印象特别深的课叫 A Mathematical World，从生活中的问题出发讲数学：比如欧拉的哥尼斯堡七桥问题引出图论， 怎样“公平地分蛋糕”引出博弈论和公平分配。通过这些经历，我越来越相信： 数学不只是考试工具，更是一种思考方式和看世界的视角。我也希望把这种体验，分享给更多的学生。