When I’m not teaching, I’m usually doing one of three things: collecting math books, being outdoors, or quietly hanging out with birds.

I’m a bit of a math textbook collector. I currently have 200+ books from different countries and curricula, covering everything from Grades 1–12 to university calculus. I’m especially drawn to Singapore Math and IB Math. Some people collect novels; I collect math explanations. What I love most is seeing how the same topic can be taught in completely different ways depending on the system.

I also enjoy skiing and hiking. Skiing is my favourite way to reset — it’s one of those activities where you’re fully in the moment, focused. Hiking is the opposite pace: slow, quiet, and grounding. 

And yes, I genuinely enjoy feeding birds. It’s surprisingly calming, and it teaches patience in a simple way: you don’t rush the process. You show up consistently, observe, and let trust build over time. Honestly, that’s not so different from learning math.

These little hobbies say a lot about my teaching style too: I’m curious, practical, and deeply student-centered. I care about helping students feel calmer and more capable — not just “get the answer,” but truly understand what they’re doing and feel good about it.