From Teaching to Coaching: Rethinking How We Tutor AoPS and Beast Academy
- Vasudha Uddavan
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
When it comes to tutoring programs like Beast Academy and Art of Problem Solving (AoPS), there’s a common misconception: that success simply comes from explaining concepts clearly and walking students through solutions.
But that approach misses the point.
These curricula are not designed for passive learning. They are built to develop thinkers—students who can question, explore, and solve problems independently. And that requires a very different approach from the tutor.
It’s Not About Explaining—It’s About Guiding
Effective tutoring in these programs is not about showing students how to solve every problem. It’s about asking the right questions so they begin to make sense of the problem themselves.
Instead of:
“Here’s how you do it,”
The approach becomes:
“What do you notice?”
“Why do you think this works?”
“Can you try a different way?”
This shift is subtle, but powerful. It moves the student from being a follower of steps to a creator of ideas.
From Teacher to Coach
To make this work, the tutor’s role must evolve.
A traditional teacher delivers information. A coach builds thinking.
In these programs, the goal is not just to complete a curriculum—it’s to help students become independent learners who can confidently approach unfamiliar problems.
That means:
Giving them space to think
Allowing them to struggle productively
Encouraging them to articulate their reasoning
Addressing a Common Concern
One of the most frequent concerns parents raise is: “My child isn’t used to this style. I usually show them how to do it, and then they can do it.”
That concern is completely valid.
However, Beast Academy and AoPS are intentionally designed to move away from that model. The problems are carefully structured to help students discover patterns and ideas on their own. When we default to a traditional “explain and practice” method, we limit the depth of learning these programs can offer.
The Role of Exploration
Real learning happens when students are given:
Time to think
Space to explore
The freedom to make mistakes
Struggle, in this context, is not a problem—it’s a necessary part of growth. It builds resilience, flexibility, and confidence.
But there’s an important distinction to make.
Productive Struggle vs. Frustration
While struggle is valuable, unchecked frustration can be harmful. If a student reaches the point where they feel stuck, discouraged, or ready to give up, that’s where a skilled tutor steps in.
The key lies in balance:
Step back when the student is thinking productively
Step in when they need support to move forward
Knowing when to do each is what makes tutoring truly effective.
Experience Matters
With years of experience working with these curricula, one thing becomes clear: success isn’t about how well a concept is explained—it’s about how well a student learns to think through it.
The best outcomes come when students are guided, not led; challenged, not rushed; and supported, not overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
If we want students to truly benefit from programs like Beast Academy and AoPS, we need to trust the process.
Let them explore. Give them time. Allow them to struggle—productively.
Because in the end, the goal isn’t just to solve the problem in front of them. It’s to build the kind of thinking that will help them solve the next one on their own.
About the Author
I’m Vasudha, and I’ve been working with students on the Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) curriculum for over 10 years and Beast Academy for seven years. Alongside this, I also help students prepare for math competitions, guiding them to become confident problem solvers and independent thinkers.
My focus has always been the same: not just helping students get the right answer, but helping them develop the thinking skills to tackle unfamiliar problems with clarity and confidence.
Here are some of my testimonials that explain my style of tutoring/ coaching
"Vasudha has been an incredible find for our son. She guided him through AoPS Prealgebra and is now teaching him AoPS Algebra with a perfect balance of rigor and encouragement. What makes her stand out is her Socratic approach; she doesn't just provide answers but pushes him to think harder and reach conclusions on his own. It is rare to find a tutor who can navigate such a rigorous curriculum while keeping the sessions engaging and something to look forward to.
Because the sessions move at his specific pace rather than a group’s, she focuses on building a rock-solid foundation without rushing. He especially loves the MATHCOUNTS warm-ups she includes. I have already referred her to two of my son's friends who are also enjoying her classes. Give her a try—you'll be glad you landed at the right place." - Kalpana, CA, USA
"Ms. Vasudha has been tutoring my 6th-grade son in Beast Academy and AoPS for the past 10 months, and the change has been remarkable. He went from feeling frustrated and disengaged with Math to choosing it as a way to destress from his other activities. Through her guidance and clear teaching, she completely transformed what Math meant to him. He now enjoys Math as something he wants to do, not just a learning curriculum. I highly recommend Ms. Vasudha for math tutoring." - Prithi, CA, USA
"Vasudha has been teaching both of my girls (5th and 7th graders) for over 1 year. She is engaging and thorough. She helps them understand the why behind a math answer. She helps them delve into the math problems and shows them how to not be afraid of difficult math problems but to conquer them with confidence. I have seen so much growth in both of my girls. We are extremely fortunate to have found her"- Natasha, Westchester, NY, USA
"Vasudha has been teaching my daughter for almost 9 months now. My daughters love Vasudha’s classes and always enjoy the class. I see a great improvement in her math skills. and her confidence has increased drastically. I liked the way Vasudha teaches, she lets kid explore their own way of solving a problem( there is always more than one way to solve a problem). Vasu also tells them if there is a better and easy way to make it easier when solving a similar problem next time. Vasudha is great at preparing kids for any competitions for their grade(sometimes higher). She also makes it very easy for the kid to understand the underlying concept in-depth and she makes it easier for the kid to understand. I highly recommend Vasudha for math tutoring."- Madhuri, VA, USA
My ten-year-old loves working with Vasudha every week with math enrichment. Vasudha expects that in each session he demonstrates his math skills and applies his skills to unique, complex problems. She encourages creative problem-solving rather than rote practice, and my son's confidence in himself grows each time he works with Vasudha. She is patient, caring, curious, and brilliant as an educator. It's clear how much Vasudha loves teaching math, and she instills that same love of learning in the students she tutors. My son has grown as a mathematician over his years working with Vasudha. He used to refuse to write down his steps or get frustrated explaining how he answered questions. Now, he lights up at the opportunity to explain his thinking and sees the purpose of taking math notes and showing his work while solving a complex problem. Vasudha has created a true learning partnership with our son and a love to complex math. - Sarah Benis, NY, USA
"I was searching for an online tutor to help my son build core concepts and critical thinking skills, as well as prepare for Math competitions, and stumbled on Ms Vasudha’s site on Google.
My son is bright, but getting him motivated to practice Maths was difficult, like many children.
Since starting with Ms Vasudha, there has been a significant improvement in his motivation as well as performance, which has been noted by his school teachers, and he has done well in many Math competitions so far.
All thanks to Ms Vasudha, who has been a friend, teacher and patient guide. She is not only a brilliant teacher but also gives regular feedback to help the child build on his strengths and improve his weaknesses.
She is always pleasant and very responsive to parents' questions and concerns.
I would recommend her highly to any parent looking for an enriched Math program for their children." - Anis Farooqi, Saudi Arabia
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