From Teaching to Coaching: Rethinking How I Tutor AoPS and Beast Academy
- Vasudha Uddavan
- Apr 10
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 24
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.
Why a Beast Academy Tutor Should Focus on Coaching, Not Teaching
Long before I started teaching Beast Academy and AoPS, I noticed a pattern.
Many students believed that being good at math meant knowing how to solve a problem immediately. If they got stuck, they assumed they weren't good at math. If they made a mistake, they felt they had failed.
Over time, I realized that the biggest obstacle wasn't the math itself—it was these beliefs about learning.
My goal became helping students learn how to think, explore, make mistakes, and persevere through challenging problems.
When I later discovered Beast Academy and AoPS, I found that their philosophy aligned closely with the way I was already teaching. Rather than changing my approach, they gave me a curriculum that supported and reinforced it.
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.
Here’s what that coaching process can look like in a real session:
Notice what’s happening here: I’m not solving the problem for the student. I’m asking questions, prompting observations, and helping the student build the solution independently. That’s the shift—from teaching to coaching.
Instead of:
“Here’s how you do it,”
I ask:
“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 for Beast Academy and AoPS
To make this work, the tutor’s role must evolve.
A traditional teacher delivers information. A coach builds thinking.
For me, 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.
Students should not be left struggling completely on their own. The role of a coach is to provide just enough support to keep the student thinking without taking away the opportunity to learn.
One of my 5th-grade students described it this way:
"She always challenges me. What is great about her is that when I get a question wrong, she doesn't just tell me the answer and tell me why. She gives me clues on how to figure out the problem. Then if I can't figure it out, she will tell me how to solve the problem, telling me the answer in the process."— Varish
I couldn't have explained the coaching process better myself. The goal is not to leave students frustrated. The goal is to help them develop the confidence and problem-solving skills that come from discovering ideas for themselves.
Varish also wrote:
"She also never yells at me or gets mad at me."
Behind this simple comment is an important idea: students learn best when they feel safe making mistakes. If a child is afraid of being wrong, they often stop taking risks, exploring ideas, and attempting challenging problems. Productive struggle requires students to try ideas that may not work, learn from the process, and know that mistakes are a natural part of learning.
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.
Here is a visual example of how this look in practice when tackling a divisibility problem:
Experience Matters
I've had years of experience working with these curricula, and 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.
If your child is working through Beast Academy or AoPS and needs support that builds confidence, independence, and deeper mathematical thinking, I’d love to help.
Beyond Beast Academy and AoPS
While this article focuses on Beast Academy and AoPS, the underlying philosophy applies to all of my students.
Every child's mathematical journey is different. Some students begin with Beast Academy. Others start with AoPS, competition mathematics, acceleration, enrichment, or school support.
The curriculum is only one part of the process.
My role is to understand where a student is, identify the right next challenge, and help them develop the confidence and mathematical thinking needed to become an independent learner.
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 quotes from my testimonials that explain my style of tutoring/ coaching
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.
- 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 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." - Natasha, Westchester, NY, USA
"Vasudha has been teaching my daughter for almost 9 months now. 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). Vasudha 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)."
- 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. Vasudha has created a true learning partnership with our son and a love to complex math.
- Sarah Benis, NY, USA
To read all my testimonials go here
Ready to help your child become a stronger, more independent problem solver?
Comments