I am originally from Utah.
I started tutoring in 1999 at the Cabrillo College Math Learning Center, and have been tutoring privately since 2004.
In high school, I had a very generous teacher for Calculus. He was willing to stay after school and tutor anyone who wanted help with their homework. I couldn't learn very well during class lecture, but his tutoring was so helpful that I still remember how he explained many of my questions.
While listening to his explanations, I began to appreciate and understand what math is. I see it as a tool that helps the mind 'see' magnitudes farther into problem solving, just like a telescope can extend eyesight indefinitely.