From Sister to Educator: Suzanne’s Journey in Building a Math & Science Academy

Tutor Suzanne Math & Science Academy has been quietly transforming students’ relationship with mathematics and science since 2013. We sat down with founder Suzanne Tan to explore how a simple act of helping her younger sister evolved into a thriving educational center in Jurong West.

The Accidental Beginning

Suzanne’s journey into education began not with grand ambitions, but with family responsibility. “My sister is 11 years younger than me, so when she was in primary school, I was already in JC,” she recalls. “She needed help with her P4 and P5 schoolwork, so I started tutoring her, taking over some of my mum’s responsibility.”

What started as sibling support soon expanded organically. “She has neighbour friends and their siblings of the same age range, so after a while, they paired up and attended my lessons,” Suzanne explains. This natural growth pattern would become characteristic of her approach—building relationships first, then expanding through trust and referrals.

The transition from casual tutoring to serious consideration of a full-time career happened during her university years. ” My student base grew quickly and by my third year of university, I was coaching around 30 students. After I completed my internship, I had a sudden thought, should I venture into tutoring full-time?” The decision crystallized when she realized her genuine passion: “I did some reflections and found that I really enjoy explaining concepts to students and seeing their improvements.”

Building from Scratch: Early Challenges

Starting a tutoring center while completing university studies presented significant challenges. “The biggest challenge was really coming up with the materials, because we started from zero,” Suzanne reflects. “Developing materials that works, figuring out the way to best deliver the concepts.”

The support system proved crucial. “I was very lucky to have my parents’ full support. My mum, who wasn’t working at that point, helped me a lot in taking care of logistics—That freed up my mind to focus on developing the materials and expanding the business. I would schedule up to 4 back-to-back classes and there were always students in the house. I’m really thankful for their patience and support those years.”

The center’s location history tells the story of gradual growth. Starting from her parents’ home near Xingnan Primary School, she eventually moved to a proper center at 503 Jurong West in 2023. “We were doing small groups at my place because my parents had that spare room. Then I shifted to a proper center in Jurong West.”

A Philosophy of Patient Progress

Suzanne’s educational philosophy centers on meeting students where they are. “We believe students learn best when support extends beyond the classroom, while also empowering parents to guide them effectively,” she explains. This dual approach—direct student support and parent education—sets her center apart.

Her teaching methodology follows a structured progression: “Lessons break down concepts into manageable bits, following a structured flow: worked examples, guided practice, and review.” But the learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. “Outside lessons, students can reach me on WhatsApp whenever they need help. I’ll give them hints and guidance based on their current level of knowledge. .”

This personalized touch distinguishes her approach from AI tools like ChatGPT. “While ChatGPT can give quick solutions, I understand each students’ strengths & weaknesses and guide them to work through problems indepedently. This helps to build deeper understanding.”

Success Stories: The Transformation Catalyst

When asked about memorable students, Suzanne immediately recalls one who became the catalyst for her center’s reputation. “She was P4 and came to me with a really weak foundation. She struggled with fractions and multiplication tables, wasn’t very willing to do her work. She didn’t like math mostly because she wasn’t doing well and didn’t feel confident.”

The transformation required patience and strategy. “I had to start by guiding her step by step and motivating her with mini milestones,  starting with multiplication tables. Each time she did better in her exercises, it gave her confidence to tackle more challenging concepts.”

The results spoke volumes. “Originally she was scoring about 40-50 marks, not passing. By the end of the year, she managed to improve to 80+ marks.” More importantly, the student’s attitude shifted completely. “She started asking more questions, became more motivated to learn, and enjoying math along the way.”

This success story became the foundation for word-of-mouth referrals. “People started calling me, saying ‘you are that teacher that opened up this magical journey for students.'”

Understanding Student Needs

Suzanne takes a nuanced approach to student selection, conducting trial classes for challenging cases. “When there are very desperate cases, we do a trial class first to see whether the student likes my teaching style, and whether the dynamics between me and the student work.” Her criterion is refreshingly simple: attitude matters more than initial grades. “Even if their grades are not very good at the start, if they would pay attention in class, I will take them.”

For students who prove disruptive, she recommends one-on-one tutoring rather than group settings, demonstrating her commitment to finding the right fit for each child’s learning style.

The Personal Touch in a Digital Age

Currently operating with just herself and one other tutor, Suzanne maintains direct involvement in all secondary school and P6 classes. Her students typically stay for five years, starting from P6 through Sec 4. “We have a very good relationship—the kids are very comfortable with me so they share a lot about school, their aspirations and ask for advice.”

The center serves both in-person students from the Jurong area and online students across Singapore. “Online classes are pretty popular amongst P6 and especially Sec 4 students because of the national exam, to save on some time.”

Navigating Modern Challenges

The education landscape continues evolving, with 21st century competencies and increased competition. “Everything’s changing in terms of more competitors especially AI teaching, shift towards more real-life applications, more creativity and exploration. We’re all trying to make our lessons more hands-on and incorporate technology to encourage problem-solving skills.”

Regarding AI’s impact on education, Suzanne sees it as complementary rather than competitive. “AI can quickly analyze students’ performance and give immediate feedback. While us tutors and teachers will provide guidance and motivation, The human connection is irreplaceable.”

Future Aspirations

Suzanne’s vision extends beyond her current center. “We will continue to innovate to adapt our learning resources to match today’s generation of tech-savvy students. At the same time, we want to expand our reach to more students by sharing our methodology through guidebooks, learning videos and online courses.” Publishers have already approached her about collaborating on assessment books, recognizing the value of her methodology.

A second branch is in the pipeline, but with careful consideration. “It may take time to hire as my goal is to build a small team of like-minded, high quality tutors that share similar values and teaching philosophy as me.”

Advice for Parents

When asked for advice to parents, Suzanne emphasizes patience. “I would say to let their child take it at their own pace. In Singapore, we are often too eager towards helping a child improve and it overwhelms them especially when the concepts are difficult.”

Her experience has taught her the importance of readiness. “I used to be very eager to help students that I did not consider whether they were ready or even willing. Sometimes they need to try independently or even fail, before they truly learn. Slowing down and then going according to their pace has helped me build trust and a good relationship with the student..”

The Calling Continues

Despite business success, Suzanne remains committed to her teaching roots. ” I find a lot of joy in teaching and I started this centre to teach on a larger scale.  My mindset is: If a student wants to learn, I will give my full support and guidance. ”

Even with a newborn adding to her responsibilities, her passion remains undiminished. ” Every class energizes me, and I truly enjoy the time I spend teaching each lesson.”

For parents seeking genuine educational support rather than just grade improvements, Suzanne’s approach offers a compelling alternative—one where patience, personal attention, and sustainable progress take precedence over quick fixes and mass-market solutions.

Tutor Suzanne Math & Science Academy is located at 503 Jurong West Ave 1, Singapore. The center offers both in-person and online classes for Primary 6 through Secondary 4 students in mathematics and science subjects.