Tutor Spotlight: Chris Pratt

Meet Chris.
We caught up with one of our expert tutors recently to hear about his experience tutoring students. With over a decade of experience tutoring and a wide range of mathematics coursework under his belt, Chris prides himself in helping students bridge the gap between rote memorization and authentic mastery. He offers personalized support for his students, whether they’re preparing for the SAT or ACT, or strengthening their math skills.
What's one thing you love about tutoring?
What I love most about tutoring is learning how each student’s mind works – how they navigate problem solving, for instance – then working together with them to figure out how best to communicate material.
How do you keep students engaged During tutoring sessions?
I engage students by trying to relate the material they are learning to the real world to remind them that they are learning useful and impactful concepts. Also, I always try to ask questions to reinforce their understanding. This creates an environment that is conversational and collaborative, as opposed to lecture-based.
What's one study tip every student should know?
Take intentional breaks. If you’re having trouble getting your head around a problem or concept, take a few minutes to clear your mind. Go on a walk, drink a glass of water, or just go sit outside in the sun for ten minutes. You’ll come back to the question with a fresh mind – one that just might allow you to see the problem in a different light. I also find the Pomodoro Method of time management allows me to focus and allow information to settle in my head.
What was your favorite class in high school and why?
Calculus was my favorite high school class. It was the first time in a math class that everything I’d been learning throughout school came together in an interesting and beautiful way. It served as the first of many “ah ha” moments in my math education: I finally started seeing the big picture, like how many of the concepts I learned came together and are applied in the real world. Often math is taught in an abstract manner, with trite word problems serving as the only window into real-world applications. But with Calculus, we modeled tangible things, like population growth from rabbits to amoebas and how to design a rocket launch to ensure it will exit the atmosphere (as well as how long it will last flying in space!). It is the class that inspired me to study mathematics in college, and I still use the frameworks I encountered there to this day.
share an example of a student you were proud of for reaching their goals.
In college, I was a tutor for the math department at my university. I had a student that was struggling quite a bit in Statistics II, and they had all but given up; and to be fair they knew very little statistics! I told them “Fret not, you’re more than capable!” and that if they kept coming back I’d do my best to help them pass. Week by week, that student came back with a fresh batch of questions — how do you perform this test, or this analysis of variance? what does this random variable mean? — and each week they left with a little bit more knowledge. Over time, the questions they encountered grew harder, but they approached them not with fear but excitement. By the end of the semester, they were a Statistics master, easily passing their finals.
This student stuck in my memory because they came to me totally hopeless. They’d been “bad at math” their whole life, and were convinced that they could never succeed, no matter what. Succeeding can sometimes be as much about getting past the mental blocks that tell us we can’t as it can be about knowing this formula or that process.
What do you admire about your students?
The students I see all have the common goal of learning and improving, despite initial challenges. The desire to see things through despite a fear of failure (or not being good enough) is, I believe, what makes them resilient individuals with a bright future.
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Meet Shae. Shae brings nearly seven years of classroom experience to her work as an educator. She has ample experience supporting neurodiverse learners in subjects ranging from middle school social studies to college admissions essays, and is passionate about creating learning environments where students feel engaged and empowered.
Meet Ann. In everything she does, Ann brings a passion for language. As a former English professor, grant writer, environmental advocate, and creative writer, she's honed an ability to find the right words to move her intended audience. She knows finding your story isn't always easy, but it is possible – and can even be fun! She’s committed to helping students get past the challenge of a blank page and find their unique voice.
Meet Ben. Now in his eighth year with North Avenue Education, Ben tutors a wide range of subjects, including the SAT and ACT, AP History and Social Sciences, and graduate exams like the LSAT, GRE, and GMAT. He is passionate about teaching and finds it especially rewarding to watch students grasp elusive concepts - whether a theme in U.S. History, the properties of exponents, or how to identify necessary and sufficient conditions in logic – and apply them independently in new contexts.
Meet Casey. Casey specializes in science tutoring and SAT/ACT prep, drawing on extensive teaching experience to adapt to each student’s needs with patience and empathy. They build confidence and self-sufficiency by identifying strengths, addressing challenges, and making learning engaging – even sparking a passion for subjects students once disliked!
Through rigorous hiring, ongoing development, and long-term retention, we ensure students receive exceptional, personalized instruction from dedicated mentors who foster confidence and academic success.
Meet Riley. Riley is a seasoned educator with a master’s degree in English and over a decade of experience teaching and tutoring writing, critical reading, and standardized test preparation. Boasting extensive experience coaching SAT, ACT, and SSAT, Riley excels at helping students hone their analytical and time-management skills for success on test day. His patient, tailored approach ensures each student gains confidence and mastery in tackling complex material.
Meet Aster. A recent Physics graduate from Reed College, Aster boasts over 3,000 hours of professional tutoring experience, specializing in SAT/ACT test prep as well as AP Calculus and IB Physics. They bring a deep understanding of test formats and advanced subject material to yield an individualized approach to tutoring sessions. Aster’s teaching philosophy emphasizes clarity, compassion, and mutual collaboration to help students succeed in school and beyond.
Meet Chandler. A dynamic educator with over a decade of experience, Chandler specializes in helping students master science concepts and develop effective study skills. With a background in executive function coaching for neurodiverse learners, Chandler combines a passion for STEM with personalized strategies to help students stay organized, focused, and engaged.
Meet Maria. With a deep understanding of both foundational and advanced mathematical concepts, Maria is skilled at simplifying complex problems and making them accessible to students. She tailors her tutoring approach to meet the unique needs of each student, helping them build confidence and improve their skills. Whether working through fundamental concepts or preparing for more advanced topics, Maria is dedicated to providing clear and patient guidance to support student success.
Meet Alisa. She brings a compassionate and patient approach to tutoring. With extensive experience as a peer mentor and undergraduate teaching assistant, she excels in creating affirming learning environments tailored to neurodiverse students. Alisa’s academic background and dedication to inclusive education make her an invaluable asset to students striving to understand complex mathematical and scientific concepts.
Meet Arek. He specializes in nurturing the academic growth of neurodivergent students and those with learning differences. With a psychology degree and robust experience in diverse teaching settings (incl. chess and unicycling!), Arek brings patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of individual learning needs to each session. His gentle approach ensures that every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.
Meet Patrick. As a credentialed educator with extensive experience teaching AP subjects in the classroom and leading speech and debate teams, Patrick specializes in test preparation. His innovative teaching methods and commitment to academic excellence have consistently fostered high achievement, making him a trusted mentor to scores of high-performing students.
Meet Mamie. With a decade of experience, Mamie guides students in crafting impactful admissions essays. Having graduated with a degree in literature, she brings a love of language and narrative expertise to the coaching process. Drawing from her professional background in copywriting, manuscript editing, and journalism, her goal is to help students identify unique perspectives and hone their story.
Lee Ngo is a native Oregonian with a dynamic background spanning academia, technology, and media. As a lifelong learner, Lee is dedicated to projects that uplift historically excluded communities. His relatable approach integrates practical skills with pop culture.
Meet Aidan. A seasoned SAT and ACT strategist with a perfect GRE score, Aidan's approach is both systematic and flexible, adapting to the individual needs of his students, whether crafting comprehensive curricula or providing targeted tutoring that transcends traditional methods.
Meet Jameson. Jameson is a versatile and experienced educator, having coached both kindergarteners on skis and environmental science majors on the Missouri River. His work with diverse learners enables him to tailor his approach to each student’s needs and aspirations. Jameson’s goal is to kindle the sparks of motivation that drive success, improve thinking, and cultivate a passion for learning.
Finding the right tutor is no easy task. While it might be tempting to choose the first one you see on the internet, or perhaps the one with the lowest rates, there’s no guarantee that the tutor you find will have the knowledge, attitude, and organizational skills needed to help you succeed. Making the wrong decision can lead to disappointment and a lot of wasted time. At North Avenue Education, we’re taking the guesswork out of the process by compiling a list of the most important factors in selecting a tutor.
With over a decade of experience tutoring and a wide range of mathematics coursework under his belt, Chris prides himself in helping students bridge the gap between rote memorization and authentic mastery. He offers personalized support for his students, whether they’re preparing for the SAT or ACT, or strengthening their math skills.
Holton offers personalized support for middle school and high school students, whether they’re preparing for the SAT or ACT, strengthening executive functioning and study skills, or drafting a college essay.
Meet Isaac. Isaac offers personalized support for middle school and high school students, whether they’re preparing for the SAT or ACT, strengthening executive functioning and study skills, or drafting a college essay.
Meet Emma.We welcomed a new tutor to the team this year, and this Princeton graduate has been using her exceptional experience to help students navigate distance learning, overcome challenges and reach their academic goals. Now that she’s got some more North Avenue experience under her belt, we asked her a few questions about her work so far.