Tutor Spotlight: Emma Coley

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.
What's one thing you love about tutoring?
I love watching students become more reflective learners. Weekly one-on-one or small group tutoring really gives you the opportunity to get to know a student’s learning style, where they have opportunities to grow, and how to help them do so. I find that, after only a few sessions, students are able to better articulate these things for themselves as well. By the end of our time together, they become confident directors of their own learning.
What’s one study tip every student should know?
Give yourself time to read and write slowly. Ideas take time both to be absorbed and to be produced. You will have a much more enjoyable (and fulfilling) reading experience if you give yourself enough lead time to read a chapter or two a day rather than plowing through an entire book in one night, and the same goes for writing.
The best piece of writing advice I received in college was this: the day you receive a writing assignment, copy and paste it into a document in your computer and jot down a few bullet points. Every day from then on, spend 5-10 minutes rereading the prompt and what you wrote, even if you don’t write anything new. This keeps the prompt fresh in your mind, making it more likely that inspiration will strike, and will help you develop more complex ideas and relationships. It also makes the writing process so much smoother--and more fun!
What was your favorite class in high school and why?
My favorite class in high school was AP Literature. My teacher, Mrs. Varnish, started each class with a short poem--and now I do the same thing with my English students! Before this class, I found poetry to be difficult and intimidating. This class taught me that, like anything else, reading and analyzing poetry is a skill that can be learned and practiced. She also introduced me to many of my favorite poems: “You Begin” by Margaret Atwood, “Weighing the Dog” by Billy Collins, “Digging” by Seamus Heaney, “Spring and Fall” by Gerard Manley Hopkins, to name only a few!
Can you share an example of a student you were proud of for reaching their goals?
One of my first students had severe test anxiety. This made it hard for him to demonstrate his knowledge and ability, especially on timed tests. One of my main goals as his tutor was to boost his confidence and find ways to keep him grounded and his mind calm in a testing environment.
The feeling he described – of all the words just blending together when he was under pressure – was a familiar one from my own standardized test taking experiences. As a way to work through this, we practiced identifying “locator words,” simple words or phrases he could latch on to, even if the words around them were confusing. In a test like the ACT Science section, this could be phrases as simple as “In Figure 1” or “According to Scientist 2,” buried in seemingly complicated passages about genetics or particle physics. Finding concrete, simple ways to direct his reading reduced his anxiety and helped him reach his goals.
What do you admire about Portland teenagers?
One of my favorite things about Portland teenagers is their sincere love of the city. As a recent transplant from the Midwest, they are always giving me ideas for new adventures and motivating me to explore!
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.