BS, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo

Centering empathy and strong self-literacy at the core of her work, Grace strives to broaden her understanding of diverse viewpoints every day. Her drive for promoting accessible and holistic learning experiences propelled her into tutoring and outdoor education – not to mention a stint in the Peace Corps in Guatemala. Grace sees the value in promoting creativity and curiosity as part of the path towards a more successful, joyful, and balanced life.

Grace’s Study Tip: “Observe yourself with curiosity and try your best to withhold judgement. Traits and even thoughts that seem initially negative can, with the right perspective, become tools at your disposal.”

BA, Reed College

Gwen’s study of languages (Latin, Greek, Chinese, and counting!) taught them to synthesize new information, recognize patterns, and think critically – skills they now share with students. From tutoring in Reed’s Office of Academic Support to instructing archery at a summer camp, they are dedicated to developing inherent strengths and teaching new skills. Gwen loves to inspire confidence and resilience in all students, especially those who identify as shy or lacking confidence.

Gwen’s Study Tip: “Write it out by hand! The physical act of writing every step in a problem or every word you want to memorize will help you slow down, better enabling you to encode the information.”

BS/BA, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Jon's affinities for math, science, language, and test strategy enable him to offer comprehensive guidance across a variety of subjects. By emphasizing the larger conceptual framework of each subject, he ensures that students grasp more than just facts – they develop the critical thinking skills necessary to connect and apply complex ideas and grow their ability to become autonomous learners.

Jon’s Study Tip: “Enhance test performance with active recall: rather than consulting your notes while solving a practice problem, try to retrieve key concepts from memory first. Even if your recall is inaccurate or partial, you're reinforcing your understanding and memory reserves for test day.”

BA, Occidental College
MA, New School for Social Research

A National Merit Scholar and proud Lincoln High School alumna, Judy brings a unique and research-driven approach to SAT and ACT test preparation. With a degree in Cognitive Psychology and a research collaboration with the Harvard Music Lab, Judy understands the science behind learning and test-taking. Her tailored and evidence-based tutoring methods don't just prepare students for tests – they empower them with lifelong cognitive skills.

Judy’s Study Tip: “Approach each question type repeatedly and consistently until you achieve mastery. Remember: slow is steady, and steady is fast.”

BA, Reed College

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.

Mamie’s Study Tip: “Start with what means the most to you. Using your authentic voice, craft your narrative around genuine character-building experiences and insights to write a compelling, demonstrative essay.”

BA, Shepherd University
MA, Lehigh University

A community college teacher and tutor with a background in writing, research, and history, Matt has been a full-time educator for over seven years. He has a strong background in the humanities and cherishes getting to know people from all walks of life. He believes an open ear and open mind will bring out the best in students. He specializes in study skills, creative approaches to academic writing, and empowering student success.

Matt’s Study Tip: “While writing, try to not worry about any other voice than your own. Let the words flow. Discover. Explore. Have fun. Make a word mess. We can clean up any first draft, making the prose shine.”

BA, Macalester College

Bringing a Bachelor's in Mathematics and over 5 years of tutoring experience, Nina is eager to share her love of math with students. Nina strives to make math a bit less daunting by cultivating a comfortable environment where students can learn, challenge themselves, and have fun solving problems. In addition to private tutoring, Nina is engaged in enriching minds in the math department at Portland Community College.

Nina’s Study Tip: “A lot of success in math comes from understanding how to use the tools in your toolkit. Before working on a problems in a specific area, it's helpful to review key concepts and formulas so that you're ready to apply them.”

BA, California State University - Sacramento

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.

Patrick’s Study Tip: "To excel in AP English FRQs, practice creating focused thesis statements and outlines – these are essential for structuring compelling arguments and achieving sophistication in your essays."

BS, University of California at Santa Barbara

With his tenure as a school math teacher, Tomek is able to energize and inspire students from a wide variety of backgrounds. He takes pride in being able to meet them where they are and stoke their academic potential, whether they be students who struggle with academic self-doubt or passionate mathematicians and problem-solvers from an early age.

Tomek’s Study Tip: “Cramming doesn't work! A little bit of daily practice, especially when learning math or foreign languages, is always more effective than a last-minute study session. Plus, you're guaranteed to perform better on a test when rested and relaxed.”