Matt Evans Chelf
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.”
Nina Brim
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.”
Ona Underwood
BA, Princeton University
An Ivy League graduate with over eight years of tutoring and teaching experience – including five years specifically tutoring for the SAT – Ona is passionate about working with young people to build the confidence and skills required to accomplish their goals. She uses curiosity and creativity to meet students where they’re at and adapt to their unique learning styles.
Ona’s Study Tip: “When you're not sure how to approach a challenging problem, start by identifying what you do know. You might be surprised at how far you can get when you believe in yourself and troubleshoot with the tools at hand!”
Patrick Miller
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."
Tomek Buras
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.”