Read more about our instructors and hiring practices.
Matthew holds an M.A., M.Phil and Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from Columbia University in the City of New York. At Columbia, Matthew was selected as a Writing Fellow in the English Composition Department to instruct Columbia undergraduates in a number of composition courses. His work with students concentrated on logic, reasoning, and argumentation. At the same time, Matthew prepared hundreds of New York City high school students in standardized tests and numerous academic subjects. His teaching experience includes tutoring standardized tests such as the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, the ACT, the SSAT, the ISEE, the LSAT, the GMAT, the GRE, and the MCAT. Through his work with high school and college students, Matthew found that the logic skills required for successful test taking were also necessary rudiments for success with the more complicated tasks of reasoning, analysis, and argument on the college level. The Academic Approach is Matthew's attempt to bridge these two levels of education by developing a standardized testing curriculum that imparts both sound academic knowledge and the salient reasoning skills necessary for optimal test performance and sophisticated critical thinking in the classroom. Matthew supervises the training of all Academic Approach instructors, produces all materials for student instruction, and works constantly to ensure the quality and efficacy of all Academic Approach programs to fulfill the company's mission of improving student achievement for all students.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAmy graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill as a Morehead-Cain Scholar with a BA in psychology. She has taught English in a school for monks in Thailand and in a primary school in Peru. Amy has also taught Suzuki violin lessons for the past three years and was an anatomy teaching assistant at UNC. As an undergraduate, Amy conducted neuroscience research at the MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology in London and completed a thesis with highest honors in UNC’s Department of Psychiatry. She also enjoys volunteering as a doula, running, and learning the mandolin. Amy teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSamantha holds a B.S. degree in Mathematics from Haverford College and is currently completing her Master in the Science of Education degree from Northwestern University. Samantha has taught math and general subjects in a variety of settings including Philadelphia and the Boston area. Samantha taught for over two years in the Chicago Public Schools system as a high school math teacher. Samantha was the curriculum developer and lead teacher for Geometry, Algebra II and College Algebra courses. Samantha teaches all subject areas of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAmanda graduated from the University of Chicago with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology. She completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching at Dominican University. She has endorsements in teaching social science and Spanish. Before coming to Academic Approach, she taught for two years with Teach for America, where her 8th graders made 1.7 years of reading growth in 9 months of classroom instruction. Amanda teaches all sections of the ACT, SAT, HSPT, ISEE, and SSAT. Amanda also serves as an Academic Approach Director, representing programs to families, customizing solutions for each student, and supporting families and tutors throughout the course of instruction to ensure the most successful outcomes for all Academic Approach students.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsNicole holds a BA in Geological Sciences and History from the University of Florida. She is currently completing the thesis research for her Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning, also from the University of Florida. Nicole is researching school capacity issues within the Chicago Public School system. As a Teach For America corps member in Chicago, Nicole taught life science, earth science, and physical science. She also has prior experience teaching test prep for the GRE. Nicole also works with our School Programs Department, both in the office and the in the classroom. Nicole teaches all sections of the ACT and the SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAlex holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Wabash College and has completed coursework towards a M.Ed. in Education at the University of Notre Dame. During his college career, he was a Lily Community Scholar and earned the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa for his academic excellence. Alex has taught in numerous positions since high school, where he began tutoring ESL adult learners at a local career community center. Since then, he has tutored both primary and secondary students across a variety of settings and subjects, in addition to leading a classroom at an urban Catholic school. In addition to employment at Academic Approach, Alex enjoys volunteering his time at a civil rights law firm in downtown Chicago and mentoring a high school constitutional competition team. Alex teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAdam holds a bachelors degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University’s College of Education. Having completed over 100 hours of field experience and student teaching within Chicago Public Schools, Adam is certified by the State of Illinois in Secondary Teaching with endorsements in Social Science and History for both Middle and High Schools. Adam became a certified AVID tutor during his time in CPS. Throughout college he also worked for the America Reads program, tutoring K-8 students in reading. Adam teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT as well as the History SAT II.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsBeth received her Bachelor’s degree in Math from Northwestern University and her Master’s degree in Applied Math from DePaul. She has taught a variety of math classes at the K-12 and collegiate levels, from foundational math to calculus. Through a state grant, she served as a coordinator with the Learning Sciences Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Most recently, Beth was clinical faculty in the School of Education at Loyola University Chicago, in the field of educational statistics. While she continues to advise and consult in this field, Beth has returned her focus to math coaching. She teaches mathematics for standardized tests and academic subjects.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAustin holds a B.A. with honors in the writing concentration of the English major from Yale University, where he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. While an undergraduate, he spent a year as an editor of the Yale Daily News helping numerous students improve their writing. In the past, he has been a mentor for a college counseling nonprofit and tutored high school chemistry. He teaches all sections of the SAT and ACT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJon graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a dual Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Rhetoric, and a minor in Chemistry. Before joining Academic Approach, he served for two years with the Peace Corps in the West African country of Burkina Faso, where he taught life science, physics, chemistry, math and English at a village school, and coordinated the opening of a school resource center. Upon completion of his service, Jon was certified with advanced proficiency in French. As an undergraduate, Jon taught and tutored elementary school students in science, math and language arts. He has experience teaching science for a non-profit organization within Chicago Public Schools, and he has tutored high school and middle school students in a variety of subjects. Jon teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSteven received his B.S. in Mathematics Education from Illinois State University in 2006 and his M.A. in Educational Leadership from North Central College in 2011. He is currently in his 6th year of teaching mathematics at Willowbrook High School. Steven teaches AP Calculus BC, Computer Science and AP Computer Science. He has taught Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra. He also spends time being a coach on the Willowbrook Math Team. Steven teaches academic Mathematics and the Math sections on both the SAT and ACT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMichael Bulfin graduated from Northwestern University with a BA in History. After Northwestern, he served for two years with the Peace Corps teaching English in Mozambique. He has a Masters Degree in African Studies from UCLA and a second Masters Degree in Geography from the University of Iowa. As a result, he has extensive experience teaching at all levels and is proud to bring this experience to Academic Approach through one on one instruction. Michael enjoys tutoring English, Reading Comprehension, History, ACT, and middle school exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPeris graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Environmental Analysis. She has been involved in academic tutoring since her days at Lincoln Park High School, where she provided homework help to students as her service project for the National Honor Society. While in college, she tutored local students in various AP subjects and ACT/SAT test prep. She also volunteered as a tutor with the Claremont GED Tutoring Program, helping Pomona College staff members prepare for the GED. After graduating, she returned to Chicago as a Teach for America corps member and spent a year teaching in a bilingual classroom. She is currently finishing up her Masters in Teaching at Dominican University. Peris enjoys writing songs on the ukulele, swimming, and playing ultimate frisbee. She teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsStefan graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Linguistics & Cognitive Science. During his time at Pomona, he worked extensively with high school students from surrounding communities, providing academic and non-academic mentoring. The Walter Payton College Prep graduate and West Side native has since returned to Chicago and works as a freelance writer. The recipient of a scholarship from the Posse Foundation, Stefan is still closely involved with Posse Chicago and passionate about building both academic and leadership skills in young people. He enjoys running, writing, and exploring Chicago's bustling restaurant scene. Stefan teaches all areas of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJonathon holds an M.A. in Linguistics from the University of Chicago and a B.S. in Scientific and Technical Communication and a B.A. in Spanish and Portuguese (Summa cum Laude) from the University of Minnesota. He has taught in classroom and one-on-one settings, working with students of varying ages since 2002. He taught advanced undergraduate writing in the University of Chicago's Writing Program and was honored in 2004 with the Francis X. Kinahan Award for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Writing. He then taught Spanish for four years at local colleges in the Chicagoland area. During the summer of 2006 Jonathon shared his passion for teaching and technology by directing a technology summer camp for students aged 7-17. Besides tutoring, Jonathon also serves as an Academic Approach Director who represents programs to families and helps design effective preparation programs that meet students' unique needs. He teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT as well as Spanish.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsBlake holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago. While attending UIC he was a member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society and graduated with departmental distinction honors for his 4.0 major GPA. He has prior experience as a MCAT instructor focusing on teaching physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology to aspiring physicians. Blake tutors academic math and science courses.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsRobert holds a B.S in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska. He has spent the last four years as a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Chicago studying ovarian cancer metastasis and is a published author in the field. Robert is a member of the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Robert has formally taught or tutored students ranging from the high school to graduate levels. Additionally, he volunteers his time discussing all aspects of science (and generally having a great time) with upper elementary students in their classroom. Robert teaches academic biology, physics, and chemistry.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsNicole holds a bachelors degree from DePaul University with high honors. She was awarded Outstanding Philosophy Student of 2003 recognizing her academic achievement within the department. While at DePaul, she worked with America Reads, providing one-on-one tutoring in Chicago Public and private schools and acting as Team Leader, providing communication between school administration, tutors, and America Reads program directors. She has also taught folk music to elementary students at in-school music camp sessions in rural Alaska. She speaks basic Spanish and Greek, and enjoys running, playing piano, and traveling. Nicole teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsChristine graduated from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, with a BS in Elementary Education. Her concentration and endorsements received are in middle school math and science, and she is currently pursing her Masters’ degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She teaches math, social studies, and religion to middle school students at a small private grade school. Christine has previous experience preparing students for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) and Terra Novas. Along with teaching, she is part of the marketing team at her school, which works to promote the school within the local community and increase enrollment. Christine tutors middle school tests as well as the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsChristine holds an M.A. in Teaching and B.S. in Biology both from Aurora University. She is currently in the research phase of an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Loyola University Chicago. Her dissertation studies the motivational factors for females pursuing STEM degrees. Christine worked as a science teacher for three years, and taught sections of Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, and Honors Biology. She has also worked as an elementary mathematics curriculum designer. Prior to joining the Academic Approach team, Christine independently tutored individuals in math, science, and ACT/SAT preparation.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAlex holds a bachelors degree in Economics from Northwestern University and completed a Language and Culture Program at the Universidad de Sevilla in Seville, Spain. In 2010 Alex served in Peace Corps Ecuador working with youth and families. She taught sex education, parenting classes, and basic economics courses and initiated programs to boost self-esteem and provide support for young people in the area. Alex is currently employed in the financial services industry and is pursuing a degree in psychology. Alex teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT, SAT IIs, and high school entrance exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSophie Darugar graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's in International Relations in Latin America. She is a Chicago native and has worked with Chicago Public School students for the past two years to reach their college goals. As a tutor at Hubbard High School she worked with high school students to improve in their core subject areas and draft personal statements to supplement their college applications. Sophie is working towards her teaching certification to teach Social Science in High Schools. She loves exploring Chicago on her bike and visiting all of Chicago's free festivals and museums. Sophie teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsChris holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Dartmouth College and a Masters in Anthropology from the University of Illinois. Chris has recently returned from a Fulbright Scholarship in Brazil and is currently finishing his Ph.D in Archaeology from the University of Illinois. He is a member of the American Anthropological Association and Society of American Archaeologists. His teaching experience spans nearly ten years as a graduate assistant and college instructor, having taught subjects ranging from Geography to Human Evolution. Chris has taught students at every skill level and has three years previous experience as a private tutor of SAT, ACT, Math, and Science. His special contribution to student learning emphasizes the integration and application of knowledge so that students can utilize what they know instead of only knowing what they use. Chris tutors Chemistry and Math.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJason graduated with a B.A. and special honors from the department of English Language and Literature at the University of Chicago. He has served as a grammar tutor and writing coach at Richard J. Daley and Malcolm X City Colleges, working with a Chicago-based nonprofit devoted to providing scholarships and educational services to Chicago youth, recent immigrants, and refugees. In addition to working with Academic Approach, Jason serves on the editorial staff of an academic journal published by the University of Chicago Press. He is currently applying to PhD programs in English. Jason teaches academic and essay writing, the Literature SAT II exam, and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAntora graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and a minor in Spanish. While at Northwestern, she took a hands-on approach to learning, working in a scenic design shop and participating in theatre in a wide variety of capacities, including performer, designer, and technical director. Her studies focused on the use of theatre and drama tools in classroom instruction, including teaching drama classes to Evanston area elementary and middle school students. Prior to attending Northwestern, Antora was active in the Bloomington, Indiana area as a private tutor, working with high school students. Antora teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSara received her bachelor’s degree from Knox College in Biology and Environmental Studies. While at Knox, she spent a semester living in Vietnam studying the social and natural ecology of the Mekong Delta, and completing an independent research project. During her summers, Sara interned with a root and soil biologist at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. Sara also served as a captain of her water polo and swim teams. After graduation, Sara volunteered with AmeriCorps NCCC. She was based in Sacramento, California, and her projects ranged from building trails in state parks to teaching a wide array of subjects to students of all ages and abilities. Sara is currently employed with Community Health Partnership of Illinois where she is an advocate and helps coordinate health care for migrant farm workers throughout Illinois. She also works with the Chicago Public Library to help promote science education and interest in high school students. Sara teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSean graduated from Michigan State University with a B.S. in Physiology and a minor in Bioethics, Humanities and Society. He is currently finishing medical school at Rush University. During medical school, Sean has enjoyed teaching his patients on health education and was a leader of the Buddies Program at Rush, which assists children with their homework while in the hospital. After graduating he will be conducting his Emergency Medicine Residency at Cook County-Stroger Hospital. He currently teaches high school students in Biology and Chemistry, as well as the SAT Subject Tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJustin holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Theology with Honors from Valparaiso University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Bioethics at Trinity International University. Justin has had opportunities in a variety of educational settings throughout the past 6 years. His collegiate experiences included tutoring students in an array of biology and chemistry classes and aiding freshmen biology labs. Upon graduation, he worked closely with students through AVID (an in-school tutoring program), volunteered at the Saint Louis Science Center, and worked as a substitute teacher in the Sioux Falls School District. Justin teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT, along with a variety of SAT Subject Exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMelinda holds a B.E in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics from Vanderbilt University and is currently working on her MD at University of Illinois at Chicago. While at Vanderbilt she was awarded the Thomas G. Arnold Prize for Biomedical Engineering design for her work on an imaging project. Melinda has experience tutoring at the high school level in the subjects of Math, Chemistry and Biology. Prior to returning to school, she spent a year volunteering at a school through AmeriCorps where she implemented a math tutoring program and helped to raise the standardized test average by five percentage points. Melinda teaches Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and the Math I and IIC SAT subject tests as well as academic subjects.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAbrahim graduated from Benedictine University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During his time at Benedictine, Abrahim worked as a Teacher’s Assistant in Calculus, Chemistry, and Biology. While working as a Teacher’s Assistant, Abrahim tutored and mentored students both in and out of class. He has also tutored high school students in a variety of subjects. Most recently, he worked as a research assistant in the Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension lab at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He teaches all areas of ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAmanda graduated from The University of Chicago with an MA in the Humanities in June of 2007. Her graduate work primarily focused on contemporary North American fiction; her thesis explored notions of secrecy, identity, and intimacy in the work of Alice Munro. Amanda did her undergraduate work in English and philosophy at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, spending a semester abroad in Budapest, Hungary. Amanda has experience tutoring ESL and teaching in the Grand Rapids Public School System; she has also taught a variety of writing courses at North Central State College in Mansfield, Ohio and Triton College in River Grove, Illinois. Amanda serves as an Academic Approach Director, representing programs to families, customizing solutions for each student, and supporting families and tutors throughout the course of instruction to ensure the most successful outcomes for all Academic Approach students.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJesse holds a B.A. in Biblical Languages from the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. After college he taught English to students and professionals in New Delhi, India for two years, where he also developed courses in English grammar. Before coming to Academic Approach, Jesse worked as a senior instructor at Second Nature Wilderness Program in Duchesne, Utah, where he mentored high school students and provided instruction in both academic subjects and wilderness skills. In addition to serving students at Academic Approach, he currently is accredited in statistics and probability with the Society of Actuaries and is working towards further accreditation in the field. Jesse teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT and academic math.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsCatherine holds a B.A. in Chemistry and Mathematics from Pomona College and an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her chemistry thesis, conducted jointly at Pomona College and the University of Padua, analyzed the structural effect of ring-closing metathesis reactions on helical peptides. In 2009 she was awarded thesis honors in mathematics for proving an original knot theory result and presented her work at a conference in Tokyo. She has 10 years of tutoring experience with all levels of high school math as well as all subject areas of the SAT I. She has also taught college mathematics at UIC for 2 years and was selected to conduct enrichment workshops for the Emerging Scholars Program. She currently volunteers in Guest Experiences at the Museum of Science and Industry, where she engages guests in discussions about anatomy and genetics. Catherine teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT, Subject Tests, and academic math.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAndrew holds a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Chemistry from Wichita State University. Andrew is a member of the American Chemical Society and holds Master's Certification in the following areas: Physical, Analytical, Organic, Inorganic, Electrical, and Biochemical chemistry. Andrew has spent the last five years teaching at Our Lady of Tepeyac High School in Chicago. He teaches a variety of mathematics and science classes, including AP Calculus, Physics, and Chemistry. Andrew has been the Department Chairperson in Math and Science since 2002 and is also the National Honor Society Induction Committee Chairperson and the Advanced Placement College Board Coordinator. Instructor in mathematics, verbal, and writing for a variety of standardized tests and mathematics and science for academic subjects.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsCollin is pursuing a Masters of Education from DePaul University. He holds a Bachelors Degree in History, with a minor in Chemistry, from Valparaiso University. While in school, he was a member of the Honors College. He began tutoring middle school students in both Chemistry and Math. He enjoyed his experience so much so that he continued to tutor students throughout college and into his professional life. Collin teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT and high school entrance exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsCharles Fitzpatrick holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Florida A&M University and a Jurisdoctorate and Masters of Business Administration from University of Pennsylvania's Law and Wharton Business Schools. He has tutored and taught since high school, working with several tutoring programs and providing extracurricular academic offerings for youth and adults. He believes education is access and learning is power. Charles is an avid music lover, enjoys being outdoors, and relishes having new experiences in the company of loved ones. He teaches all areas of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAshlee graduated with honors from the University of Chicago in Interdisciplinary Slavic Studies, with a concentration on Polish language and literature. She has lived and taught middle and high school mathematics as well as English as a Second Language in Poland. After graduation, she moved to New York and taught Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry for the New York City Department of Education. She has spent the last few years in education consulting, facilitating professional development programs in special education policy for teachers and administrators. Ashlee volunteers her time with organizations like the Jane Addams Resource Corporation, the Chicago Foundation for Education and Chicago Public Schools. Ashlee is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, where her focus is health and education policy. She teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsKatherine graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Public Affairs and a certificate in East Asian Studies. During her time at Princeton, she was a volunteer with the Pace Center, where she tutored middle school students through the Community House After School Academy and promoted early childhood literacy through the preschool program. After graduating, Katherine spent a year working in Hong Kong, where she also tutored high school students. She is an avid concertgoer and sports fan who enjoys tennis, soccer, and football. Katherine teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsDomino Graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama with a correlate in Geography. Before coming to Academic Approach, she spent a year in Germany working as an Au Pair. While there, she tutored children of all ages and levels in English, German, Math, and Science. She has also worked with children diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, dyscalculia, and mild autism. In her free time, Domino enjoys reading, dancing, singing, and playing Quidditch. Domino teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMatthew holds a B.A. with honors in American Studies from Yale University. At Yale, his senior essay focusing on American Literature and Flannery O'Connor was nominated for the Norman Holmes Pearson Prize for excellence within the field. As a junior, he taught playwriting at the New Haven Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School, both in the classroom and after school. He also was the recipient of the Thomas C. Barry Fellowship, which he used to help lead theatrical workshops about health in Kigali, Rwanda. Matthew teaches all areas of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPaul graduated with departmental honors from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Comparative Literary Studies. He began his studies in Northwestern's rigorous Integrated Science Program, where his studies included physics, chemistry, biology, and experimental mathematics. His work in science inspired Paul's interest in the history of mathematics and science, an interest that culminated in his comparative literature thesis: "The Paradox of Self-Reference in Scientific Methodology". Paul has worked for Fermilab, the nation's leading high-energy physics laboratory, and currently works, as a jazz pianist/producer, at the Old Town School of Folk Music and the Elastic Arts Foundation, a non-profit organization he co-founded. Instructor for physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics as well as all sections of the ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsGreg holds a B.A. in physics from Washington University in St. Louis. He has been tutoring for over six years and has been with Academic Approach since 2008, first starting with our Boston office and now tutoring full time in Chicago. Before moving to the Midwest, Greg worked as a program director for the Boy Scouts of America in New Hampshire, where he developed over 200 hours of educational curriculum for both traditional and outdoor environments. Outside of tutoring, Greg can be seen performing improv comedy at various locations throughout Chicago. Greg teaches physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics (algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics) as well as high school placement exams and all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsChris holds an M.F.A in classroom pedagogy and education law from the University of Texas-Pan-American, a J.D./M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, and a B.A. in international affairs from George Washington University. Over the past ten years, he has worked as a project coordinator for Americorps, an immigration attorney for the UT law clinic, and a pro bono attorney for the Asylum Representation Project (PROBAR) in Texas. He has traveled extensively in Mexico and Central America and most recently taught middle school in the Edinburg Independent School District in Texas. Chris teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT as well as academic Spanish.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsCarolyn holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. At Washington University, Carolyn was involved with Y-tutor, a volunteer program that pairs Washington University undergraduates with middle school students for one-on-one tutoring. She was a tutor for this program for three years and served as a program leader during her senior year. She currently volunteers as a mentor with Science Club, an after school science program for middle school students at the McCormick Boys & Girls Club in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Carolyn works as a research coordinator at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine and plans to apply to medical school. She provides academic tutoring in biology, chemistry, and physics.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMaggie holds a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Rhodes College. While at Rhodes, she served as a Pan-Hellenic Counselor, member of the College Publications Board, columnist for the Sou'westerner and as assistant to the dean of European Studies. She holds teaching certifications in English and AP Literature. Having previously taught through Kentucky's Transition to Teaching program which places educators in high needs school districts, Maggie has extensive training in test prep and diversified instruction. While teaching in Kentucky, Maggie created a New Media Department for the high school where she served, taught the first AP classes offered by the district and raised the school's NCLB Reading scores from the 30th to the 90th percentile. After four wonderful years within this school system, Maggie moved to Chicago to attend the Second City Conservatory. In her spare time, she performs, directs and writes shows throughout the city. Maggie teaches all sections of the ACT, SAT, HSPT, ISEE, and SSAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsKatherine Goulde graduated from the College of William & Mary as a Monroe Scholar, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Economics. Catherine received her Masters of Arts in Teaching from National-Louis University and taught high school Mathematics for two years in Chicago through the Teach For America program. Katherine is currently pursuing her Masters of Arts in Economics at the University of Illinois- Chicago and works part time as a Teaching Assistant at the undergraduate level. At Academic Approach, Katherine teaches all subject areas of the ACT and SAT and assists with Mathematics curriculum development.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJennifer holds a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in communications from Northwestern University. She began her career in book publishing, working in publicity at Random House in New York and as a promotions manager at the University of Chicago Press. After five years of promoting books, she returned to the classroom to focus on reading and discussing literature. Jennifer has taught English to all levels of secondary students at both private and public high schools in the Chicago and North Shore areas. A former tutor at 826 CHI, she currently volunteers at the National Runaway Safeline and serves on the Alumni Admissions Council at Northwestern. Jennifer teaches academic English and all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJulia holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University and a master’s degree in fiction writing from the Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, where she was a Truman Capote Fellow. Before attending graduate school, she lived in New York, where she tutored high school students in English, French, Spanish, and the SAT. She also taught an SAT preparatory class at a charter school in Harlem. As a graduate student, Julia taught composition, literature, and creative writing to undergraduates. She has also spent time abroad, including a year in western France, where she taught English to high school students. For three years, Julia volunteered as a writing instructor at the Iowa City Senior Center; currently, she devotes her volunteering efforts to Working Bikes, a nonprofit organization that recovers and repairs used bicycles. Julia teaches French, academic and essay writing, and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsTim holds a B.A. in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He also holds a Master of Arts in Education from Loyola University Chicago. Tim has experience working in both private and public schools in the Chicago area and is one of the most experienced instructors with Academic Approach. Tim teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT, a variety of SAT Subject Exams, and high school placement exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsVince holds a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois-Chicago and an M.A. in Teaching social studies from National Louis University. He has spent most of his time over the last several years working as a tutor and Director of Education. ACT and SAT prep has been his concentration, but he has also spent a considerable amount of time working with students of all ages on math skills, reading comprehension, and writing/language arts. Certified to teach English as a foreign language, Vince has volunteered with World Relief as a teacher's aide in ESL classrooms and has spent some time abroad teaching English. He teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT, academic history and writing,SAT II math subject tests, and academic math.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMichael graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. A native Bostonian, Michael moved to Chicago to teach secondary science in a public charter school through the Teach for America program, receiving his teaching certification in the spring of 2011. Michael spent the next few months sailing competitively with his team in England, Ireland, and Texas, rounding out a successful season with second places in both the world and US team racing championships. In addition to teaching, Michael works part time in a hematology lab at Northwestern, studies for his own standardized test—the MCAT—and hopes to attend medical school.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJessica holds a B.S. in communication and English from Boston College, where she graduated cum laude, and is currently pursuing a master’s of journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University. She has served as an editor, production assistant, and reporter for such organizations as The Heights Inc. (MA), the Boston Globe, and the New England Sports Network. By managing a staff of writers and participating in writing workshops, she has over four years experience in mentoring students and peers in honing their writing skills and mastering the copyediting process. Jessica teaches academic English and writing, college essay writing, and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPeter Jensen graduated from the University of Chicago with an honors degree in English. Before coming to Academic Approach, he had tutored literature, writing, math, ACT, SAT, and GRE. While in college, he volunteered for the tutoring service 826Chicago, which provides free one-on-one tutoring. Peter has worked as a Resident Assistant in UChicago student housing, both in the college dorms and in the high school summer program. In addition to working for Academic Approach, he helps coach a swim team. In his free time, Peter loves to read, run, and attempt to learn to play the piano. Peter teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsKaren holds a Ph.D. in Virology from Harvard Medical School. She graduated cum laude from Bucknell University with a B.S. in Biology and minor concentrations in physics, math-statistics, and biochemistry. While at Harvard, Karen served as a Teaching fellow, leading discussion sections, writing exam questions, and holding office hours to help support students working through college biology and biochemistry. Karen has extensive tutoring experience and possesses a strong command of standardized test content. Karen provides ACT & SAT instruction as well as academic math and science tutoring.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsLuke holds a B.S. degree in Architectural Engineering, with a Structural Emphasis, from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He is currently employed as a Senior Structural Engineer. He has experience tutoring and mentoring students ranging from young children to adults in various subjects, especially math. For the past two years, Luke has volunteered for NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) on the structural engineering licensure exam committee where he is involved in exam grading and test preparation. Recently, Luke has been involved in project SYNCERE (Supporting Youths Needs with Core Engineering Research Experiments), which is a program to mentor junior and senior high students interested in the fields of engineering, construction, or architecture. He enjoys teaching academic math, Subject Tests, and all sections of the ACT and the SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsCaitlin is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati (UC) where she was recognized as the Top Female Undergraduate in the College of Arts and Sciences. While at UC, Caitlin completed a B.A. in English and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Middle and Secondary English and drama. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Caitlin has 7 years of experience teaching and tutoring in middle school, high school, and university classrooms and most recently completed a year teaching in Bulgaria through a Fulbright grant. Here at Academic Approach, she tutors all sections of the SAT and ACT, middle school tests, and high school placement exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAlexandra holds a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a J. D. from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. In her undergraduate studies, Alexandra focused on the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia, and the role of the Russian Federation in orchestrating the dissolve. As a law student, Alexandra has held internships with General Electric, immigration law firms, and insurance defense firms. Alexandra began working as a tutor for K-5 students while in high school, and has continued to tutor in an informal capacity as she progressed through the ranks of higher education. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, snowboarding, and reading classic literature. Alexandra teaches all areas of the ACT and SAT, as well as the standardized testing administered in middle schools.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsStephen holds an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, California. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in Theology, Ethics, and the Human Sciences at Chicago Theological Seminary. Stephen has over 10 years of experience teaching and mentoring students from middle school through the graduate level in a broad range of settings. He loves music, fashion, philosophy, and baseball. Stephen teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsWahid holds a Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Wahid's tutoring experience began in 2004 at John Hersey High School's learning center as a Math and English tutor. The following year, Wahid tutored students in ACT prep classes at Hersey. Since then he has tutored high school students in both Chemistry and Physics. Most recently, Wahid was an ACT and SAT tutor. Wahid teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsHayley Kleyman received her B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is pursuing her Masters Degree in Education. She has spent an extensive time studying, working and traveling abroad. During college she began her tutoring career while working for Wisconsin Emerging Scholars with upper-level calculus students. Since graduation, Hayley has worked as a full-time tutor with a focus on mathematics. She has also worked with students with learning disabilities, ESL students, and upper level college students. Hayley tutors all sections of the ACT and SAT, as well as academic Math and Math SAT II tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsRebecca holds a bachelors degree in Communications from Northwestern University, where she also earned a minor in Computing and Information Systems and an adjunct major in Animate Arts. An Evanston native currently living in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, Rebecca has taught circus arts skills at The Actors Gymnasium and continues to teach theatre, acting, and directing skills at the Piven Theatre Workshop. She teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsShira Koffman is an experienced teacher with a Bachelors in Linguistics from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana and a Masters of Arts in teaching from National-Louis University. Shira spent the last five years teaching in the Alaskan bush where she improved student test scores for all five years. She currently tutors all subjects of the ACT and SAT, as well as high school entrance exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJessica graduated magna cum laude from DePauw University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and also received Phi Beta Kappa honors. Jessica began her career designing educational programs for children in low income communities. After three years working in school programming, Jessica received her K-12 teaching certificate from National Louis University with an endorsement in learning and behavior disorders. Jessica also spent three years working for the Indiana Reading Corps as a tutor for students needing early intervention in reading. Currently, Jessica works for Chicago Cares as a coordinator to help improve the physical learning environments for students across Chicagoland. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and a little league softball coach. Jessica teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsKara holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music, and currently, she is studying toward an MM in Bassoon Performance at Northwestern University. She began her academic career at Harvard University before transferring to support her aspiration to play in an orchestra. Her seven years of teaching experience include peer tutoring, private music lessons, and even group fitness courses. In the summer of 2011, Kara added a new element to her educational repertoire by embarking with her bassoon quartet on a 40-concert tour of school band programs in Texas. She has served as resident artist and faculty member at Bocal Majority Bassoon Camp. A seasoned test-taker, Kara teaches all sections of the PSAT, ACT, and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSam Levine holds a Masters degree from Yale University and Bachelors degrees from Oberlin College. He has tutored undergraduates at both of those institutions, freelanced as an editor for published and soon-to-be published works of both fiction and non-fiction, and spent three summers as a mentor to middle-school aged boys at Camp Becket in the Berkshires, in his native Massachusetts. He teaches a variety of subjects including German, writing, all middle school tests, and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMary graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies, as well as a minor in Public Service. She went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Special Education (K-12) from Vanderbilt University. Originally from Long Island, Mary moved to Chicago, where she currently teaches math and science at a middle school in Evanston. With her background in special education, Mary is very skilled at differentiating instruction so that all of her students receive the education that best meet their individual needs. She has experience tutoring students in standardized tests as well as academic subjects. In addition to tutoring, she works sports camp during the summer and coaches girls’ lacrosse. Mary teaches high school entrance exams and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsDavid Lurie is a recent graduate of the University of Chicago’s Master of Arts program, and is currently pursuing a Ph. D in English literature. He earned his bachelors with honors from Binghamton University, where he majored in Comparative Literature. An experienced test preparation tutor and former teacher, David has taught test prep and writing at the middle school and collegiate level, and worked as a math and English teacher in a high-need Milwaukee Public School through Milwaukee Teaching Fellows. He tutors all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMcKendry holds B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science from University of Richmond and a M.T. in Secondary Mathematics Education from University of Virginia. . After graduate school, McKendry spent two years volunteering in Philadelphia with the AmeriCorps program City Year, providing tutoring, mentoring, and after-school programs at K-8 school. Since September of 2009, he has taught mathematics at Walter Payton College Prep & coached the mathematics team, which has won the state title in 2010 and 2011. Prior to joining Academic Approach, McKendry has done part-time mathematics tutoring for over 5 years. McKendry specializes in academic math and teaches the math and science sections of the ACT, math for the SAT, and math SAT II tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSheryl holds a B.S. in Public Relations from Boston University and a Masters in Human Services and Counseling from DePaul University. Sheryl's research at DePaul focused on college readiness among freshmen and prompted the development of a student manual and curriculum designed to improve organizational skills, time management, note-taking, critical thinking, and reading comprehension. Sheryl is the mother of an Ivy-leaguer and therefore understands the college preparation process both as an advisor and as a consumer. Sheryl is also spear-heading many of The Academic Approach's outreach efforts into the Chicago Public School system. Instructor in study skills, organization and time-management techniques, verbal and writing for all standardized tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSonja holds a B.S. in Political Science and International Studies, with a minor in Environmental Policy and Culture, from Northwestern University. For the past four years, she has worked as a tutor for the Heartland Alliance, teaching refugee students Mathematics, Science, English, History, and Reading. Before this, she tutored for the PSAT and SAT. She speaks conversational French and very basic Mandarin. Sonja teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJackie graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice. During her senior year in college, she studied abroad in Rome at Loyola’s John Felice Rome Center. She then pursued a law degree and graduated cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law. During her last two years in law school, she was a member of South Carolina Law Review. As a member, she edited publications and assisted students with writing articles that analyzed controversial legal issues. Jackie has worked as a tutor throughout college and law school, tutoring math and writing. In her free time, Jackie enjoys reading, running outside, and traveling. Jackie tutors all areas of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsScott holds a B.A. in Theatre from Arizona State University, and is an alumnus of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. Scott is currently the Artistic Director of a non-profit, education-based theatre company in Chicago, where he specializes in the development of emerging talent. Scott has extensive private classroom experience and has been a guest lecturer in Literature and Performing Arts History. He has also served as a mentor in performing arts organizations throughout the country. He teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsVeronica holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Chicago. Since 2006, she has tutored students ages 12-24 in a variety of subjects , including all areas of mathematics, English, Spanish, and physics. Veronica is also a competitive chess player, and she has worked as a professional chess teacher. She is an avid swimmer and participated on the swim team and championship water polo team at the University of Chicago. Veronica teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT as well as all areas of mathematics, academic writing, Spanish, and physics.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAnnie holds a B.A. in American Studies from Columbia University where she graduated summa cum laude. As an undergraduate, she tutored juniors at New York's Frederick Douglas Academy in the verbal sections of the SAT. She also served as one of two undergraduate teaching fellows in the Columbia University / Teagle Foundation "Freedom and Citizenship" summer philosophy program, helping to expose New York City high school students to college-level academics. In addition to tutoring, Annie works as a production assistant for public radio in Chicago. She teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJoseph graduated from the University of Rochester with degrees in Mathematics and Economics. While attending the university, Joseph participated in an immersion program called "UR Potential," which allowed him the opportunity to tutor high school students in Math, Physics, and Writing. Additionally, Joseph studied jazz at the Eastman School and he was President of WRUR, the university's radio station. Joseph currently teaches English as a second language at the Ethiopian Community Association. Joseph teaches all sections of the ACT and the SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJaimeson graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics & Mathematics. He has research published through RREDC of Humboldt County's Intra Region Activity spanning 15 years of metropolitan sector data and economic indicators. Prior to working with Academic Approach, Jaimeson has tutored many years of subjects ranging from guitar to higher order Calculus and Economics, as well as the GMAT. He finds that the key to learning is accepting your mistakes and working through the struggle. Having a positive outlook and confidence in your ability to succeed is an exceptional way to progress in any subject. Jaimeson teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsBrandon holds a B.A. in English and Rhetoric from The University of Illinois @ Urbana-Champaign and a Master's Degree in Education from DePaul University. Brandon is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English. He has spent the last three years teaching at Walter Payton College Prep teaching a variety of courses: Honors American Studies, Honors American Literature, Honors World Literature, and AP English Language and Composition. Brandon has also been an instructor in Payton's writing center (a one-on-one writing tutoring program), and taught various academic seminars such as Graphic Novels as Literature and Philosophy in Harry Potter. The last two years, Brandon has taken Payton students on literary international trips to Ghana and Prague, focusing on Globalization in literature and the influences of daily life on Franz Kafka. Additionally, Brandon spent the summer of 2010 teaching at the University of Chicago's Center for International Studies. He teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT in addition to essay writing and the SAT II test in literature.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsTony holds a B.S. in applied mathematics with a minor in math and science education from the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he served as an undergraduate teaching assistant for upper level math courses and as president of the Math Club. For the past three years, he has helped students to improve their math SAT and ACT scores through both tutoring and classroom instruction. He received a perfect score on the math sections of both the ACT and SAT. Tony specializes in academic math and teaches the math and science sections of the ACT, math for the SAT, and math SAT II tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPaul holds a BA in Economics, History and Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences from Northwestern University and an M.A. and M.Phil in Political Science from Yale University. Based in Chicago, he is currently completing his PhD, and has conducted archival research in London and fieldwork in Botswana and South Africa in support of his dissertation work on the topic of religion and politics in southern Africa. Paul has served as a teaching assistant for multiple courses at Yale, and has significant one-on-one experience in helping students fulfill their academic potential. He teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT as well as academic US/world history, government and politics, and statistics.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJessica holds a B.A. (cum laude) in English from Duke University. She has worked for 15 years as an editor and reporter at a variety of publications, including TIME magazine, TIME.com, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times and the Chicago News Cooperative (in collaboration with the New York Times). Her specialties include medical, health and political reporting as well as book and film criticism. She is the recipient of numerous journalism awards, including the 2009 Peter Lisagor award for Feature writing. In 2007, she won an International Reporting Project fellowship and traveled to Senegal, West Africa, where she reported on challenges to women's health. Jessica teaches college essay writing.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsBilly has a B.A. in economics and history from the University of Illinois and is currently earning his Masters degree in economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago while he studies to begin work on a PhD in health economics. He has conducted research on ancient Near East artifacts at the Oriental Institute and at the Spurlock Museum in Urbana, Il, where he worked for 2 years. Billy has tutored privately in math, history, and economics throughout his undergraduate and graduate career. Billy tutors all areas of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJean holds a Master of Social Work degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois–Chicago with a certification in School Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California–Berkeley in Mass Communications. Jean has been working with youth for over 10 years through organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Catholic Charities, and the Y.M.C.A. This past year she interned as a School Social Worker at Lane Technical High School where she worked individually with students to develop their school functioning skills. Jean has been tutoring high school students in mathematics for over 6 years in Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry and AP Calculus. Jean teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT as well as academic math and writing.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsRussell holds an M.A. in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in English and Philosophy from Calvin College. Russell has been a supportive mentor and inspiring instructor with Academic Approach for over four years, helping hundreds of students meet their educational goals. Prior to Academic Approach, Russell taught college prep students in New Jersey, college freshman English students in Chicago, and English language learners in Germany. With Academic Approach, Russell teaches all mathematics and verbal sections of the ACT and SAT, SAT Subject tests in Math (both I and II) and Literature, and the ISEE, ISAT, SSAT and HSPT. Russell's interests range from to calculus to Southern Italian cuisine, philosophy of ethics to gardening. Russell brings all of this dedication to his students at Academic Approach.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJon received his B.S. degree in Medicinal Chemistry from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his M.S. degree in Statistics from the University of Iowa, where he received an award for outstanding teaching assistant and subsequently taught his own introductory course in calculus-based statistics. He has worked as a synthetic organic chemist in the field of pharmaceutical drug design and as a pension actuary for a Chicago consulting firm. He has a number of peer-review publications in chemistry journals and has tutored mathematics, chemistry, and physics at the high school level and chemistry at the collegiate level. Jon volunteers with Ladder Up, an organization that provides tax preparation services to those in need, as well as Working Bikes, an organization that builds and repairs bicycles for local and international donation.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPeter attended school at the University of Michigan, where he earned a BA in Economics and a MPH in Health Management and Policy. After obtaining his master’s degree, he returned to his hometown of Chicago to work as a clinical data analyst with Advocate Health Care. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Public Health, with a focus on Environmental Epidemiology. Peter’s expertise is in statistics and quantitative reasoning. When he is not tutoring or working, Peter keeps himself busy with soccer, history books, and his ukulele. He teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPeter holds a BA in History from Seattle University, and a MA in Russian & East European Studies from the University of Texas. Peter has been teaching for three years in Chicago Public Schools after earning his teaching certificate through the Northwestern University NU-TEACH program. Peter is also a certified Arabic Bilingual teacher. Prior to becoming a teacher, he had previous career as a strategic communications analyst in Washington DC. Peter also coaches soccer and basketball as well as sponsor several other academic and cultural extracurricular activities at his school. Peter teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsJaycie holds a B.A. in Linguistics with minors in Spanish and Anthropology from the University of Arizona, where she graduated Summa cum laude and with honors. As a research assistant, Jaycie studied language acquisition with a focus on learning Spanish as a second language. She published an honors thesis on this topic and received the department's Richard A. Demers Award for outstanding achievement in Linguistics. Jaycie teaches academic and SAT II Spanish.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSarah graduated with honors from Elmhurst College, with a BS in Biology and a minor in English Literature. She went on to pursue a Masters degree in Public Health from Benedictine University. While in college, Sarah worked as a Molecular Biology Research Assistant. She also became a Certified Emergency Medical Technician and volunteered in hospitals. Sarah has taught English and Science workshops in schools. She has also taught ESL students in the Chicago suburbs. Sarah enjoys playing the piano, reading, baking, and traveling. She teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsNasir holds an M.B.A. in finance and a B.A. in economics from Loyola University Chicago. He began his career at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He then went on to work at the Chicago Stock Exchange as a specialist. After 8 years of being in the business world, he has returned to school to focus on the sciences. He is currently preparing to take the MCAT and will be applying to medical school in 2013. Nasir has volunteered as a tutor since 1998, working with students of varying ages and abilities, to help increase their confidence in academic areas of math and science. Nasir also tutors college students at Benedictine University in Biology and Chemistry. As an Academic Approach tutor, Nasir teaches academic math, chemistry, and biology.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsYusuf holds a B.A. with distinction from Yale University. At Yale, Yusuf volunteered in a number of activities, from community service in the local community to working as a tutor in the America Reads program, in which he taught English reading skills to a local student. Upon graduation, he was awarded the James Andrew Haas prize, which recognizes a student who has inspired in others “a love of learning and concern for others.” For over one year after graduation, Yusuf taught the SAT in Central Florida to high school students, focusing on improving students’ test scores on both the verbal and quantitative sections of the SAT. Just before relocating to Chicago, Yusuf spent a year abroad, where he taught English reading, writing, and speaking courses to middle and high school students, in both classroom settings as well as one-on-one tutoring. In his free time, Yusuf enjoys traveling, playing soccer, and reading. At Academic Approach, he teaches all areas of the ACT and SAT, Subject Tests, and middle school tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsLaura received her B.A. in psychology from Colorado College, and she also holds an M.S. in clinical psychology from the University of Florida and a M.A. in special education from Roosevelt University. Laura began teaching in December of 2007 and has a wide range of experience. She has taught ages 7 to 16, and she also tutors on the college level in writing, literature, and the social sciences. Laura has experience teaching students with learning disabilities and ADHD, as well as students on the autism spectrum. In 2004, Laura co-authored a chapter on working with parents in the Psychologists’ Desk Reference. Laura teaches all areas of the ACT, SAT, ISEE, and SSAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsRebecca holds a B.S. degree in Human Communication Sciences from Northwestern University, and is pursuing a masters degree in Special Education. She began her tutoring career as a peer tutor in high school, and continued to tutor throughout college and after. Rebecca has tutored in many academic subjects, including math, secondary physics, chemistry, and English. She has worked with students who possess a wide variety of learning needs both privately and through the Schools of Hope program. As an undergraduate, Rebecca also worked as a clinician at Northwestern’s Learning Clinic, providing academic remediation for students with learning disabilities. She is currently working as a TA in an ELS special education classroom at Deerfield High School. Rebecca teaches academic mathematics and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsNina graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Her graduate work gave her the opportunity to explore many different schools and classrooms, and after completing her degree she remained in New York City to teach 3rd grade ESL (English as a Second Language) at a public school in the South Bronx. Prior to her graduate studies, she taught elementary school, high school, and worked training teachers and instructing adults at home in Chicago and abroad in the Marshalls Islands, Germany, and India. She received her elementary teaching certificate as an undergraduate through the Dartmouth College Teacher Certification Program and also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dartmouth College. Nina has worked with students of all ages, many backgrounds, and many different needs and talents. She teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSabeen graduated with honors from Loyola University Chicago. She holds a B.S. degree in Psychology and a B.A. degree in Film Production. During her time at Loyola, Sabeen worked as a research assistant in a Social Justice and Intergroup Relations Lab and an Emotion and Cognitions Lab. Sabeen volunteered at LIFT, working one-on-one with clients to help gain employment, housing, and public benefits. Sabeen has experience tutoring high school students in Math and Spanish and adults in preparation for taking the GED. She teaches all areas of the ACT and SAT and high school entrance exams.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAnne has studied at Yale University, George Mason University, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a B.S. in English and Psychology. Anne has worked as a college professor and tutor for over 12 years, teaching subjects including English, literature, writing, composition, sociology, and psychology. She is also a poet and visual artist. Her book of poems, Undertow, won the 2007 Lexi Rudnitsky Poetry Prize; other poems have been widely published in literary journals. Subjects she has tutored include ACT and SAT test prep, TOEFL prep, ESL, writing, science, reading, and mathematics.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsEric holds a Bachelors degree in Education, as well as middle school endorsements in Social Studies, Language Arts, and Spanish, from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. He has taught a variety of subjects to a variety of age groups, most recently teaching seventh grade Social Studies and Language Arts in the Chicago Public School system. After teaching over one hundred students in a single grade level, he is excited to return to the world of tutoring so that he can have the chance to work with students on a more focused, individual level. Eric teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT, in addition to Mathematics as an academic subject.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsColin earned a Bachelors Degree with Honors from DePaul University where he majored in Acting. While at DePaul, Colin worked as a Mentor and Peer Advisor for the Honors Program where he taught writing skills and test taking strategies, and advised on course selection. He also served as the Mentor Program Coordinator for DePaul's Theatre School. Colin was the recipient of the President's Scholarship from DePaul University -- the highest honor awarded for academic excellence. A National Merit Finalist himself, Colin understands the pressures and challenges of standardized tests and how to excel at them. Colin teaches all sections of the ACT, SAT, PSAT, and all middle school tests.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsElizabeth holds a BA degree in History and Political Science from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Masters of Science in Education from Northwestern University. Elizabeth has taught high school social studies, English as a Second Language, and adult education classes in the Chicago area. Currently, she works in healthcare research and analytics. Outside of the classroom and office, Elizabeth volunteers as a medical interpreter at a community health clinic. She teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAmy graduated Summa Cum Laude with highest honors from Brandeis University in 2011, receiving her BA in both English and Theater Arts. She first began working with students while in high school as a summer camp counselor in the San Francisco Bay Area and later in college as a Senior Admissions Interviewer for Brandeis University, interviewing potential admissions candidates for the class of 2015. Amy relocated to Chicago to pursue her passions for sketch comedy, creative writing, improvisation, and teaching. She writes and performs at various venues around Chicago, and studies with both the Second City Conservatory and iO training center programs. Amy teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT as well as academic English.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsEric graduated magna cum laude from Carleton College with a B.A. in mathematics and an educational background in courses ranging from economics to Shakespeare. At Carleton, Eric tutored students in calculus, physics, and computer science, while serving as captain of the ice hockey team. Eric understands the importance of a well rounded student; at Carleton he was awarded the prestigious Patricia V. Damon Scholarship for excellence in academics and dedication to extracurricular activities. Eric has researched in mathematics and statistics at Iowa State University and UCLA, and he is a member of the American Statistical Association and the Mathematical Association of America. After graduating college, Eric taught sailing to cancer patients and members of disadvantaged groups in Seattle then moved to Chicago to work in a medical clinic for social security disability applicants. Eric teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT, as well as academic math and science.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsPrescott graduated from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. He has served as an editor and reporter for several publications. Working for The Academic Approach for the past 8 years, he has gained extensive experience and a solid reputation as an excellent instructor for the SSAT, ISEE, SAT and ACT. He also has assisted many students in writing personal essays for college applications. In addition to tutoring, Prescott has pursued stand-up comedy for the past 10 years, making his television debut on Comedy Central's Premium Blend in 2006. Prescott has served hundreds of Academic Approach families as an inspiring mentor and responsible guide through the test preparation process. Prescott also serves as an Academic Approach Director, representing programs to families, customizing solutions for each student, and supporting families and tutors throughout the course of instruction to ensure the most successful outcomes for all Academic Approach students.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsBo Turek graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2012 with a BA in International Political Economy and minors in Economics and Chinese Language & Culture. In 2008 he spent an academic year as an assistant in the counseling department of Jones College Prep, during which he assisted students in researching and preparing for the college application process. He has also tutored students individually in Mandarin Chinese instruction. Bo has study-abroad experience in mainland China, as well as experiences with Mandarin Chinese college-readiness exams. Bo teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsDan holds a B.S. in Radio/TV/Film from Northwestern University, where he made the Dean's List multiple times. After college, he worked for several years in Los Angeles as a screenwriter and professional reader for several Hollywood production companies. During this time, he also gained experience teaching test-prep classes at a private institution. In 2007, Dan moved to Chicago, where he has continued to pursue his writing, while also working as both a classroom instructor and one-on-one tutor. Instructor for the ACT, SAT, ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT, as well as SAT II's (Literature, U.S. History, World History, Math I and II), academic Geometry, English, and college essays.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsLaura holds a Ph.D. in Russian Literature from the University of Chicago, where she taught and assisted courses in the humanities, Russian language, and Russian culture, and served as writing lector in Chicago's Academic/Professional Writing course. She has taught ESL in Romania and the US., and has taught Russian language at DePaul University. Laura is the author of several published articles and book reviews. While at the University of Chicago, Laura also worked part-time conducting interviews and evaluating applications in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She teaches essay writing as well as verbal sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSylvia holds a Masters degree in Creative Writing & Publishing from the University of Baltimore, as well as a Bachelors degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She also completed minor concentrations in Pre-Medicine and Psychology. For years, Sylvia worked extensively with the Office of Women's Programs at the University of Illinois, teaching at seminars and conferences throughout the Midwest to educate college students on gender and race topics. She has also volunteered as a tutor for high-school students, and taught classroom courses on Seven Habits for Highly Effective Teens. Sylvia teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsMary holds a Ph.D. in Theology from Fordham University, and has published several articles in her field. Mary is also a frequent reviewer for the Association for College and Research Libraries’ Choice, which offers book reviews for academic libraries. Currently, Mary teaches both first-year and upper-level undergraduate students in six courses per year in philosophy and interdisciplinary general. Mary also works with high school students in the context of various admission events and scholarship competitions at her university. When not teaching or tutoring, Mary loves exploring Chicago and doing animal rescue work. Mary teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsLindsey holds a B.S. in Biology, a B.A. in Chemistry, and a Minor in Mathematics from California State University, Fresno. She also possesses both California and Illinois Teaching Credentials in Biology and Chemistry. Over three years after her college graduation, Lindsey was involved in a variety of science-based internships around the world. Her experiences led her to choose the education field as her career focus. Lindsey has since taught middle and high school science and math for the past 5 years. During her career as a teacher, she was Science Department Chair, started an after-school engineering club, and won many grants and awards for her classroom teaching. Lindsey has also tutored all subjects, both in the corporate and private realm for the last 7 years. Lindsey teaches academic math, science, and all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsAdam Weg holds an M.A. in Clinical Social Work from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, and a BA in English Literature, also from the University of Chicago. While at the University of Chicago, Adam won several awards for his writing. Adam has worked with adolescents one-on-one and in classroom settings since 2005. In addition to tutoring, Adam is a clinical social worker practicing at several area mental health agencies, and a publishing poet. Adam teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsLauren studied Economics and Marketing at the University of Illinois and went on to complete a Master’s Degree at the University of London. Professionally, she worked as a writer and editor in fields as varied as music, medicine and finance. She just completed her MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Indiana University and recently launched her own fashion tech startup in Chicago. A seasoned tutor, Lauren has volunteered at 826CHI since 2004 (where she teaches creative writing, SAT and ACT) and tutors in both the GRE and GMAT. Lauren has also coached tennis, soccer and hockey for children. If you let her, Lauren can talk for hours on end about sports, music, fashion and math!
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsEmily holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with Honors from the University of Chicago. Her thesis, a study of African-American migration to Liberia following the Civil War, was a finalist for the Anna M. and George N. Barnard Prize in American History. While in school, she volunteered as an after-school tutor—assisting with creative writing workshops and giving homework help. Emily teaches academic English, History, writing, and all portions of the SAT and ACT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsSally is a Chicagoland native and has always had a wide array of academic interests. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washington University in Saint Louis with a B.A. in Drama and minors in Business and Modern Dance. Sally’s passion for learning has always led her to seek new, enriching experiences from taking math courses at the local college as a senior in high school, to writing about cosmopolitanism for a university magazine, to studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin. She has previously tutored a range of students in high school math, and she has spent the past year working in academics with IES Abroad. Sally tutors academic math, high school entrance exams, and all sections of the ACT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsHannah graduated Cum Laude from Kenyon College with a degree in English and Creative Writing, with departmental distinction. Hannah has taught reading, writing, science, and art to all ages at Polytechnic Summer School, Duke Youth Programs at Duke University, and the Kenyon Review Young Writers' Workshop, and completed coursework in Neuroscience the Mathematics of Scaling at Kenyon College. Hannah has worked with Filter Magazine, The Kenyon Review literary quarterly and publishing house, and McSweeney's. She moved to Chicago last fall to intern at NPR's Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, and is currently interning at Chicago Public Media's radio station, Vocalo 89.5, and studying improv at Second City.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsChrystal holds a Masters degree in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College, and a Bachelors degree (double major) in the Comparative History of Ideas and International Studies from the University of Washington. Chrystal has been an educator since 2007, where she got her start teaching middle school English and Language Arts in Portland, Oregon. Since then, she has spent time teaching English to junior high school students in Fukuoka prefecture in southwestern Japan and, more recently, taught English and Journalism at South Shore High School in Chicago. In addition to classroom teaching, Chrystal has tutored students in reading, led an after-school newspaper program, and volunteered as a running coach for young girls through Girls on the Run. Chrystal teaches academic English and all sections of the SSAT, ISEE, ACT, and SAT.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsGabrielle received her M.F.A. from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop at the University of Iowa, where she authored a collection of short stories as her thesis. Previous to that, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Marquette University with a double major Honors B.A. in English Literature and Spanish, and a minor in Philosophy. She taught English literature and composition to undergrads at the University of Iowa, where she won several teaching awards. Gabrielle has also studied high level math, completing work in multivariable calculus and differential equations. She is comfortable teaching all sections of the ACT and SAT, literature, Spanish, composition, and psychology.
^ Back to top of Chicago tutorsCary holds a Master's Degree in English from Columbia University in New York and has taught numerous undergraduate writing courses at Columbia College, while working towards his doctorate. Cary was selected in 2001 as a Writing Fellow to tutor at Columbia University's Writing Center. There, he instructed undergraduate and graduate students on writing projects, ranging from first-year composition course work to doctoral dissertation chapters. In both his one-on-one and his classroom instruction, Cary has always sought to explore the relationship between sound reasoning and good writing, emphasizing the importance of both the logical reasoning and the rhetorical skills necessary for constructing sound arguments. Cary is an instructor of the ISEE, SSAT, SAT Reasoning Test, ACT, the SAT Subject Test in Literature, the GRE and GMAT. As Director, Cary represents programs, designs courses for students, meets with clients to explain Academic Approach services, trains instructors, and serves as a liaison between clients and instructors.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsAnthony holds a BA in biology from Colgate University (2003) and a Master's degree in biology from Villanova University (2008). He is currently working toward his doctorate in biology at Fordham University. Anthony has taught undergraduate biology laboratory courses at both Villanova and Fordham, and has experience as a one-on-one SAT, ACT, SSAT, and academic tutor. Anthony tutors all aspects of the SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE with Academic Approach.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsAndrew Colford is from the California Bay Area and attended the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where he received a B.S in International Political Economy. He was active in a variety of student activities including performing in a children's theater troupe and observing elections in El Salvador. Andrew completed his undergraduate degree in three years and relocated to Houston, TX where he worked at a non-profit criminal defense law firm through Jesuit Volunteer Corps. Andrew teaches all sections of the SAT and ACT as well as the SSAT and ISEE. At Academic Approach, Andrew has taught both classroom programs as well as private students preparing for the SSAT. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys running and working as an extra on television shows.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsDrew graduated from Cornell University in 2008 with his Bachelors in Policy Analysis and Management and a minor in Inequality Studies. He ust completed his Masters of Education at Harvard University and hopes to eventually earn his doctorate in school administration and leadership. While earning his M.Ed., Drew worked as a social studies assistant teacher at Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. He also has teaching experience with the Cambridge Harvard Summer Academy and is an experienced tutor of the SAT and ACT. Originally from Palmyra, NY, Drew has since worked across the country for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) in Washington, D.C., the AFL-CIO in Los Angeles, and The CauseWay Agency in Westport, CT. Starting the Fall of 2011, Drew will be teaching at Coleytown Middle School in Westport, CT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsA native of Connecticut, Alexandra (Alex) Dickson has been tutoring with Academic Approach since 2009. She holds a BA in Religion with a Spanish minor from Emory University and later graduated from the two-year acting conservatory at Circle in the Square Theatre School here in New York. When not tutoring, Alex works as an actor and a finance admin. She teaches all sections of the SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE and the Literature and Math I SAT II subject tests. She also has classroom experience teaching SAT prep at the Lycee Francais and ACT prep at The Spence School.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsLuke grew up in Stillwater, NJ where he was both the quarterback of his high school football team and class valedictorian. He attended Davidson College in Davidson, NC, where he majored in English and was the captain of the rugby team. After college, Luke taught English and coached football for two years at Pope John XXIII Regional High School in Sparta, NJ. He then earned a Masters in Divinity at Drew University and upon graduation was awarded the George Warren prize for excellence in New Testament scholarship. He then went on to complete a second Master’s in Sacred Theology at Yale. Luke plans to pursue a Ph.D. in theology in the near future. Luke tutored in the test prep industry throughout his time in graduate school, and is excited about the opportunity to work with Academic Approach. He tutors all sections of the ACT/SAT for both one-on-one students as well as students in Academic Approach’s school programs.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsJordan holds a B.S. in European History and Film from Wesleyan University. He spent four summers providing educational and recreational experiences to children with behavioral, emotional, and learning problems at Ramapo for Children. After college Jordan spent time working in film and tutoring the SAT for The Princeton Review. After moving to California he worked as an associate director for Sage Educators in Marin doing academic tutoring in math and english and running the company’s standardized test preparation program. Jordan teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsHelise Harrington has a B.A. with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from Stanford University; an M.A. in African History from Columbia University and a J.D. from New York University of Law. Upon graduating law school, she was a clerk for a federal district judge in the Eastern District of New York. Thereafter, she practiced corporate law at a large New York law firm until 2010. In addition to tutoring high school students in Critical Reading and Writing sections of the SAT and ACT, Helise works as a business and career coach for young attorneys and law students and is a family mediator with Hudson Mediation Group. Before entering law school, Helise taught elementary and high school English and American History at a private school in Brooklyn, New York. Her educational career also includes teaching at a reading clinic associated with York College and at the Women’s House of Detention on Rikers Island.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsMichael graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in History and continued his studies at King’s College in London where he earned a M.A. in American Studies. Michael has more than four years teaching experience at the High School level in New York City where he developed both curriculum and lesson plans in US History, US government, economics and global history. Michael has been privately tutoring students for the Regents, SATII and AP History exams for almost ten years. Michael received his M.A. in Social Studies Education from NYU in 2008.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsIrvin Hiralall holds a Bachelor of Arts in Italian-Linguistics/Pre-Medicine from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Johns Hopkins University. Throughout college, Irvin tutored second-graders in literacy and mathematics at the Greenwich Village Elementary School. He also worked as a teaching assistant in chemistry, for which he received numerous accolades, including a nomination for best adjunct faculty. His passion for health care and education met in 2009, when he joined AmeriCorps in Washington, DC to work as a middle school health educator. Today, he is a Registered Nurse at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Irvin teaches all sections of the ACT/SAT and a variety of subject tests, including biology and chemistry.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsJamil holds a Master's degree in Mathematics and Education from Columbia University. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, with a minor in Economics, from Queens College. Starting in the Spring of 2012, Jamil will be working on his PhD in Mathematics Education at Columbia. He plans to do research on the psychological and neurological aspects of math performance among school children. Jamil also plans on researching integrating the latest technology with math education. His passion for teaching mathematics started when he was in high school, where he volunteered as a tutor to struggling students. He also tutored as an undergraduate at Queens College tutoring centers while also tutoring students in the SAT and ACT for a local nonprofit tutoring company. Jamil taught Integrated Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Calculus and Statistics at La Guardia High School and MS 326 from 2009-2011. At Academic Approach, Jamil tutors students in all levels of Mathematics academically and for the SAT/ACT/SAT II subject tests.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsA native of Connecticut, Stephanie graduated with a BA in Theatre from Barnard College at Columbia University. As an associated artist and producer with Hole in the Sky Theater Company, Sterphanie creates original theater and dance work to be performed in New York City and internationally. She has performed in the Edinburgh and New York International Fringe Festivals, in Shanghai, China, and at various venues in New York City and Brooklyn. Stephanie is a professional dancer and has taught a Shakespeare-focused theater-dance class to middle school students in Brooklyn. Stephanie tutors all sections of the SSAT, ISEE, SAT, and ACT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsAsher graduated from Tufts University with a B.S. in Biopsychology. As an undergraduate, he split his time between mastering pre-med requirements, volunteering at the Tufts-run free health clinic, and taking photos for the campus newsmagazine. Since graduating, Asher has performed research for a major Bronx-based hospital studying their patient safety protocol, and has worked as a photographer in his spare time. With years of working as a camp counselor, Asher hopes to meld his penchant for working with kids and his interest in psychology to study how special education can be improved to better serve developmentally disabled children. Asher teaches all aspects of the ACT, SAT, ISEE and SSAT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsLev studied as an undergraduate at Brown University and Columbia University. He received his BA in English from Columbia, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude. He was also the recipient of the Professor John Angus Burrell Memorial Prize for distinction in English and Comparative Literature. Currently, he is enrolled in Columbia's postbaccalaureate premedical program. Lev has extensive experience working with high school and college students on their academic writing. In addition, he has trained as a visual artist and has worked as a teaching assistant at a number of New York City art schools. Lev teaches all aspects of the SAT/ACT as well as a number of science and humanities-based subject tests.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsDavid Pedersen is currently a Ph.D. student in Medieval Literature at Fordham University. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska, an M.S. in English Education from Lehman College CUNY and an M.A in Medieval Literature from the University of York in York, England. After finishing his undergraduate education, David joined the New York City Teaching Fellows and spent five years teaching ninth through twelfth grade English in the city. As a teacher, David worked extensively to prepare his students for college readiness and successfully guided numerous students through applications for prestigious scholarships and fellowships. David teaches academic English and all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsAlex is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Molecular Neuroscience and Biophysics at Princeton University. He holds an M.A. in Biochemistry from Princeton University and a B.A./M.A. in Chemistry from Queens College in New York. While at Queens College, Alex was awarded the Herman Shultz Memorial Award in Chemistry and Bio Chemistry. At Princeton, Alex has mentored/supervised undergraduate students majoring in Chemistry as well as served as a head teaching assistant for undergraduate general chemistry courses. He has been tutoring high school and college-level students in mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology for more than five years. Alex teaches all sections of the ACT and SAT, as well as tutoring for the Subject Tests and academic tutoring in chemistry, physics and biology.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsA native Californian, Nathan holds a dual BA in Fine Art and Italian (focus on Business) from the University of Southern California. He is an active and internationally-exhibiting artist with a vibrant studio practice. After graduating from college, Nathan taught in public and private schools and prepared students for standardized tests in Los Angeles. From 2006 until 2010, Nathan lived in Italy facilitating active travel vacations. Upon his return to the United States, he began working with Academic Approach where he teaches all sections of the SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE as well as Literature and Math I SAT IIs. Nathan also enjoys teaching in several of Academic Approach's classroom programs.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsMarcin is a graduate of Stanford University (B.A. '05) and the University of Texas at Austin (MA '07). He holds degrees in Philosophy and Comparative Literature and has taught English Literature and Spanish Language at the college level. A native Texan, he has also lived in California, Chile, Spain and Poland. In the seven years prior to joining Academic approach, Marcin worked with high school students, college students and adults on Test Prep, Math, English Composition and Grammar, History, Latin, Polish, Spanish, and EFL. His graduate studies and academic research were focused on Renaissance and Baroque literature in colonial South America, and he has worked as a literary translator in this field. He is co-author of SAT Vocabulary Lightning and is past recipient of a National Merit Scholarship, a Stanford President's Scholarship, a Stanford Humanities Center Undergraduate Fellowship, two US Dept. of Education Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarships and a research grant from Poland's Ministry of Higher Education.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsJames Seol holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia and a Diploma in Acting from the The Juilliard School Drama Division. He has extensive classroom instruction experience and has tutored privately, both in the United States and abroad. From 2007 - 2010, he taught SAT reading and writing in Seoul, South Korea. While in Seoul, he also had the opportunity to work in curriculum research and development. Integrating dynamic lectures/discussions, guided, in-depth text analysis and multimedia presentations, his programming focused on providing students with a more immediate understanding of and facility with the plays of William Shakespeare. The semester-long programs also sought to introduce students to plays not conventionally taught in the classroom, among them, Richard III, Twelfth Night and Titus Andronicus. James teaches the reading and writing sections of the ACT, SAT, ISEE and SSAT, as well as the Literature SAT II Subject Test.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsA native of St. Louis, MO, Alex graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Drama/Theatre Arts. He has tutored middle school and high school level Mathematics, Science and English. Alex taught Academic Approach's summer 2011 SAT prep class at George Jackson Academy and will be teaching at the Lycée Francais during the 2011-2012 academic year. As a director and actor, Alex has performed in/worked with the Incubator Arts Project, the New York International Fringe Festival, and a number of dance/theatre companies throughout New York City. He tutors all sections of the ISEE, SSAT, SAT and ACT, as well as a variety of SAT II Subject tests.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsSusanna Stephens holds a B.A. in Psychology from Vassar College and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Adelphi University. She is currently in her fourth year as a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at the Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies at Adelphi University, where she specializes in providing psychotherapy and psycho-educational assessments for adolescents and young adults. In addition to working as a therapist, Susanna has found a way to merge her interests in literary studies, psychoanalysis, and philosophy by writing her doctoral dissertation on creative processes in postmodern fiction authors. Susanna tutors Writing and Critical Reading sections on the SAT and English, Reading, Writing, and Science sections on the ACT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsStephen Ursprung holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and Italian Studies from Brown University, a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Choreography and Performance from Smith College, and completed coursework at the Universitá di Bologna in Bologna, Italy. Stephen has been on faculty at Smith College and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he taught dance technique, dance history, and performance theory. As an artist, Stephen has performed throughout New England, New York, and in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition to dancing and choreographing, Stephen currently teaches dance technique and choreography in Westchester County. Stephen tutors students in all sections of the SAT/ACT as well as in academic English and Mathematics.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsOriginally from Napa, California, Laura Veit holds a B.A. in Art History from the University of Chicago. She is currently working as a freelance photographer and as a production assistant for a small design company in New York City. She plans to pursue a career in architecture and is currently learning German. She has tutored students in mathematics and English in Chicago and San Francisco and works with Academic Approach students on all sections of the ACT/SAT.
^ Back to top of New York tutorsGlenn Blakney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Franklin & Marshall College and a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a Major in Finance from Boston University. He is a candidate for a Master of Arts in Teaching at Salem State University. Glenn is in his third year of at the Marblehead Community Charter Public School where he is a 6th Grade Science and Math teacher. He is the co-coach of the Science Olympiad Team, and the faculty advisor to the Astronomy Club. Glenn taught in the Lawrence Public School System for two years prior to coming to the Charter. Glenn holds a teaching license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in Mathematics, Science, and History, and he tutors all sections of the SSAT/ISEE and the SAT and ACT. Glenn lives in Rowley and teaches the Confirmation Class at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms, Massachusetts.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsAdam graduated cum laude from Union College in Schenectady, NY with a BS in Physics in 2000 and then received his MAT in 2001. For the past several years, he has taught junior and senior level Physics classes, as well as Biology to freshmen at Norwell High School. Additionally, he has spent two summers teaching Physical Science at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. Adam’s teaching extends beyond the classroom as he also coaches football at Norwell High. Adam has extensive experience teaching the math portions of the SAT, ACT, SSAT; the science portion of the ACT; and academic science and math to students individually as well as in classroom settings.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsJane Dashevsky holds a BA in Psychology and BS in Journalism from Boston University. She is currently pursuing a dual degree, MBA and MS in Information Systems at Boston University. Her professional experience includes editorial positions in magazine and book publishing and marketing for a Web startup. Jane has over seven years of experience in one-on-one tutoring, focusing mostly on SAT and SSAT prep, study skills, homework help and writing. She is also trained in tutoring the ACTs.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsBen holds a BA in Chemistry and Theology and an MA in Theology from Saint John's University in Collegeville, MN. During his undergraduate studies, Ben was a TA for general and organic chemistry and also tutored students in those subjects. Additionally, while at Saint John's, Ben volunteered as a tutor/mentor for the Fast Forward Youth Program (an after school/college prep program for Latino/a youth), Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Saint Joseph's Parish. Currently, Ben is in his third year pursuing a PhD in Theology at Boston College. At Academic Approach, Ben tutors academic math and science and all sections of the SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE. He also tutors the math and science SAT II Subject Tests.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsCarol graduated from the UMass Amherst Commonwealth Honors College with a dual degree in Linguistics and Japanese, as well as a certificate in Native American Indian studies. She has tutored students from the elementary school level to the college level, and is currently pursuing her teacher's certification. In her free time, she studies martial arts, wilderness survival, and issues of social justice. She teaches all levels of the SAT and ACT, and also offers instruction in upper-level math, sciences, and English.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsMythri holds a Masters degree in Anthropology from Columbia University and a Bachelors degree in Classics and Anthropology from Georgetown University. She is currently writing her doctoral thesis in Cultural Anthropology at Columbia and completed her dissertation research with funding from the National Science Foundation. At Columbia, she was a teaching fellow, instructing undergraduates in culture, theory, media, and colonial studies. At Georgetown, she was a Latin tutor, working with high school and undergraduate students in all levels of language study. She has held positions at Sakhi for South Asian Women, Funders Concerned About AIDS, and Barnard College and is also a co-founder of Lanka Solidarity, a space of dialogue and writing on Sri Lanka. She has volunteered as an English and Math teacher with tsunami survivors in Sri Lanka and as an ESL instructor with recent immigrants in Washington, DC. With Academic Approach, Mythri tutors Latin, the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT and all sections of the ISEE and SSAT.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsTimothy graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston College with a B.S. in Biology and is applying to medical school for 2013 matriculation. He has been tutoring for the last three years in the Greater Boston area, working with students ranging from 5th grade to college and graduate school. Timothy has a lot of outside volunteer experience working with children: he is a volunteer ambassador at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a coordinator of Boston College’s annual “Festival of Friendship” that benefits special needs children, and a co-Founder of a program that provides free tutoring to cancer patients at Tufts Medical Center’s Floating Hospital. With Academic Approach, Timothy tutors all sections of the SAT, SAT, ISEE and SSAT, as well as academic math, chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and biology.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsLeah Kosch holds a Bachelor’s of Music from Ohio State University and a Master’s in Music from the Longy School of Music. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ohio State University. Ms. Kosch is currently on faculty at the Longy School of Music and at Boston College, where she teaches keyboard harmony to undergraduates. Her interests as a teacher, however, extend beyond music. Ms. Kosch has experience teaching all sections of the SAT and ACT, and is well-trained in customizing to students’ needs. She is available to teach any section of the SAT and ACT, and AP Music Theory.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsJason Leary graduated with high honors from from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a BA in History. He has an MA in Professional Writing from University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, where he also taught English. In addition to his tutoring work, Jason is also the Director of Publications at AMR Research. For more than 10 years, he has educated students and clients in academic and professional settings on writing improvement. Jason was also the co-creator and editor of Some Other Magazine, an online culture publication. He lives in the North Shore with his wife and two children.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsJay Ben graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College with a BA in Theatre and Creative Writing. He is currently a freelance actor in the Boston area. In addition to his experience teaching test prep, Jay Ben has instructed middle and high school students in how to perform and appreciate the works of Shakespeare. Sharp-eyed Jeopardy! fans may recognize him as the rightmost contestant from the March 29, 2012 episode. Jay Ben teaches all sections of the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsEric holds a B.A. in English from Tufts University and an M.A. in English from Washington University. He has over ten years' experience in teaching and tutoring, having taught English and math for two years at Revere High School in Revere, MA, and undergraduate writing and literature for several years at Washington University where he also worked as a writing tutor. In 2004 he received an English Department Award for Excellence in Teaching from Washington University. At Academic Approach, Eric tutors academic English and all sections of the ACT, SAT, ISEE and SSAT.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsBrian Park holds a B.S. in Engineering and an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University. Brian aspires to become a physician, and he is currently applying to medical schools. He spends his extra time volunteering at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute where he has been an Ambassador Volunteer in the Yawkey Center since January 2011. Brian began tutoring in 2002 for college level Calculus and Physics courses. Since then, he expanded his repertoire to include standardized tests such as the SAT, MCAT and DAT. During his Master’s program at Tufts University School of Medicine, Brian was a tutor for various medical science courses including Biochemistry, Physiology, Immunology, Anatomy and Pathology. With his broad experience teaching students of many backgrounds and age levels, Brian is flexible in his tutoring approach and able to accommodate the individual learning styles of many different students. He currently teaches all sections of the SSAT/ISEE, ACT/SAT, as well as math and science for academic subjects.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsArlene holds a Masters degree in English literature from the University of New Hampshire and a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross. She also earned a Masters degree in library science from Simmons College and worked in academic libraries for ten years, providing reference service and conducting instructional programs. She then switched careers, and is now an adjunct instructor of English at St. Anselm College as well as a published writer. Arlene is the author of "The College Student's Research Companion" and "Rachel Carson: A Biography" and has also contributed a number of essays to "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". At Academic Appraoch, Arlene tutors the verbal sections of ACT, SAT, ISEE and SSAT.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsJames Sanguinetti graduated from Boston University with a degree in Philosophy. He has worked as an archivist at the John Hay library at Brown University and recently returned from extensive traveling across Europe and Central America. He taught the SAT's with Kaplan for 3 years and has been a private tutor in Calculus and Philosophy for 4 years. James also tutors Biology, Chemistry, Physics for the SAT II subject tests as well as all sections of the ACT's. James resides in Beacon Hill.
^ Back to top of Boston tutorsAlyssa holds a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in Spanish from Pepperdine University. At Pepperdine, she was a member of the Sigma Delta Pi Spanish Honor Society and graduated Magna Cum Laude. She began her career in education as a tutor for high school and middle school students, focusing particularly on math, science, and study skills. Later she taught English as a second language in Taiyuan, China where she helped students as young as age four up through adults improve their English fluency. with Academic Approach, Alyssa teaches all sections of the SAT, ACT, ISEE and SSAT as well as a variety of SAT II subject tests.
^ Back to top of Boston tutors