Olivia holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and is pursuing a Master of Arts at the University of Florida. With her background as a college adviser with the Duke College Advising Corps and admissions advisor at Sante Fe College, Olivia has successfully guided 60+ students into esteemed institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University. With a deep commitment to education, Olivia also served as an Education Policy Fellow at the US House of Representatives.
Olivia's passion for coaching springs from her own transformative college experience, which impacted her academically, socially, and emotionally. As a result, she strongly believes all students should have the opportunity to experience undergraduate life to the fullest.
As a coach, Olivia strikes a balance between an easygoing attitude and inspiring students to reach their full potential. She takes the time to understand their interests and hobbies before tailoring her coaching style accordingly. Olivia finds that collaborative coaching/learning environments are most productive, allowing students to retain their unique voices and authenticity during the application process.
In her free time, Olivia enjoys staying active, listening to new music, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. She also loves being adventurous; she went skydiving with her dad when she was just 16!
Branden attended Marshall University on a track-and-field scholarship before completing his graduate education at Wilmington University. At both institutions, he graduated with honors at the top of his class. Branden has eight years of tutoring and classroom experience under his belt. He began tutoring after realizing that students often need additional support to truly grasp difficult subjects.
Branden specializes in tutoring science, math, English Language Arts (ELA), and history. Witnessing the transformative moment when students finally understand challenging concepts is the driving force behind his passion for tutoring.
As a tutor, Branden prioritizes creating a comfortable and supportive learning environment. He creates his lessons with a light-hearted approach, fostering a safe space where students can not only learn and succeed but also share stories. Understanding the varied ways students learn, Branden provides a diverse set of tools and strategies to meet each student's unique needs.
Branden excels at actively involving students in their own learning. He seamlessly integrates their interests into the material, often incorporating pop culture references to make lessons more relatable and engaging.
In his free time, Branden enjoys surfing, fishing, beach sports, watching movies (preferably with a generous amount of popcorn), and traveling. He has set a personal goal to match the 172 countries his father has traveled to.
Min's educational journey began in China, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Nanjing University. He then pursued a PhD in Physics from Iowa State University. This academic background has equipped Min with a deep understanding of the intricacies of math and physics, which he skillfully translates into accessible, engaging lessons for students. Min has over a decade of experience as an educator and tutor, teaching over 1000 students.
Min has served as an Adjunct Instructor of Physics at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and as a Physics tutor at the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) of DMACC. In these roles, he has honed his ability to adapt his teaching style to suit the diverse learning needs of his students, creating a supportive environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
One of Min's greatest strengths as a tutor is his ability to make complex subjects interesting and relatable to students. He employs a variety of strategies to engage learners, such as incorporating humor, suspense, and storytelling into his lessons, using interactive quizzes and YouTube clips to prompt discussion, and asking thought-provoking questions that encourage students to explore the material more deeply. By making the content relevant and accessible, Min helps students develop a genuine interest in math and physics, setting them up for long-term success in these subjects.
When students encounter learning blocks, Min draws upon his extensive teaching experience to provide targeted support. He breaks down complex topics into manageable chunks, uses visual aids to illustrate connections between concepts, and engages students in active learning techniques such as peer teaching and hands-on activities. Min also emphasizes the importance of metacognition and self-reflection, teaching students how to monitor their own learning and develop strategies for overcoming challenges.
To keep students motivated, Min sets clear goals, provides frequent feedback, and creates a positive learning environment that encourages effort and celebrates progress. He helps students see the relevance of what they're learning, offers real-life rewards for success, and serves as a role model for lifelong learning and personal growth.
Min approaches each student with compassion, understanding that learning can be challenging and offering support and encouragement every step of the way. His natural curiosity drives him to explore creative ways of explaining concepts, while his adaptability allows him to adjust his teaching style to suit individual learning preferences. Above all, Min is a patient mentor who celebrates small victories and encourages persistence, helping students develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.
Our Algebra tutors have tutoring/teaching experience or hold a college math degree. Every tutor is well-versed in foundational Algebra concepts.
We welcome parent involvement in every one of our tutoring programs. While students are the ones making leaps and bounds toward academic success, we understand that parents may want to check your progress. Our open communication model ensures parent, student, and tutor expectations are always aligned.
Every tutor we pair with a student is hand-picked to maximize student gains, skills, and success. The intake form you complete at the start of our engagement helps us learn more about you, your input, needs, preferences, and goals. Your experienced tutor will help you work through the subject matter where you need help most before going above and beyond to help you master all Algebra content.
The tutoring program best suited for you depends on what you need, your goals, and your input. We work around your schedule to ensure the guidance you need is accessible and that you receive relevant insights on your time. Unsure which program is best for you? Set up a call with us today to discuss your options!