Eric earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wartburg College and his Master’s degree in Political Science from Harvard University. He has over seven years of tutoring experience, including giving full-day lectures at schools across the US on how to ace the ACT.
Specializing in ACT studies, Eric is passionate about working with students to achieve their goals, whether it be mastering the exam, achieving the perfect score to get into their dream school, or overcoming test anxiety.
As a tutor, Eric strives to simplify the ACT experience for his students. His background in psychology, particularly in test construction, sets him apart and equips him with insights into the most effective test-taking strategies.
One of Eric's greatest strengths is understanding student weaknesses and offering precise and tailored assistance to help them overcome these challenges and improve their scores.
When Eric isn't tutoring, he studies for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and plays board games. He loves board games, probably too much. Okay, too much (says his wife). Oh, and he makes a mean cheesecake.
Alison completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Linguistics from Columbia College before completing a Master of Arts in Music, Science, and Technology at Stanford University. She has around five years of tutoring experience and has played an integral role in the educational journeys of numerous students, supporting them through everything from test prep to college essays. She began tutoring out of a genuine passion for sharing her knowledge and intellectual interests with others.
Alison acknowledges the privilege of having had exceptional teachers who inspired, enriched, and challenged her. This profound influence fuels her passion for tutoring, as she aims to provide similar support to other students on their learning journeys. She also learns a lot from students and sincerely appreciates their perspectives on the world. Alison specializes in SAT prep, with an emphasis on the Reading and Writing sections, AP courses in languages such as English, Spanish, and French, and other subjects.
As a tutor, Alison is energetic, enthusiastic, and highly perceptive. She tailors her approach to meet each student at their unique level, crafting engaging learning experiences based on their interests. With great care, she endeavors to understand the world from their perspective. Alison's goal is to empower her students rather than simply instruct them. She guides them by pointing out directions rather than leading the way, fostering the development of their cognitive abilities.
One of Alison’s greatest strengths as a tutor is her ability to guide students through learning blocks. She believes it's very important to approach learning blocks from a stance of curiosity rather than judgment. The academic world can feel very high-stakes, and fear of embarrassment or failure can make the block feel even more intractable, like a knot that grows harder to untangle when more tension is applied. She approaches conversations about learning blocks very much like she would approach a real knot: first, she takes the tension off. Then, she rotates the problem into three dimensions to identify where the thread is lost and what alternative approaches or knowledge might provide leverage. Her ultimate goal in this iterative process of examination, gentle experimentation, and gradual loosening is to help students approach these moments as puzzles rather than roadblocks, fostering metacognitive troubleshooting skills that enhance learning and resilience.
In her free time, Alison is a novice knitter and macramé hobbyist. She also practices aerial skills and is learning how to play the mandolin.
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 calculus tutors have tutoring/teaching experience or have a degree in a mathematics-related discipline.
We welcome parent involvement in all our tutoring programs. Parents can monitor progress using our progress tracker. Here, they can check on activities you’ve completed, comments from your tutor, insights as you advance through the program, and next steps in future sessions.
Our tutors are all experts, but our matching process ensures you work with a tutor who fits your needs best. The information provided in your intake form gives us insight into your needs, goals, and preferences; these are the parameters we use to select your tutor.
The best program is one that offers the support level you’re looking for. However, all our plans are personalizable to align with your needs and goals – we can help you select the right package if you’re unsure!