Customized English Language Tutoring: Learning and Confidence Starts Here

Jada earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, followed by a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland. She served as a Graduate Advisor for two years while earning her Master's degree, providing support to more than 50 student leaders and directors and planning campus-wide activities, including the management of over 600 student clubs and 10,000 attendees. 

Prior to this, she held a role in UCLA's residence life, overseeing a community of 1,200 students. She also contributed as a facilitator at the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center and offered counseling support at campus protests and major events for the Black Campus Committee. Beyond academia, Jada also has experience working at Disney, Warner Bros., and FOX Sports.

As a first-generation college graduate, Jada empathizes with the challenges of navigating the admissions process. She strives to be the counselor she wished she had and is passionate about simplifying the process and removing barriers to higher education for all students. She believes it is a true privilege to empower students to confidently navigate this exciting chapter of their lives. Her coaching style is influenced by her background as an athlete and educator and her preference for the "challenge and support" student personnel model.

In her coaching role, Jada excels at helping students recognize their autonomy and capabilities. She believes in collaborative work, valuing both counselor and student expertise. She approaches students holistically, recognizing their diverse identities and life circumstances. She uses a variety of teaching strategies, including auditory, visual, and kinesthetic methods, tailoring her approach to each student’s needs and motivations. 

By identifying whether students struggle with extrinsic or intrinsic motivation or both, she helps them rediscover their goals and address underlying factors affecting their drive. Jada aims to empower students through support and belief in their potential, providing both affirmation and honest feedback. Students Jada has mentored have been accepted to some of the nation’s top schools, particularly in the UC school system. 

In her free time, Jada enjoys going on nature walks with her dog, reading, going to comic book stores, hosting TV show watch parties with friends, drawing and making digital art, making playlists for friends, and going to drag shows! She is also a huge sports fan and loves going to college women's basketball, WNBA, and soccer games. In fact, Jada played soccer competitively for 15 years and managed the Maryland Women's Basketball Team, which allowed her to travel to the NCAA March Madness Tournament until the Elite 8 round!

Samantha completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Florida, her Master of Education at Nova Southeastern University, and her Doctor of Education at Grand Canyon University. She boasts over 20 years of teaching experience: 10 years teaching secondary English for one of the 50 largest districts in the United States and 12 years teaching at the college level. She has created over thirty-five unique college courses, edited high school English test preparation textbooks for Barron's Educational Series, and has worked as a full-time staff writer for a newspaper. Her interest in tutoring stems from a profound belief in the transformative power of education.

Having been inspired by several exceptional teachers in her own journey, Samantha aims to pay it forward by acting as a mentor and guide for students. Her tutoring expertise spans SAT, ACT, and HSPT prep, as well as English, reading, writing, communications, ethics, and humanities.

Samantha's teaching style is highly personable; she values establishing relationships with students and conversing with them on a relatable level. Infusing humor into her teaching, she strives to create an engaging and enjoyable learning environment. Central to her teaching philosophy is the emphasis on connection, especially in subjects like English, which she believes can be easily connected to students' interests. By understanding students' interests, hobbies, and learning styles, Samantha ensures she can make connections to course content, even if it may seem dull or mundane, leading to those crucial "light bulb moments."

Drawing on her extensive education and experience, Samantha offers a nuanced perspective on learning and employs effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals. She excels at forming genuine bonds with students, providing them with agency in their learning to foster intrinsic motivation. Samantha's creativity shines through her ability to adapt to learning challenges quickly by presenting concepts in fresh and innovative ways.

When she’s not tutoring or teaching, Samantha creates art out of recycled beach debris, donated materials, trash, seashells, and just about anything she can find. She also loves spending time with her three dogs and husband, traveling (especially on cruises), and reading.

Amanda graduated cum laude with a BS from Villanova University before pursuing an MBA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. With extensive admissions counseling experience, Amanda's journey began with a two-year tenure on the Ross School of Business Admissions Student Committee. In this role, she served as both an interviewer and applicant evaluator. Additionally, she served as a College Coach with ScholarMatch, where she guided students in finding their ideal college fit, reviewed SAT/ACT policies, finalized college lists, edited essays, secured recommendation letters, and assisted with applications for financial aid and scholarships. 

Professionally, Amanda’s career has spanned the financial, software, and nonprofit industries. Her experience includes marketing communications, program development, strategic planning, and new business development. She has worked for several notable companies, including JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley.

For Amanda, the most rewarding aspect of her work is passing along her skills and knowledge. She finds it extremely fulfilling to help change the trajectory of someone's future by laying down the foundation for lifelong learning by guiding students through college decisions. 

As a coach, Amanda prioritizes collaboration and rapport with students, recognizing that trust is fundamental in these relationships. She maintains open lines of communication, ensuring students know they can always rely on her as she is there to support them on their personal journeys. She also excels at staying organized; she sets realistic goals and deadlines while maintaining high expectations for both her students and herself. 

Drawing from her admissions experience, she knows committee members look for applicants who demonstrate genuine interests that align with their institution. She ensures each student's passion shines through in their applications and always highlights the positive aspects of their background. 

In her free time, Amanda likes to travel, go on nature walks, practice yoga, and read.