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.
Ben graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History of Art and Architecture. Throughout his seven-year tutoring career and as a certified ESL instructor, he has held roles such as tutor, college counselor, and online educator. Ben's guidance has led over 1,000 students to success, including admission to renowned institutions such as the University of Chicago, the University of Virginia, and Cornell University.
Ben loves forming connections with students and watching them learn, blossom, and succeed. He specializes in SAT and ACT tutoring, as well as math, ELA/ESL, history, social studies, science, Japanese, and Russian at all levels, including AP and IB.
Ben’s tutoring style is student-centered. He prioritizes understanding students' interests, learning preferences, and areas of difficulty from the outset. Armed with this knowledge, he tailors sessions to address each student's individual needs effectively. Moreover, Ben ensures that he communicates with students on their level, avoiding talking down to them—a common pitfall in tutoring—thus fostering a supportive and respectful learning environment.
One of Ben’s standout traits as a tutor is his ability to help students work through learning blocks. Drawing on his extensive tutoring experience working with diverse students, he adeptly recognizes and addresses learning difficulties, restructuring sessions as needed to facilitate comprehension and progress.
In his free time, Ben likes to read, play video games, go hiking, travel, and learn new languages. He combined the latter two passions when he studied abroad in Moscow, Russia for a semester in 2018.
Ben completed his Bachelor of Arts from Brown University and has extensive experience as an online educator and college counselor. He has helped over 50 students get into their dream colleges, including prestigious institutions like Rice University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Virginia. Ben has also served as a tutor for over seven years, working with over 1000 students. He loves forming connections with students and watching them learn, blossom, and succeed within the duration of their relationship.
Ben’s passion for coaching is deeply rooted in his ability to build strong relationships with his students and help them achieve their educational goals over time. He aims to create a supportive environment where each student feels empowered and able to excel.
As a coach, Ben is reliable, firm, approachable, and easy to talk to. He avoids "talking down" to students and instead meets them at their level, taking the time to learn about their interests and personalities. This personalized approach is integrated into their mutual goal-setting, fostering deeper connections and leading to greater success.
Ben likes to read, play video games, go hiking, travel, and learn new languages in his free time. A fun fact about Ben is that he knows five languages: English, French, Japanese, Persian, and Russian!
Foundation Learning's English tutors have extensive experience in teaching or hold a college degree in a related discipline.
Parent involvement and check-ins are always welcome; we never want to leave you in the dark about your child’s progress. We always keep an open line of communication to ensure you can monitor your child’s progress.
Our proprietary matching process ensures students are paired with a tutor we believe meets their needs and preferences best based on the information you provide in the intake form. Our tutoring programs focus first on the areas where your child needs help most, then building on those skills for literary excellence. Tutors are picked based on student/family needs, preferences, and aspirations.
The tutoring plan that would suit your child best depends on the level and how much support they need, the area they need the most help with (such as reading comprehensively, effectively communicating ideas, writing essays, etc.), and their availability. If you’re unsure which plan would work best for your child, set up a call today to chat with us about your options!