IB Program and Exam Support: Actionable Prep, Reinvented

Eraka completed her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on Legal Studies from Sam Houston State University. She is an experienced elementary school leader with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Her journey into tutoring began as a means of giving back to others.

Eraka's tutoring passion is fueled by her desire to help students reach their academic aspirations, particularly in gaining admission to their dream colleges. Specializing in ACT and SAT preparation, she understands the pivotal role these exams play in the college application process.

As a tutor, Eraka excels at fostering an encouraging and interactive learning environment that enhances student retention. She adeptly meets students at their individual learning levels, ensuring personalized attention. 

One of Eraka’s standout qualities as a tutor is her knack for making lessons relatable. Leveraging her outgoing personality, she establishes rapport with students by connecting over shared interests, which she seamlessly integrates into her lessons.

Outside of tutoring, Eraka is a major Marvel fan and enjoys being creative.

Leah graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During her time at MIT, she won multiple writing awards and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She also served as a teaching assistant for calculus and differential equations, where she conducted office hours, led recitations, and provided additional problem-solving sessions to help students grasp difficult concepts. One of her most notable contributions was co-developing and co-leading a rapid prototyping workshop aimed at cultivating problem-solving skills and facilitating quick iteration and testing of solutions. With eight years of teaching and tutoring experience working with over 100 students, Leah looks forward to building a supportive relationship with Foundation Learning students and helping them take charge of their education.

Leah’s passion for tutoring is rooted in the profound satisfaction she experiences when witnessing students' transformative "ah-ha!" moments as they conquer concepts they once found daunting. She finds it deeply fulfilling to guide students through challenges and see their knowledge and confidence grow. She specializes in tutoring for the SAT and ACT and for AP calculus, pre-calculus, trigonometry, and algebra. 

Leah’s tutoring approach prioritizes student-centered learning, fostering critical thinking, and promoting active engagement. She places a strong emphasis on problem-solving and instills a growth mindset, urging students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think creatively. She aims to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where students feel empowered to become independent learners, equipped with the skills and confidence to excel academically and beyond. With a commitment to transparency, she actively seeks feedback on her teaching methods and consistently offers positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to students. She sees setbacks as opportunities for growth, working closely with students to pinpoint the root of their challenges and explore alternative learning strategies, including taking breaks when necessary. 

Acknowledging that no two learners are alike, Leah excels at adapting her teaching methods to match individual learning styles. By incorporating hands-on activities and real-world examples tailored to students' interests, she ensures optimal engagement and understanding. She also prioritizes granting students autonomy and choice, empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey. 

In addition to being a tutor, Leah is a versatile artist. She is proficient in pottery-making, screen printing, and digital art. She also aims to hone her skills in tufting and sewing to make her own rug clothing.

Prior to attending the Duke University School of Medicine, Miriam completed her Bachelor of Science in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has three years of tutoring experience, including being a summer instructor for Breakthrough Atlanta, a CHEMpossible assistant instruction at UNC, and an anatomy and physiology supplemental instructor.

Miriam is passionate about tutoring because she believes in the power of education. She was fortunate to participate in several enrichment programs as a child, which nurtured her love of learning and boosted her confidence to pursue her dreams. She specializes in tutoring Anatomy, Physiology, Algebra, and English at any level, including AP, and ACT tutoring. 

Miriam aims to empower students through one-on-one academic support. She believes personalized tutoring can be pivotal in helping students study according to their learning styles, tackle academic challenges, and build confidence in their abilities. When tutoring, one of Miriam's top priorities is helping students understand the reasons behind the concepts they are learning. Her typical session starts with a brief explanation of the topic, followed by practice problems to apply concepts. Each session ends with the student teaching the concept back to her, solidifying their understanding and confidence. 

When topics are difficult or uninteresting, she finds it helpful to zoom out and show how the concept fits into the broader subject. She also makes connections to students' interests to increase engagement. For instance, she might relate physiology to sports for a student interested in athletics. Her tutoring style focuses on creating a supportive and interactive environment that allows students to thrive. She empowers students through active participation, setting achievable goals, and providing constructive feedback.

One of Miriam’s greatest strengths as a tutor is her encouragement and active involvement in student learning. She celebrates all their successes and supports them through any challenges.  For her, tutoring is not simply about understanding concepts but about building foundational skills that can be utilized in all phases of learning. She excels at helping students develop effective strategies for approaching new concepts by adapting to their learning styles and preferences. She always gives 100% effort while providing holistic support, guiding study skills, time management techniques, and exam preparation strategies. 

Outside of tutoring, Miriam enjoys running, weightlifting, reading, and doing Lagree. She has also been interested in language learning in the past, having studied German throughout middle and high school, earning a German language diploma. She even had the opportunity to attend college in Germany!