Brian's educational journey began at the University of Tampa, where he earned his undergraduate degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA. He then went on to pursue a Master's degree at the University of South Florida and a postgraduate degree at Syracuse University. Throughout his academic career, Brian excelled in math and physics, which remain his favorite subjects to this day.
Brian began his professional career as a mathematical physicist working in the areas of quantum gravity and unified field theories. During graduate school, he discovered how much he enjoyed teaching math and physics to students. While working as a physics professor, he won several national teaching awards which led to him writing 25+ textbooks for Pearson and McGraw-Hill. Today, he owns several academic publishing, curriculum development, and curriculum resource companies
As a tutor, Brian is driven by his love for showing students how easy math and physics can be when explained clearly and engagingly. He believes that all content needs to be relevant to the student, and he excels at tying complex concepts to their personal lives and experiences. By doing so, Brian helps students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for subjects that they may have previously found challenging or uninteresting.
In addition to his extensive tutoring experience, Brian is also the owner of several curriculum development and academic publishing companies. In these roles, he has hosted workshops, mentored students and faculty, created student support materials, and contributed to the field of education in numerous other ways. This diverse experience has equipped Brian with a unique perspective on learning and has honed his ability to adapt his teaching style to meet the needs of each individual student.
When working with students who are hitting a learning block, Brian employs a variety of strategies to help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. He is skilled at explaining material in different ways, breaking down complex concepts into more manageable pieces, and providing targeted support to address specific areas of difficulty. Brian is also committed to keeping his students motivated, using his enthusiasm and passion for math and physics to inspire and encourage them along the way.
Outside of his work as a tutor and educational entrepreneur, Brian is an avid ultrarunner and hiker. He brings the same level of enthusiasm to these pursuits as he does to his teaching, and he enjoys sharing his love of the outdoors with his students and colleagues.
Sebastian completed his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. While he currently works as a research manager for ECHO-Chicago, in partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine, he has been tutoring for five years. He initially began tutoring to simply help his friends and family achieve their educational goals before extending his support to other students. Sebastian has successfully assisted students in gaining admission to esteemed universities like the University of Chicago, Princeton, and Yale.
Sebastian's enthusiasm for tutoring comes from witnessing students transition from unfamiliarity to expertise in a subject. He specializes in ACT and SAT preparation.
Sebastian employs a student-led tutoring style, engaging students with questions and allowing them to guide the material discussion to ensure they get maximum benefit from the sessions. He complements this approach with feedback, suggestions on topic areas, and study tips to enhance the tutoring sessions. Recognizing the intricacies of standardized tests and college applications, Sebastian maintains a light-hearted approach, fosters a supportive environment, and always lends an empathetic ear. He guides students through learning blocks with constant encouragement and diverse resources.
Among Sebastian’s standout traits as a tutor is his ability to simplify complex concepts. As a firm believer that all knowledge is interconnected, he makes difficult content relatable to students to ensure they are able to process it in their own way.
Having lived in Chicago for 10 years, Sebastian loves exploring the city’s food scene and biking along the lake in his free time.
Pratishta graduated with a Bachelor’s from UCLA and a Master’s from New York University. Professionally, Pratishta is the Assistant Director of Beyond Akeela, where she oversees a residential summer college readiness program for neurodivergent teens. She has led numerous workshops on mock interviews, resume development, writing an effective college essay, and creating a road map from high school to college. She has helped 30+ students get accepted to the University of California Berkeley and New York University, among others.
Pratishta’s passion for admissions counseling comes from her belief that every person has a unique, awesome story waiting to be shared. However, she acknowledges that effectively presenting these strengths can be challenging. Pratishta’s affinity for admissions counseling stems from her own journey of navigating the process alone. She gained invaluable insights, and it brings her immense joy to pay it forward by guiding students toward realizing their aspirations.
Pratishta’s teaching style focuses on strengths and building a strong relationship first. She is easy-going and loves having fun and getting to know every person she connects with. Pratishta thrives on structure and loves letting applicants take the lead while providing a lot of scaffolding. As a coach, Pratishta believes in meeting students where they are and helping them reach their best, helping them hone in on what they want to improve, and offering clear solutions to make progress together. Pratishta excels at breaking down tasks effectively into smaller steps, getting the difficult tasks out of the way first, and building in short breaks and fun activities during sessions.
Outside of coaching, Pratishta loves to box, cook, hike, kayak, and discover amazing restaurants. She’s also an avid adventure sports fan and has been skydiving and bungee jumping.
Foundation Learning’s math tutors have teaching experience or hold a college degree in math.
Yes, parent involvement is always welcomed! Our tutors always aim to keep families and students on the same page to minimize confusion and maximize progress and open communication.
We pair students with their best-fit tutor using the information supplied in the intake form and input from families and students. Our math tutoring programs focus on rectifying areas where students struggle before helping them excel in key math concepts. Tutors are selected based on family/student needs, preferences, and goals.
The tutoring package best suited for your child depends on the level of support they need, what specific concepts they need help with, and the schedule that works best for you and them. Unsure how much support your child needs? Speak with us today to learn more about your options!