James completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from the University of Iowa before also completing his Master’s degree in Journalism from the same institution. After working as a national and international news reporter for several years, he transitioned to full-time teaching, motivated by his passion for helping students achieve their academic goals. James has 21 years of teaching experience, including his current role as a Journalism and American Government Teacher at Chicago Public Schools. He also regularly conducts tutoring sessions and has tutored over 500 students.
For James, tutoring is a means to share his knowledge and help others succeed. He finds great satisfaction in witnessing the "lightbulb" moments students experience. He specializes in ACT and SAT tutoring, as well as US history, world history, American government, American literature, writing, journalism, and economics.
James' extensive teaching experience, deep subject knowledge, and empathy for today's youth distinguish him as a tutor. He is approachable, friendly, and entirely student-focused. He tailors his tutoring to each student's needs and emphasizes successful outcomes, often making uninteresting material engaging by drawing parallels with the real world and subject matter.
James excels at supporting students through learning blocks, drawing on their existing knowledge, and gently guiding them with strategic prompts, suggested skills, and relevant information to help them overcome the block or work around it.
In his free time, James enjoys gardening.
Moussa is currently completing his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Long Island University on a full-ride scholarship. He boasts 4 years and over 500 hours of tutoring experience. He began tutoring early in his high school career, driven by an unwavering belief that education is a universal right. In fact, Moussa aspires to establish his own non-profit tutoring initiative, specifically designed to support underprivileged students.
Moussa's enthusiasm for tutoring is fueled by the joy of witnessing students make progress and celebrating their accomplishments. Unsurprisingly, given his natural affinity for mathematics, he specializes in math tutoring and SAT preparation.
Moussa’s tutoring approach is marked by a blend of patience, encouragement, and friendliness. He adeptly tailors his guidance to the individual pace of each student, fostering an environment where open communication thrives. He excels at motivating students to push through challenges and shares in their eagerness for success. For Moussa, tutoring transcends being a mere job; it's a hobby that he wholeheartedly and genuinely enjoys.
One of Moussa's strengths is adapting to students' unique needs. He skillfully evaluates student progress using continuous reports and feedback. He also has a knack for refining and approaching topics from fresh perspectives when students hit learning blocks.
When not immersed in his studies or tutoring, Moussa enjoys reading, playing sports, and creating animations.
Jamila earned her Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida and is currently an MD candidate at the University of South Florida. Her journey into tutoring began when she observed her classmates grappling with complex physics concepts, inspiring her to embark on the mission of simplifying these topics. Since then, she has been a dedicated tutor for three years.
Specializing in tutoring biology, chemistry, physics, statistics, and SAT prep, Jamila empathizes with the challenges these subjects present and is fueled by a desire to make them more accessible.
As a tutor, Jamila actively engages students in their own learning process, encouraging them to pinpoint weaknesses or gaps in understanding before she provides her observations. Demonstrating her commitment to providing the most effective support, Jamila conducts thorough research in the subjects she tutors.
Jamila's strength as a tutor lies in her unwavering dedication. She stands firm in supporting her students, employing a diverse range of resources and tools to maintain their engagement and foster a deep understanding of the material.
Outside of tutoring, Jamila spends her time long-distance running and spending time with her cat Einstein.
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!