Francis earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Maryland. He started his tutoring journey when a friend's brother sought his help for SAT preparation, impressed by Francis's perfect score in the math section. Since then, Francis has continued to enjoy and actively engage in tutoring.
Francis's passion for tutoring originates from his own educational experiences. As a student, he wished for teachers to explain concepts in a simple way, using more visual aids, similar to how one would explain a concept to a 5-year-old. Now, as a tutor, he strives to offer this kind of accessible learning experience to students who may be struggling in the classroom. He specializes in tutoring for the ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE, and AP.
Sebastian's tutoring philosophy is grounded in the belief that everyone is capable of success. He tailors his approach to the students' pace, employing straightforward language to enhance understanding. Sebastian identifies the root of the problem, breaks down complex concepts, and empowers students through consistent positive reinforcement. He aims to uplift students when they’re feeling overwhelmed and create an environment where questions are encouraged, curiosity is celebrated, and every interaction is an opportunity for mutual growth.
One of Sebastian’s greatest strengths as a tutor is his ability to relate challenging concepts to the real world. This provides students with a greater sense of agency in their learning and fosters a stronger connection to the material.
In his free time, Francis enjoys powerlifting, hanging out with friends, watching sports, specifically the NFL and NBA, and watching Netflix. He is also classically trained in piano and cello.
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!
Hope graduated Magna Cum Laude from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Film and Television with a concentration in Sociology. She's played a significant role in students' educational journeys, including serving as a teaching assistant for a film production class at Tufts University. She first began tutoring out of a simple desire to help others learn.
Driven by the goal of helping students unlock their full potential, Hope acknowledges that traditional classroom teaching doesn't always cater to every student's needs. She aims to offer personalized learning experiences to foster academic growth. She specializes in ACT and SAT preparation, English tutoring, and AP courses.
Hope's tutoring methodology revolves around flexibility and repetition. Her aim is to ensure students feel completely at ease with the test or course material, allowing them to tackle it with confidence. Recognizing that each student learns differently, she tailors her approach to meet individual needs. At the core of her strategy is the pursuit of understanding the "why" behind any learning blocks. She engages in meaningful conversations with students to pinpoint the root cause of the issue. Rather than applying band aid fixes, she delves deeply to address and break down the problem comprehensively. Furthermore, she fosters motivation in her students by meticulously tracking their progress and encouraging reflection. This enables students to recognize the strides they've made, reinforcing their belief in their own potential.
Some of Hope’s standout qualities as a tutor are empathy and understanding. She walks into every session with compassion, enthusiasm, and the belief that every student will experience immense growth. This creates a supportive environment where students feel valued and empowered to reach their goals.
In the past, Hope used to memorize country flags for fun. Nowadays, she enjoys writing and singing music.
We only work with the most capable tutors around. Foundation Learning’s science tutors have teaching experience or hold a college degree in a science-related discipline.
Parent involvement is always welcomed and encouraged! Our progress tracker ensures you always keep up-to-date on your child’s advancement through our programs. We believe in transparent communication so you can check in and see how your child is doing at every step of the way.
Our tutor pairing process is designed to place students with the science specialist we believe they’ll work best based on their needs, goals, and the information you provided in the intake form. Our tutors will understand precisely what a student needs and develop an actionable plan to help them get there.
The best plan for you and your child depends on how much support they need, their current areas for improvement (such as understanding the scientific method, climates, or our planet), and availability. Unsure which plan is best? Schedule a call with us today to talk about your options!