One-On-One SSAT Preparation To Maximize Your Score

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. 

Sarah completed her Bachelor of Arts in Language and Cultural Studies and Plant Biology at Sarah Lawrence College. She boasts five years of professional teaching experience but began her  tutoring journey early in her high school career, fueled by the gratifying experience of witnessing students grasp challenging material.

Sarah's enthusiasm for tutoring stems from her belief that any subject can be enjoyable when presented in an appealing way to students. She is proficient in a diverse range of subjects, including K–6 math, all levels of biology (including AP), reading, writing, English Language Arts (ELA), ESL, AP Language and Literature, creative writing, and SAT reading and writing.

At the core of Sarah's tutoring philosophy is the empowerment of students through consistent encouragement. She believes students have been programmed to fear failure instead of embracing it as a part of the learning process. So, she takes a unique approach by celebrating mistakes, considering them stepping stones for growth rather than obstacles. Sarah's adaptability in the face of these stepping stones shines in her lessons, where she breaks down complex problems into manageable pieces for better understanding. Beyond being informative, Sarah’s lessons are also highly engaging; she connects academic concepts with students' interests to keep them motivated.

Sarah is adept at guiding students towards becoming confident and independent learners. Instead of simply providing them with answers, she equips students with the tools and information necessary to independently solve problems, fostering a sense of self-assurance. 

Besides tutoring, Sarah is deeply interested in plant biology. She even worked as a research assistant at the New York Botanical Garden on an algae-based project! She also enjoys reading, creative writing, and spending time with her cat, named President. When he misbehaves, she likes to pretend to be a member of the Secret Service—Mister President, don't climb on the fence!

Kelli graduated with a Bachelor’s from the University of Pennsylvania. She has several years of experience as a tutor and has guided dozens of students through college admissions. Students Kelli has coached have gained admission to several top-tier schools, including the University of Michigan, the University of California—Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.

What truly ignites Kelli’s passion for admissions counseling is the profound opportunity it presents to shape students' lives. Witnessing their growth and success and knowing she has played a part in their journey to higher education is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Kelli’s teaching style is collaborative, engaging, and student-centered. She believes in creating a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to participate, ask questions, and explore new ideas. Kelli strives to make complex concepts understandable and relevant to students' lives. She excels at setting clear goals to keep students motivated, provide feedback, and celebrate their achievements.

As a counselor, Kelli is empathetic, patient, and supportive. She endeavors to create a safe, non-judgmental space where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. Kelli believes in the power of active listening and fully understanding a student’s perspective before offering guidance or advice. In fact, Kelli has been told that she has a gift for connecting with students and inspiring them to reach their full potential.

Outside of counseling, Kelli is an avid traveler who aims to visit every continent. She loves being outdoors and spends as much time in nature as possible. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family and hiking in her free time.