Matthew graduated from East Stroudsburg University but was also accepted to Penn State University. He boasts over 20 years of teaching experience. He currently works for the Berwick Area School District as an AP Physics and AP Capstone teacher. As a dedicated teacher, Matthew recognized the opportunity to extend his impact beyond the classroom to help even more students, which is why he started tutoring. He has been instrumental in guiding numerous students to realize their dreams, even facilitating admissions to esteemed institutions such as MIT, Columbia, UPenn, Carnegie Mellon, and more.
Matthew's passion for tutoring is fueled by his enjoyment of one-on-one engagement with students and helping them acquire new skills. He finds immense satisfaction in assisting students in reaching their academic goals more efficiently than anticipated. He specializes in tutoring AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Mechanics, AP Electromagnetism, AP Research, High School Physics, and College Physics.
As a tutor, Matthew emphasizes a hands-on learning approach. He tries to provide each student with opportunities to experience the material that is being taught. Whether it be physical demonstrations, online simulations, or discussions about their observations in the physical world, he ensures that each student can relate to and remember their lessons. He also enjoys forming relationships with students and getting to know their strengths, weaknesses, and motivations, to provide them with the most comprehensive and tailored support.
Matthew excels at keeping students engaged and interested. He views student success as a direct reflection of his own accomplishments as an instructor, which is why he incorporates innovative approaches into his lessons. He never lectures for more than 5 minutes a lesson and prioritizes student participation. Using conversation as a diagnostic tool, Matthew skillfully identifies gaps in the foundation, enabling students to build a deeper understanding. While he’s an expert in AP Physics and Capstone course content, he also possesses an in-depth understanding of their exams. Matthew even developed a specialized "recipe" to guide students toward qualifying scores and college credit.
Beyond tutoring, Matthew enjoys spending time with his twin sons, coaching tennis, and playing golf. He is a strong advocate for exercise being just as important to one’s well-being as education.
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.
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.
Yes, we help first-time test-takers and retakers ace the SSAT. The SSAT is offered eight times per year – we’re ready to help your child prepare for their next test date.
We welcome parent involvement and always strive to keep communication open between students, families, and tutors. Our progress tracker enables you to check your child’s progress, tutor comments, and next steps at any time.
Our SSAT tutor matching process ensures students are paired with their best-fit tutor based on student/family preferences, goals, and needs. A lot of the information we need to make an informed decision comes from the intake form you complete at the beginning of our engagement.
You can register for the SSAT on the EMA SSAT website here.
Excluding the experimental section (which doesn’t count toward your final score), there are four SSAT sections administered in random order. You have 25 minutes to answer all questions in each section:
Students receive percentile scores in the following areas:
You’ll also receive section scores for each of these areas; for the Middle Level, scaled section scores range between 440 and 710, and Upper Level scores range between 500 and 800.
The best plan for you and your child depends on the level of support they need, their availability, and other factors. If you’re unsure which program works best for you, our team is ready to help – set up a call with us today to learn more!
Middle Level SSATs are for students in grades 5, 6, and 7. Upper Level tests are for students in grade 8 or above.