Online Algebra Tutoring Tailored to Your Needs and Goals

Eric earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wartburg College and his Master’s degree in Political Science from Harvard University. He has over seven years of tutoring experience, including giving full-day lectures at schools across the US on how to ace the ACT.

Specializing in ACT studies, Eric is passionate about working with students to achieve their goals, whether it be mastering the exam, achieving the perfect score to get into their dream school, or overcoming test anxiety. 

As a tutor, Eric strives to simplify the ACT experience for his students. His background in psychology, particularly in test construction, sets him apart and equips him with insights into the most effective test-taking strategies.

One of Eric's greatest strengths is understanding student weaknesses and offering precise and tailored assistance to help them overcome these challenges and improve their scores. 

When Eric isn't tutoring, he studies for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and plays board games. He loves board games, probably too much. Okay, too much (says his wife). Oh, and he makes a mean cheesecake.

Eric is pursuing his Master’s degree and  PhD from the University of Illinois Chicago. He has an extensive background in education, working as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at The University of British Columbia and the University of Illinois Chicago. Throughout his career, Eric has assisted undergraduates with graduate/professional admissions and helped high school students with their undergraduate applications.

Eric has dedicated his career to education due to his deep curiosity about the world around him. He is passionate about coaching college applicants and strives to help students access an environment where they can shape their unique education, often for the first time. Recognizing the immense stress of the admissions process at every level, from undergraduate to doctorate, Eric understands that students must market themselves and create materials while juggling current courses, jobs, and hobbies. Having personally benefited from the guidance of others, he appreciates the comfort and support that coaching provides. 

His ultimate goal as a college admissions coach is to provide direction for successful applications and offer unwavering support and guidance during this exciting and transformative period in students' lives. As a coach, one of Eric’s greatest strengths is his strong personal connection to the university environment. It allows him to help students discover their intrinsic motivations for pursuing higher education, enabling them to craft compelling narratives for their applications. His diverse educational background also allows him to relate to various students and cater to their needs. 

Eric’s solid professional background in coaching and teaching helps him approach students with experience, confidence, and a sense of security. Notably, candidates Eric has coached have gained acceptance to prestigious institutions such as Caltech, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Columbia.

In his spare time, Eric enjoys practicing and coaching Taekwondo, rock climbing and running, playing the piano and guitar, embarking on hiking and backpacking adventures, and indulging his passion for travel.

Samantha completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Florida, her Master of Education at Nova Southeastern University, and her Doctor of Education at Grand Canyon University. She boasts over 20 years of teaching experience: 10 years teaching secondary English for one of the 50 largest districts in the United States and 12 years teaching at the college level. She has created over thirty-five unique college courses, edited high school English test preparation textbooks for Barron's Educational Series, and has worked as a full-time staff writer for a newspaper. Her interest in tutoring stems from a profound belief in the transformative power of education.

Having been inspired by several exceptional teachers in her own journey, Samantha aims to pay it forward by acting as a mentor and guide for students. Her tutoring expertise spans SAT, ACT, and HSPT prep, as well as English, reading, writing, communications, ethics, and humanities.

Samantha's teaching style is highly personable; she values establishing relationships with students and conversing with them on a relatable level. Infusing humor into her teaching, she strives to create an engaging and enjoyable learning environment. Central to her teaching philosophy is the emphasis on connection, especially in subjects like English, which she believes can be easily connected to students' interests. By understanding students' interests, hobbies, and learning styles, Samantha ensures she can make connections to course content, even if it may seem dull or mundane, leading to those crucial "light bulb moments."

Drawing on her extensive education and experience, Samantha offers a nuanced perspective on learning and employs effective teaching strategies to help students achieve their goals. She excels at forming genuine bonds with students, providing them with agency in their learning to foster intrinsic motivation. Samantha's creativity shines through her ability to adapt to learning challenges quickly by presenting concepts in fresh and innovative ways.

When she’s not tutoring or teaching, Samantha creates art out of recycled beach debris, donated materials, trash, seashells, and just about anything she can find. She also loves spending time with her three dogs and husband, traveling (especially on cruises), and reading.