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.
Isaac is pursuing a Master's degree from Vanderbilt University. He has over three years of tutoring experience in STEM and the humanities, specializing in the ACT and SAT.
As a lifelong learner and storyteller, Isaac has spent the past decade working in many educational roles, including at nature centers, community non-profits, and in the classroom. He has also worked in mental and behavioral healthcare, offering services at a dual-diagnosis treatment facility, neurofeedback clinic, behavior analysis center, and jail.
His clinical and educational training supplements his academic abilities: his tutoring approach is a unique blend of clinical techniques and interpersonal skills combined with knowledge and expertise. Isaac’s philosophy is recognizing the whole person, not just a student. Isaac understands that each student has their own motivations, personality, strengths, and weaknesses. Recognizing these perspectives, building a collaborative approach attuned to each student’s style, and capitalizing on their motivations are the keys to success.
Furthermore, Isaac’s perspective extends to standardized testing. The ACT and SAT are knowledge tests, and he encourages students to think about how these tests are designed since it’s just as valuable as knowing the material. Being a storyteller trained in many roles has enabled Isaac to hone this skill, so he can connect to others and help them understand and tap into the proper mindsets to excel on these tests. He aims to empower students to achieve their academic (and other) aspirations!
A fun fact about Isaac is that he hates chocolate! But he loves roller skating, murder mysteries, and puns! One of his favorites? Do you know what you call an upset exam? A: Test-y.
Pratishta graduated with a Bachelor’s from UCLA and a Master’s from New York University. Professionally, Pratishta is the Assistant Director of Beyond Akeela, where she oversees a residential summer college readiness program for neurodivergent teens. She has led numerous workshops on mock interviews, resume development, writing an effective college essay, and creating a road map from high school to college. She has helped 30+ students get accepted to the University of California Berkeley and New York University, among others.
Pratishta’s passion for admissions counseling comes from her belief that every person has a unique, awesome story waiting to be shared. However, she acknowledges that effectively presenting these strengths can be challenging. Pratishta’s affinity for admissions counseling stems from her own journey of navigating the process alone. She gained invaluable insights, and it brings her immense joy to pay it forward by guiding students toward realizing their aspirations.
Pratishta’s teaching style focuses on strengths and building a strong relationship first. She is easy-going and loves having fun and getting to know every person she connects with. Pratishta thrives on structure and loves letting applicants take the lead while providing a lot of scaffolding. As a coach, Pratishta believes in meeting students where they are and helping them reach their best, helping them hone in on what they want to improve, and offering clear solutions to make progress together. Pratishta excels at breaking down tasks effectively into smaller steps, getting the difficult tasks out of the way first, and building in short breaks and fun activities during sessions.
Outside of coaching, Pratishta loves to box, cook, hike, kayak, and discover amazing restaurants. She’s also an avid adventure sports fan and has been skydiving and bungee jumping.
Our Algebra tutors have tutoring/teaching experience or hold a college math degree. Every tutor is well-versed in foundational Algebra concepts.
We welcome parent involvement in every one of our tutoring programs. While students are the ones making leaps and bounds toward academic success, we understand that parents may want to check your progress. Our open communication model ensures parent, student, and tutor expectations are always aligned.
Every tutor we pair with a student is hand-picked to maximize student gains, skills, and success. The intake form you complete at the start of our engagement helps us learn more about you, your input, needs, preferences, and goals. Your experienced tutor will help you work through the subject matter where you need help most before going above and beyond to help you master all Algebra content.
The tutoring program best suited for you depends on what you need, your goals, and your input. We work around your schedule to ensure the guidance you need is accessible and that you receive relevant insights on your time. Unsure which program is best for you? Set up a call with us today to discuss your options!