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.
James received his BA from Brown University and is a JD Candidate at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He is a perfect scorer on the SAT Math, ACT Math, and SAT Math Level II exams and a 99th percentile scorer on the SAT and ACT. He has earned admissions to several of the nation’s top universities, including Brown University, Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, Rice University, Williams College, and Amherst College.
Throughout his academic career, James earned numerous accolades and honors, including being named a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist, a recognition of his academic excellence and leadership potential. With several years of experience as an academic tutor at Brown, James has helped hundreds of students ace standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, SSAT, and ISEE.
Beyond his academic prowess, James is an accomplished musician, having been named an All-National Orchestra First Violinist and Connecticut All-State Associate Concertmaster. His dedication and talent extend beyond the classroom, making him an exceptional tutor who can help students unlock their full potential and achieve their academic goals.
Lizette earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan before completing a Master of Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Professionally, Lizette has over a decade of experience in higher education, having served as Assistant to the Dean at the University of Texas and Associate Dean of Student Development and Records at Morton College.
As a first-generation college graduate, Lizette is committed to helping others reach their potential. She understands that while some students have clear goals, others may need guidance. She enjoys being part of their decision-making process and assisting them through uncertainties.
As a coach, Lizette is known for being outgoing, understanding, and passionate. She is dedicated to finding solutions and maintaining a glass-half-full outlook. Her teaching style is centered around the individual student; she meets them where they are, learning about their interests and motivations to help them excel. Lizette empowers her students to believe in their own “magic” and provides the tools needed to stay on track and succeed.
Outside of teaching or coaching, Lizette enjoys watching college football, reading books, going to the beach, exploring natural trails, and traveling! One of her fondest travel memories is riding a camel across the Sahara Desert during a vacation to Morocco.
Our tutors are experts in biological sciences and have extensive teaching/tutoring experience or hold science-related degrees.
Foundation Learning welcomes parent involvement in our biology coaching programs. The progress tracker allows families to monitor the student’s progress as they complete their program.
Our pairing process involves learning more about students’ needs, goals, strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. We use this information to make an informed decision about which tutor would best align with what they’re seeking through our program.
Every student is unique – there’s no one-size-fits-all in tutoring. Our programs are highly customizable and adaptable to student and family needs. If you’re unsure which plan works best for you, our team is here to help you evaluate your options!