Homework Help: Lower Stress and Boost Performance With Foundation Learning

Alexa earned her BA from Brown University and has assisted over 1600 students who have been accepted into institutions such as Stanford University, Georgetown University, UCLA, and UC Berkeley. She has served as a University of Southern California college adviser at Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA, for two years. In this role, she has assisted and mentored students on the college application process, including completing college applications, financial aid applications, scholarship applications, resumes, and more.

Alexa's personal journey through the college admissions process was not without its challenges. She relied on a strong support system of family, friends, and educators, but often found the available resources to be disjointed or out of date. This experience ignited her passion for creating greater access to the nitty-gritty details of the admissions process. Her goal is to empower students with the knowledge and confidence they need to navigate this important milestone in their lives.

Alexa's coaching style is characterized by openness and encouragement. She fosters self-motivation in students, viewing her presence as a reminder of their commitment to their aspirations. While she encourages autonomy, Alexa is not hesitant to address any shortcomings in meeting deadlines, fostering open communication to optimize the quality of work produced together. Her flexible approach accommodates students of varying confidence levels and familiarity with the application process.

Central to Alexa's methodology is her goal-oriented approach, emphasizing the significance of the larger academic journey and the rewards of perseverance. She effectively motivates students by highlighting the unique opportunities awaiting them. She encourages exploration through resources like "A Day in the Life of a College Student" to deepen their engagement with the process. Alexa prioritizes understanding and building upon each student's strengths and knowledge, creating a supportive and enriching environment. While she infuses her interactions with warmth and humor, she remains serious and direct when needed. Building meaningful connections with students is fundamental to her approach, ensuring a personalized and effective college application experience.

Outside of academia, Alexa finds joy in nature, whether it's reading outdoors or feeling the grass beneath her feet. She cherishes time spent with loved ones, engaging in board games, or sharing meals together. She has also recently discovered a new love for old arcade games, especially Galaga!

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!

Leah graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During her time at MIT, she won multiple writing awards and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She also served as a teaching assistant for calculus and differential equations, where she conducted office hours, led recitations, and provided additional problem-solving sessions to help students grasp difficult concepts. One of her most notable contributions was co-developing and co-leading a rapid prototyping workshop aimed at cultivating problem-solving skills and facilitating quick iteration and testing of solutions. With eight years of teaching and tutoring experience working with over 100 students, Leah looks forward to building a supportive relationship with Foundation Learning students and helping them take charge of their education.

Leah’s passion for tutoring is rooted in the profound satisfaction she experiences when witnessing students' transformative "ah-ha!" moments as they conquer concepts they once found daunting. She finds it deeply fulfilling to guide students through challenges and see their knowledge and confidence grow. She specializes in tutoring for the SAT and ACT and for AP calculus, pre-calculus, trigonometry, and algebra. 

Leah’s tutoring approach prioritizes student-centered learning, fostering critical thinking, and promoting active engagement. She places a strong emphasis on problem-solving and instills a growth mindset, urging students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think creatively. She aims to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where students feel empowered to become independent learners, equipped with the skills and confidence to excel academically and beyond. With a commitment to transparency, she actively seeks feedback on her teaching methods and consistently offers positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to students. She sees setbacks as opportunities for growth, working closely with students to pinpoint the root of their challenges and explore alternative learning strategies, including taking breaks when necessary. 

Acknowledging that no two learners are alike, Leah excels at adapting her teaching methods to match individual learning styles. By incorporating hands-on activities and real-world examples tailored to students' interests, she ensures optimal engagement and understanding. She also prioritizes granting students autonomy and choice, empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey. 

In addition to being a tutor, Leah is a versatile artist. She is proficient in pottery-making, screen printing, and digital art. She also aims to hone her skills in tufting and sewing to make her own rug clothing.