One-On-One Personalized HSPT Tutoring

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.

Aastha completed her Bachelor’s in Anthropology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University. She is also set to attend the Emory School of Medicine in the fall. Aastha has years of experience tutoring elementary and high school students in a variety of subjects and has also served as an English tutor for over six years. Her tutoring journey began with a simple desire to be an educational guide for students. She finds immense joy in providing students with fresh perspectives on concepts they previously found challenging.

Aastha's passion for tutoring is driven by her desire to help students navigate challenging academic situations and reach their full potential. She specializes in ACT and SAT preparation, as well as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, history, writing, English, and math, including at the AP level.

Aastha's tutoring approach is characterized by adaptability and personalization. Her interdisciplinary thinking enables her to tailor her methods effectively. She invests time in understanding each student's unique style, character, and abilities and then coaches them accordingly. Aastha is non-judgmental and genuinely curious about her students, listening to their challenges and working collaboratively to transform weaknesses into strengths.

Aastha is adept at motivating students and guiding them through learning obstacles. She provides constructive feedback, highlighting their strengths and improvement areas, while acknowledging their hard work. She believes that with consistency, students can develop a fresh perspective on subjects. When students encounter difficulties, she encourages them to take a break to reset. For complex concepts, she breaks them down into manageable parts and uses real-life examples to enhance understanding.

In her free time, Aastha enjoys hiking, reading, and doing yoga. She also has a unique talent for wrapping dumplings quickly!

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.