One-On-One Personalized HSPT Tutoring

Simone earned a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Design and Ecolocy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a minor in Visual and Media Studies from Duke University. She has over eight years of tutoring experience, including teaching English as a second language to German and Spanish-speaking students. Professionally, Simone has also worked in public health and education as a UNC Global Gap Year Fellow and with an affordable housing agency in Chapel Hill.

Simone’s passion for tutoring stems from her desire to contribute to students’ learning processes. She likes to plant an idea in someone's head and watch it grow into a tree of their own knowledge. In other words, she loves to amplify students' ownership over their learning. She specializes in SAT tutoring as well as English, history, and algebra tutoring at all levels, including AP and IB.

As a tutor, Simone is collaborative and playful. She recognizes students as leaders in their learning journeys, and she incorporates optimism and play into her lessons to diminish feelings of anxiety or dread. Her tutoring is entirely student-centered and designed to empower students.

Some of Simone’s greatest strengths as a tutor include her ability to keep students motivated and engaged. When a student needs encouragement, she can be firm and steadfast, but supportive. She uses positive reinforcement, pep talks, feedback from students, and breaks as needed. Simone also connects content to real-world examples relevant to each student's life so that it can be grounded in something familiar and useful to them.

In her free time, Simon likes to dance, listen to music, try new foods, and travel. She took a gap year before starting college and spent three months in Mexico and another three months in Colombia.

Carlos completed his undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate degrees from Florida International University. Carlos’ tutoring journey began with a passion for sharing knowledge and making a positive impact on students’ lives. From the moment he started tutoring and witnessed students’ growth in confidence and improved grades, he knew tutoring was one of his callings! Since then, he has been tutoring for over three years and has helped dozens of students, both nationally and internationally, reach their academic goals. Carlos has also helped countless undergraduate students develop their research projects and navigate the world of scientific academia. 

Carlos perceives tutoring as an invaluable opportunity to effect tangible change in students' lives. The unique satisfaction of seeing a student's eyes light up when they finally grasp a concept, combined with his own continuous learning as he tutors students with diverse challenges, fuels his passion for tutoring. He specializes in tutoring middle school math, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, statistics, middle school science, biology, chemistry, environmental studies, ecology, and marine biology. 

For Carlos, tutoring isn’t just about teaching; it's about empowering students to realize their potential and fostering a lifelong curiosity for learning. His tutoring style is student-centered and adaptive, focusing on the unique needs and learning styles of each individual. He aims to create a supportive and engaging environment where students feel comfortable exploring and making mistakes, which are vital parts of the learning process. He uses a mix of practical examples, interactive discussions, and hands-on activities to make the learning experience more dynamic and memorable.

One of Carlos’ greatest strengths as a tutor is keeping students engaged by connecting academic material to real-world applications and their personal interests. Whether simplifying complex ecological concepts or employing storytelling techniques, Carlos brings a fresh perspective to his lessons. His natural knack for simplifying complex concepts is another one of his standout traits. Carlos’ proficiency in breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable components not only facilitates student understanding but also cultivates a sense of progress and momentum.

Outside of tutoring, Carlos is deeply passionate about ecology and several hobbies: painting allows him to express his creativity, hiking allows him to rejuvenate, and listening to albums from start to finish allows him to appreciate music to its fullest. Adding an extra layer of joy to these pursuits is the companionship of his beloved dog. Carlos also bravely confronts his deepest fears every day: snakes and flying. His commute to work involves traveling by airboat and helicopter.

Min's educational journey began in China, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Physics from Nanjing University. He then pursued a PhD in Physics from Iowa State University. This academic background has equipped Min with a deep understanding of the intricacies of math and physics, which he skillfully translates into accessible, engaging lessons for students. Min has over a decade of experience as an educator and tutor, teaching over 1000 students.

Min has served as an Adjunct Instructor of Physics at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) and as a Physics tutor at the Academic Achievement Center (AAC) of DMACC. In these roles, he has honed his ability to adapt his teaching style to suit the diverse learning needs of his students, creating a supportive environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

One of Min's greatest strengths as a tutor is his ability to make complex subjects interesting and relatable to students. He employs a variety of strategies to engage learners, such as incorporating humor, suspense, and storytelling into his lessons, using interactive quizzes and YouTube clips to prompt discussion, and asking thought-provoking questions that encourage students to explore the material more deeply. By making the content relevant and accessible, Min helps students develop a genuine interest in math and physics, setting them up for long-term success in these subjects.

When students encounter learning blocks, Min draws upon his extensive teaching experience to provide targeted support. He breaks down complex topics into manageable chunks, uses visual aids to illustrate connections between concepts, and engages students in active learning techniques such as peer teaching and hands-on activities. Min also emphasizes the importance of metacognition and self-reflection, teaching students how to monitor their own learning and develop strategies for overcoming challenges.

To keep students motivated, Min sets clear goals, provides frequent feedback, and creates a positive learning environment that encourages effort and celebrates progress. He helps students see the relevance of what they're learning, offers real-life rewards for success, and serves as a role model for lifelong learning and personal growth.

Min approaches each student with compassion, understanding that learning can be challenging and offering support and encouragement every step of the way. His natural curiosity drives him to explore creative ways of explaining concepts, while his adaptability allows him to adjust his teaching style to suit individual learning preferences. Above all, Min is a patient mentor who celebrates small victories and encourages persistence, helping students develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed.