Targeted ISEE Test Preparation To Boost Your Score

Valeria earned a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University, where she served for three years as a Writing Center Tutor. She has also served as a Certified English Language Learner tutor and Matriculate College Advising Fellow. Additionally, she has worked as an Executive Assistant and College Prep Coordinator at Freedom University for two years, an organization dedicated to providing college prep classes, college and scholarship application assistance, and leadership development for undocumented students in Georgia.

As a first-generation student, Valeria intimately understands individuals' challenges when navigating higher education with limited support. Her passion for coaching is deeply rooted in her experiences and further fueled by her diverse admissions counseling roles. Working with students from varied backgrounds, she is inspired by their unwavering determination to pursue education despite facing adversity. 

Valeria’s teaching style is kind but firm, allowing students to have grace with themselves while encouraging them to take steps to achieve their goals—a responsibility that is ultimately up to them. She ensures each student's wants and dreams are centered in every conversation. For example, a student may want to be a doctor; ensuring they know each step to take in the college admissions journey is one step closer to achieving their dream. Valeria is open-minded and willing to talk through every decision, big or small. She is excellent at recasting ideas back to the applicant in a clear, concise manner, and she is a thoughtful listener and deep thinker who takes time to absorb and understand how to strengthen a candidate’s ideas.

When she isn’t coaching, Valeria enjoys writing, jogging, journaling (physically + digitally), playing Animal Crossing, and board games.

Tikiera earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Elizabeth City State University, followed by an MAT in Mathematics from RELAY Graduate School of Education. With seven years of experience teaching math, she has held various roles such as STEM Special Projects Lead, Lead Teacher, Grade Team Lead, and Special Education Teacher. Her motivation to start tutoring stemmed from a sincere commitment to helping students succeed.

For Tikiera, nothing compares to witnessing a student grasp and master content they once found challenging. This passion for student success and the significance of mathematics drives her ACT, SAT, and math tutoring. She firmly believes that everyone possesses mathematical abilities, as we utilize math in our daily lives without even realizing it.

As a tutor, Tikiera maintains high expectations but is fun, easygoing, passionate, consistent, and adaptable. She loves what she does, and it’s evident in her tutoring approach! Central to her philosophy is the success of the whole student; she doesn't just focus on teaching content but strives to support every aspect of the individual. Recognizing that a student's overall well-being directly impacts their ability to retain knowledge, Tikiera prioritizes holistic support. Moreover, Tikiera firmly believes in involving students actively in their learning journey. By collaborating with them to set goals and metrics, she ensures they remain engaged and motivated. She keeps students informed every step of the way, celebrating their successes and adjusting strategies when faced with challenges. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership in students, leading to increased motivation and deeper learning.

One of Tikiera's greatest strengths as a tutor lies in her ability to simplify complex concepts. She firmly believes in the capability of every individual; when given the right support, any student can believe in and execute their goals. Guided by this perspective, Tikiera contends that the material is never truly hard or uninteresting; it's that the student just doesn’t understand it yet. So, she begins by reshaping the language around the topic. She then breaks down the material into easily digestible segments, grounding concepts with relatable examples. Consistency is paramount to Tikiera; she maintains her passion for the subject matter and ensures sessions are always enjoyable. She also recognizes the importance of breaks and keeps students engaged by relating content to real-life situations and incorporating non-academic activities for mental refreshment. Her genuine enthusiasm for teaching is contagious, empowering students to cultivate confidence as they persist in their learning journey.

In her free time, Tikiera can be found watching movies, enjoying nature, listening to music, traveling, and testing out new recipes.

Jade holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Religion from Boston University. While there, she earned a scholarship to study in Cambodia and Vietnam, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, won four academic awards, achieved high honors, and secured a U.S. government scholarship for teaching English abroad. With 12 years of tutoring experience, Jade volunteered as an English teacher for immigrants, served as a professional tutor mentor, and was a teaching assistant in Vietnam through a Fulbright scholarship. Despite facing obstacles from a limited educational background, Jade's success story is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and education. These challenges fueled her determination to create a positive impact in the lives of students facing similar struggles.

As a tutor, Jade’s mission is to offer the same unwavering support and encouragement that proved instrumental in her own journey. She specializes in SAT and ACT tutoring, with an emphasis on the English, Reading, and Writing sections, as well as English, history, sociology, and anthropology courses at all levels, including AP and IB.

Jade employs an empowering and personalized tutoring style, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment. In her approach, she recognizes each student's unique strengths and challenges, celebrating both small and significant achievements to boost confidence and underscore the progress made through practice. Empathy, patience, and practicality are also major components of her tutoring style, as she emphasizes both academic success and holistic development, including critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By fostering open communication, she encourages students to express their challenges and questions. With a focus on active participation and critical thinking, she aims to instill confidence and a passion for learning that extends beyond the tutoring sessions. 

Jade’s greatest strength as a tutor is her adaptability. She develops personalized learning plans and utilizes diverse resources to address the unique needs of individual learners, ensuring that the tutoring sessions align with their goals, preferences, and interests. She strongly believes that clearly defined and personalized goals give students a sense of purpose and direction. 

In her free time, Jade enjoys collecting passport stamps, gardening, ballet, paddle boarding, and practicing chado (a traditional Japanese tea ceremony). She immerses herself in art, explores the realms of literature, and treasures the beauty of learning languages. On a rainy day, you’ll find her cozily curled up with a book and a tea latte.