Learn Lifelong Skills For Academic Success With Our Study Skills Program

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.

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.

Sebastian completed his bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. While he currently works as a research manager for ECHO-Chicago, in partnership with the University of Chicago Medicine, he has been tutoring for five years. He initially began tutoring to simply help his friends and family achieve their educational goals before extending his support to other students. Sebastian has successfully assisted students in gaining admission to esteemed universities like the University of Chicago, Princeton, and Yale.

Sebastian's enthusiasm for tutoring comes from witnessing students transition from unfamiliarity to expertise in a subject. He specializes in ACT and SAT preparation.

Sebastian employs a student-led tutoring style, engaging students with questions and allowing them to guide the material discussion to ensure they get maximum benefit from the sessions. He complements this approach with feedback, suggestions on topic areas, and study tips to enhance the tutoring sessions. Recognizing the intricacies of standardized tests and college applications, Sebastian maintains a light-hearted approach, fosters a supportive environment, and always lends an empathetic ear. He guides students through learning blocks with constant encouragement and diverse resources.

Among Sebastian’s standout traits as a tutor is his ability to simplify complex concepts. As a firm believer that all knowledge is interconnected, he makes difficult content relatable to students to ensure they are able to process it in their own way. 

Having lived in Chicago for 10 years, Sebastian loves exploring the city’s food scene and biking along the lake in his free time.