Addaline D.

Addaline Durham has been passionate about education and mentorship from a young age, beginning her tutoring journey in middle school as part of a peer buddy system. Since then, she has accumulated years of experience working with students of all ages, from early childhood to college-level peers. Throughout high school and college, Addaline continued to tutor a diverse range of learners, providing personalized academic support to help students build confidence and achieve their goals. She has experience tutoring a wide variety of subjects, including Spanish, which she taught at a language learning camp, as well as English, college algebra, biology, political science, and math.

Her adaptability allows her to tailor lessons to each student’s needs, making complex concepts more approachable and engaging. In addition to her tutoring experience, Addaline has worked extensively with younger children as a pre-K teacher. This experience reinforced her ability to create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments and tailor lessons to fit each student’s unique needs. With a deep commitment to student success, Addaline takes a patient, personalized approach to teaching. Whether working with young learners on foundational skills or helping older students refine their academic abilities, she is dedicated to fostering growth, curiosity, and confidence in every student she teaches.

Divina M.

Divina is a full-time chemistry professor at Baton Rouge Community College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She has a doctorate degree in Chemistry and a master’s degree in teaching. She also has a Louisiana teaching certificate. Her education and teaching experience prepared her to be a highly effective chemistry tutor. Although she primarily teaches college students, she also enjoys teaching younger students. Additionally, she has tutored math classes in various grade levels at Sylvan Learning Center. She found out from her experience at the learning center that kids respond better if you build a personal connection with them. She absolutely enjoyed this tutoring experience.

Suraj A.

Suraj A. teaches writing and literature at Louisiana State University (LSU). He is also a certified ELA Teacher for grades 6-12. He grew up in Long Beach, California and moved to Baton Rouge, LA to take up a teaching post in LSU’s English Department. He is a traditionally published writer and has a postgraduate degree in English from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He has lived all over the world and speaks five languages with varying degrees of fluency. For him, teaching is no different than writing, in that both mediums impart knowledge while simultaneously keeping the recipient engaged. With that in mind, he constantly strives to develop and deliver lesson plans and activities that keep the student curious and involved. He loves teaching and feels like it is his true calling in life, besides writing. While not teaching or writing, he can be found in the gym, training for powerlifting competitions or out in nature, exploring.

Caleb W.

Caleb is from Billings, Montana and was the first Native American Valedictorian at West High School. He has mentored and tutored high school students for nearly a decade to help them prepare for and apply to college. A few of the elite universities his students have been accepted to are: Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, and Amherst College. Caleb has a M.A in Native Food Systems from Montana State University and a B.A in Environmental Studies from Amherst College. His relevant professional career experience has ranged from being a college prep coach to working as a graduate research and teaching assistant. Having recently graduated, he is young enough to relate to your child while being old enough to have the lived experience to share. Caleb believes that academic success comes from a holistic understanding of one’s personal goals and playing off of one’s strengths. Outside of work he enjoys camping, trivia, and getting friends together to play board games.

Diana H.

Diana has taught learners of all levels from gifted kindergarten in the public schools to freshmen at California Baptist University. It gives her great joy to light understanding in her students not only to boost scores but to reveal the order and beauty of language. She has served varying roles as a public school teacher, head of the Gifted and Talented Program, homeschooler, and professor of composition. Also a book editor and writer, Diana has led writing workshops for teachers at conferences along with seminars on great college application essays in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Forsyth school districts. Her narratives, commentary, articles, and poetry feature in magazines and anthologies, digital and print. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in linguistics before earning her M.Ed. at Temple. Certified to teach all grades in Georgia, Diana tutors students in SAT Reading & Writing, ACT English & Reading, SSAT, MAP, IOWA, and college essays. She scrubs commas and rescues dangling modifiers from The New York Times in her spare time.

Jake M.

Jake is a dedicated and passionate tutor with a strong background in chemistry and biology, seeking a career in medicine and education. He is excited about the opportunity to support students in their academic journeys and inspire a love for science by building confidence and curiosity. Jake recently completed his master’s degree, focusing on how viruses affect the brain, and has additional research experience in protein engineering and microbiology garnered during his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry.
With over six years of combined experience in tutoring and teaching university-level courses, Jake understands the challenges learners face when tackling complex scientific concepts. He strives to make lessons engaging, accessible, and tailored to individual needs. By using interactive real-world examples and metaphors, he enhances understanding and fosters curiosity, which naturally develops students’ passion for learning and strengthens their critical thinking skills.
Whether guiding students through chemical reactions, explaining genetic processes, or providing academic mentorship, Jake creates a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and deepening their appreciation for science. He is patient, approachable, and adaptable, ensuring his teaching aligns with different learning styles and paces.
Beyond academics, Jake enjoys cycling, reading, writing, and has a deep appreciation for the visual arts. Whether students need assistance with homework, exam preparation, or conceptual understanding, he is dedicated to guiding them toward success!

Matthew R.

Matthew’s journey into education was an unexpected yet deeply rewarding path. After earning a BA in Television, Film, and New Media, he initially pursued a career in the film industry. However, in 2013, while teaching a film course at the Digital Media Academy summer tech camp, he discovered a passion for guiding young scholars toward academic, creative, and professional success. This experience inspired him to pursue a single-subject teaching credential, leading him to a fulfilling career in education.

Since 2018, Matthew has been an educator at The Preuss School, UC San Diego, where he has honed his teaching philosophy and instructional methods. Initially stepping in to fill a vacancy in the Drama department, he transformed the curriculum into a film-based program that integrates Art, English, and History. His courses reinforce grade-level ELA comprehension and writing skills through in-depth units on story structure, plot development, character analysis, and thematic content. Students apply these skills to writing their own screenplays, while Film I students explore film theory and cinema history. In his advanced Film II/Honors Film course, students engage in collaborative, hands-on projects that guide them through all stages of video production, from pre-production to post-production.

Matthew’s adaptability and innovation were especially evident during the pandemic when The Preuss School transitioned to remote learning for two years. While many educators faced challenges, he embraced the format, finding new ways to engage students and enhance learning through strategic virtual instruction. He firmly believes that, when thoughtfully designed, virtual learning can be just as impactful—if not more—than in-person instruction.

His passion lies in inviting students into the vibrant world of poetry, literature, and history and watching them engage with enthusiasm. Through teaching, he hopes to foster a deep sense of global awareness, empathy, and compassion in his students, empowering them to express themselves through both written and visual storytelling.

Matthew is eager to begin the tutoring process for students in need of support in English, reading, writing, history, social studies, college essay writing, and test prep. Additionally, with his background in Film, he is thrilled to assist students seeking help with video production, editing, or acting. His expertise also extends to Public Speaking and Debate courses, providing students with valuable skills to enhance their speaking abilities.

Matthew is excited to bring his expertise and passion for education to Prep Academy Tutors, where he continues to support students in their academic journeys.

David C

ENG: David is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student with a strong passion for teaching. He has experience tutoring students in calculus, physics, and secondary-level math, helping them grasp challenging concepts through clear explanations and relatable examples. His tutoring journey began in high school, where he assisted younger students struggling with English. Since then, he has continued to refine his ability to break down complex topics, ensuring they are easier to understand and apply. David is committed to fostering a supportive learning environment where students can gain confidence in their abilities.

FR: David est un étudiant en quatrième année de génie mécanique avec une grande passion pour l’enseignement. Il a de l’expérience en tutorat dans les matières telles que le calcul, la physique et les mathématiques du secondaire, aidant les élèves à comprendre des concepts complexes grâce à des explications claires et des exemples concrets. Son parcours en tutorat a commencé au secondaire, où il aidait des élèves plus jeunes ayant des difficultés en anglais. Depuis, il a perfectionné sa capacité à rendre les notions complexes plus accessibles et applicables. David s’engage à créer un environnement d’apprentissage encourageant, où les élèves peuvent développer leur confiance en leurs compétences.

Lynda E.

Lynda is a Math and Physics teacher with 20 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, private tutoring, and Gifted and Talented programs. She has a Master’s in Physics with a concentration in Education from University of Virginia, certificate in Leaders of Learning from Harvard University, and holds teaching certificates in Math, Physics, Elementary Education, Students with Disabilities, and Middle School Science.

Lynda specializes in demystifying challenging math and physics concepts by (1) explaining concepts as clearly as possible, (2) performing examples in order to model the problem-solving process, and (3) providing several practice problems to work up to mastery. While she is a professional, Lynda enjoys conversing in a casual tone (think more Penny, less Sheldon), as math and science are often culprits for producing anxiety in students. Whether you are aiming for that 800 on the Math SAT, or simply trying to make it through your physics course unscathed, please think of Lynda as someone who can help you attain your goal!

SASHA S.

Alexandra (Sasha) graduated in October 2021 from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and is currently a teacher candidate at the University of Western Ontario’s Teacher Education program, specializing in Intermediate/Senior Science and Chemistry. Throughout her professional journey, Sasha has worked with students of all ages as a camp counselor and manager, tutor, behavioral therapist, and student teacher.
Sasha’s teaching experience includes instructing math, health, and english at the Grade 8 level, working with students transitioning from specialized classroom settings, and supporting learners in both English and French-speaking environments. With a strong STEM background, she is also striving toward earning additional teaching subject qualifications in biology, math, and physics, as well as French.
Beyond traditional classrooms, Sasha has extensive experience working with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through her roles as a Registered Behavior Technician and Entry to School Instructor. She has developed expertise in differentiated instruction, student-centered learning, and implementing individualized education plans. Additionally, her research background in population medicine has given her valuable skills in data analysis and communication.
One of her most rewarding experiences was returning to her own elementary school as a student teacher, where she gained invaluable insights into teaching and learning. Sasha strives to create a supportive and engaging environment that fosters curiosity and confidence in her students. When she’s not teaching, Sasha enjoys hands-on science experiments, exploring new ways to make learning fun, reading books, crocheting, and cooking!