Nima N.

EN. Nima is a distinguished engineer with a deep passion for teaching and research. He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Concordia University, Montreal, and a Master’s degree in Automotive Engineering from Azad University. Throughout his career, Nima has been committed to advancing engineering education and conducting impactful research. Presently, Nima serves as an engineering instructor at John Abbott College in Montreal, where he teaches courses including Industrial Energy Audit, Advanced Engineering Technologies, Automation & Control, Physics, and Materials Science. His teaching methodology emphasizes the integration of theoretical concepts with practical applications, creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment for his students Nima has extensive research experience, notably developing an electro-thermal anti-icing system for aircraft at Green SEAM. This innovation achieved an 80% reduction in energy consumption while enhancing in-flight safety. The project was admired by Airbus Canada, showcasing his ability to leverage advanced technologies to address critical engineering challenges. Nima’s professional journey includes roles focused on the practical application of engineering principles. At Bombardier, he worked on control systems and led R&D initiatives for Train Control and Management Systems (TCMS). His responsibilities encompassed designing electro-mechanical systems, working with automation and control technologies, and understanding electrical components within HVAC systems, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and system optimization. Nima’s dedication to advancing sustainable design and innovative engineering solutions is matched by his commitment to educating and mentoring the next generation of engineers. He is excited to continue contributing to the field through his teaching and research, inspiring students to achieve excellence in their academic and professional pursuits.

FR. Nima est un ingénieur distingué avec une profonde passion pour l’enseignement et la recherche. Il détient une maîtrise en génie mécanique de l’Université Concordia, à Montréal, et une maîtrise en génie automobile de l’Université Azad. Tout au long de sa carrière, Nima s’est engagé à faire progresser l’éducation en ingénierie et à mener des recherches impactantes. Actuellement, Nima est instructeur en ingénierie au Collège John Abbott à Montréal, où il enseigne des cours tels que l’Audit Énergétique Industriel, les Technologies Avancées en Ingénierie, l’Automatisation et le Contrôle, la Physique et la Science des Matériaux. Sa méthodologie d’enseignement met l’accent sur l’intégration des concepts théoriques avec des applications pratiques, créant un environnement d’apprentissage dynamique et engageant pour ses étudiants.

Nima possède une vaste expérience en recherche, ayant notamment développé un système électro-thermique de prévention du givrage pour les avions chez Green SEAM. Cette innovation a permis de réduire la consommation d’énergie de 80 % tout en améliorant la sécurité en vol. Le projet a été admiré par Airbus Canada, mettant en évidence sa capacité à utiliser des technologies avancées pour répondre à des défis d’ingénierie critiques.

Le parcours professionnel de Nima inclut des rôles axés sur l’application pratique des principes d’ingénierie. Chez Bombardier, il a travaillé sur des systèmes de contrôle et dirigé des initiatives de R&D pour les systèmes de contrôle et de gestion des trains (TCMS). Ses responsabilités comprenaient la conception de systèmes électromécaniques, le travail avec des technologies d’automatisation et de contrôle, et la compréhension des composants électriques dans les systèmes CVC, en mettant l’accent sur l’efficacité énergétique et l’optimisation des systèmes.

La dévotion de Nima à faire progresser la conception durable et les solutions d’ingénierie innovantes est égalée par son engagement à éduquer et à encadrer la prochaine génération d’ingénieurs. Il est enthousiaste à l’idée de continuer à contribuer au domaine grâce à son enseignement et à ses recherches, inspirant ses étudiants à atteindre l’excellence dans leurs poursuites académiques et professionnelles.

Rachel B.

Rachel is a former teacher and nanny with a passion for helping students succeed. With a master’s degree from DePaul University, and a 4.0 GPA, Rachel loves to learn and share her knowledge. She gets to know her students’ background and interests before starting her lessons, as to make the information at hand pertinent to each child. With kindness and enthusiasm, Rachel strives to make learning a fun and comfortable experience for both the student and their families. Communication is her strong suit, as she enjoys sharing milestones and challenges with parents to ensure student success. In her spare time, Rachel travels the world with her husband, Cole. The pair resides in the Northwest suburbs with their two cats, and in her spare time, Rachel runs a successful photography studio out of her home office. Get in touch with Rachel today – she cannot wait to get to know you!

Beverly Y.

Beverly graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Harvey Mudd College and a Master’s of Education from Boston University. She is a Certified Teacher who has worked with elementary and middle school students in Taiwan, Japan, and the United States. Beverly’s diverse teaching experience has shown her that building relationships with students is the most important step in meeting their educational needs. She believes every student is a “math person” and prioritizes developing number sense and critical thinking during her sessions. Beverly is excited to help students find learning strategies that work for them and encourage their curiosity about math.

In her spare time, Beverly enjoys hiking through autumn landscapes, solving jigsaw puzzles, and pondering why students have contentious arguments over whether a hotdog is a sandwich. (She’s inclined to say, “Yes,” per the Merriam-Webster definition.)

Emmanuel P.

Emmanuel has been teaching since 2007 in a diverse range of places, from Los Angeles to Japan, Miami, and San Diego. He has taught students from 2nd to 12th grade, and has a special enthusiasm for phonics at the early grade levels and US history at the upper grades, although he is similarly enthusiastic for mathematics from lower elementary all the way through high school . He also has a keen interest in languages, and is bilingual in French and English, as well as having studied Spanish, Hebrew, and Japanese. Emmanuel believes that every subject is inherently fascinating and that every student is capable of excelling, even in a subject that they never imagined themselves to be experts in. He loves helping students to embrace struggle and feel the satisfaction that comes with pushing themselves to more than they thought possible.

Lindsay L.

Lindsay has been assisting students with math since she was a student herself. She began tutoring in college as a way to make money; however, it evolved into more of a hobby than a job. She fell in love with helping students understand the complexities of mathematics and witnessing that lightbulb turn on inside their heads. Lindsay earned her BS in Mathematics from Virginia Tech in 2016. However, she wanted to continue learning how best to teach math. She worked her way to complete her MA in Education by 2022. Lindsay has been working with students of all ages for over a decade, both in person and virtually, while maintaining a full-time job as a Cost Analyst for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). She is excited to join the Prep Academy Tutors team and help more students in need.

Annie D.

Annie is a current MD/PhD student at UT Health San Antonio. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech and an M.S. in Medical Science from UNT Health Science Center. She has tutored and taught math, science, and engineering courses since 2012. Annie enjoys one-on-one or small group interactions, preferring to personalize her tutoring to the student(s). She also enjoys getting to know students and providing help in tutoring-adjacent skills such as time management, prioritization, and organizational skills. In her spare time, Annie enjoys spending time with her partner and dog, doing barre and yoga, playing the piano, reading, figure skating, and discovering new board games.

Shoshannah K.

I grew up in McAllen, TX but have been in San Antonio the last 19 years so I consider myself an SA local. I have my BS in Mathematics from the University of Texas San Antonio and Masters in Edu from Southern New Hampshire University. I am not a natural at Mathematics, but I enjoyed finding way to help me understand mastering it when learning and love finding ways for students to do the same!

Dr. Brandy P.

Dr. Brandy S. Pickens is a distinguished biochemist and dedicated educator with extensive experience in scientific research and environmental advocacy. Having earned a BA in Biochemistry from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. from Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Pickens is proficient in making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.

Dr. Pickens has dedicated over 15 years to biomedical research, specializing in biomedical research studies at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This background equips her with a robust understanding of the STEM disciplines, which she brings to the classroom to inspire and educate future scientists and STEM professionals.

Currently, Dr. Pickens serves as a Toxicologist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where she conducts technical analyses and reviews concerning the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Her role at the EPA underscores her commitment to public health and safety, themes she emphasizes in her educational outreach.

Passionate about fostering a love for science and environmental stewardship among young people, Dr. Pickens actively engages with community groups and schools. She organizes and leads educational programs and STEM initiatives, aiming to instill a sense of enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, particularly environmental science, and stewardship in the younger generation.

Dr. Pickens is not only a scientist and advocate but also a mentor who strives to encourage students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM and public service. Her commitment to education, combined with her expertise in biomedical sciences and environmental sustainability, makes her a great match for organizations dedicated to cultivating knowledgeable, responsible, and motivated students.

SHADMAN H.

Shadman holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the City College of New York (CCNY). As a graduate of NYC’s top public specialized high school, Stuyvesant, and Valedictorian of his engineering university at the Grove School of Engineering at CCNY, Shadman has demonstrated extraordinary success in his educational endeavors. Shadman has taught students (elementary, middle, high school, and college) 1-on-1, in small groups, and in larger classrooms (both online and in-person) for 10+ years. His experience includes teaching all mathematics subjects through high school and early college (pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, statistics), standardized test preparation (SHSAT/PSAT/SAT/ACT), and various other STEM subjects. Shadman is extremely passionate about assessing each student’s specific needs and tailoring a custom plan for them to not only succeed in the classroom, but develop a similar love for learning that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.

Tracy S.

Tracy has a B.S. in mathematics at Arkansas State University and a M.S. in Education a Northcentral University.

In her 23 years of teaching algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus, her greatest satisfaction is having former students (especially the ones who struggled) tell her that she was the one teacher who believed in them, and that made all the difference.

Tracy’s approach to tutoring is very similar.  She doesn’t just teach math — she teaches students of all ages how to think and reason.

She truly believe that confidence is the key to success — in school and in life. That’s why Tracy always begins each tutoring assignment with an assessment of what each student knows and doesn’t know. She then builds on that information as students go from confusion to confidence, confidence to competence, and competence to mastery.