Shelley H.
Shelley is an experienced mathematics tutor with more than 25 years of intermittent tutoring expertise, supporting students from kindergarten through grade 12 as well as those preparing for the SAT, ACT, and advanced math courses including Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics. She holds four academic degrees—Mathematics, Physics, Information Technology, and Opticianry—and spent over a decade as a computer programmer and systems analyst before becoming a Licensed Optician in Florida. Shelley’s lifelong passion for analytical thinking has shaped every chapter of her life, from excelling academically and earning induction into the National Honor Society to her success as a competitive athlete. A decorated golfer, she has won numerous championships, including titles at Pinehurst Country Club, and has achieved an impressive eight hole-in-ones.
Shelley’s background is equally defined by her dedication to children and learning. As a mother of five, she gained deep insight into supporting students with learning differences, including her own children who faced unique educational challenges. Her
experiences fueled her desire to help other families navigate academic struggles with empathy, structure, and high expectations. Over the years, Shelley has tutored with
several agencies and independently, helping many students achieve remarkable progress—including four students who earned perfect standardized-test scores under her guidance. She brings to her work a blend of humor, warmth, and discipline, drawing
from a lifetime of teaching skills developed through athletics, equestrian training, parenting, and her STEM-driven career.
In her tutoring practice, Shelley emphasizes the logic and clarity that make mathematics both approachable and empowering. She believes that math is only complicated when the steps are unclear—and she excels at breaking those steps into understandable and
repeatable processes. She expects students to arrive prepared, focused, and ready to work, encouraging habits that mirror the discipline required for college, careers, and personal achievement. Shelley is excited to bring her passion for teaching, her analytical expertise, and her unwavering commitment to student success to Prep Academy Tutors, where she strives to help every learner build confidence, master essential skills, and realize their full potential.
Harry B.
Harry, a West Orange, NJ native, is an experienced math, science, and test prep tutor with a deep interest and love of science of all kinds. He completed his Ph.D. in geochemistry at the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2025 with a focus on exotic microbes that live deep in the Earth’s crust and the impacts those microbes have on a rock’s mineral makeup. He holds a B.S. in geology and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Northeastern University, Boston. Through the course of over seven years of teaching and tutoring experience, Harry has enjoyed nurturing students’ passion for science by connecting subject matter to the student’s interest and experience. He strives to see not only understanding in his students but also pride in accomplishment and intellectual satisfaction. Harry values establishing a strong rapport with students and is interested in what motivates them in their daily lives. As for Harry’s daily life, you can find him playing guitar, gardening in the summer, cooking lavish meals all year round, or simply relaxing with his three cats.
Miguel A.
Miguel graduated from Cornell University, where he earned a B.A. summa cum laude in computer science with a minor in mathematics, as well as an M.Eng. in computer science. During his time at Cornell, he spent five semesters working as a teaching assistant in computer science and one semester working as a math tutor at the Math Support Center on campus, where he developed a passion for helping students learn in a one-on-one environment. As a lifelong lover of math and computing, Miguel hopes to help students learn and grow in these subjects.
In his free time, Miguel enjoys playing video games, practicing martial arts, rock climbing, and reading One Piece. He has also traveled to countries such as Japan (he speaks Japanese!), China, Norway, Sweden, and Serbia.
Allison A.
Allison A., known as “Dr. Ali” by her students, earned a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from UTHSCSA, an MBA from UTSA, and a BA in Microbiology from the University of Kansas. When not studying, Dr. Ali was a Teaching Assistant for medical and dental students. After overachieving in school, Dr. Ali became a military contractor (Scientist) and spent many years researching things she can’t tell you about. When the pandemic hit, Dr. Ali began homeschooling her own children. Inspired by this experience, she launched a STEM enrichment business that offers hands-on classes for San Antonio homeschoolers. Dr. Ali is committed to building a meaningful connection with each of her students to make learning more enjoyable and engaging. Learning comes in many forms, including playing games and building projects. It doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore. Dr. Ali is the kind of person who took Calculus 3 in college for funsies. With the right instructor, Science and Math can be fun, interactive, and spark curiosity.
Wendy F.
Wendy is a dedicated practitioner of education. When she was in high school, she began her education journey as a summer camp counselor at the Franklin Institute Discovery Camp, and flourished into camp counseling at Flourtown Summer Day Camp. She is currently in her second year of teaching 8th grade math at a public school district. Wendy graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in May of 2024 with a bachelor’s in middle school education concentrated in math. She is currently enrolled at SJU in pursuing her master’s in school counseling. She just can’t get away from the Hawks! As an educator, Wendy enjoys learning and engaging with the student’s mindset through discussions. This way, she understands how to best adjust her teaching style to her students. Her students understand that, while math is a difficult subject, it can be learned in various ways with time and effort. They will walk away from her lessons knowing that math can help them navigate life through critical thinking, logic, and problem-solving. Alongside her teaching passion in math, she loves to teach emotional intelligence and Mandarin!
Viacheslav L.
Viacheslav is an education professional with nine years of college-level tutoring experience. His background and knowledge base is broad, spanning legal studies, ESL, Science, Algebra, Physics, Computer Science, Biology, and Astronomy. He focuses on clear explanations, structured practice, and real-world examples to build confidence and results. He is also fluent in Russian.
EDUCATION:
MS, Computer Science, Russia
PhD, Social Studies, Russia
JD, Russia
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Russia
Nate T.
Nathan (goes by Nate) knows math and loves math, inside and out. He spent 15 years earning his doctorate and pursuing primary mathematics research, teaching and tutoring at the high school and college level all along the way. He’s currently serving as Adjunct Faculty at the College of DuPage and Waubonsee Community College tutoring high school students in math. However, he has taught and tutored students in places as far-flung as the University of Michigan, Duke University, UMass Amherst and the University of Miami.
With Nate, you won’t just get a tutor that knows the material in a few high school courses. You’ll get someone who …
… tutors from a place of understanding and with a growth mindset: where mistakes are a normal, and even essential, part of learning something new,
… is familiar with the whole high school curriculum: not just your student’s class, but the classes preceding it, and so can diagnose knowledge gaps and fill them with mini-lessons on the fly,
… can prep for college entrance exams including the SAT and ACT,
… knows the undergraduate mathematics curriculum and can tutor for students enrolled in dual credit or enrichment courses, and welcomes tutoring college students as well.
In his spare time, Nate likes to play table top role playing games, and is an amateur bodybuilder, although he still thinks about research questions in math from time to time too.
With Nate, your student’s math education is in the best hands!
Faraz K.
Faraz holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University, double majoring in Biology and Chemistry, and has completed graduate studies in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. He brings over five years of teaching experience, covering everything from elementary math and science to advanced undergraduate mathematics and standardized test prep. As a former teaching assistant at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Faraz has led classrooms, worked with small groups, delivered lectures, and graded exams.
A Chicagoland native, Faraz discovered his passion for teaching in college while introducing gifted children to LEGO robotics and computer programming. Outside the classroom, he is a dedicated runner—once a cross-country athlete, now a regular jogger—and a grilling enthusiast who insists barbecuing is equal parts science and art. Faraz’s teaching philosophy revolves around creating independent learners. He believes the best classroom isn’t the one where you are taught, but the one where you learn to teach yourself—though his students don’t have to grade their own homework… yet.
Jayden D.
Jayden is a college junior at the age of 19 and is studying Electrical Engineering with a passion for STEM education. Jayden specializes his tutoring abilities in math and physics at the high school level and lower. Jayden benefits from hands-on experience gained through lab work, projects, and academic programs and is excellent at simplifying difficult concepts. Jayden seeks to empower students to become more confident, improve problem-solving capabilities, and achieve their potential. From high school algebra to geometry, he creates customized, interactive lessons that are not only enjoyable but also highly effective.
Chelsea R.
Chelsea Ray holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Louisiana State University and is a Louisiana certified teacher for both middle school (grades 4–8) and high school mathematics (grades 6–12). With over six years of teaching and tutoring experience, she specializes in helping students build confidence and mastery in math through personalized instruction—both in-person and online.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new places and quick getaways to the beach. She loves hosting holiday get-togethers and celebrating new milestones with friends and family. Chelsea hopes she can connect and make learning math as simple as 1, 2, 3!