Brian V.
Brian holds a Ph.D. in Physics from UC San Diego, where he spent over five years as a graduate teaching assistant. With the long-term goal of becoming a professor, he is deeply committed to teaching and mentoring others to “give back” his knowledge. In 2023, he received the Distinguished Senior Graduate Teaching Award from the department in recognition of his dedication in this area.
Having both studied and taught math and physics for many years, Brian understands the challenges that often come when learning these subjects. His approach is to guide students through example problems by breaking them down into clear, manageable steps. He believes that, with the right guidance, every student can develop the skills and confidence to solve problems independently.
In his free time, Brian enjoys sailing with the Maritime Museum of San Diego—a hobby that, much like teaching, requires patience and a good sense of direction!
Matthew D.
Matthew grew up in Brenham, TX, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Texas at San Antonio, graduating magna cum laude. During his studies, he discovered his passion for teaching and helping students understand math and physics in ways that make sense to them.
Since 2021, Matthew has been a full-time educator in the Austin area, teaching and tutoring a wide range of subjects, including Pre-Calculus, Calculus I & II, Geometry, Algebra, and AP Physics. His teaching philosophy centers on building a strong conceptual foundation and adapting lessons to each student’s unique way of thinking. He has also worked successfully with students with learning differences such as dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and autism.
Matthew’s structured yet flexible approach helps students gain both confidence and mastery in their coursework. He is known for his patience, clear explanations, and ability to make challenging material approachable.
Outside of teaching, Matthew enjoys hiking, biking, reading, playing volleyball, and exploring new restaurants around Austin. (Fun fact: he once hacked Mario Kart Wii to add custom races!)
Jason L.
Jason is currently a Finance major at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and will be joining Bank of America this upcoming summer. Jason previously served as a STEM tutor for a non-profit organization, where his lessons in robotics and related fields reached more than 500 students.
He has extensive experience working with peers and younger students in mathematics, reading, and business fundamentals, including his involvement with DECA competitions. Jason brings patience, structure, and creativity to each session, helping students build both confidence and mastery in their coursework.
As a high school math tutor, Jason specializes in helping students strengthen their understanding of algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus while developing the critical thinking skills needed for long-term success. He believes that every student learns best when lessons are personalized and connected to their individual interests.
Outside of academics, Jason enjoys exploring new restaurants, hiking, and playing pickleball.
Madison R.
Madison is a 3rd year Ph.D. student studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research is on fixed-wing drones that provide aerial information gathering. Throughout undergrad and graduate school, Madison has been a Teaching Assistant in the aerospace department for various aerodynamics and aircraft dynamics classes.
She has spent the last 5 years tutoring middle and high school math and science, as well as SAT/ACT prep. During her time as an undergraduate student, she has worked for Disability Services at CU Boulder, where she was a peer mentor for students in applied math. Needless to say, she has an immense passion for education and mentorship!
Outside of school, Madison can be found with her two horses, Penelope and Daisy, who she trains and competes in three-day eventing and show jumping — or coaching young equestrians!
Robert S.
Robert is a professional and engaging tutor with 15 years of tutoring experience. He has Bachelor’s degrees in both Math and Chemistry and a PhD in Computational Chemistry from Stanford University. He specializes in high school and college level math and chemistry courses in addition to standardized test preparation in these areas. His level of subject matter expertise and understanding of students’ individual preferred learning styles helps his students achieve great success in their studies. His teaching style focuses on asking the student questions to allow them to arrive at the answer, which results in better memory and pattern recognition when they inevitably later see similar types of problems. He understands that every student is unique and has the patience to work with them on the strategies and methods that will set each student up for success.
Bruce M.
Bruce is an experienced educator with over 30 years of teaching and tutoring across academic subjects including math, science, writing, history, and geography. He’s helped students at all levels improve understanding, raise grades, and boost scores on standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GED, AP exams, Regents, ASVAB, and Civil Service tests. He’s served as an Adjunct Professor for over 30 years at several colleges, and also taught with The Princeton Review and Kaplan, bringing proven test-prep strategies to his students. In addition to 20 years of private tutoring, he spent 5 years with Science Adventures, running after-school science programs and summer camps plus 6 years at Treasure Island Day Camp in charge of all Nature programs.
His professional background includes more than two decades at Brookhaven National Lab, as well as technical and management roles at Grumman Aerospace, Robotic Vision Systems, Megadata, and American Science, working in scientific research, engineering, software development, management, and consulting. He’s also developed training programs and educational curricula for both academic and professional settings.
Beyond teaching and tech, he is a published writer with thousands of pages in print, as well as a journal editor. Students appreciate his ability to explain complex concepts clearly, build confidence, and adapt to their unique learning style.
Michael E.
Michael is a certified mathematics teacher in the state of Florida and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Florida Gulf Coast University. His strong academic foundation is enhanced by comprehensive teacher training, including extensive coursework in education and teaching placement.
With experience working with students from 4th grade through high school, as well as at the college level, Michael brings both deep content knowledge and a flexible, student-centered approach to instruction. His teaching is grounded in rigorous mathematical understanding and evidence-based strategies that help students deepen their understanding in math concepts, strengthen critical thinking, and prepare for future academic success.
Michael is a firm believer in the value of individualized instruction. He finds one-on-one tutoring is especially effective in math, as it allows him to tailor lessons to each student’s individual needs and build their confidence. Michael hopes to share his love for math with his students. His goal is not only to improve students’ performance in math but also to foster a lasting appreciation for the subject.
Lorena G.
Lorena has been a life-long educator specializing in mathematics. Her teaching experience includes working with 18-months to adults. She believes in a direct approach to delivering instruction.
Her formal education includes a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a minor in education from the University of Houston as well a master’s degree in education administration.
In her delivery of instruction, she prefers small groups and one-on-one to personalize instruction to address individual learning styles. She believes that learning is personal and can be addressed with careful and intentional means.
Lorena integrates technology into math curriculum effectively. In traditional middle and high school, she has been the seventh-grade math team leader, Algebra I team leader as well as Geometry team leader. This demonstrates her expertise in various content areas.
In all settings, Lorena is enthusiastic about teaching and self-driven. She believes that all students can learn in their own way, and she has come to learn that in addition to being an expert in education, she is successful because she portrays kindness and care towards her students.
Cynthia G. M.
Cynthia holds bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Honors Mathematics, and Geology from the University of South Florida, graduating cum laude. She completed a Master’s in Astronomy at the University of Florida and pursued advanced doctoral research (ABD) in Astronomy, specializing in low-mass star formation. Her career as an educator began early when she was appointed the youngest teaching assistant in her department while still an undergraduate, later securing a full-time faculty position at the University of the Virgin Islands before completing her PhD.
With over 20 years of teaching experience at institutions like the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, Miami Country Day School, and the Community School of Naples, Cynthia has taught a diverse range of students, including those with learning differences, in subjects such as physics, math, astronomy, and Spanish. She is committed to making complex material approachable and employs a structured approach to problem-solving. Cynthia guides students through a 5-step process that helps them tackle any problem with confidence, from understanding the concept to evaluating the solution. This method not only enhances problem-solving skills but also empowers students to become independent, lifelong learners.
By working individually with students, Cynthia is able to quickly identify gaps in their understanding and tailor her lessons to address those specific areas. Her teaching methodology encourages critical thinking, fosters active participation, and builds both academic skills and self-confidence.
Beyond the classroom, Cynthia has been a passionate advocate for outreach, working with students of all ages (from elementary school through adult learners) especially in minority and underrepresented communities. She has also worked closely with students who have special needs, guiding them to success in challenging coursework. As a mother of two middle schoolers, Cynthia understands the personal challenges students face, which strengthens her approach to tutoring.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Cynthia also offers Spanish tutoring and enjoys incorporating cultural perspectives into her teaching. A former professional dance instructor, she believes that creativity and movement can be powerful tools in the learning process, and she integrates these elements into her dynamic teaching style to connect with students in meaningful ways.
Darlene A.
Darlene grew up in Beaconsfield, Quebec and completed a B.Sc in Engineering Chemistry at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Then she moved to Vancouver, BC where she did a PhD in Chemistry. A number of years later she finished a B.Ed at UBC, specializing in Chemistry and Junior Science, Secondary School Education.
As a BC Certified teacher Darlene has taught in public and private secondary schools, including York House in Vancouver and Henan Public School in Zhengzhou, China. She also taught Chemistry 11 and Math 11 at summer school for the Vancouver School Board. Most of her education work has been tutoring. She has tutored for the last 16 years. During the pandemic she started to tutor online using a specialized tutoring software program.
Outside of this life, Darlene has been a ski instructor for Whistler Blackcomb for over 25 years, teaching adults the fine art of skiing. She gets great enjoyment out of helping people achieve their goals; be it to pass a course, get high grades to go the university of their choice – or to slide down a ski slope on skis.