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.

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.

Nicholas B.

Nicholas is a passionate and highly experienced math instructor with a Master’s Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University. Over the past several years, he has worked with students across all grade levels—from elementary through high school—helping them build confidence and mastery in mathematics.

Nicholas teaches remotely in the mornings through a one-on-one independent school in Connecticut and works in the afternoons at two learning centers in Florida. He works with students on all high school math subjects, including Algebra I & II, Geometry, Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, and AP Statistics. No matter the level, Nicholas focuses on helping students strengthen their understanding and build confidence in their math skills.

With extensive experience in both classroom and tutoring settings, Nicholas has successfully guided students through rigorous math curricula and standardized test preparation for the SAT and ACT math sections, often leading to significant improvements in performance and self-assurance.

Known for his patient, structured, and encouraging approach, Nicholas tailors every session to meet each student’s unique learning style. His strong mathematical foundation—highlighted by a perfect 800 on the SAT Math section—and his commitment to student growth make him a trusted and effective mentor for learners at every stage of their academic journey.

Gilbert H.

Howdy! Gilbert H. is a former high school math teacher with nine years of experience. Before becoming a teacher, he was in the Marine Corps as an artillery officer for over 10 years. He currently works as a data analyst for the Air Force. One of the greatest joys he’s experienced is helping young adults discover they can overcome any obstacle with the proper mindset. As a math teacher, it was not just understanding the numbers and processes, but why it works and how to simplify a problem by having a strategy. Being a leader of Marines, Gilbert learned that individuals are motivated and learn based on their experiences and personality. He has helped many individuals overcome adversity, gain confidence, and mature as professionals and individuals.

Elias A.

Elias Allen graduated from the University of Oxford in 2017 with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He worked as an SAT prep teacher and tutor for AP US History, AP World History, and AP Literature in DC and Maryland from 2018 to 2019. Elias served as a Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in Kosovo from 2019-2020 and from 2022-2023, teaching English to K-12 students. In 2020 and 2021 he worked as a tutor in Oregon for elementary and middle school students, tutoring English, reading comprehension, writing, math, and coding. In 2021 Elias taught English and critical thinking skills to students in Kosovo virtually in the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot Program. He graduated from Columbia University with an MA in 2025. In his free time Elias enjoys playing basketball, ping pong, and tennis.

Muskaan T.

Hi, I’m Muskaan, a graduate student in Bioengineering at Rice University with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in bioinformatics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. With over five years of tutoring experience, I’ve had the opportunity to guide high school, undergraduate, and graduate students through subjects such as organic chemistry, biology, genetics, calculus, biostatistics etc. My teaching philosophy centers on turning complex topics into clear, engaging lessons that connect theory to real-world applications. Beyond tutoring, my professional experience spans both academic research and clinical practice from analyzing genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease as a Graduate Researcher at UTHealth Houston, to assisting with pain management and pediatric clinics. These experiences have strengthened my ability to bridge scientific knowledge with practical understanding, which I strive to bring into every session. I’m passionate about helping students not only master challenging material but also build lasting confidence, curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for learning.

Josh C.

Josh earned his Master’s in Science Education from Rutgers, where he also studied Physics with minors in Math and Education. Since 2010, he has been helping students through private tutoring, Rutgers programs, and various companies—spending nearly 10,000 hours working one-on-one with learners of all levels.

What Josh loves most about teaching is making tough subjects like Physics and Math feel less intimidating. He focuses on helping students really understand the concepts behind the equations, not just memorize steps. Connecting abstract equations to real-world examples is of paramount importance when making things click, and whenever possible, Josh has students explain the material back to him—it’s a great way to build confidence and deepen understanding. Seeing that growth in students is Josh teaches, and he would be excited to help you get there as well.

In his free time, Josh likes to annoy his cat and play strategy games of various types to keep his mind sharp. Eventually, his cat decides they need attention, and then Josh gets to have the extra difficulty of playing while maneuvering around a cat between his face and the screen. It’s a good life.

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!