Erin M.

Erin is a certified elementary teacher where she currently works as a substitute teacher in the Indian Prairie School District. She spent time as a 5th grade teacher before being given the opportunity to sub throughout the district in K-5 classrooms. She has been a sub in PE, special education, Music, and Art classes. For the first two years post college, Erin subbed in a 3rd grade and 1st grade classroom in this district. She graduated from The University of Iowa in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree after completing her student teaching experience in a 5th grade classroom in Iowa City. Erin has always worked with children including teaching swim lessons for 6 years, babysitting and working at a swim school for 6 years. She loves helping children learn and one way that she does this is by learning all about the interests of her students to implement that into the lessons taught. Adding interests into the lessons has helped children be more engaged in the lessons, and excited to learn. Erin cheers her students on as they are achieving their goals, and will encourage students to set new goals for themselves. In her free time, she likes going on walks, spending time with her dogs, and building LEGOS.

Tim G.

Tim G. has extensive experience in math and science, graduating with a PhD in Physics from the University of California, Riverside where he conducted research in galaxy evolution using the world’s premier ground and space-based telescopes. During his studies, Tim also discovered and nurtured his passion for teaching and mentoring while instructing numerous introductory physics and astronomy courses over a 5.5-year period as an award-winning Teaching Assistant (TA). Educating students with a wide range of skills, backgrounds, and interest in STEM, and majors ranging from liberal arts to engineering, Tim approached each student with engaging energy, adaptability to meet their needs, and patience, whether in class or one-on-one during office hours. Beyond simply teaching the material, Tim focused on building students’ critical-thinking skills and problem-solving abilities as well as on fostering an appreciation of the material by connecting it to real-world scenarios. Tim also sought to build positive relationships by being a mentor in addition to a teacher, leveraging his experiences to help students with questions regarding college and beyond. This personalized teaching style was well received by Tim’s students, a sentiment reflected in the 2 Outstanding Teaching Assistant awards Tim received from his department.

Now back in the suburbs of Chicago where Tim grew up, he continues to exercise his passion for teaching, tutoring math and science to local middle and high school students with the same care and energy as when he was a TA. In his free time, Tim is pursuing data science and picking up hobbies like gardening. He is an avid sports fan, loves watching movies and going to the theater, and enjoys hiking, camping, and road tripping with his family and dog, Ralph. He also especially enjoys having seasons again (even winter!) and partaking in seasonal activities.

Melissa D.

Melissa has more than 15 years of experience working for major media organizations as a journalist and in educational standardized testing and assessment. She has also worked with English Language Learners, gifted/twice-exceptional students, and served as a parent and academic coach. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she enjoys mentoring students in research, writing, analysis, and visual storytelling.

She believes a successful writing partnership begins with the development of a shared visual calendar of goals that helps students break down tasks into manageable steps. She enjoys helping students develop a system of visual organization, color coding, and time management paired with technology to encourage accountability and help manage the writing process.

Technology today offers emerging tools for gathering information and feedback. Melissa believes it is essential that a student develop a unique voice along with research and executive function skills that build confidence across all means of communication, independent of technology. The positive habits that a student develops working with a writing coach pay off in high school, college, and professionally.

Outside of mentoring and serving as a writing coach, Melissa also helps students develop data analysis, presentation, and visual storytelling skills that yield impact beyond the classroom. Her goal is to foster a student’s love of communication and analysis.

Her most rewarding role has been guiding her sons through their academic journeys with diligence, transparency, and humor. She remains passionate about helping students of all backgrounds build confidence and succeed.

Corinne B.

Throughout her 25+ years of classroom teaching, Corinne B. relied upon several core principles to ensure successful student learning. First, students are participants in the learning process; they bring themselves and their experiences to it. They are not empty vessels for expert instructors to fill with information. Whether the student is 5 years of age, or 50, each holds a wealth of ideas, memories, skills and feelings – and these form the ground of all learning. Second, she values questions and answers equally; a student’s evolving intellectual confidence means demonstrating both ways of knowing. Finally, a student should be able to apply what they are studying to the everyday world; to make the abstract into something observable or measurable. Corinne’s instructional approach has been validated by the academic success of hundreds of her students, and by twice being granted the DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Award (2007 & 2024). Corinne holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago, and has designed multi-disciplinary teaching curricula and lessons for many years. Her work in single-student education is marked by an individualized approach emphasizing the interests and talents of the pupil. Learning goals and metrics for successful evaluation are shared with students and parents/guardians at the outset of the tutoring relationship, and updated as the pupil’s educational experience unfolds.

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!

Martha T.

Meet Martha — a former teacher, mom of four, and proud grandma who’s survived enough homework assignments to earn an honorary Ph.D. in patience. She’s taught elementary school, religious education, and even homeschooled her daughter for most of a year — and yes, everyone still speaks to each other!
When she wasn’t teaching, she was coaching her daughter’s softball team and cheering from the sidelines. After raising her family and building a successful career in the corporate world, Martha is excited to return to her first love: helping children learn and grow. With her mix of experience, humor, and heart — plus a few fun travel stories from Europe and Mexico — she makes learning both effective and enjoyable.

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.

Kyle H.

Kyle is a primary English educator and aspiring film professor with more than six years of teaching and tutoring experience across multiple classrooms, workshops, online platforms, and subjects. While he has been pursuing his masters degree in education at National Louis University, he has also been supporting grades 9–12 as a permanent substitute teacher at Hinsdale South High School. Kyle also has led screenwriting, creative writing, and public speaking sessions for Cardinal Filmworks, a student owned and ran film collective at Ball State University (his alma mater). Finally, after his undergrad, he also tutored poetry, Spanish, photography, and videography for learners of all ages with Varsity Tutors as one of their Creative Writing Experts. His style tends to center on building up confidence and problem solving skills through lessons that connect his students’ work to their interests. Creativity is a core tenet of his and because of that he loves to design personalized, engaging sessions that balance creative freedom with structured feedback so that each student grows as both thinker and creator. Because of this more creativity-focused approach, crafting relationships with my students is paramount to me. Learning about their lives and helping them succeed is just as important to me as their academics. Kyle is a lifelong reader, film buff, devoted sci‑fi and fantasy fan, bass guitar player, and avid Chicago & New York sports fan (Cubs/Sox Mets/Jets).

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.

Maricel A.

Maricel is a Certified Teacher with PEL ( Professional Educators License ). She has two endorsements, one in Early Childhood Education and Elementary. She grew up in the Philippines. Therefore, she speaks two languages which are Tagalog and English with two dialects ( Pampango and Ilocano ). Maricel has completed her Undergraduate Degree at the College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac, Philippines with Bachelors in Elementary Education. She was hired by the same institution ( Private Catholic School For Girls ) even before she has graduated. She taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for a decade and has been a Department Head Coordinator for three years. She also taught First Grade on her eleventh year before she came in the US of A. Maricel was also a consistent officer in the school where she worked for more than a decade.
In Spring 2005, Maricel moved in Elgin, IL. She was petitioned by a Daycare as a Kindergarten/ After School teacher and a Director at the same time. The owner of the Daycare was happy as soon as Maricel came to work at the Daycare that she has entrusted her with everything. Maricel then ran the Daycare and was loved by her employer, staffs and as well as the parents. She finds these experiences enjoyable and extremely rewarding. In 2022, Maricel moved in the Public School and taught Pre-K ( Bilingual and English Class ). She really has a passion for teaching and working with children.
Alongside having years of tutoring experience, Maricel also tutors students where she fosters an engaging personalized one -on-one interactive lessons. She truly believes that engaging students using their curiosity and interests is crucial in helping them gain the confidence they require to succeed. In her spare time, Maricel enjoys walking, playing pickle ball, and zumba, as well as spending time with family, friends and church mates.