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.

Ayesha V.

I’m a passionate educator and tutor with over five years of experience helping students succeed across a range of subjects, including math, reading, writing, and phonics. I have a strong background in supporting English Learners and am known for my warm, culturally responsive teaching style. I’ve worked in both public and private school settings, including as a bilingual assistant and as the owner-principal of a private kindergarten.

I design personalized learning experiences that build confidence and foster a love of learning. Fluent in both English and Spanish, I value strong communication and whole-child development. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, running, watching movies, and spending time in nature with family and friends—and I never miss a chance to celebrate student growth with a little confetti!

Lucas J.

Lucas Jacob has taught and tutored writing, literature, and reading to grades 6-12 for more than 30 years, in private, public, and public-charter schools across the United States and in Budapest, Hungary, where he was a Fulbright Fellow. He holds a B.A. in English and African/African-American Studies from Carleton College (Phi Beta Kappa; magna cum laude) and an M.A. (with highest honors) in writing and literature from Temple University. Luke has published nearly 100 essays, poetry, and works of fiction in trade journals (including Education Week and Independent School Magazine) and literary magazines (including Southwest Review and Chicagoland’s venerable RHINO). His first two full-length collections of poems have come out in the past six years, from Eyewear Publishing (London, UK) and Next Page Press (San Antonio, TX). He currently serves as co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Media Literacy Education and he is working on both his first middle grades novel and his first mystery novel for adult audiences, which goes to show that even when he is not teaching reading and writing he is…well…reading and writing.

Madison J.

Madison J. is a certified teacher in Life Sciences and ELL. She has been teaching for 10 years. While studying Neuroscience at Vassar College, she discovered a love of teaching as a chemistry teaching assistant. After graduating, she went on to earn a Master’s in teaching through a fellowship with the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. She has taught Biology, Zoology, and Environmental Science at the high school level, as well as science and math at the middle school level. Her true passion is in helping all students not only succeed, but to discover a love of learning and the joy that comes from exploring the world. Outside of the classroom, she is mom to an energetic son and a grumpy tortoise. She loves to knit, sew, and hike.

Grace F.

Grace F. is earning her degree in Elementary Education at North Central College, where she has maintained a high GPA and earned a spot on the Dean’s List for six consecutive semesters. Originally from Elmhurst, she discovered her love of teaching while helping classmates with writing, research, and public speaking. What started as casual tutoring turned into a true passion for supporting students.

Grace has worked with learners from early childhood through middle school, developing creative, student-centered lessons through daycare and summer programs. She believes every child learns differently and thrives on adapting instruction to meet individual needs.

Through her college placements, Grace has taught in 1st through 4th grade classrooms and supported 5th grade accelerated math, gaining experience in literacy, math, and science. She also helps students strengthen executive functioning skills like organization, planning, and time management—because sometimes, learning how to learn is the biggest lesson of all.

Outside the classroom, Grace enjoys birdwatching and exploring the outdoors. Her love of animals and education came together through the Greater Chicago Cage Bird Society, where she taught scout groups about bird care and behavior. She’s been helping students—and birds—take flight ever since.