Great SAT tutors mean great results and when it comes to great tutors, we have the best process for finding and training just the right one for your child.

To learn more about how we hire our SAT tutors, take a look at the exclusive Tier One selection process.

 Tina Jan

Hometown: Irvine, California
College Attended: University of California, Berkeley
Major: History of Art / Molecular Cell Biology

About Me:
Hi, my name is Tina. I currently live in Loma Linda, CA. I received my B.A. degree from UC Berkeley. My majors were History of Art and Molecular Cell Biology. Prior to college, I graduated from Irvine High School with Honors. When I’m not tutoring students, I can usually be found in my real estate office in Beaumont, CA. In addition to being a real estate agent, I am a mentor to the new agents that join my office. My hobbies include anything arts and crafts (sewing, knitting, jewelry-making), reading, easy video games, learning new languages, visiting museums, and taking pictures of funny-looking animals at zoos/aquariums.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I grew up in a supportive family that valued a good education. Thus, I am a firm believer of lifelong learning. Going to an amazing university was one of the best experiences in my life. I want to share that with as many people as possible, by helping them in their studies. I tutor because I see the positive effects. It is a great way for students to learn skills that they can use immediately, as well as in the future.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
Tier One focuses on giving each and every student a personalized tutoring experience. This is because Tier One recognizes that every student has different strengths, needs, and goals. In very much the same way, it also values the diversity, knowledge, and skills of its tutors. Tier One matches me with students within my area that would benefit the most from my style of tutoring. On top of that, tutoring for Tier One allows me to have a flexible schedule that works around other obligations in my life.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
You may have seen my hands on television commercials. I am a child-size hand model for a well-known doll company.

Paul Papadakis

Hometown: New York, New York
College Attended: NYU
Major: Drama, MSRE: Finance

About Me:
I am an actor who has appeared on TV, Film, Commercials and Theatre. I have felt the necessity to use both sides of my brain, thus I thoroughly enjoy teaching as well. I come from a family of academics so I have had quite a bit of exposure to the world of teaching. I like to think of myself as the teacher with mainstream streak.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
Get paid to solve problems? Wouldn’t you?

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
The most joy is the process of one-on-one tutoring. Tier-One allows me the opportunity to do so. They are a well organized group with a passion for their field, which makes for a great working relationship.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Here is the key to life: once you understand that you are the key, that the key represents your “choice”, and then you will see the road to your dream clearly. Get out of your own way, only you can hold you back. This may seem cheesy to some, but they may very well be the ones at the end of the road looking back and wondering what happened. So love yourself, get out of your way, and be the person you know you are deep down. It’s that simple.

Bettina Adger

Hometown: Houston, Texas
College Attended: Princeton University
Major: English
Minor: Theater

About Me:
I grew up in Texas, but I attended both high school and college on the east coast. Since college, I have lived in both New York City and Los Angeles. I have been acting professionally since I graduated from college in 2003. I have worked in a lot of stage productions, as well as film and television. I am currently studying for the October LSAT, and I have my own tutor!

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I have tutored since I was in high school, both my peers and young children. I love working so closely with people and helping them learn and gain confidence from new understanding.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I have met some great people, students and parents alike. I also love the method, as I believe it is superior to anything else out there!

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
My friend just quit her job as a lawyer to pursue a career in game show hosting. Seriously.

Aaron Ishikawa

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii
College Attended: University of Southern California
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Minor: Construction Management and Planning

About Me:
I am entering my senior year at the University of Southern California and I plan on entering the field of Construction Management when I graduate. I was born and raised in Honolulu, but moved to Los Angeles and it’s become my second home. I hope to work in Los Angeles for a few years, before moving back home to take care of family.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I wanted to become a tutor because I have seen the benefits of academic and SAT tutoring first hand. Admission into a private high school and University required a lot of intensive testing and a felt that tutoring raised my confidence level in taking these tests.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I like the fact that Tier One allows us to make a schedule with our clients that fits our personal needs. The flexibility of the program allows tutor, student and parents to coordinate a very workable schedule.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Something interesting about me is that I have a twin brother who is the polar opposite of me. We went to rival high schools and while I am an engineer, he is a film major at NYU.

Melissa Wake

Hometown: Huntington Beach, California
College Attended: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Psychology
Minor: Linguistics

About Me:
Travel addict, theatre buff, humor lover, The Office devotee, music aficionada, Pinkberry enthusiast.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
Becoming a tutor was actually a pretty serendipitous decision. Tired of being a mail clerk for UCLA, I was just looking for a change of pace; I needed a flexible job that would fit with my college classes. I did well on my SATs so I figured, why not teach it? Unknowingly, I had just made one of the most rewarding decisions of my life! Now, over two years later, the better question is: Why are you still a tutor? Well, I absolutely love tutoring because it is such a gratifying experience for both me and my student. It’s not just a job: It’s a FUN job.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
Hearing my students say, without a bit of sarcasm, “Hey, I like this part.” Who would have thought that I could actually get someone to like the SAT?

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
“He who laughs last didn't get it.”

Victor Solis

Hometown: Torrance, California
College Attended: UCLA; Calif. School of Culinary Arts; El Camino College
College Major: Food Science, Chemistry

About Me:
I’m a native South Bay Californian--with the exception of my first few years in the San Gabriel Valley. When I’m not tutoring or studying for school, I might be found cycling along the beach, writing fiction, or trying new food with friends. I’m looking forward to transferring colleges in 2009 to complete my degree in food science and technology.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
Many different people have asked if I’m going to teach someday, or have told me, “Thanks for explaining that so well,” so I eventually thought, why don’t I do what I seem to be good at? I don’t teach in school, but I’ve been tutoring and training tutors for several years. The great reward of seeing a student light up with realization and succeed at an assignment is unlike any other. As a music section leader once told me, “It’s fun to be good.”

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
Tier One is always a team effort where I’m not simply working one-on-one with a student, but backed up by experienced and passionate people who all care about the success of that student. It’s rare to find such consistently dedicated, positive people who are always available for support and feedback: what better job to have?

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Life with Science Majors: there hasn't been a time in my home when there weren't any living things with feathers, fins, or fur. At one point, when my sister, the environmental science major, and I were both living at home, we shared the place with a breeding pair of bearded dragons, an adopted cockatiel, an African gray named Pumba, and a carniverous pac-man frog affectionately named Monster. The frog was her idea.

Cindy Wang

Hometown: San Diego, California
College Attended: University of California, San Diego
Major: Biochemistry
Minor: Cell Biology

About Me:
I am currently a 3rd year at Southern California College of Optometry. When I finish schooling, I would love to work with children specializing in vision therapy, which is improving vision motor skills. In my free time, I love to experiment in the kitchen cooking and baking

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I love helping children learn. I feel like I am able to explain complicated concepts in a simple way. All the students that I have tutored have really enjoyed my teaching and as corny as it sounds, I love helping other people.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I love how organized everything is. I enjoy that the staff is friendly and that the students are easy to work with and flexible.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I can stick my whole fist in my mouth and my birth mark is on the roof of my mouth.

Alexander Gregath

Hometown: Sylmar, California
College Attended: Yale
Major: Philosophy/Religious Studies,
Minor: Molecular Biology

About Me:
I am a young man currently on sabbatical from Yale, who loves spending time with family, gourmet cooking, golf, and sitting in a cozy chair with a good book. My dog is truly man’s best friend, and other animals love me. My ideal day consists of waking up to the sunrise with the morning paper and pot of tea, going to the beach with my friends, a round of golf with my uncle, and capped by making an excellent dinner for my brother, mother, and father.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I began tutoring all the way back in middle school. A friend of mine from my YMCA youth basketball program had some trouble in his literature class. I found it greatly fulfilling sharing my knowledge with a friend and seeing his success. Over the years, I volunteered with the California Scholarship Federation and the College Resource Center to help disadvantaged students with their work. Work there satisfied two of my passions: service and overcoming challenges. The combination of the two inevitably led to work in professional tutoring.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I really enjoy Tier One’s ability to take a process that is incredibly insightful and successfully personalize it. The advantage of tutoring for Tier One is the in-depth research its founders used to develop methods that can lead to success on any SAT test. The advantage in hiring tutors like myself, rather than simply releasing a book, is that we can take those methods in which we are thoroughly trained and make them work on an individual basis.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
One of my favorite things to do is pick apart English words, learning their etymologies. Another, as evidenced by one of my majors, is philosophy. As a result, the following two jokes are some of my favorites.
“So a Latin scholar walks in to a bar and says, ‘Barkeep! I’d like a martinus please.’ The barman responds, ‘Don’t you mean a martini?’ To which the scholar scoffs, ‘No, I would not like two or more, thank you very much.”
“Descartes walks in to his favorite café. His regular waiter walks up; ‘The usual Mr. Descartes?’ After a moment Descartes replies, ‘I think not…,’ and disappears.”

Eric Goss

Hometown: Glendale, California
College Attended: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Physics

About Me:
I am a recent college graduate with a BS in physics and an avid math nerd. I have lived in the Los Angeles region my entire life (Glendale, specifically) and enjoy spending time in coffee shops and restaurants in the Silver Lake/Hollywood area with my girlfriend of many years. My favorite activities include playing video games, jogging, watching movies, and reading (that includes online, graphic novels, and real books and novels as well).

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I've always enjoyed discussing academic subjects with others, especially when it comes to math and science. I had some tutoring experience from high school working with other students preparing for the AP calculus exam and very much enjoyed the experience, so the idea of working with high school students again and helping them advance their educational goals, helped attract me towards Tier One. What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One: The most rewarding part of working for Tier One has been being able to work one-onone with some wonderful young adults, teaching them the subjects I love. Tier One's owners, who are experienced tutors themselves, have also been a great resource for me in developing my own skills as a tutor - they are always willing to give advice and help form study plans.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
During high school I owned a ball python snake named, appropriately enough, "Slither". A couple of times during the year after AP testing was finished I was able to get away with taking Slither to my school, thanks to a great biology teacher who allowed me to stow her in a terrarium for most of the day. I took Slither along to my AP Government class as well (luckily that teacher didn't mind either). The best part of that hour was finding out that a guy on the football team who I didn't particularly like was terrified of snakes. The reaction of most of the girls to the snake wasn't half bad, either. In fact, I'd say that hour summed up one of the best parts of snake ownership: seeing the looks of squeamish horror on people's faces as you approach them with a snake wrapped around your neck.

Chris Morris

Hometown: Chatsworth, California
College Attended: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Computer Science

About Me:
I live in West LA with a bunch of guys in an apartment while going to school. Life is very good and the future looks even better!

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
While in college, I cannot realistically think of a more desirable job than being able to use my knowledge and abilities to help younger students thrive in their educational environment.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I love to see my students show improvement. As a tutor, that is one of the coolest things. It is also great when a student shows excitement about learning something new.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
So the other day, I went to visit my family in the San Fernando Valley. I drove back to my apartment in West LA at around 2:30 AM. On arriving, I realized that I was locked out! So I climbed on one of my roommate's cars and then climbed onto our balcony (we live on the 2nd story). I hope I didn't scare the neighbors!

Leslie Navarro

Hometown: Laguna Hills, California
College Attended: San Diego State University
Major: Applied Art and Design

About Me:
I currently work full time for a Diagnostics Company and tutor as a side job. I worked in the mortgage industry for over 6 years before tutoring and the healthcare industry. I started tutoring high school students while my son was a baby prior to going back to work full time. He is now 4 and absolutely wonderful… my pride & joy. I have many interests- art, music, camping, snowboarding, off road- dirt bikes, etc. I have a very serious intellectual side but also like to have a lot of fun. Life is short and we should enjoy it to the fullest not waste it

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I enjoy working with kids & I have always excelled in Math. School came easy for me in general & I want to help people find fun ways to learn.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I think Tier One has a great program and the flexibility is wonderful

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
This isn’t quite a story but… I am one of the most graceful klutzes you’ll ever meet. As a youth, I have some background in dance and gymnastics so the same girl that can do a split leap through the air or a back layout on a trampoline will also walk into the file cabinet next to my desk & end up with a bruised leg.

Preston Lewis

Hometown: Irvine, California
College Attended: University of California, Irvine
Major: Information and Computer Science
Minor: Psychology and Social Behavior

About Me:
I’m currently a senior at the beautiful University of California, Irvine, finishing up my education. I am keenly interested in learning, which fuels my insatiable curiosity about everything. I love to travel, and I’ve been fortunate enough to experience many different cultures and landscapes in many different countries including Australia, Japan, and many in Europe. I believe that no goal is unattainable with the right amount of awareness and drive. I spend my free time enjoying my family and friends, playing guitar, studying vocal technique, and reading.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
When I was just out of high school, knew a family who had a daughter in sixth grade who was struggling in school. One day, they asked if I would be willing to tutor her. As a teenager at the time, I was initially apprehensive because it seemed like a lot of responsibility. After a few weeks, though, she was scoring A’s and B’s on tests that she used to score C’s and D’s on. Her parents were happy about her grades, but what I found really inspired me was that she had become excited about learning. From this experience, I discovered a love of tutoring/teaching that has been with me ever since. Grades are important, test scores are important, but nothing is ever more important than a student’s confidence in him or herself, or the development of a strong sense of curiosity and desire to learn. It doesn’t always happen that a student’s confidence and thinking ability blossoms through tutoring, but I have seen it happen very often. There are often moments while tutoring where your student masters a difficult concept and they are struck with this wonderful ‘aha!’ moment, and they are universally very excited at their newfound ability. These are the moments that make tutors want to be tutors.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I’ve enjoyed the diversity of students, particularly. Students come to Tier One with all different backgrounds, ability levels, and personalities. Each student is a unique challenge and a unique opportunity. I’ve also enjoyed the freedom to develop a rapport with the parents of students. I believe it is important for parents and teachers to be able to communicate directly. Also, the developers at Tier One truly have put together a firstclass SAT training method. Its fun to teach, easy to learn, and most importantly, very effective.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Computer programmers can count to 31 on one hand. You can too. (hint: think binary)

Meghan Santone

Hometown: Orange County, Mission Viejo
College Attended: San Diego State University
Major: Deaf Studies

About Me:
I recently got married and moved to San Diego! I work at Deaf Community Services as a Literacy Instructor for the deaf. I have a mini daschund named Rosco. He is black and tan dappled and has quite a spurlaut. On my free time, if there is any, I enjoy running around Miramar Lake and taking Rosco to the dog park with my husband.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
My full-time job is teaching deaf students and I just can't get enough of education! There are few people in this world that can be patient in teaching hard concepts to students and I love being one of the few. It is a great experience to see kids when they finally understand something they've been struggling with. I love to make learning fun and enjoyable.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
The lesson plans! The book is so easily understood by me AND all of my students. There is no other study guide that can fully explain and simplify the SAT. The test we tutor for is one feared by many, but the curriculum given to the students washes all fear and doubt away.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I have had over 80 dogs in my lifetime...I was raised on a farm. Just kidding; my mom was a dog trainer. She trains them in obedience and tracking. Once they're good enough, they can even become police dogs!

Sam Griffith

Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
College Attended: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Communication Studies
Minor: History

About Me:
I’m a film director from North Carolina and my three favorite things are: In and Out burgers, Krispy Kreme donuts, and Cookout milkshakes (is a NC thing!)

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I've always thought of myself as a natural teacher and love working with developing minds.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
Seeing scores go up!

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I’m the oldest of 7 siblings. Three more and we could play 5 on 5 basketball!

Marcus Cohlan

Hometown: Chappaqua, New York
College Attended: Northwestern University
Major: Radio/Television/Film and History
Minor: Creative Writing for the Media Program

About Me:
Originally from NY, I have lived in Los Angeles since June 2007 and I am pursuing my dream of acting and filmmaking. I have made three short films, some which have won festival awards. My first film was a controversial documentary on the sorority rush process at Northwestern University. One of my shorts Fast As You Can recently aired on the PBS network throughout the metropolitan region. You can check out all about my artistic pursuits on my website at www.marcuscohlan.com.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
Besides having to pay the bills? Well, I wanted to become a tutor because I really enjoy the educational and college admissions process. I struggled for years trying to master standardized tests and I know how daunting they can seem. I remember how much I revered my tutors when I was in high school during the early 2000’s. I really enjoy working with kids and helping them learn stronger study habits and the ability to create achievable goals for oneself.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I really enjoy the relationship I have with my employers. They are both laid-back guys and very understanding towards their tutors. I also really like working with kids – it makes me feel like I’m in high school again. High school was one of the best times of my life. Remember that kids – enjoy every moment and don’t work too hard!

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I’ve partied with Stephen Colbert. Had a girlfriend for 24 hours who was twice my age. Jumped off a 60-foot bridge into bright blue reservoir waters and I’ve almost been arrested. I got 20 Chasidic Jews to be star in my short film. I’ve been to Prague, Israel, and Duncan, Oklahoma. I live in LA, but I’ve got a New York soul.

Tori Gargiso

Hometown: Wantagh, New York
College Attended: UC San Diego
Major: Management Science

About Me:
I grew up on Long Island, New York and moved out to San Diego 7 years ago to attend college.  While I was there I played rugby and soccer and continue to play both.  Upon graduation I went to work for College Loan Corporation and I am currently employed there in their accounting department.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I’ve been tutoring since high school and I really love the experience of helping students to understand concepts that they previously believed to be beyond their ability. 

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I really like working for Tier One because I feel that their method can and will help any student achieve a better score and give them the confidence to be a better student.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Random - What did they do with the slow tomato? They made him catch up (ketchup)!

About me – I was once on a TV soccer show because my teammates voted me most likely to fall down on the field and the program needed someone to demonstrate falling down and what not to do.

Joey Power

Hometown: Los Angeles, California
College Attended: University of Pennsylvania
Major: English

About Me:
The Beatles have had a huge, unquantifiable influence on my life—not just in terms of my musical taste but also on my value system as a whole. I believe they’re the greatest band of all time. Obviously, I feel very strongly about this and think that anyone who hasn’t given them a chance or says the band isn’t for is him really missing out greatly on one the most magical things in life.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I remember how stressful the entire college application process was for me. And though it seems like SAT preparation could exacerbate that stress by focusing so intently on one element of the process, it’s really actually an opportunity to help turn for these students an unwieldy situation into something that’s attainable without being at the same time too consuming.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I enjoy the input I’m able to give back to Brian when determining how to specifically tailor curriculum to a student’s specific needs. There’s a nice dialogue there that I don’t imagine exists at every SAT prep company.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
One fateful night when I was five years old, I went to the movies and ate an entire box of Red Vines licorice. Thereafter, I returned with my friend to his house where we had a sleepover. I proceeded to become ill all over the couch. I have not eaten Red Vines ever since.

Zach Ansel

Hometown: Irvine, California
College Attended: Tulane University
Major: Business Management

About Me:
I graduated from Tulane in 2006 after a brief stint at USC due to Hurricane Katrina. I am currently working towards a Professional Accountant certificate at Santa Monica College in preparation for the CPA exam. In addition to tutoring, I also work with my father as a financial analyst, specializing in crisis management and turnaround consulting. In my free time I enjoy playing roller hockey. I have played most of my life and continue to find a way to fit it into my schedule.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I have found teaching to be very rewarding ever since I coached my first roller hockey team when I was in high school. Watching my players develop their skills over the course of the season and seeing them succeed gave me a great sense of satisfaction. The same holds true for working with students. Being able to share my knowledge and insight with them and watch them develop and succeed is truly a rewarding experience.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I believe that Tier One has developed a state-of-the-art program for the SAT. They have developed a proven strategy to approach every type of question that appears on the SAT that no other SAT prep course offers. For example; we don’t tell students to try to memorize a million vocabulary words. That’s not realistic. What we teach is a strategy to eliminate incorrect answers.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
On the way home from one of the tutoring training sessions I got into my first car accident ever. It was a minor one. No one was hurt and the damage wasn’t bad, but it was my fault, technically, even though it was unavoidable. I was coming over a hill and couldn’t and once I crested it, the traffic on the other side was at a dead stop. I slammed on breaks, but there wasn’t enough time so I took evasive action and swerved into the next lane hoping there wouldn’t be a car there, well, there was and I side swiped it.

Ben Smith

Hometown: Clearfield, Pennsylvania
College Attended: Slippery Rock University
Major: Professional Writing/Journalism

About Me:
I grew up on the East Coast in Pennsylvania and never crossed the Mississippi river until I was 23. I moved here and 2002 and realized that, like the song says, it never rains in Southern California. My first six months here it rained only three times.
Though the name is a dead give-away, it rained torrentially three or four times a week at Slippery Rock University where I did my undergrad. And yes, that is a real university name. I now call California and I am pursuing a teaching credential at Cal State Long Beach.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I tutored at Slippery Rocks’ Writing Center for two years. One of the most interesting things is that I helped a lot of students who were smarter than me and way ahead of me in school. As a sophomore I help a lot of graduate students with their papers. I like tutoring because it teaches me a lot about myself, the subjects I am tutoring, and how to relate to people.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I enjoy the personal interaction of working with students the most.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I grew up in and old coal mining village in Pennsylvania that had a population of 50-60 people. The mine had been gone for 50 years, at least. My house used to be the company store, meaning it was huge. It had 21 rooms with eleven bedrooms.


Alex Valdivia

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
College Attended: UC San Diego
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Music

About Me:
I’m an engineering graduate who besides doing academic stuff also has a keen interest in playing and making music.  I still like doing math problems/word puzzles/brain teasers etc, and am always up for learning new things, and hopefully not forgetting them for a while.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I tutored a little before in high school and college and always enjoyed helping other students.  Even if their field of study in college doesn’t really require much of what they learned, making it easier to get where they want is worthwhile.  Plus, tutoring keeps the material I teach fresh in my mind.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I like the freedom Tier One gives its tutors to teach the academic subjects they are comfortable with.  I also like the flexibility it gives as a part-time job to let its tutors teach around their schedules.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Q:  What do you call a drummer who just broke up with his girlfriend?

A:  Homeless

Mike Price

Hometown: Hartland, Wisconsin
College Attended: Emerson College
Major: Film
Minor: Writing

About Me:
I’m a friendly Midwestern boy with big dreams who made the move to Los Angeles like thousands before and thousands to come. Until all my dreams come true, I pass the time enjoying the beautiful weather, interesting people, and a city that can provide everything you’re willing to go after.
I work mainly as a tutor these days, though I have a lot of experience in television production, video editing, and some acting. When I’m not working, I spent a lot of time performing, studying, and enjoying comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in Hollywood.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I was attracted by the flexibility and autonomy of the position, the chance to work in a one-on-one setting instead of an office, and the opportunity to meet and affect the lives of different people on a regular basis. Also, I was always pretty good at standardized testing ;-)

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
The thing I enjoy most is that every month or two, I get to start working with someone entirely new, and the experience is never the same. Each student presents unique challenges, and finding the best way to surmount those challenges with each student is always satisfying.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Two goldfish are sitting in a tank. The first fish turns to the second and says “You man the guns. I’ll drive.”

Austin Sayre

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
College Attended: Emerson College
Major: Acting

About Me:
I was born and raised in a “village,” it wasn’t big enough to qualify as a city, outside of Cincinnati, OH. I have one younger sister. Since I graduated from High School I’ve lived in Boston, MA, Chicago, IL, Well, The Netherlands and now Los Angeles, CA.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I’m very passionate about learning and I love helping people work through problems and remember to enjoy themselves a little as they learn.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I love how Tier One helps me stay connected to the needs of the students I’m tutoring. They keep the lines of communication open and are always there to support me if I ever run into a question or problem.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I have played the cello for 14 years. I first auditioned for music conservatories before I decided to pursue acting.

Ian Whittaker

Hometown: Tustin, California
College Attended: Vanderbilt University
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Criminology

About Me:
27 years old and still a student; I'm becoming quite the expert. It's a shame I can't find a position as a professional student. When I'm not studying for classes or tutoring, I'm working out and training. I still compete athletically, so I can really relate to the hectic schedule that so many of my students maintain.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
It's a lot of fun! I just wanted an interesting job that would keep me busy on the weekends so I wouldn't get lazy.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
At this age, so many of my students are struggling to tap into the incredible amount of potential that they know they have, I know they have and their parents know they have. It brings me great joy to see when I have accelerated the process of my students potentiating themselves.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I recently saw the famed Kobayashi lose for the second straight year in a row at "Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest." I was so inspired by the fortitude of the contestants that I went out to a buffet later that week to test my own resolve. Though I am the undisputed champion of eating among my group friends, which I am proud to say includes men who tip the scales at over 350 lbs; the professional eaters are truly in a class of their own.

Grace Havlak

Hometown: Saint Louis, Missouri
College Attended: The Rhode Island School of Design
Major: Apparel Design

About Me:
I grew up in a household without TV, and so spent my entire childhood buried in books half as large as I was. I always assumed that I would go to a liberal arts school, major in literature, and become a writer, but halfway through high school got very interested in art and fashion and started to consider art school. I couldn’t imagine giving up literature classes, though, so when I found RISD, I knew it would be the best of both worlds – I got an amazing art education, but also got to take all the liberal arts classes I wanted at Brown University.
I graduated in June 2007, and after 4 years of freezing on the East Coast, decided I was ready for a warmer climate. I moved to California and found a job as an assistant designer at a small fashion company near downtown Culver City. I started working with TierOne shortly thereafter and have had a great time learning my way around Los Angeles.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I’m the oldest of 4 children and spent years working as a live-in nanny in New York during my summer breaks in high school and college. I love working with kids, and think it’s great to be able to teach them new things. I liked the challenge of trying to present the same information in different ways to different students so that it really made sense to them individually. I also remember what a stressful process applying to college was for me, and loved the idea that I could make it a little easier for someone else. Besides, it a great way to keep my mind sharp and make sure that math stays fresh in my head even though I don’t use it that often in my normal line of work.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I really enjoy the challenge of trying to present the same information to different students in different ways, so that it really made sense to them individually. I love being able to see them start to understand questions in new ways and watch the information click for them. It’s really satisfying to see that you can actually make a difference! I also think it is fun to meet new people and find it really interesting to see all the different ways that people learn and approach problems.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
1 – One time I made 500 cupcakes and threw a “cupcake fight” for my birthday. It’s like a snowball fight. Only messier.
2 – I’ve read War & Peace three times.
3 – I nearly had my leg amputated when I was three years old because I stepped on a bee. Turns out I’m allergic!
4 – I grew up completely without TV.
5 – My great- great- grandmother was rumored to have had an affair with Babe Ruth.
6 – When I was little I had a cat named Pity Me that weighs 31 pounds.
7 – My twin sister is a mechanical engineer.
8 – I was legally deaf from the ages 2 to 4, but have totally normal hearing now.
9 – My little brother is 6’6.
10 – Nine of these things are actually true!

Aaron Keller

Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
College Attended: California State Polytechnic University of Pomona
Major: Communications, Journalism

About Me:
In addition to tutoring I work as a technical editor for an environmental engineering company and as a personal coach. I am passionate about auto racing and traveling. In the past few years I have been to Japan, China, Hawaii, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, England and Romania.

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
It sounded like a fun job.

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
I love when I make a difference for a student or when something "clicks" for them.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I was in London and missed my flight! I had to be in San Francisco for an appointment two days later and there were no more flights back to Los Angeles from London. Amazingly I made it to San Francisco on time and touched down in four major cities along the way. I slept very well that night.

Claire French

Hometown: West Sayville, New York
College Attended: Occidental College
Major: Urban and Environmental Policy

About Me:
I’m a 21-year-old senior at Occidental College, excited about graduation and what lies ahead.  Right now I’m also working for a labor union doing organizing work as well as trainings.  I play left wing on the school’s rugby team; I also play cello in a chamber group on campus.  I’m originally from Long Island, New York and I’m still a big Yankees fan.  In my spare time, I enjoy surfing, dirt biking, snowboarding, and cooking. (pictured right)

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I wanted to become a tutor because I love helping students achieve their goals.  After college, I hope to become a full time teacher or professor. I love interacting with kids and young adults because they are so enthusiastic and energetic!

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:
What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One is students’ reactions at their improvement.  When I work with students on subjects that are challenging, it is especially rewarding when they gain an understanding of that subject.  After working hard, we both feel like we have achieved something together!

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
Children can be brutally honest sometimes.  I went to a barbecue over the summer with my dad and this five-year old girl came up to us.  “You look like my grandpa,” she told my dad.  My dad laughed, and replied “Your grandpa must be a very good-looking man.”  “Actually,” continued the girl, “He’s seventy-three and he looks old.”  Charming girl.

 Amanda Sywak

Hometown: Glastonbury, Connecticut
College Attended: Boston University
Major: Acting

About Me:
I moved to Los Angeles almost two years ago. Having grown up on the East Coast I wanted to see what all this good weather was about. I have a little silky terrier named Molly who keeps me running around even on my slowest of days. Having come from a family of CIA (Culinary Institute of America) grads, I also love to cook. I grew up on an orchard so I make a mean apple pie!

Why I wanted to become a tutor:
I’ve always loved working with students. Nothing beats the feeling I get when I see a student start to get excited about a subject they, previously, couldn’t stand.

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
When I was five, I told my three-year-old cousin that he had to put the nickel he found in the bank, so that it would create interest, because college is very expensive.

Matthew Tsou

Chris Congleton

Hometown: San Diego, California

College Attended: University of California Santa Cruz, University of California Davis

Major:  Culture and Technology and Transportation Technology and Policy           

 

About Me:            

I’m a PhD candidate in Transportation Technology and Policy at UC Davis, finishing writing my dissertation down here in Anaheim. My academic work is focused on adapting our transportation systems to facilitate walking, biking, transit, and carpooling rather than driving alone. I have my work cut-out for me, especially here in the L.A. region.

 

In addition to spending many hours every day writing my dissertation, I sing classical Hindustani music, ride my bicycle, practice yoga, dance, and sail on the weekends.

 

I have enjoyed being a teacher of students from 8 year olds to 80 year olds in many subjects both academic and applied, including most grade school and high school subjects as well as things as far-ranging as storytelling and bicycle mechanics. I am dedicated to learning and teaching things that help people and help improve the general state of the world.

 

I am a National Science Foundation IGERT Fellow and a Sustainable Transportation Center Dissertation Fellow at UC Davis, and a member of the American Planning Association, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the American League of Bicyclists, and the American Society of Cybernetics. 

 

Lastly, if you’re familiar with the Myers-Briggs personality test, I’m an ENTP.

 

Why I wanted to become a tutor:    

I am not happy unless I am helping people, and involved in community in some way. Tutoring provides me a way to be tangibly involved in the development of people’s minds, to see someone’s progress and success on a personal level, and to pass on the things that I have learned. The latter is true especially for the hard sciences, since math did not come naturally to me, and I have been able to help many people improve their abilities in math-based sciences.

 

A funny joke/story or something interesting:                                
Accept your positive experiences without taking credit, and you have humility. Accept your negative experiences without blame and you have serenity.

Brian Nam

Hometown: Glendale, California

College Attended: University of California San Diego

Major: Political Science          

Minor: Economics, Law & Society

 

About Me:            

I am a huge Laker and Dodger fan. I played varsity baseball in high school and golf regularly. I have traveled to Uganda and China on missions. I plan on going to law school in the near future to get a degree in public interest. If I could have any job, I would like to be a sports agent.

 

Why I wanted to become a tutor:     
I know and understand the importance of good test scores and grades. If I could help the student achieve their goal, I know that I played an integral part in preparing for their future.

Brittany Carson

Hometown: San Diego, California

College Attended: USC

Major: English Creative Writing and French

 

About Me:            

I have three younger brothers. I was copy editor of my high school yearbook. I play soccer, tennis, and run. I’m considering law school after I graduate. I love travel and camping. I have a rabbit named Gigi. I love to read (I always have a huge reading list to attend to).

 

Why I wanted to become a tutor:    

 I love motivating people to do anything!

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:            

I’m excited to help students see themselves excel at something – I’ve found that tutors and teachers are one of the most important facets of self-motivation.

 

A funny joke/story or something interesting: 
My mom threw away my pet tortoise when I was 10 because she thought he was dead, but he was only hibernating.

Craig Rader

Hometown: Prescott, Arizona

College Attended: Gonzaga University, USC Law

Major: Economics and Political Science         

Minor: Analytical Finance and Military Science

 

About Me:            

I’m an Army officer on reserve to attend law school. I can usually be found playing basketball, softball, ultimate Frisbee or just about any other sport at the gym.

 

Why I wanted to become a tutor:    

I love to both work with youth and help them realize their potential!

 

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
In high school I was on the competitive math team but embarrassed about it. When I refused to wear the “Don’t Drink and Derive” team shirt to school on competition day my teammates posted huge signs all over my locker and the hall. Needless to say, there was no hiding it after that.

Paul Yoon

Hometown: Claremont, California

College Attended: UCLA

Major: Physiological Science  

 

About Me:            

I moved to the United States when I was 7 years old and have been living in Claremont since the 7^th grade. I recently graduated from UCLA and worked as a student athletic trainer for 3 years. I am a sports nut, and I can tell you all kinds of useless sports trivia you would never want to know. I love the Lakers, and my dream is to be able to sit courtside and attend every Lakers home game.

 

Why I wanted to become a tutor:    

I love to teach kids and share my knowledge and experiences with them. I like to be around kids of all ages because they are so much more fun than many people my age. Why not do something that you love to do and get paid for it at the same time?

 

What I enjoy most about tutoring for Tier One:            

I like the fact that I am able to meet so many different people from all over the place. It’s fun to see where people come from and share experiences with them.

 

A funny joke/story or something interesting:
I’ve met many high profile athletes from all sports from my time working for UCLA Athletics. If you want to know more, just ask!

Alexandre Jorion

Hometown: Irvine, California

College Attended: UCLA

Major: Mechanical Engineering

About Me:
Hi, my name is Alex, and I just recently received my Bachelors of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at UCLA. Although being an engineering major has helped me develop my technical skills, I hope to express my creative side by enrolling in an Architectural Masters program in the near future. Other than that, I love music (I have an audio recording certificate), I enjoy playing sports and working out, and I like to travel.