Orange County Manager of Instruction

Hello and welcome to my region!

As the Manager of Instruction for this region, it is my job to recruit, train, and develop the most talented instructors in the test prep industry. Although this can be challenging at times, I am confident that the Revolution instructors here are the best and brightest. All of our instructors are graduates of top universities and have scored in the top 95% percentile on the ACT and SAT. In addition to their impressive credentials, all of our instructors are amazing individuals with charismatic personalities and the ability to help your student succeed!

I hope that you enjoy perusing the instructor bios below, and I look forward to helping your student succeed on his or her upcoming exam!

Best,
Jill

HOMETOWN:Huntington Beach CA
COLLEGE:Loyola Marymount University

ABOUT ME:
I have just recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a bachelors degree in biology in May 2009. I am currently taking some time off of school before I begin to apply to medical school for the fall of 2011. With my time off, I am looking to obtain a desirable MCAT score that will lead me to the best medical schools in California seeing as I would like to stay in California.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
I teach for Revolution Prep because I am a firm believer in their curriculum and can say that the curriculum does work. Also, Revolution Prep is an outstanding company offering scholarships to kids that need help the most. The company does not seek to solely make money (unlike many other corporate companies), but truly cares about the success of their students and takes pride in the curriculum and the work that they do.

HOMETOWN:Edenton, NC
COLLEGE:UNC, Chapel Hill and CSU, Fullerton

ABOUT ME:
Hey y’all! I grew up in a small town in Northeastern North Carolina that consisted of approximately seven stop lights, one high school, and several acres worth of farmland. I attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (GO HEELS!!) where after switching majors five times I eventually graduated with one-million hours and a degree in Exercise and Sport Science. During those four years I took a six month exodus from school and worked for Americorps. Awesomely enough, three of those months I got to run around and chop down trees with a Stihl 440 chainsaw in an effort to reduce fire hazards. However, I decided that manual labor wasn’t for me and that I should be cool and stay in school. In an effort to complete Manifest Destiny (and because California was always my first choice on MASH) I packed up my belongings and moved to sunny Southern California for graduate school. I can honestly say that the move was the best decision of my life; there is just always so much to do out here!! I’m a huge fan of verbs; add an ‘ing’ to a word and I’m down. I love running, biking, swimming, leaping, bounding, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not purely a sports fanatic. I also enjoy long walks on the beach and enlightening media productions such as The Jersey Shore and Twilight. I love all types of music, but Britney Spears and Lady Gaga are my muses. If I could be any species I would be a flying fish because it can swim and fly, both of which are pretty sweet activities. Oh, and in case you haven’t noticed, I love the eighties.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
Attending college is one of the greatest experiences that you will ever have. It’s kind of like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book. You’ll open many doors that will have a positive influence on the rest of your life. There are endless opportunities to grow and expand as a student and as a person. Every student should have the chance to attend the college of his/her dreams (unless that school is Duke), and I truly believe that REVOLUTION can aid in success on the SAT.

HOMETOWN:Diamond Bar, CA
COLLEGE:University of California, Irvine

ABOUT ME:
I like learning things. Boring? Probably. Useful? Definitely. I like to think that particular trait makes me well suited to telling other people what they should be learning too.

I am also going to law school soon. I think that is pretty neat.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
The SAT is evil. I remember it being evil when I took it the first time, and I still think it's evil now that I've seen it again. My goal is to make it at least slightly less evil for other people to take than it was for me.

HOMETOWN:Broomfield, CO
COLLEGE:Biola University

ABOUT ME:
Oh hi there. I come to Orange County by way of a suburb of Denver, Colorado. It's a pretty square state, but we have more mountains out there, four seasons, snow, and we survive on less oxygen. I came to sea level to pursue an education at Biola University in La Mirada. La Mirada translates to "the look." I still don't get it. Anyway, it's four years since I moved to The Look, and it was a four years well spent. I was able to host a campus comedy/talk show, backpack through the desert, and take some incredible classes too. I even did some stand-up comedy (really marginal stuff). Now I'm armed with a BA in English Literature, a 1996 Toyota Corolla, and a beard. I believe in the power of narrative and of your story and my story, old stories and stories not yet told. I also enjoy hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, and mountain biking. My goal is to pursue graduate school and eventually teach full time. I'm also interested in the education gap and the unfortunate truth that the quality of education can be determined by economic boundaries. For now, I'm just happy to be here.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
Lots of things want to label themselves as a revolution, but most of those things are the too trodden, beat a dead horse kind of recycled ideas that ultimately amount to a gimmick. Sometimes they have a marketable theme song. That's cool I guess, but Revolution Prep actually strives to be different in order to be better. I'm thrilled to work for a company that cares about its students; the tests don't. I say let's attack these tests with our full selves (but without the busy work), and let's even have a good time while we're at it. Seriously, that's what I'm here for.

HOMETOWN:Brea, CA
COLLEGE:New York University

ABOUT ME:
Although from beautiful Southern CA, Laurel moved all the way across the country to attend New York University in the heart of NYC. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Laurel became one of the senior student staff members for NYU's Office of Undergraduate Admissions and was also a Freshmen RA. Now Laurel uses these experiences to help her students understand what schools' admissions offices are looking for and, hopefully, give it to them!

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
I was lucky enough to get into and attend my dream school, and I love helping students move one or two steps closer to starting their own college journeys. Additionally, I am really motivated by Revolution's social mission and belief that quality test prep should be available to everyone. I find it such a pleasure to help make that possible.

HOMETOWN:Fountain Valley, CA
COLLEGE:University of California, Irvine

ABOUT ME:
First things first...I like to talk. A lot. I graduated with a B.A. in English Literature and I'm going to law school at Duke next fall. Hopefully that means I can eventually put my talking to good use. At UCI, I staffed SPOP, the orientation program, and got to meet the incoming freshman and tell them all about the perks of college. I competed on the Mock Trial team for all four years and got to travel to sweet places like New York. (Now I coach the team and get to travel to sweet places like New York for free!)

I enjoy traveling, hanging out with my chihuahua Plucky and my half-chihuahua half-monster Hazel, getting into in-depth analyses of the latest Gossip Girl episode, and trying new foods. I know everyone likes eating, but it's a serious hobby.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
College was an indescribable experience, and I want to help others reach their goals and get into the schools they want to. After dedicating a year of my life to the LSAT, I've learned that standardized testing really is learnable; you just have to know the right approach to take. Revolution Prep teaches you how to do it in the most efficient and sensible manner. But really, the truth is like I said...I like to talk. Now I have people who HAVE to listen to me talk on a weekly basis! It's great.

HOMETOWN:San Clemente
COLLEGE:Chapman University, Biola University

ABOUT ME:
I recently graduated from Chapman with a double major in Political Science - International Relations and Spanish. Since I love school so much, I am now pursuing my M.A. Christian Education from Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. One day, I see myself living someplace in either Africa or South America working in some form of humanitarian assistance focusing on women and children.

My fondest memories of growing up include either being covered entirely in sand, sleeping in a tent someplace in the Sierra Nevada mountains, or relaxing on a boat in the middle of the ocean. I love everything about the beach: sun, sand, surf, and soft-served ice cream! I enjoy spending my free time hiking, reading, stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), riding my bicycle, and traveling every chance I get. My guilty pleasures include indulging in a soy caramel macchiato, eating at Chipotle, and watching Glee. I am currently training to run a marathon in order to raise money to bring clean water and sanitation projects to the Ndola region of Zambia, Africa through Active:Water.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
Education is powerful and life changing. The SAT is terrible. However, with the right tools and tricks, it can be conquered.

HOMETOWN:Orange County, CA
COLLEGE:University of California, Irvine

ABOUT ME:
Hm. The story of Ryan. Rather than get too long-winded, I'll just break it down into random facts. I studied English Literature at UCI, but also spent a lot of time studying Creative Writing, getting an extra emphasis in that. I'm a former improvisational comedian. I was a four-year performer and eventually captain for UCI's award-winning comedy troupe, "Live Nude People! (with clothes on)". I'm a big fan of writing, performing, and directing so I'm still using my free time to pursue that career, hopefully going to film school in the next year or two. Aside from that, I practice Kung Fu. My favorite color is white (with red as a very close second). I'm quite tall and not great at basketball. The first book I ever read was the encyclopedia, so my knowledge of useless trivia is unrivaled. I have been called "lazy," but I prefer the term "relaxation enthusiast." I'm a pretty decent cook, and if I can't hack it in the film/writing/theater world, I'll be very happy to become a chef. I am, however, a terrible dancer.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
Teaching for Revolution allows me to do two things that I love: help people and make a fool out of myself for the greater good.

HOMETOWN:Corona, CA
COLLEGE:California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

ABOUT ME:
Much like my personality, I have had an eclectic work experience. During most of undergrad I worked as a personal banker in Norco, CA. During my senior year I worked for a local Congressman as a staff assistant and later as a campaign manger. However, my coolest experience was during the Summer of 2008 when I served as an intern at the White House. I spent over three months living in Washington D.C. and working in the Office of Counsel to the President.

I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a BA in Political Science, and later from Chapman University School of Law with a JD. Beginning in 2011 I will be working as a litigator at a national firm. In the mean time, I am excited to help others overcome the barriers of the SAT.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
Revolution Prep shares my philosophy when it comes to learning: "Work Smarter Not Harder!" There is a limited amount of time to learn a limitless amount of information. The key is to break the information down into small sections and to focus on skills that yield the greatest returns. This is exactly the approach Revolution Prep takes when it comes to the SAT, and precisely the reason I teach for Revolution Prep.

HOMETOWN:New York, NY
COLLEGE:Tufts University

ABOUT ME:
Born and raised in New Jersey (with stints in NYC, Boston and D.C.), I've been an unequivocal East Coaster for much of my life. After attending Tufts University in Massachusetts and finishing with a degree in Political Science, I set out to begin my career in journalism with no idea where I'd end up. Fortunately, my first job offer was in Southern California. I had never been west of Pennsylvania, but I'm not one to shy away from exciting new challenges, and have been loving my new West Coast life since the day I arrived.

Besides my love of news, politics and teaching, I'm an avid fan of all things music and sports, and frequently take advantage of the sunny SoCal weather to play tennis, basketball or volleyball in February. I also enjoy occasionally calling my friends and family back East in the winter time just to ask, "what's the weather like there?"

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
Not only does Revolution Prep have the best curriculum in the game, but they approach the business with an admirable philosophy: everyone should be given the opportunity to go to the college of their choice. It was this combination of a winning program with a fantastic social mission that drew me to RevPrep.

HOMETOWN:Chino Hills, CA
COLLEGE:Loyola Marymount University

ABOUT ME:
As a kid, most teachers had to strap me in a seat to keep me still. Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad, but to this day I'm a very active person.
I live each day to see the world in a new light and flourish in unusual situations. I have a passion for travel and to experience the simple joys of everyday life. I also love to cook, which is especially convenient because I love to eat.

In school, I majored in International Business and Finance and was a member of numerous campus organizations. Currently, I do market research for an education credit union and proudly work for Revolution Prep in my free time.

Hobbies include:
Anything outdoors
Photography
Cooking
Travel
Gym
and long walks on the beach.

WHY I TEACH FOR REVOLUTION PREP:
It's time we shake up the test-prep industry. All students should have the opportunity to perform at their very best and deserve talented and passionate instructors. Revolution Prep provides an exciting and refreshing atmosphere, where students can master proven test-taking techniques while having a great time. Plus, there's nothing more rewarding than watching our students beat that stinkin' test!