New Jersey Instructors
Akintayo A.
Hometown: North Plainfield, NJ
College: Northwestern University / NJIT
Resides in: North Plainfield, NJ
About Me:
As a husband and father of three, I find that my family is a large part of what defines me as a person. Love, patience and sacrifice is an everyday routine. That routine helps to mold, shape and refine the person I want to be. If I am not singing and playing guitar, I am working on building my music publishing company. When I am not working on my company, I am designing Audio/Visual systems for both the residential and commercial markets.... all of which is fun and challenging. Last but not least, words to live by: "Happiness is paying constant attention to your priorities!" - my Dad.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Revolution Prep is a growth opportunity for me on several levels. For the students I teach, I can pay forward for all of the passion, sacrifices, time and love that was invested to get me to where I am today.
Atu A.
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
College: Yale
Resides in: Princeton, NJ
About Me:
While I am an American citizen, I was born in London and spent some of my childhood in Ghana (West Africa), so I can brazenly claim to be from three continents! As an undergraduate at Yale, I majored in biomedical engineering, but more importantly joined an a cappella group that enabled me to sing the national anthem at the Staples Center and visit the White House to sing for the president. After I graduated in May 2008, I worked for a surgical device company in CT for a year. This was a fantastic experience, but I decided that I wanted to spend some time at home before heading to medical school. I’m a diehard Eagles fan, and I love to watch (and play) many different sports (NASCAR doesn’t count!).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I remember the SAT being pretty intimidating, but once you figure out what it’s all about, it’s really not so bad. Revolution gave me the opportunity to help demystify the SAT for students, while still managing to have a little fun.
Matthew A.
Hometown: Hightstown, NJ
College: Faifield University & University of Hawaii
Resides in: Allentown, NJ
About Me:
I majored in mathematics from Fairfield University (CT) in 2004 and then moved to Hawaii for three years. I was able to drag myself away from the beach enough in Hawaii to obtain my Masters in Education from the University of Hawaii. Last summer, I drove cross country and ended up outside of Princeton, NJ teaching at the Peddie School. I am originally from Philadelphia-GO PHILLIES!- and would one day like to go back to school to get my doctorate in education.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I really enjoy working with young adults-it's great to help a student out who may be having some difficulties and to assist them achieve their dream.
John C.
Hometown: Washington Township, NJ
College: Skidmore College
Resides in: Weehawken, NJ
About Me:
I graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in theater and was a member of the school's two comedy groups. After graduating I left the east coast with the intention of heading out to Los Angeles to become a huge star. As fate would have it, I stopped in Chicago for a few days and never left. I spent several years in Chicago studying and performing improvisational comedy before moving back home to the New York area. I still peform occasionally with my sketch comedy group Hottie$ Galore. I'm a HUGE baseball fan, but I don't have a favorite team ever since the Mets alienated me in the 1990s. I also love bowling, even though I don't get to do it as often as I'd like, and have four perfect 300 games under my belt.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Because Revolution is an awesome company to work for, and I believe as they do that every student should have access to an excellent SAT prep course. College was an immensely rewarding experience for me, and I know first-hand how conquering the SAT can make a big difference in getting into a great one.
Raquel D.
Hometown: Rockland County, NY
College: Emerson College
Resides in: Jersey City, NJ
About Me:
I spend most of my time watching You Tube videos of cats falling off desks, but am also a huge fan of stand-up comedy and kayaking and letting my laundry pile up for months. I love reading and aphorisms and writing humorous essays. I constantly stop people on the sidewalk to ask if I can pet their dogs. My favorite high school subjects were Biology and English, my favorite corporate mascot is that hopping swivel lamp at the beginning of Pixar movies, and my favorite cereal is Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Because I love talking about subject/verb agreement and negative exponents and slipping them into routine conversations with adults at parties was becoming awkward.
Christene D.
Hometown: Wayland, MA
College: Wesleyan University (BA); UC Berkeley (MA)
Resides in: Highland Park, NJ
About Me:
After graduating from Wesleyan University and running a study abroad program in Venezuela, I moved to Berkeley, California where, among other things, I completed a master's in Latin American Studies at UC Berkeley. I moved to New Jersey this fall and am tutoring and teaching before I start a PhD in sociology next fall.
When I'm not helping students crack the SAT, I love cooking, doing yoga, music of all kinds (playing, listening...), and checking out the East Coast again.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I absolutely loved college and I want every high school student to have the opportunity to get into the best school possible. And that means beating this tricky test called the SAT! I teach for Revolution Prep because we don't turn anyone away, thereby giving the broadest range of students the best chance to get into a great college. Plus, I love the energy of working with high school students.
Rachel F.
Hometown: Cheshire, CT
College: Tufts University '02, Cornell University '08
Resides in: Jersey City, NJ
About Me:
I'm a science nerd, an obsessive music lover, and a serious knitter. I rarely go anywhere without a book, my iPod and a ball of yarn. After graduating from Tufts University, where I studied biology and psychology (and learned to knit), I spent three years working in a neurobiology lab at Harvard. I loved dissecting out the inner working of the brain and decided to further pursue that interest with an M.S. in neuroscience at Cornell.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
People always used to tell me that I should do what I'm good at - and I'm very good at standardized tests. It's not a skill that generally comes in handy later on in life - but when you're in high school, it can feel as though your whole life depends on it. I hope I can use my SAT-acing skills and general comfort with the exam to help students realize that, as far as life-determining obstacles go, the SAT isn't too tough to beat.
Vicki H.
Hometown: Woodbury, New York
College: University of Delaware
Resides in: Princeton, NJ
About Me:
I recently graduated from UD with a B.S. in Leadership.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I have so much fun working with high school students. And I truly believe in the Revolution strategies.
Jason K.
Hometown: Highland Park, NJ
College: Cornell University
Resides in: Highland Park, NJ
About Me:
I am working on a PhD. in Computer Science at Rutgers University, and am concentrating on electronic voting, but don't expect me to fix the nation's voting machine problems anytime soon. Even when I am not researching, I am doing something brainy. I love puzzles, crosswords and Kakuro especially, and have had a crossword published in the LA Times. When I don't have a puzzle in hand, I focus on tournament Scrabble. About 20 months ago, I was ranked outside the top 2000 Scrabble players in North America. Today, I am ranked inside the top 300. Eventually, I hope to make my way to the top.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love teaching, and love passing my knowledge to others. I would like to make teaching at a University my career, and feel that teaching for Revolution Prep is an excellent way for me to improve my skills as a teacher while helping students understand the SAT better. I wish that Revolution Prep had been around when I was preparing for the SATs, because I think it could have made a great difference for me, but since it's around now, I hope to do the next-best thing: help kids tackle today's SAT.
Elizabeth K.
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
College: Boston College
Resides in: Fort Lee, NJ
About Me:
Hey guys! I'm originally from the suburbs of Philly but currently live in Fort Lee. I moved to the northern New Jersey area about 3 years ago to attend law school in NYC and graduated this past May. My goal is to eventually practice law as a matrimonial/divorce attorney but I've always taught/tutored on the side. My interests include playing music, reading, working out (I recently discovered bikram yoga and love it!) and of course, hanging out with my friends/family :)
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Why WOULDN'T I teach for Revolution Prep? It's a great, young, energetic company built upon the idea that SAT preparation should be efficient and affordable. I wish Rev Prep had been around when I took the SAT's (x number of years ago) and love that I can be a part of something that I so strongly support.
Vidya M.
Hometown: Bloomfield, NJ
College: UC Berkeley
Resides in: Bloomfield, NJ
About Me:
Just graduated medical school and I need to keep my mind occupied. I love teaching, learning, photography, and all kinds of music. Traveled all over the country for school, and love going to eat in new places.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I'm ready to help the next generation of students achieve their dreams!
Katherine M.
Hometown: Woodstock Vermont
College: Princeton University '08
Resides in: Plainsboro, NJ
About Me:
I grew up in a small town in Vermont and went to a public high school which didn't offer AP science classes. I spent my four years there working as hard as I could and taking advantage of every opportunity that was presented to me. I went to Princeton University as an undergraduate and majored in Astrophysical Sciences. I am currently enrolled at Princeton University doing a one year program to earn a degree in Teacher Preparation and becoming certified to teach high school math and physics.
I played a range of sports in high school from soccer to swimming but my preferred extra curricular activity throughout high school and college was theater. While at Princeton, I helped found a theater troupe which performs shows and runs workshops for children. I have a seventeen year old sister who is one of the sassiest most ridiculous people I have ever met yet with whom I am extremely close and often help with homework and studying. I am an outgoing, fun yet grounded and responsible person who loves teaching, especially teenagers as crazy as that may sound.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep because I believe that every student deserves a chance to go to college and advance their knowledge of the world they live in by studying subjects of their choosing. Standardized tests are designed to be tricky, not hard and I believe every student can improve their scores through a little bit of study and hard work.
Jina M.
Hometown: North Brunswick, NJ
College: Boston College
Resides in: Washington, DC
About Me:
After graduating from Boston College (go Eagles), I worked in a large public relations agency in New York. I loved what I did but decided that I wanted to go back to school- so I'll be going to law school in the fall.
In terms of my interests, I love experimenting with food and will pretty much eat anything- the spicier the better. Besides food, I love to go snowboarding and have recently fell in love with wakeboarding!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Because standardized tests are a necessary evil that EVERY student can conquer with a little bit of guidance and practice.
Dylan R.
Hometown: Montclair
College: Rutgers University
Resides in: New Brunswick, NJ
About Me:
I was born and raised in the heart of the New York City suburbs that is North Jersey. I am a music and psychology major at Rutgers University. Music is my primary passion; practicing piano, jamming out, going to concerts, and digging up new music is how I spend my time. While not playing music or studying the complexities of the human condition I sail, I snowboard, and I play sports with the word ultimate in the name (Ultimate Frisbee, not Ultimate Fighter Champion).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I enjoy taking tests. I see them as a personal challenge that must be overcome. Consequently I am awesome at taking tests. I believe in the gift of giving, so I shall share my gift with the nice young men and women of New Jersey so that they may beat the bureaucratic monster that is the SAT.
Ruben R.
Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
College: St Peter's College
Resides in: Jersey City, NJ
About Me:
I graduated from St. Peter's College with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in mathematics.
If I am not teaching at Revolution Prep, I am involved with various after school programs. I enjoy being a role model, mentor, and teacher to young people.
My hobbies include going to the movies, dancing, reading, computer games, and amusement parks. I am a thrill seeker. In my class, you will learn; it will be interactive; and we'll have lots of fun!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach Revolution Prep because the curriculum is excellent. The format of the class is straight forward and informative to the students.
Natasha V.
Hometown: I am a hybrid between Los Angeles and New Jersey
College: Rutgers University (School of Engineering)
Resides in: Valencia, CA
About Me:
I am basically a laid back, go with the flow type of person. I am incredibly goofy and a lot of the time somewhat corny. All in all I think this makes for a fun time, especially when you add math into the equation!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Because learning is fun, and teaching is even more fun. Really though it is a great feeling to be able to help someone succeed and in this case conquer (yes I had to take it to the sentimental level).
Marina Y.
Hometown: Livingston, NJ and Brooklyn, NY
College: Rutgers University- Douglass College
Resides in: Livingston, NJ
About Me:
I teach for Rev Prep because I love seeing the click on everyone's faces when they realize they can make the SAT bend to their will...plus I particularly enjoy making fun of CollegeBoard--they are, in fact, evil.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love to travel and am constantly searching cheap flights to see where I can run away to for a weekend. I feel most at home in the water and smell perpetually of chlorine because of my daily swims...I also have a weakness for silly chick flicks and romantic comedies and I like my popcorn with Raisinets mixed in...yum...