San Francisco Bay Area Instructors
April Aldrich
Hometown: Menlo Park
College: Notre Dame de Namur University
About Me:
I grew up in Menlo Park, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Stanford University. From about 7th grade on I spent most of my free time involved in theatre; first at my schools, and then later at the Palo Alto Children's Theatre. Despite all the shenanigans of being a child theatre geek, I managed to graduate from High School with a 4.1 GPA.
Next I moved on to being a theatre geek in College at NDNU. I majored in Theatre Arts with a Performance Emphasis, and minored in Business. Once again, despite spending most of my time reading plays and wearing funny clothes, I managed to graduate Magna Cum Laude.
Recently I moved up to Windsor, and I am really enjoying the nice weather! In my free time I can be found knitting, crocheting, reading, playing on the computer, or exploring my new surroundings via mini road trips.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Every student deserves to go to the college they really want to attend. By helping students improve their SAT scores, I am helping them get into the school of their dreams; and that is awesome!
Iskra Astudillo
Hometown: Mountain View
College: Santa Clara University
About Me:
My name is Iskra Astudillo I have been living in mountain view for the past 8 years and I am a Management Major at Santa Clara University planning to graduate in March!!! I just got back from a one month trip, traveling all over Europe! It was a lot of fun so ask me about it in class!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I Teach for Revolution Prep because they are more than an SAT Company, they take care of their students, their employees and the schools where students attend. They also offer free exams, scholarships and this kind of work ethic is hard to find in this or any other industry.
Melineh Avanesian
Hometown: Redwood City
College: UCLA/ Santa Clara University, School of Law
About Me:
If you can't pronounce it, just call me Mel =) I was raised in the Bay Area (Redwood City)- so of course I'm a 49er faithful! I moved to SoCal for undergrad (UCLA- go BRUINS!!), earned a bachelor's in Sociology and a specialization in Business Administration. Lived the "LA" life for a year, then moved back up to the Bay Area to attend law school (Santa Clara University). Got the law degree, passed the bar and started working at a non-profit, teaching law-related education, then actually practicing civil litigation. But nothing's as fun as teaching!!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep for two simple reasons...1- all standardized tests are tricky and I take great pleasure in giving away the little secrets to conquering them and 2- because I've always had a passion for teaching/ tutoring and help youth achieve a higher education.
Kalpa Bhattacharjee
Hometown: Cupertino, CA
College: University of California, Los Angeles
About Me:
I double majored in psychobiology and English literature at UCLA. I loved every bit of my time at UCLA. Now I'm pursuing a lifelong passion and dream- studying music, specifically vocal performance. I am studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I'm glad to delve back into my academic roots by working with revolution prep.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I feel like I am doing meaningful and significant work by teaching at revolution prep. I love to see a certain strategy or concept click with the students. I am honored to be helping them with something that has an impact on shaping their future.
Matthew Boddum
Hometown: Berkeley, CA
College: Columbia University, Oxford University, SF State
About Me:
I returned to the Bay Area five years ago after living in New York City for university and then in the UK for graduate school. I've lived in France and Italy, speak four languages fluently and two more somewhat functionally. In my free time, I work as a production potter in west Berkeley, run in Tilden's network of trails, practice yoga, swim in Lake Anza and travel. I plan to go to medical school in a few years after all my pre-requisites are completed with my eyes on family practice. I can also prepare tiramisu and drive a stick-shift.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Revolution offers a lot of flexibility for teachers and students while still remaining grounded in a discrete, effective system of strategies. I also enjoy working with high schoolers and trying to figure out specific methods to address each individual student in a way that is pertinent to his or her needs.
Cristalle Bowen
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
College: University of Illinois-Urbana
About Me:
I'm a native Chicagoan, a former Chemist, a present Rapper and all around dynamo at Wii Boxing (Thanks, Nintendo!). It's hard for me to consider telling you anything about me that doesn't make me seem like a dorky chick. Ah, well. You can't win them all. I graduated from the University of Illinois is 2002 with a degree in Chemistry. Now flash-forward a mere 2-and-a-half years later and I'm in a tour van traversing the US and Canada entertaining with some of indie rap's darlings. It's been fun, and as I continue through my path of post-college existence and overall popular happiness, the education bug never seems to stop biting me. And I stay bitten. Educating found me; I feel good when I do it! I never thought I'd be the one helping out in my own special way. But however I approach it, it works--the classroom or the venue. Either way, I want you to succeed. Thank you for the opportunity.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
There isn't a good enough reason for me not to teach for Revolution Prep. I never had cool teachers--let alone cool tutors. I never really had a tutor until college, anyway. I've traveled all over the place doing music and performances for people just like you, and I feel I can help out in ways other than making you shake your butt. As I live through Science, Art, Tutoring, Music Performances and the like, my expertise and my experience continue to make me a prime candidate to learn, er, teach something. Let's learn some stuff together; stuff that'll help you along on your own unique path. A lot of that path starts with college. And that starts with the SAT. Simple. It's not as painful a road as you might think.
Kimberly Buffum
Hometown: San Clemente, CA
College: UC San Diego
About Me:
I really love Rev Prep! I think their materials and curriculum are top notch, and I love how accessible their courses are to all students. I teach because I want to make preparing for the SAT as fun as humanly possible!!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I am new to the Bay Area, and am loving it! I grew up in Orange County, on the beaches of San Clemente. I went to college at UCSD, where I majored in Psychology and minored in Communication. I played on the Women's Basketball team, and was Team Captain my senior year. After college, I lived in Dublin, Ireland for a short while, and LOVED it!! Oh, and I am newly vegetarian.
Charles Challey
Hometown: Fargo
College: NDSU
About Me:
I may be the only National Merit Scholar who fell asleep during the SAT. I gained 100 points when I took it again (after a good night's sleep). My degree is in English, and my first job out of college was as a teacher in the US Peace Corps in Namibia. Peace Corps is a great experience and I recommend it highly. I also learned how to do a great imitation of a goat. I've been living in the Bay area since 2000. I got married in 2005, and a year ago our son was born. I don't remember anything since then, but for some reason I can now change diapers in the dark.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
My dad was a teacher, and when I was a kid I always said that I'd never do that. What I didn't count on was that teaching is FUN! I'm really glad to be getting some classroom time again, and I like the fact that Revolution has respect for the students and the instructors.
John Chinte
Hometown: Sacramento, CA
College: UC Riverside and Stanford University
About Me:
If you asked me where I would be in ten years, ten years ago, I probably would have told you I would be working for a small software company creating cutting-edge technologies. That couldn't be further from where I am now. I graduated from UCR with a computer science degree and a music minor, and I worked for Boeing for a year. However, I knew that programming was not where my heart was. I left for Stanford University, earning a Masters degree in Math Education. I taught High School math for three years, and now I'm working on a music bachelor's, so that I can teach both choir AND math at the high school level. My other job is teaching younger kids how to program video games. And my other other job is running a choir.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love teaching! And it's Revolution Prep is an awesome place to teach! They actually ENCOURAGE creativity in the classroom. What a Revolutionary idea!
Elizabeth Chudwick
Hometown: Santa Rosa
College: University of California Santa Cruz
About Me:
I have been in love with astronomy since I was 8 and wanted to be an astrophysicist since then. I hosted my own space camp for my Girl Scout Gold Award in high school. I went to UC Santa Cruz to get my B.S. in Astrophysics after high school. I chose Santa Cruz for the astrophysics program and for the ocean.
At UCSC I joined Kappa Zeta sorority, a local community service based sorority. It was great to help out in the community and meet a ton of great girls and have fun with all sorts of new people. I am proud to say we were the dodgeball champs at Greek Week and hosted our own Cancer Walks to raise hundreds of dollars for the American Cancer Society.
I love the beach, surfing, kitties, hanging out with friends, playing and watching football (Packers all the way!), and going to shows to see my favorite punk rock bands.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I have always been interested in science and math and have made a habit of trying my hardest to inspire others to be interested too. I am thinking about going to grad school to possibly teach at a community college level and think Revolution Prep is a great way for me to get some teaching experience. I hope I can help make math easier for the kids that are having problems and for all of those that hate math.
Joshua Crossley
Hometown: San Rafael, Ca
College: Santa Clara University
About Me:
I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I studied politics in college and supported myself by working in retail and IT computer support, while playing Varsity Lacrosse. I've spent the last year working for a political campaign, because who really needs sleep or a lot of money.
I am a HUGE movie fan. I go crazy for puzzles (especially Sudoku!), but you could just as easily find me cooking up very addictive spicy dishes (and with such names as spicy-spicy mush-mush who could go wrong?).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love to learn. Some time in my life, I realized many people around me didn't share my passion for learning. This realization inspired me to teach and tutor others. Teaching became sharing my love of learning with others, to inspire them with the same passion and enjoyment that I felt.
Courtenay Crouch
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
College: Duke University
About Me:
I grew up on a hillside overlooking the Bay Area, and on foggy days I'd look out the window and see naught but a sea of white below me. I was lucky to have this kind of perspective. When it came time for me to go off to college, adventure was on my mind, and so I moved to Durham, North Carolina (intrepid, indeed!). Amongst the pine and kudzoo I studied whatever interested me, which was a lot of things, and came out of it with a degree in Psychology. While I love analyzing people and pondering human nature, the practical application of psychology is not for me, so since then I've been thinking way too much about what to do with my life. I just got back from living in Tokyo for a year, where I developed a penchant for pickled plums and simmered seaweed. Oh, did I mention that I like to travel? My favorite places on this earth so far include the Western half of the United States, Mexico, Thailand, and Australia (clearly, my heart belongs to the Ring of Fire). The next locales on my list are Iceland and Peru. Next year I plan to attend grad school to study integrative philosophy, mostly for the noble purpose of amusing myself, but also because I'm not complete without educational debt by my side. My interests, generally: slow food, knitting and sewing (obsessively), interesting geological formations, mindbody, dry wit, (parentheses), and a million other things. In my next life I'd like to be a hawk, because soaring through the sky sounds nice.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
As some are fond of saying, "Stop complaining; start a revolution!". Well, that applies to the SAT, too. While this lame excuse for a test used to be pretty hard, now its ridiculously hard, and I'd like to help you help yourselves. Let's fight the big bad meanies who made this test together! I thank my lucky stars that I found a socially responsible company that believes in equal opportunities for success. Strike one against the machine! Teaching and tutoring have been my profession of choice for the past few years, so I am truly in my element here at Revolution. As a wise 20-something, I want to pass on my knowledge and guidance to the next generation. And so, I offer myself, heart and mind, to you.
Susan DeMartini
Hometown: Bronxville, NY
College: University of Vermont
About Me:
Lets see ... I grew up right outside NYC and went to college in Vermont. After living in freezing cold weather I blazed a trail for the west coast and the sunshine. I love the ocean, the mountains, and all things that involve being near both! I'm obsessed with my two English Bulldogs and am teaching them to skateboard! I love to cook and can be found in my kitchen whipping up new creations or indulging in my secret obsession ... reality t.v. ... shhhh ... don't tell!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
The simple breakdown: I love kids and I love teaching. I gain a lot personally from helping others learn how to do something with confidence. I've always wanted to be a teacher and am working on finishing up work towards earning my teaching credentials. Revolution is a great opportunity for me to gain classroom experience and achieve my ultimate goal.
Michelle Edwards
Hometown: Nashville, TN
College: The University of Memphis (GO TIGERS GO!)
About Me:
I'm a transplant to the Bay Area from south of the Mason-Dixon Line. There, I learned to love country music, biscuits n' gravy, and humidity. Even though California has none of those things, it is obviously cooler.
I am a full-time graduate student. I love to cook. I like to make homemade T-shirts. I check my email obessively, and I may or may not enjoy awesomely bad reality tv shows.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
My friends were awfully tired of me teaching algebra and critical reading at social gatherings. The folks at Revolution like that I talk about math and essays in my spare time; they like it so much that they pay me for it!
Stephanie Eisenberg
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College: San Francisco State University
About Me:
After growing tired of 110 degree summers in the valley, I journeyed north and discovered that I absolutely love it up here in the Bay Area. I'm a student at San Francisco State where I'm pursuing my degree in Anthropology and Communication Studies. I'm a policy debater for the SFSU Forensics team, which means I get to travel around the country for free and argue with just about everybody I meet. Can you believe they actually reward me for doing this? In my free time (do I have that?), I'm in a band where I aimlessly bang on these black and white key things and they make noise!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love to talk...pretty much about everything and anything, but especially about things that I've learned throughout my education. All my life, my parents, friends, school teachers, and that crazy guy who hangs out on my corner, have told me to shut up and stop being such a know it all. Distressed, I sought out solace and happened upon Revolution Prep. They told me that I did not, in fact, have to shut up. Instead, I could talk all I wanted to about all things SAT. Revolution Prep helped me realize two things. The first is that I actually *don't* know everything, but I can always keep learning more. The second is that *you* can learn more than enough to master the SAT, one of the biggest obstacles between you and four years of the most satisfying and fun experiences you can could ever have...college!
Kristine Flaherty
Hometown: Wilmette, IL
College: Stanford University
About Me:
Originally from the great state of Illinois, I now happily reside in the Bay, where there isn't any snow and pretty much everyone is cool. I graduated from Stanford in '07 with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, and I spent all four years as an undergraduate writing tutor, which I loved. I'm into everything from March Madness to Boggle to being a rapper (my other job).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
For lots of students, the SAT can feel like a scary set of words, numbers, bubbles, and blanks. It is my mission to take the SAT and break it down like MC Hammer in '89 (I won't be wearing the parachute pants during class, however). Working with high school students to improve their test scores and help them with the college admissions process is fun, and I'm all about the fun.
Rae Freudenberger
Hometown: Los Angeles
College: Loyola Marymount (BA), SFSU (MA)
About Me:
I’m 26 and a recent graduate from the San Francisco State University MA program for poetry. I also received a reading certificate from the revolutionary Integrated Reading and Writing program. I write and I read often so to answer your question, yes, I am a literature nerd. I have a B.A. in English from Loyola Marymount University. I also worked for Professional Tutors of America for approx. 2 years teaching reading, writing and math. I am the oldest of two, having 1 younger brother who is currently 23. In my free time (which is not spent dorking out with my favorite authors) I dance, paint, write, go to concerts and generally run amuck in the streets. My favorite color is yellow and every time I see it, it makes me smile. There is something so wonderfully ridiculous about a yellow car. What else? I spent a semester in Barcelona, Spain and I fell in love with that city. I am addicted to travel so I am open to any amazing cities that you want to recommend. I plan on applying for a Fulbright scholarship to teach in Argentina for a year. Anything to see the world and soak up new experiences, right? I am outgoing, chatty and love a good joke. I think that about covers it. If you have questions, I have answers.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Hi, my name is Rae Freudenberger and I’m an adrenalin-aholic. I have been sky diving, bungee jumping, hang gliding and even white water rafting! By virtue of all of those amazing experiences I found one irrefutable truth: nothing gives me the rush that I crave quite like the SAT. The second that I walked out of that test, I was hooked. Nothing fills your body with a sense of the fragility and ephemeral nature of life like having to swallow your stomach back down from up in your throat and that “I’m almost verging on wetting my pants” brand of fear. I sought after that adrenaline high in every corner of the globe. I mean, let’s face facts. Sky diving is like 50 seconds of free fall followed by a leisurely float to the ground. The SAT is over 3 hours of prime adrenaline pumping panic. Drawing this painful conclusion left me little choice in life. I spent the next years of my life hunting the SAT like wounded prey. I took it more times that I can recall. They all bleed together in a toxic dream of sheer wonder and liveliness. After spending all of the money that I had to my name taking the SAT, I fell into a slump. I couldn’t get my fix. I started stalking practice exams just to get a taste of the thrill and to live vicariously through the students. Cue Revolution Prep. I stumbled onto a practice testing site for Rev Prep and found the assigned classroom. I sat outside pressing my face to the glass in longing. The proctor noticed me there. After the exam he approached me, and my broken heart (and empty wallet) appealed to his empathy. He gave me a number to call, a number that changed my life: 1-877-REV-PREP. The rest, as they say, is history.
Bianca Gee
Hometown: San Jose, CA
College: UCLA
About Me:
I have always prided myself on being a native San Josian, but after 18 years of Golf Land, Oakridge bowling, and Great America, I decided to move south to enjoy Castle Park (mini golf), Lucky Strike Lanes (bowling), and Six Flags. While persuing these activities, I managed to attend AND gradutate from college at UCLA.
Currently, I am working towards becoming a high school teacher while mastering Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero, and Taiko Drum Master.
If you ever see me in San Jose, don't be surprised if I'm in the middle of screaming an awful Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liner. These may include, but are not limited to:
"IT'S NOT A TUUUUMOR!"
"HE'LL LIVE."
"RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS!"
(note: capitalized for intensity)
Do not be afraid. I am (mostly) harmless.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution because:
1. Although the SAT is a pain, it really doesn't have to be! :D
2. I LOVE teaching!
3. I love that Revolution offers affordable classes to everyone!
Brendan Getzell
Hometown: San Mateo, CA
College: University of California, Santa Barbara
About Me:
I'm a witty guy, that's what people keep telling me. I love jokes, puns, unexpected movie references, and keeping people on their toes. I live in San Francisco, in one of the frequently sunny parts. Yes, they exist.
I live, breathe, and sometimes eat music. I was born with a harmonica in my left hand and a tuba in my right. Naturally, I fell off the right side of the delivery table. Since then, I've tried to limit myself to holding one musical instrument at a time (I sing and play guitar, piano, mandolin, banjo, bass guitar, drums, lute and a few others).
And yet somewhere in all that music-making I found time to study political science at UC Santa Barbara. It's an election-year, so I'm enthralled by all that is going on right now.
Oh! Back to the music. You can check out my debut album on iTunes by searching my name there. I also perform my music all over the Bay Area, join one of my classes and I'll tell you all about it!
What else... I've done my share of acting, singing and dancing for theatre, and I'm a big-time sports nut. In other words, I can talk to you about whatever you want. I drive a Toyota, and I have a soft spot in my heart for old Toyota trucks where on the back all the letters have been scratched off except "YO". All this and more is just a call to Revolution away!
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
These sorts of tests have a reputation for being boring, but preparing for them doesn't have to be! I want you to get to have the great college and life experiences that I've had, and something like the SAT shouldn't stand in your way. That's where I come in!
And hey, this way I get to be part of a revolution! What's not to like?
Cody Guerrero
Hometown: San Jose, CA
College: University of Southern California
About Me:
Hi! My name is Cody, and I just finished my degree this past May at the University of Southern California. First generation USC Trojan, baby! I received my degree in business administration with a split emphasis in Management and Organizational Relations and Entrepreneurship. I'm a sports junkie - love the A's, 9ers, Sharks, Warriors and my USC Trojans. I've got great stories about football games so don't be afraid to ask. Also love indie rock and the concert scene.
I'm originally from San Jose, and I'm so stoked to be home! The past few years in LA were a complete blast, but I'm ready to come back and take the Bay Area by storm.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
It's a company with a social conscience - I like the fact that the company is willing to financially support anyone who cannot afford the cost of the classes. I also like helping students achieve their dreams, helping them get into the schools they want to go to. After all, someone helped me get to USC.
Molly Hughes
Hometown: All over the U.S., but HS in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
College: Santa Clara University, College of Willam & Mary
About Me:
I should probably admit that I don’t really have a hometown. It seems like I’ve been all over. I mean, before I was 20 years old, I’d lived in ten states and over 25 different houses. The summer before my senior year, my dad fulfilled his hippie dreams: buying an RV, shoving the whole family in (including our Lab named Joe Montana) and exploring the whole country. I went off to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, but decided to finish my degree at Santa Clara University in sunny California. I graduated with a history degree, magna cum laude, and have dreams of one day being that crazy old professor on a college campus somewhere. I stuck around the Bay Area and am building my career as a Realtor. But, I’m still nomadic in a sense because I love adventures. I’ve traveled to Europe twice and there’s no way around it: Ireland is my favorite! One of my all time favorite things to do is get a latte in the morning and take my Lab named Ty Cobb, to the dog park – it’s one of the funniest places in the world. Besides that, I love episodes of West Wing, Lost and Project Runway, too (but don’t tell anyone).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
It is truly unbelievable what we can accomplish when we dream BIG. “All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.” When we have that vision and keep that goal in mind, it makes all the time and all the effort easier to endure. Once we accomplish that goal, it makes all the time and all the effort worth it. What’s your great aim? Mine is to help you get from where you are now, to where you want to be. That’s why I spend a part of my life teaching for Rev Prep. So, do you want to accomplish great things? I do. Let’s aim high - even if it seems impossible - and let’s make it happen!
Elias Husary
Hometown: Daly City, CA
College: University of San Francisco
About Me:
I was born and raised in Daly City, California. Love it, except for the fog. I like to help people, fix computers, watch movies and eat. Learning new things and teaching are fun too. I seem to have that kind of face that people come up to me and ask for help(has happened several times at CompUSA and Office Depot, but also in other random places that I was visiting for the first time, like Portland, Oregon).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I have always loved learning and loved helping others. Tutoring and teaching have been things I have done since I was in elementary school. I love teaching for Revolution Prep because for us, it's all about the student. Everything is geared toward making sure our students build the confidence they need and learn the strategies that will improve their SAT scores. Everyone believes in our mission, from Ramit and Jake all the way down. Energy, enthusiasm and dedication to our students...a truly revolutionary approach to SAT Prep.
Michael Iban
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
College: University of Michigan (BS), UC Davis (MBA)
About Me:
I received my Bachelors Degree in Statistics and my Masters in Engineering from San Jose State University. I also received my MBA from University of California Davis. I have been tutoring for years and really enjoy it!
When I'm not spending quality time with my wife and 3 y.o. son, I'm playing ice hockey, golf, or riding my motorcycle along the California Coast. My family loves to travel, and look forward to our annual pilgrimage to Maui.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep because of the outstanding people. Revolution Prep people are bright, energetic, fun, and hip. They are passionate about teaching; and care about the students' success. I enjoy shaping the minds of our future leaders.
Michelle Icenogle
Hometown: All Over - WI, CA, GA, NY, TX, PA
College: Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania
About Me:
The most important fact about me is that I am an all-around dork. Some people are math dorks, some are history dorks, some are computer dorks, but I never had the attention span necessary to specialize that way. I am equally obsessed with reading, mathematics, cooking, soccer, photography, really bad 90's music and the random facts one comes across in the everyday act of living. I will read the backs of cereal boxes, toothpaste containers, whatever is nearby if I don't have a book handy (which I usually do). I get really excited about figuring out what's mathematically interesting about upcoming birthdays (for ex: 27 is the last time you are X^X in your life.) I can also make a mean flourless chocolate torte. I really love sharing knowledge with people and love it when they give back to me the things they know, which is just one of the many reasons I love teaching. I have taught in schools and as a tutor since I graduated college (with a brief mid-career stopover for a masters degree from UPenn) and I loved it!
I have lived in six different states, two different countries, speak three languages and attended 8 different schools before I even got to college (my Dad's a government scientist) so I have a serious traveling bug. I recently moved across the country to the Bay Area and am looking forward to continuing my dorkish pursuits and picking up a whole bunch more.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love that Revolution Prep really cares about its students and focuses on college, not just kicking the SAT's butt (though obviously we're all about that as well). The curriculum helps students get past all the tricks and other craziness the SAT throws at them and gives them a chance to show what they know. I think every student deserves to go to the college that will fit them best and if I can be a part of helping people get past one of the barriers to their success, then I'm happy.
Rawley Johnson
Hometown: Wilton, CT
College: Wake Forest University
About Me:
I graduated college with a degree in philosophy and decided to share my love of wisdom with 4th graders in New York City. Turns out little kids don't have much interest in Hegel, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche. I also discovered it's surprisingly difficult to keep 9 year olds in their seats. After 2 years of teaching in New York, I found much greater success teaching math to 6th graders right here in Oakland, CA. 3 years and many famous math songs later ("Don't Worry, Pi's Easy", "If You Wanna Add Decimals Clap Your Hands", "Triangles Will Getcha in Lots of Trouble", etc.) I have decided to go back to grad school to pursue other, completely different things.
When I'm not teaching an SAT prep course, you may find me posing as an 82 year old man in a 28 year old body. My octogenarian interests include drinking oolong tea, appreciating classical music, cultivating orchids, and playing go.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I never studied for the SAT when I was your age. Now that I'm a responsible adult with lots of college loans to pay off, I realize in retrospect that maybe I should have. If I were to have studied for the SAT, it definitely would have been with Revolution Prep.
Marissa Klein
Hometown: Redlands, CA
College: Stanford University
About Me:
I graduated from Stanford with a degree in English and a minor in history, and since then I've been doing marketing for a start-up (how very Bay Area). I enjoy travel, musicals, 19th century British lit, Microsoft Excel, and intersections of these interests (ask to see my spreadsheets of all the books I've read, places I've traveled, etc.) My favorite U.S. president is Chester A. Arthur and my favorite foods are artichokes and Pillsbury Funfetti cake.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I took the SAT for the first time in seventh grade. Yep, you read that right. I was always fascinated with the SAT and knew I was going to rock it when it counted for real. Plus, I knew that I had to beat this kid named Jonathan who bragged to everyone who would listen about his PSAT scores. But anyway, I even sort of had fun with the SAT--especially the now-dead analogies section. I decided that becoming an SAT tutor with Revolution Prep would be a great way to take me back to show kids that the SAT isn't scary and can even be a little bit fun. Everyone has the tools to get an awesome score, it's just a matter of knowing how to use them.
Merve Lapus
Hometown: Pittsburg California
College: University of San Francisco
About Me:
I'm that guy that watches ESPN while crocheting hats for fun. During the super bowl I ended halftime with a new hat and gloves. At one point in my life I was a professional hip hop dancer for various pop stars on the west coast and appeared in a few music videos via MTV. Today, I am a Regional Marketing and Sales Manager that enjoys working on my house, tuning up my cars, taking out my 2 dogs, and getting married in Fall 08.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep because this company actually believes that all students should have access to Standardized test prep. Most companies only believe in providing support to the wealthy and fortunate, but Rev Prep finds away to provide support and resources for all students dedicated to preparing for college. Revolution Prep is also the largest SAT prep provider in California while serving as the only approved CA based provider for the California High School Exit Exam(CAHSEE).
Nathan Maasz
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
College: University of Wisconsin (BA), SFSU (MFA)
About Me:
I hail from the land of cows and cheese, where the winters are bitingly cold, and the Green Bay Packers are still worshipped as minor gods despite the fact that they haven't been to a Superbowl in, like, a decade. I earned a lovely piece of paper from the University of Wisconsin that says - Bachelor of Arts - and - Psychology - on it, which means that when I look at you, I am immediately aware of your innermost fears and desires, and also know everything about your relationship with your mother.
Now, however, I am a proud citizen of Northern California, where I am currently in hot pursuit of a Masters Degree in creative writing from SFSU. One day I will write the Great American Novel and will certainly become more famous than the Beatles, so get me while I'm cheap folks! If you ask kindly for an autograph that will no doubt be worth millions in a couple of years, I may even oblige you.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love teaching SOOO much that sometimes people used to walk up to me on the street and say - Hey aren't you that guy who loves teaching SOOO much, and I'd say - Why yes! Yes I am! Is there something I can help you learn more about? The inimitable intricacies of the Pythagorean theorem for instance? The slithering slippery slope equation? Maybe the dastardly devious derring-do of dangling modifiers have dropped you down into the doldrums of despair and disenchantment? Fear Not! - I would say, but by that point people had usually moved on and I'd just be standing there, talking to myself and trying to illustrate the importance of verb tense agreement using shadow puppets and crudely drawn stick figures.
Thank God for Revolution Prep! They found me out there on the corner one day, lecturing advanced critical reading concepts to a group of German tourists waiting to cross the street. Revolution Prep took me in, gave me a warm bowl of soup and a whiteboard marker, and set my passions to work on the noble task of empowering young minds with the knowledge and strategies necessary to pin the SAT's arm behind its back until it screams - UNCLE!
Brigitte McKiernan
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
College: UC San Diego
About Me:
I have my degrees in Psychology and Theatre from UC San Diego. I am currently working on getting my MA in Counselor Education here in San Jose. My Likes: running, the outdoors, reading, art. My Dislikes: stinky feet, brussel sprouts, trying to sum up my personality in 100 words or less :)
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep because I believe in their mission and I love to teach. The people are really down to earth and cool. It is refreshing to work with such a sincere and dedicated group of people. I am so glad to finally be a part of an organization that actually practices its mantra and values, instead of just posting them up on a wall somewhere and forgetting about them.
Matthew Moore
Hometown: Santa Clara, California
College: University of California, Berkeley
About Me:
After college, I wandered the world in search of further enlightenment. I wanted to experience new cultures and different ways of thinking. I searched far and wide for the great wise men and women of the world. All in the quest for the answer to an important question: How does one overcome the challenge of the SAT?
I now return to the civilized world, armed with the information, strategies, and tricks one needs to conquer the SAT. It is my mission in life to pass these secrets on to young students seeking to improve their lot in life and to get out of their parents' homes.
I have been teaching and tutoring for the last fifteen years. I have extensive experience teaching students of special needs. I majored in English and Literature and I am a father (boy age 7, girl age 4) and husband. In what little spare time I have, I enjoy sports, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach SAT prep courses because every student needs to know what the test is like and how to take it. I teach for Revolution Prep because our curriculum is the best and most effective, our teachers are first class and fun people, and I support our mission to make the courses accessible to all.
Folami Morris
Hometown: Antioch
College: Xavier University
About Me:
Talking about myself is my favorite subject. I graduated from Xavier university with a B.A. in Physics and a B.S. in Biology. Despite that, I am an interesting person who does everything from travel the world, to gymnastics, to watching corny movies. My favorite movie at the moment is Evan Almighty and my next great adventure is to Malawi and London in December.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep, because it's an opportunity to positively affect the lives of the upcoming generation. I want an opportunity to use humor coupled with knowledge to increase as many SAT scores as I can, regardless of an individual's financial standing. I appreciate the opportunity Revolution Prep gives me, to do just that.
Maryanne Olson
Hometown: Bethesda, MD
College: Dickinson (BA), UMass-Amherst (MFA), UEA-England
About Me:
I'm originally from "back East" and have lived in the Bay Area for a year and a half. I work in a theater company as a literary manager and casting director during the day. I love live performance, indie rock, and watching movies with friends. I also love to travel whether it's across the country or just across the street to explore new places.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Revolution Prep is committed to providing quality SAT instruction to students who might not be able to afford a prep course otherwise. Going through the training, I was amazed at how well the curriculum prepares students for taking one of the most important exams of their lives. Revolution Prep creates a learning environment that is dynamic, fun, and rewarding for both students and teachers.
Dasha Ortenberg
Hometown: Monterey
College: UC Berkeley
About Me:
At age four I immigrated with my family to the Bay Area from Russia. Ever since that time I have loved experiencing new places, people and activities through study, work and pleasure.
While I enjoy many things ranging from camping to concerts these often take a back seat to my current focus: completing a Masters degree in architecture. Upon achieving this I hope to re-enter the realm of normal human existence and focus on what I will, at that point, enjoy most: sleep.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
The experiences I gained during college – studying abroad, meeting diverse people and taking classes from incredible professors – have left an indelible mark on me. I want to help students reach their goals and get the most out of college by doing their best on the SATs.
Maureen Osborne
Hometown: Fresno, CA
College: University of Southern California
About Me:
I have the id of a musician, the ego of a linguist, and the superego of an activist. I have two bachelor's degrees, one in music, and another combined degree in linguistics and psychology. I have played violin since I was nine years old and aspired to be a professional violinist until my second year in college, when I discovered that I had a passion for human rights issues, both domestically and internationally. I now attend a socially responsible school in San Francisco, where I'm pursuing a degree in Cultural Anthropology from the California Institute of Integral Studies.
In my free time (what little of it there is!) I enjoy being active, going to see movies, EATING, and reading. I'm always down for a good time with friends and family and I think that the pun is the highest form of humor.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution because in my undergrad experience, I worked with a lot of kids in the Los Angeles School District who didn't have all the opportunities I had growing up. I understand that there's a need for all students to gain a competitive edge when it comes to applying to colleges. Without organizations like Revolution Prep, there would be a too many kids that would be without the means to get themselves prepared for the new SAT.
Also, if I ever decide to reapply for undergrad at some point in the future, I will have some killer SAT scores because i will essentially have taken part in multiple SAT prep classes. Ha-ha!
Danielle Petta-Flores
Hometown: Arcata, CA
College: University of California, Santa Cruz
About Me:
I like good books, bad mix tapes, candy (usually of the chewy and fruity variety), fake accents, and holistic health. I spent the past four years at UC Santa Cruz studying biology, living in the science library (my home away from home), and dancing whenever I got the chance. My studies at UCSC made me realize that ecological research is not what I am passionate about (although, I very much enjoyed and valued the experiences that I had), and am now planning on going into the medical field. In my spare time, I read, I dance, and I have a social life. I travel whenever I get the chance. I have been to language schools in Mexico and Guatemala. Although my Spanish used to be top notch, I am a bit out of practice. When I'm not teaching or tutoring for Revolution Prep I work as a waitress, and a companion for developmentally disabled adults. I also volunteer in the ER. I am currently deciding what I want to be when I grow up, which really just means playing in Santa Cruz. I love teaching, and if you're in my class, I might even bake you cookies.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I secretly get some sort of twisted enjoyment out of taking standardized test, and I thought I should spread the joy.
Josh Pollett
Hometown: Mountain View
College: UC Santa Barbara, SCU
About Me:
I usually do not sleep more than 5-6 hours a night. The rest of the day I spend staying as active as possible. This includes hobbies I seem to be great at, like rock climbing, and others that I suck at but still enjoy, like playing guitar.
I am local to the Bay Area, and I love it here. The only time I left was when I attended college at UCSB and spent a year traveling in Germany.
I have always found that life is best approached with an easy-going and good-humored nature, and believe that if you cannot laugh at yourself, you should not laugh at others (with them is still ok, though).
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love to teach. If I win the lottery today, you will still see me in class again tomorrow. I respect Revolution Prep for the way it values its students and teachers, while too many other agencies are blind money-making machines.
Judith Pond
Hometown: Bronx, New York
College: Stanford University
About Me:
I enjoy cooking, roller skating, photography, armchair philosophy, traveling, and dancing. I'm also a novelist, so I spend much of my time in quiet observation of human behavior.
I grew up in New York, but moved to the west coast to study psychology at Stanford. I'm looking forward to exploring some more California cities, though, since I'm an urban girl at heart.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach for Revolution Prep to help make the SAT a platform for success, rather than a bar to admission. After spending over a decade in school, no student should feel as though their score on one exam will determine their academic future. Revolution Prep helps to ensure that students can take the SAT-based part of their future into their own hands.
Gemma Ross
Hometown: San Mateo, Ca
College: Dartmouth College
About Me:
I just graduated from Dartmouth College majoring in Computer Science modified with Animation. No, that is not a real major. I took a chance, made it up, and my school decided to also take a chance and allow me to take classes that mostly involve animating and goofing around with nerdy Computer Science people.
I have moved back to the warmer climates in the hope of being employed by a computer animation studio. Until this dream comes true I also enjoy reading, cooking, teaching, and learning about interesting things that have nothing to do with Computer Science.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I teach simply for the love of teaching and for the love of hanging out with teenagers (they're a pretty fun lot). I teach for Revolution Prep simply because it is a GOOD company, and those are hard to come across nowadays. I want to make sure that all high schoolers get the chance to go to the perfect school for them and pursue an education in anything they desire.
Justin Ryder
Hometown: Nutley, NJ
College: Swarthmore College, Penn State University
About Me:
In October 2007 I made a cross-country road trip and moved from New Jersey to San Francisco and started working with youngsters again with Revolution Prep and also coaching in a youth lacrosse league. After nailing my Swarthmore College degree in Economics to the wall back in 2003, I went on to work for the investment bank of Lehman Brothers until my move out west. Then there’s my life mistress, stand-up comedy, which I’ve been writing and performing for almost three years now. There are things about that twisted silly ride on a microphone I rather like, and fun and challenging are definitely a few of them. I'll also be back in the New Jersey area this fall visiting family and teaching with Revolution Prep.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Because the job combines two essential parts of life: fun and challenge. Students can agree the SAT is challenging, but fun is probably not on your SAT word association list and it should be. Sometimes it’s the only way to get through it and beat the thing at its own game, a lesson I learned at Revolution Prep.
Gerald Sanders
Hometown: Julian, CA
College: UCSD
About Me:
I graduated from UCSD in the summer of 2008 with a B.S. in Physics. Although I technically specialized in Astrophysics, I have a keen interest in electronic design. On the side, I play video games, listen to just about every kind of music there is, and read a lot (sometimes in Latin!). I also enjoy physical competition of any kind (I played football and soccer, and ran track in high school) and hiking around my beautiful hometown in Julian. My philosophy on life is that you should learn a little bit of everything. Oh, and the only people that ever call me Gerald are my parents. Please, call me Tres.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
While I plan on working as a mad scientist in a lab somewhere for a few years, I would like to settle down and teach high school someday. Teaching at Revolution Prep gives me experience teaching high school students while also allowing me to help those same students get into college so that they can achieve their own goals. If you ask me, it's a win-win situation for everyone.
Neil Satterlund
Hometown: Palo Alto
College: U.C. Berkeley
About Me:
I just graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a theater major focused on lighting design (Focused! Aha). Now I'm getting my ducks in a row (I like saying that).
The picture is of me participating in a study for NASA's human integration division. They covered me with electrodes and spent a week finding out if I play well with others. Science Says Yes.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
My other job is research-assisting this book about education, which talks a lot about how standardized tests are awful. I find this funny.
Anyway. I'm here because I've always liked talking about Strategy, and Language, and that sort of thing. It recently occurred to me that I might apply this to helping people annihilate standardized tests. The good fight.
Max Segal
Hometown: San Francisco
College: UC Santa Barbara
About Me:
Likes penguins and baseball mostly. But playing in rock bands is my favorite. I'd rather swim than sink. I am really good at giving advice, especially directions to the freeway from wherever I am currently located.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
It came to me in a dream. I was visited by SAT ghosts who told me the answers to all future SATs. Revolution Prep was the only company that believed me when I told them about my powers.
Benjamin Shimel
Hometown: Vallejo
College: St. Mary's College of California
About Me:
I graduated from St. Mary's College of CA in '02 and decided I wanted to be a Dentist at the end of senior year. I was a classics-based Liberal Arts major so this was a bit of an unorthodox career choice. To this end I've spent the last few years at SFSU knocking out my pre-requisites and am applying now for dental school. Revolution gives me the perfect chance to help people while still pursuing what I want to do for the rest of my life.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
There aren't many people who can honestly say that they enjoy their jobs and look forward to going to work. I think this job for me is as simple as that. I enjoy the opportunity to help people every day that I go to work, and even better I get paid to do it! I haven't found the catch to this yet, but then again I'm not looking hard either.
Allison Slater
Hometown: Santa Rosa, California
College: Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University
About Me:
I graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, where I concentrated in biology and psychology. I spent a year studying at Columbia University and a semester studying in Vienna, Austria, which had some of the best coffee and chocolate I've ever tasted. In Vienna I taught middle school English and dance classes, which sparked my passion for teaching. I enjoy ballet (dancing and watching) and really good triple cream brie cheese. Someday I'll combine my nerdy interests in grammar and biology and pursue a career in science communications.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
When I was in high school and studying for the SATs, I learned the value of a really great tutor. I teach for Revolution Prep because their curriculum teaches kids not only how to ace the SAT, but also how to become good test takers. I also have a strange passion for grammar.
Vanessa Souza
Hometown: San Jose, CA
College: Seattle University; Universidad Iberoamericana
About Me:
I lived in the same little house in San Jose (along with my parents, brother, and a veritable menagerie of pets) my whole life up until college, when I moved to Seattle to study social work at Seattle U. College was full of new and exciting experiences for me: I studied abroad in Mexico and Belize, had my first apartment, had the chance to volunteer for nonprofits ranging from homeless shelters to green property developers to community organizing groups, wrote my 50-something page undergraduate thesis, and even got to see Salman Rushdie and Tim Gunn at their book signings! I graduated magna cum laude in June 2008 with a Bachelor's in Social Work, a second major in Spanish, and a minor in nonprofit leadership. After graduation, I headed back home to the Bay Area. I had grown to love the Emerald City for its parks, public art, and cupcake-only bakeries, but nothing makes you appreciate the California sunshine like 8 straight months a year of overcast skies.
Now that I'm back home, I'm enjoying spending more time with my family while I prepare to apply for graduate school next year. I love to read, so much that I don't let myself buy a book unless I know I won't devour it in a single sitting, but I won't turn up my nose at a good, cheesy movie, either. I'm pretty crafty: I sew, knit, embroider, use power tools, and know my way around a fabric store or hardware store fairly well. I love impromptu travel, whether it's just a day trip to Carmel or jetting off to London on frequent flyer miles. In my perfect world, any and all of those activities are accompanied by a fantastic cup of coffee. My fatal flaw is an almost complete inability to be quietly idle.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I was always the kid who woke up super-early the first day of school because I couldn't wait to get into the classroom and start learning again. But standardized tests like the SAT drove me nuts. I always scored very well on the verbal and not so very well on the math; the questions confused me and I just wasn't very good at sitting still for so long at a stretch. I had no confidence in my ability to do math at all, and I felt like a failure for being so one-sided. Later on, in a college math class, I realized that I’d had the ability to do the math all along, but had been thwarted by my nerves and my inability to understand the tricky wording of the questions. I teach at Revolution Prep because I know how it feels to sit down in front of that test and just feel completely overwhelmed by all those little bubbles, and I want to help students gain the skills and strategies that will make it a little less painful and a lot less stressful.
David Stein
Hometown: Philadelphia
College: University of Chicago, CA College of the Arts
About Me:
I have taught or tutored for eleven years, in non-profits and privately, so I really like helping students learn. I am nerdy enough to see what's interesting in school but aware of what can be excruciatingly boring. I went to a college famed for being a grind, majored in Philosophy, and miraculously emerged with gainful employment.
I also went to art school (California College of the Arts) for an MFA, so I make art when I am not seeing movies, riding my bike, reading, watching football, or picking up waffles at my local farmers market.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Because I love the idea of helping students beat a test that inspires so much fear and stress. Because I need a productive place to put my energy. Because my friends don't want to hear me explain when to use the Pythagorean theorem.
Michael Villeggiante
Hometown: Millbrae, CA
College: Sonoma State University
About Me:
I am a Sonoma State super senior, originally from Millbrae, which is famous for having a large BART station. I just finished my History degree and am working on Political Science and Economics, and working on getting into grad school. I rowed for Sonoma State and a club in Philadelphia by the name of Penn AC, and am a member of Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and Phi Alpha Theta history honors society.
Outside of that, my interests include food, fitness, reading, board games, movies, golf, picture framing, and food.
Oh, and I'm really good at SAT stuff too.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Frankly, I actually like doing SAT math problems. What I like even more, however, is teaching and coaching, and generally being helpful to someone looking to achieve something. Also, I'm pretty competitive and like beating things like opposing teams and admissions tests.
Sean Walker
Hometown: Trumansburg, NY
College: Carnegie Mellon (Bachelors), Stanford (PhD)
About Me:
I like college so much, I haven't been able to leave yet. After graduating CMU, I started a PhD program in Computer Science at Stanford and am still working towards my dissertation. As I keep telling my wife, it will be another two or three years -- that excuse has worked for three years so far!
I have many varied interests, but my newest one is photography (thanks for the camera mom and dad!). At different times in my life I've also been far into video games, Ultimate Frisbee, biking, blogging, gardening, model airplanes, and knee injuries (oh, sorry, that went with the frisbee and biking).
Currently, I'm married with two young children living on Stanford campus.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I love working with young adults at such an important time in their life. Believe it or not, I really like tests and test prep, and I love being on the same team as the students.
Edward Wang
Hometown: New York, New York
College: University of California - Davis
About Me:
Born in New York, moved to Wisconsin, and eventually drifted to California. I've pretty much lived in the Bay Area since high school (aside from a much too short stay at UC Davis). Honestly, I wish I was still in college, but I guess playing with (allegedly) carcinogenic chemicals all day isn't so bad... I work as a chemist by the way. I hope working with Revolution and all you lovely students will be a nice change of pace from life in the lab. So, let's all do something exciting with this class, yeah?
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
When I was in high school I remember wondering if the whole process of taking the SATs, stressing over my last physics test, and eventually applying to college would be worth the effort. I spent a lot of time contemplating the virtues of a higher education and my own reluctance to conform to the standards of society (in other words, I was procrastinating). And now, 7 years later (yeah I know, I'm getting old) I realize that if I had spent half of that time simply doing what needed to be done I could've saved myself from quite a bit of stress later down the road. After making it to college, I can honestly say the experience is not something you want to miss. I believe Revolution Prep and its teachers (like me!) are the perfect resource to help students focus and conquer the SATs. The SATs are the first step towards college, so stop procrastinating and just take the step already! Hopefully we'll have some fun along the way too.
Sinny Wang
Hometown: San Diego, CA
College: Dartmouth College
About Me:
As a recent college graduate with a major in biology and minor in psych, I spent a LOT of the past four years wearing dorky protective glasses in the various labs. Fear not, however, for I have also occasionally gotten out of lab to work on my social skills! Jokes aside, I am still a serious student and current medical school applicant. When I'm not talking to petri dishes, I am also a musician (singing and flute), an adventurous chef (hot dog sushi, anybody?) and a snowboarder. I love traveling and to this day, wonder how I managed to stumble through most of Western Europe and Morocco without knowledge of any language other than traveler's French. Lastly, I am so excited to have this chance to teach and help others discover the amazing experience that is college and beyond.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
Ever since one of my cleverest friends accidentally bubbled his name wrong on the SAT (and thus had to write to EVERY single college he was applying to in order to prove that he is indeed, himself), I knew that the SAT is harder than it looks...because of nerves! Fact is, being a classical music player for most of my life, I know how difficult it is to perform "on the spot" - in a strange room with strange faces, uncomfortable chairs, a broken air conditioner, etc. I teach because I know that many great kids are defeated by their own nerves, and that should not happen. Practice does not always make perfect, but it sure makes taking the SAT less scary. Simply put, I want people to stop "trying" to live up to their potentials, and do it already.
Renoir Welch
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
College: Cornell University - Go Big Red!
About Me:
When I am not striving for STA greatness, I am working as a Researcher for UC Davis on site at Napa State Hospital. I love studying psychology, cooking, dancing and that stuff that's Peanut Butter and Jelly premixed in a jar. I am eagerly awaiting the day that scientists incorporate bread into the mix. Then my life will be complete.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
When I think back to my my high school days, back when my hair was long and car quite crummy, I remember how the SAT intimidated me to no end. However I had an awesome SAT prep teacher who taught me that the Big Bad SAT was all bark and no bite once you know it's tricks. I have since dedicated my life to achieving this same level of SAT Teaching Awesomeness (STA if you will...).
Jessica Whittle
Hometown: Murrieta, CA
College: San Francisco State University
About Me:
I originally came from a smaller town in southern California called Murrieta. I graduated in 2004 with a 3.8 gpa and quickly moved to San Francisco. For the past couple of years I have been attending San Francisco State and will be graduating this year with a Communication degree. This is also the third year that I will be debating for the University's debate team. When I'm not busy researching and studying for school you can find me taking classes at a dance studio downtown or hanging out with friends.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I believe that Revolution Prep is an important tool that all students should have. I am proud to be part of a team of students and teachers who really care about working towards a goal that allows all students the access and opportunity for a positive future.
Sarah Wintermeyer
Hometown: Cotati, CA
College: UC Irvine
About Me:
I’m from a town of 6,000 people and though I have never been cow tipping this area is famous for hippies and the largest Accordion Festival in the Western United States.
Asparagus is my favorite vegetable. I am fascinated by people. I read music and books as often as possible. I never tire of learning new things. I love all things Italian. I plan to make a lifetime habit of traveling the world.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
When I was born I didn’t cry. In fact I was so quiet the doctors thought there was something wrong with me. I spent most of my infant years observing. Then, at age three, I started a tap dancing class. Suddenly it became clear that my lack of crying and tantrum throwing as a child was only me preserving my feet and vocal chords for a lifetime in the entertainment industry. By six I was a walking American Idol contestant. By sixteen I had realized that all this training was for my main mission in life: destroying the colossal beast known as the SAT through ninja theatrics. Which brings me here, to RevPrep, where I plan to teach you all how to dominate the SAT in an entertaining and fun fashion.
Aaron Zaks
Hometown: Benicia, CA
College: University of California at Berkeley
About Me:
I consider myself very lucky. I have traveled extensively; the things I have seen range from some of the grandest landscapes in the world as I hiked in the Himalayas to the indescribable poverty in the streets of Calcutta. These experiences give me a degree of perspective that helps me relate to many different types of people.
My interests include snowboarding, kitesailing, good fiction, guitar, and going on road trips with friends.
Why I teach at Revolution Prep:
I recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Economics. These four years have been some of the most memorable in my life, and I have met so many people that I can barely walk a block without seeing someone I know. But, sadly, now it's time to transition out of the academic lifestyle I've gotten so used to, and what better way is there than teaching with Revolution Prep?