“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” –WB Yeats
Alexander has taught English, coached, and dorm-parented for nearly 20 years at Dartmouth College, The King School, Kingswood-Oxford, Philips Andover and The Taft School. He is an expert at the college application process, including college essay writing, standardized test preparation, and the recommendation process. He has tutored hundreds of adolescent teens and young adults from middle school through college level on all spectrums, behaviorally and academically. He attended Philips Exeter Academy and received an undergrad degree from Kenyon College and a Masters Degree from Dartmouth College. He lives in Middlebury, CT with his three rug rats and wife, Alexa.
Parker has taught physics and math at boarding schools in Massachusetts and Connecticut for five years. He has worked at Phillips Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall and at Taft School, where he currently teaches an introductory physics course to 9th and 10th graders. Parker attended Phillips Academy, studied physics and astrophysics at Harvard University and is pursuing a master’s of science degree in applied physics from Johns Hopkins University. Parker was a member of the rowing team at Harvard and pursued rowing after graduation for a couple of years. What Parker enjoys most about teaching physics is helping students connect with the physical world and develop problem solving skills that can be applied beyond the classroom. Using a structured and student-focused approach, Parker connects with young, motivated students on many different fronts and allows students to tap into their potential through hard work and persistence.
Geoffrey has taught courses in German language and literature, comparative literature, English literature and composition, world literature, journalism, history, philosophy, and art history at Brown University, the Université de Lyon II, and the University of California, Davis. He holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Brown and a Masters in Art History from UC Davis. He has been awarded the Fulbright, two DAAD grants (German Academic Exchange Service), and was a Fellow at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York and the Dia Art Foundation in Beacon, NY.
Suin attended St. Paul’s School and received her undergrad B.S.E. degree from Princeton University, where she majored in Computer Science and minored in Engineering Biology. She recently completed her M.S. in Physiology at Georgetown University. She has been a private tutor since 2013 and has worked for several professional tutoring companies teaching Mathematics, Science, Computer Science, and English, particularly specializing in SAT/ACT/AP test prep. Through her academic tutoring and college counseling, she aims to bring out the best in each student and strives to be a mentor that her students can rely on for guidance and support.
“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” -Plutarch
A fifteen-year veteran teacher, Alex has spent the last nine years teaching high school English at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland in Baltimore. Over his career he has taught both AP English courses (Literature and Language) as well as several electives including “Modern Short Story” and “Literature of Baltimore.” He holds a BA in English from Kenyon College, an MAT in English Education from Brown University, and an MA in English Literature from Bread Loaf School of English (a graduate program affiliated with Middlebury College). Alex regularly writes for various publications including Boys’ Latin’s own in-house magazine. He lives in Baltimore with his wife Maya and their four-year-old twins (a boy and a girl).
“When everything is coming your way, you’re probably in the wrong lane.” -Tom Snyder
Brian has taught economics, math and statistics courses as a college professor for over a decade at Whittier College, Willamette University, Portland Community College, Humboldt State University, the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Berkeley. He has tutored math, stats and economics for over 15 years from high school to Ph.D. levels. Tutoring, he strongly believes, is the optimal learning and teaching environment. He holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in Economics. He has earned the Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching award from UC Berkeley and the Teaching with Technology award from Whittier College. He lives in Portland, OR with two little ones and wife, Alice.
“It is in our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” -Aristotle Onassis
Prior to joining the Cushing faculty in the fall of 2000, Stirling spent four years working as a counselor to high school students at an educational not-for-profit in New York City, and three years teaching English as a Second Language in Ecuador. He received his B.A. in psychology from Wesleyan University and his MsEd in Second Language Education (TESOL Concentration) from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Mr. Ince is also a graduate of Dulwich College (London, England) and St. Mary’s College (Port-of-Spain, Trinidad). In addition to his teaching duties, he is the head coach for both varsity boys’ cross-country team and varsity track and field team. He is the dorm head of Johnson House.
Archer has attended Johns Hopkins University, where he received his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and Molecular/Cellular Biology in three years and where he also completed his M.S.E. in Biomedical Engineering. He is currently a senior PhD candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Yale University. For the past seven years, Archer has taught a number of STEM classes including introductory and upper level math courses, college level Physics, and introductory and graduate level courses in Biology and Biomedical Engineering and is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Mathematics at SCSU. He has helped countless students in standardized tests excel in test preparation and has been involved with a number of high school and undergraduate teaching/tutoring programs offered at Yale University (Freshman Scholars at Yale, Yale Pathways to Science, and ONEXSYS).
“True education is a kind of never-ending story — a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.” – J.R.R. Tolkien.
Stephen attended the University of Oxford, where he received his B.A. in Philosophy & French, followed by his MSt in Ancient Philosophy. For the past five years, Stephen has taught and mentored students from middle school through college in positions all over the world, from the UK to South Korea. He focuses on language and humanities instruction, coupled with intensive writing skills and college application coaching. His language studies saw him teach English for a year in southern France, as well as holding a technical translation position in Spanish in Barcelona. He has received formal training in mental health support, and has substantial experience working with students with anxiety and depression. Stephen is a warm and dynamic individual, who focuses on creating an open and engaging learning environment. He is currently based in the UK, where he enjoys reading, taking long walks, and playing the guitar and piano.
Courtney is a career educator with nearly a decade of experience teaching, coaching, and dorm-parenting in boarding schools in the northeast. A current faculty member of Choate Rosemary Hall, Courtney has taught in the History Philosophy Religion and Social Sciences Department for the last seven years, and previously worked at The Masters School. At Choate, Courtney is the section head of World History, and has experience teaching history at all levels: introductory, Honors, and Advanced Placement. Courtney specializes in building skills in historical research, analytical writing, public speaking, and critical discussion. Courtney has also served as a Program Dean and can support students as they navigate the social and emotional aspects of adolescent development. She attended Moses Brown School in Providence, RI. Courtney received her B.A. in History and American Studies from Skidmore College – where she was a member of the women’s lacrosse team – and her M.A. in History from Boston College.
“An investment in Knowledge pays the best interest” -Benjamin Franklin
Jon Fermo earned his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, where he won the prestigious Arnold Prize in Design, and an MA in Education from the City College of New York. He has taught middle school and high school math courses for over 10 years in private and public schools, including The Masters School and Horace Greeley, earning teaching certifications in both Connecticut and New York. Jon believes learning is most effective in an engaging and encouraging environment, inseparable from the academic experience. He enjoys playing tennis, following the stock market, and watching Jeopardy.
“Teach the children… So it will not be necessary to teach the adults.” -Abraham Lincoln
Melissa graduated from Cornell University, where she majored in History with minors in German and Latin American studies. Melissa started her teaching and tutoring career in college, where she helped students strengthen their writing across the disciplines, logging over 1000 hours. After graduation, she moved to Tokyo, Japan, where she taught English as a second language to middle school students. Presently, Melissa is pursuing her master’s degree in social studies education at Brown University. Melissa is also a private tutor, helping students of all ages excel in history, writing, English and Spanish, as well as the college admissions process. As a tutor and mentor, she strives to build meaningful connections with her students, empower them, and help them realize their full potential inside and outside the classroom.
Lester has taught Mathematics for the past eight years in both public high schools and public middle schools. He currently teaches Accelerated Math at Ponus Ridge Middle School. He has taught or tutored all levels of math from Elementary through Calculus. Lester attended Carnegie-Mellon University where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and has a Masters in Business Administration from Duke University. In addition to teaching math, Lester tutors elementary, middle school, and high school math as well as many of the standardized tests including the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and the ISEE. Additionally, Lester has created enrichment programs for elementary and middle school students. He believes in building relationships and empowering students with give and take instruction and discourse with the end goal of building self-reliance and confidence.
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” -Aristotle
Nick Patel is a math and science teacher & mentor aiding students in the areas of mathematics and science. Nick earned his BA and MS degrees from New York University with a concentration in biology, chemistry, economics, and general science, and obtained his teaching credentials in science education from Fordham University and City College of New York. Nick has been actively involved in the education sector for almost twenty years, teaching in private and public schools, and providing services to educational institutions in the greater New York City area. Nick enjoys taking trips into nature, learning about health & nutrition, and exploring the area of personal development. Nick is also a certified Vinyasa Yoga instructor, and has been practicing yoga and conscious living for over ten years.
“It always seems impossible until it is done” -Nelson Mandela
Freda earned degrees from Princeton (B.A. Economics/Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs), Yale (M.A. Political Science), M.P.A. Harvard (M.P.A. JFK School of Government), University of Houston (J.D. Law). She also completed the Post Masters Certification in Secondary Social Sciences from Manhattanville College, and holds teacher certification from the State of Connecticut. Freda has been videotaped by The Council for Economic Education (NY), teaching model lessons for their “Economics in US History” instructional series. She stays updated by regularly attending their workshops, as well as those sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of NY.
“One’s sense of failure is a measure of one’s feeling of potential” -Alain de Botton
One of the nation’s leading interventionists, Dr. Dan Villiers has education, motivated, and inspired more than 700 families to pursue treatment for their children with acute anxiety, OCD and Trauma. In the spirit of entrepreneurism Dan has founded four anxiety treatment programs for school-aged children; most notably The Anxiety Institute in 2016, an intensive day program in Greenwich, CT, and Mountain Valley Treatment Center in 2010, the first non-hospital residential anxiety program in the United States. He has published articles, appeared on radio and TV, and given over 100 presentations in the US and in Europe on the nature, experience, and impact of Anxiety; and ways to address the epidemic individually and systematically.
Eve earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California Berkeley and her MBA from Columbia. She’s been tutoring professionally for ten years, in all levels K-12 in English, Writing, AP English and History and Government, Social Studies, Exam Preparation, College Essays, Study Skills and Organization. Trained through a renown New England test preparation organization, she is an expert test prep instructor, offering SAT and ACT Reading and Writing, SSAT, ISEE, GED, ASWAB, PSAT and Praxis I and II. Guaranteed 30-50% score increase using her patented MC method. Her upbeat personality, knowledge of learning, role modeling and gentle guidance has enabled her to help many students go beyond their wildest dreams in her ten years of experience. Working with struggling students of all ages has taught her how important it is to possess patience, a sense of humor and the ability to instill a belief in students that they can and will succeed.
Test Prep Available with Eve:
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.” -Samuel Beckett
Jon graduated from Pomona College, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. He has taught writing, philosophy, literature, coding, and German language courses for over six years at Cornell, and has worked with many high-school students as a college admissions counselor and test prep tutor. Jon prides himself on working with students of diverse cultural, learning, and academic contexts. When not teaching, Jon is busy researching linguistics and computational approaches to language. He has worked with several top scholars in his field; edited and published academic books and journals; and been awarded several research fellowships. In his free time Jon enjoys woodworking, DIY electronics, cycling, and guitar.
Eric is a former professor at Macalester College and UCLA, and has fifteen years teaching experience in both high school and college settings. He has been a professional tutor and college counselor for the past eight years and his specializes in ACT, SAT, and AP Preparation. He developed the ACT/SAT curriculums at two separate education centers in Southern California, and has been an official AP History grader for ten years, with extensive knowledge of all AP History curriculums. Eric earned a PhD in history from the University of Minnesota in 2012 and has published multiple articles in professional historical journals. Eric’s has also taught several nonfiction writing classes and can help people with all stages of essay writing, from brainstorming to final edits. After spending many years in many educational roles, Eric has found that his favorite kind of teaching is working with engaged students one-on-one. He takes pride in his ability to connect with people, and to take complex ideas and explain them in ways students can understand.
Test Prep Available with Eric:
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.” -Henry David Thoreau
Bryan attended Fairfield University, where he received his B.A. in English. He completed his M.A in English from William Paterson University in 2006. In 2018, he earned a PhD in English from St. John’s University. For the past fifteen years, Bryan has provided SAT preparation and ACT preparation for all sections of the tests to hundreds of students, in addition to his responsibilities teaching English classes in World Literature, British Literature, and American Literature. He has also taught composition and literature at a number of colleges, including Michigan State University, Rutgers University and Pace University. As a graduate student he tutored students at the St. John’s University Institute for Writing Studies. In his last job, he remotely tutored students at Purdue University Global for writing in all subjects.
Test Prep Available with Bryan: