Meet Our Tutors
Kaplan Premier's tutors are the foundation of our service.
Having graduated our rigorous training and development program,
they all share the same level of excellence: near-perfect scores
(in the 95th percentile or above), previous instructional
experience, and—most importantly—the ability to create an
interactive one-on-one learning environment based on the
individual needs of each student.
Here are just a few of the tutors who work with Kaplan Premier
students in the Chicago area. At the onset of any tutoring
program, your Academic Coordinator will conduct our Tutor
Matching Interview to find the best possible tutor for
your child.
Greg
Subjects Tutored: ACT and SAT
Teaching/Tutoring Experience: Prior to joining Kaplan Premier, while in law school, I taught legal writing to first-year students at the George Mason University School of Law in Arlington, VA.
Degrees Earned: B.A. in Spanish, Georgetown University; J.D., George Mason University School of Law
Fun Fact: In April of 2001, I ran a marathon in Paris, France.
Hobbies/Passions: Politics, Cooking, Creative Writing and Golf.
Favorite KP Experience: My very first Kaplan Student (5 lessons in ACT English, Reading & Writing) scored a near-perfect 35 on Reading, and raised his cumulative score nine points from a 21 to a 29!
David
Subjects Tutored: ACT Math/Science, SAT Math,
Chemistry, Physics, Geometry
Teaching/Tutoring Experience: I have been
teaching high school students for 7 years (5 at Roycemore School
and 2 at Evanston Township). I have been tutoring with Kaplan for
6 years.
Degrees Earned: B.A. Chemistry, Northwestern
University, M.A.T. Secondary Education, National-Louis
University
Fun Fact: During the same summer that I started
with Kaplan, I also worked at Wrigley Field and worked on the
field for a few games.
Hobbies/Passions: Running—I'm training for my
2nd marathon (The Chicago Marathon in October). Coaching—I've
coached basketball for 5 years and currently serve as an
assistant for the Girls Varsity team at Evanston.
Favorite KP Experience: Receiving a phone
message from an elated parent about how her son's ACT score had
improved dramatically as a result of the work we did.
Maria
Subjects Tutored: SAT Critical Reading/Writing, ACT English/Reading/Writing, SAT Subject Test in Literature
Teaching/Tutoring Experience: One and a half years of tutoring for Kaplan, several semesters teaching creative writing to adult students, experience teaching news writing to college freshman.
Hobbies/Passions: Writing, reading Victorian and modern-era novels, performing improv comedy, seeking out candy.
Degrees Earned: B.A. in English , University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.F.A. in Writing, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Fun Fact: I had the most enviable 21st birthday in the world, and indulged more safely than some, at the same time: I spent it at a chocolate festival in Perugia, Italy.
Favorite KP Experience: I've had several shy students, and my favorite moments are when I first get them to open up. Whether it's getting them excited about their own progress or just getting them to laugh at one of my jokes, it's a great feeling. I'm a formerly shy person, so I appreciate how hard it can be to open up, and what a breakthrough it can be when it finally happens.
Kim
Subjects tutored: ACT Math/Science;
SAT Math
Teaching/Tutoring Experience: I just finished my
first year teaching 4th and 5th grade at a charter school on the
south side of Chicago. I have been tutoring students of different
ages for about four years in both Michigan and Chicago.
Hobbies: I love to be outdoors and stay active
by playing tennis, walking along the beach, running, and working
out at the gym. I also enjoy traveling, reading, people watching,
and spending time with family and friends.
Degrees Earned: B.A. in Psychology at the
University of Michigan, M.A. in Elementary Education from
National Louis University
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Melbourne,
Australia for six months where I went on a 30-day backpacking
trip through the outback as well as traveled to New Zealand. In
New Zealand I had the opportunity to go both bungee jumping and
sky diving.
Favorite KP Experience: My favorite Kaplan
experience was seeing the expression on one of my student's face
when she saw her ACT score go up 4 points between two practice
tests.
Tricia
Subjects tutored: ACT/SAT Math,
ACT/SAT Verbal, AP Psychology, SSAT
Teaching/Tutoring Experience: My first teaching
experience came while I was in Graduate School. I started as a
Teaching Assistant and, after approximately 1 year, I started
teaching undergraduate classes in psychology. I have been
tutoring with Kaplan Premier for over 3 years.
Hobbies/Passions: My passion is helping others
reach their goals. I work in the mental health field helping to
rehabilitate people, and tutoring gives me the opportunity to
help young adults reach their goals.
Degrees earned: Master's Degree in Clinical
Psychology
Fun Fact: My older brother is getting married in
Hawaii in July, and my entire family is making the trip to be
there.
Favorite KP Experience: I worked with one
particular student through two testing cycles. His ACT score
improved after the first course, but he felt that he could have
done better. I accepted the assignment to continue working with
this student, this time tutoring both Math and Verbal. My
favorite KP moment is when the student phoned me after the test
to tell me how much his score had improved. He was very proud of
himself, giving me a sense of satisfaction.
Cheryl
Subjects Tutored: ACT English/Reading/Writing/Math/Science, SAT Critical Reading/Writing/Mathematics, and tutoring in chemistry
Teaching/Tutoring Experience: Over six years of one-on-one tutoring experience in chemistry and biology, and I am in my second year of teaching chemistry in the Chicago Public Schools.
Degrees Earned: B.S. in Chemistry from Hillsdale College, certification from Northwestern University; M.S./Ph.D . in progress at the Illinois Institute of Technology
Fun Fact: When I was at the Michigan vs. Northwestern football game in 2005 (when I was a student at NU!) dressed up in my Michigan apparel, the ESPN cameraman decided that I was just annoying enough to get a good 15 seconds on national television! GO BLUE!!
Hobbies/Passions: Running—I'm training for my
2nd marathon (The Chicago Marathon in October). Coaching—I've
coached basketball for 5 years and currently serve as an
assistant for the Girls Varsity team at Evanston.
Favorite KP Experience: Receiving a phone
message from an elated parent about how her son's ACT score had
improved dramatically as a result of the work we did.
