Our Team

Tutors

“Jim taught me that there is no such thing as failure, only feedback, and I have since carried that with me wherever I go. I still read his motivational messages when I am feeling down. I am especially grateful for his teaching me breathing exe…

Jim Treadway

Jim graduated from Harvard University in 2008 and he earned two master's degrees -- one from Beijing University (2010) in International Relations and the other from London School of Economics (2011) in History. Deeply passionate about personal growth and connection, Jim founded Growth Wise in 2017 and is both tutor and coach; he frames test prep to...

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his students as a metaphor for how they are showing up to the other challenges in their lives. Jim searches far and wide for whatever will help his students, teaching them speed-reading and deep breathing techniques, for example, which many would not associate with test prep. It’s proven that his approach works: over the last two years, his students have averaged an 8-point gain in their ACTs, with highs of 12- and 13-point improvements.

“Jim taught me that there is no such thing as failure, only feedback, and I have since carried that with me wherever I go. I still read his motivational messages when I am feeling down. I am especially grateful for his teaching me breathing exercises to help tackle my testtaking anxiety.”

Jim's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • ISEE/SSAT

  • Testtaking Anxiety

  • College Essay Writing

Jack Calder

Jack graduated from the University of Chicago in 2018, going onto become a teacher and then general academic director at AcadeMe. He has tutored the SAT and ACT for almost a decade, in addition to college counseling, and teaching philosophy, literature, psychology, and history.

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He became the CEO of Growth Wise in 2023.

Jack's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • College Essay Writing

Nico Krell

Nico is a graduate of Princeton University, where he now serves as a Lecturer. He is from Montevideo, Uruguay and has been a private tutor since 2016. Using his lifetime of international experience, Nico customizes his neuroscience-focused curriculum to empower students to be masters of their own minds: clear on what they need to achieve their dreams and equipped with the tools to succeed.

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They are fearless and flexible; they learn to conquer any problem, not just ones from past tests.

Nico's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

 
“I think Gabe is GREAT! I see Mackenzie working her butt off.”“Gabe was very helpful and funny. He found an exciting and interesting way to teach an otherwise unexciting matter. The grammar rules I learned come in handy everywhere (in school an…

Gabe Rich

Gabe Rich grew up in Atlanta, Georgia before graduating from Northwestern University in 2008 with a degree in Economics and Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences.

Before he began tutoring, Gabe worked as an analyst and consultant for IBM. He also has an MBA focused in Strategy and Business Analytics from NYU Stern School of Business.

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When he's not tutoring he's either practicing improv comedy, playing Ultimate Frisbee, or investigating his startup idea. He loves working with students to find successful and fun methods for each to learn.

“Gabe was very helpful and funny. He found an exciting and interesting way to teach an otherwise unexciting matter. The grammar rules I learned come in handy everywhere (in school and in email writing).”

Gabe's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • GMAT

  • Essay Writing

“Marc’s been hugely helpful and we could not have gotten here without him.”

Marc Langer

Marc hails from New Rochelle, New York where he attended New Rochelle High School. He continued to Brown University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physics and master’s degree in Teaching.

When he's not tutoring, Marc can be found playing trumpet for the Soul-Pop band "Lawrence" or...

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running around Prospect Park playing ultimate frisbee.

“Marc’s been hugely helpful and we could not have gotten here without him.”

Marc's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • ISEE/SSAT

  • Physics

  • All High School and College Math

  • Statistics

“Hi - wanted to let you know Alex just finished his physics tutor session and he loved Declan. So thank you!!”"Declan and Skyler are great - super sweet. She likes them, and that's all that really matters."“Declan is a great guy. He’s down…

Declan Gruber

Declan Gruber started as a Teach For America corps member after graduating from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in Physics and Spanish. In Milwaukee, Declan worked primarily as a teacher (Algebra 1 and Physics) and math interventionist. He earned a Master's in Secondary Education from Marquette University, and worked as...

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a Corps Member Advisor at Milwaukee's Regional Institutes, and as an ACT/SAT tutor. Declan currently works in Los Angeles as an Instructional Coach. As a tutor, Declan specializes in high school math and science courses and standardized test prep.

“Declan is a great guy. He’s down to Earth, works at the pace that’s good for me, and keeps it real. He doesn’t teach things that are over my head, and I can definitely tell that he used to be a teacher. He has that professional aspect to him.”

Declan's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • All High School Math and Physics

 

Kieran McKenna

Kieran is an educator, artist, and organic farmer from South Bend, Indiana. He is the oldest of four siblings and twenty cousins. Kieran studied History and Spanish at Swarthmore College, where he also played lacrosse for four years. He spent the fall of his junior year in Santiago de Chile with Harvard's CASA program, and has spent time in Puerto Rico and Spain.

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Kieran worked for two years as a Middle School Humanities Teacher before transitioning to work in regenerative agriculture and sustainable urban development. He has experience working with neurodivergent and special education students and enjoys being a mentor for learners of all backgrounds.

Kieran's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • Spanish

  • Academic Writing

  • Executive Functioning/Organization

"Declan and Skyler are great - super sweet. She likes them, and that's all that really matters."“Tutoring with Skyler is great! We’ve nearly mastered the grammar rules and I actually look forward to tutoring each week :…

Skyler Siegel

Skyler graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2015, majoring in both finance and film. After WashU, he worked as a trader at Citigroup for two years before transitioning into the film world, where he has been since. When he isn't tutoring, he is...

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writing screenplays for TV and Film. Skyler has been tutoring for three years and hopes to continue to help his students capitalize on their strengths and gain the confidence they need to no longer need his help.

“Skyler gave me the confidence that I could really do well on the ACT. He works extremely hard making sure I am comfortable with the material. He also makes learning fun rather than a chore!”

Skyler's Areas of Expertise

  • ACT/SAT

  • ISEE/SSAT

  • English

  • Essay Writing

  • 6th-11th Grade Math

“Carina is amazing.”“Carina has been great. Kyra loves her.”

Carina Seah

Carina is currently an MD PhD student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she majored in Human Biology while concurrently earning a Master's degree in Stem Cell Biology and...

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Regenerative Medicine. She has tutored students for over 5 years in biology and chemistry. Carina teaches the skills to succeed outside the classroom–how to scrutinize data, pinpoint the most essential information, and form connections to find excitement and enjoyment in learning new material.

“Carina is amazing.”

Carina's Areas of Expertise

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

 
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Carmen Benitez

Carmen is from New York City and majors in Computer Science and Math, with a concentration in Economics, at Harvey Mudd College. Over the years, she has tutored students in various subjects, including math, economics, and computer science.

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She has also worked as a College Essay editor for 3 years now, helping students gain admission to their dream schools. With a love for math and technology, Carmen aims to work in technology after graduating.

Carmen's Areas of Expertise

  • SAT & ACT Prep

  • College Essay & General Essay Mentoring

  • High School Math

  • Macroeconomics

  • Microeconomics

  • Computer Science

Nilam Patel

Nilam is NYC based Strategy & Management Consultant focused in Life Sciences and Healthcare. She graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University where she earned a degree in Chemistry and conducted research in Applied Physics.

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Passionate about mentorship and promoting women in STEM, Nilam served as a mentor for Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. Over the years, she has tutored high school and college students in Chemistry, ACT/SAT, and English. Outside of work and tutoring, Nilam is an avid marathon runner and enjoys practicing yoga and meditation.

Tutoring goes beyond helping a student achieving a certain grade, but more about enabling them with

the tools and confidence to achieve their full potential in all the set their mind to.

Nilam’s Areas of Expertise

  • Chemistry

  • SAT & ACT Prep

  • English

 

Staff

 

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