Tutors

Top Test-takers with Dynamic Personalities

Pinnacle Prep tutors have impressive academic backgrounds. Applicants, who all must have at least a college degree, must score in the top percentiles of the tests they will tutor. But it takes more than simply being a great test-taker to be a great tutor – personality is equally important. Pinnacle Prep looks for tutors with dynamic and engaging personalities, so that they can communicate efficiently and make connections with students. One-on-one tutoring requires the trust and inspiration that comes with a great rapport.

We are very selective when it comes to hiring tutors. It is quite difficult to find tutors who are both great at taking tests and have the ability to inspire students. In a recent application cycle with over 150 applicants, 50 were invited to take a diagnostic exam, 12 were invited to training, 6 made it through the first day, and 3 completed initial training successfully!

Once tutors are hired, they receive rigorous initial training and then continuing training and support from the office for as long as they continue with Pinnacle Prep. Great energy is placed into periodic reviews, frequent continuing training seminars, and limitless professional development as needed.

Pinnacle Prep’s standards for tutors are unrelenting – we expect the utmost from our tutors, because we want our students to achieve incomparable results. And they do – Pinnacle Prep students average improvement is over 370 points and over 95% of students achieve 100 or more points increase in at least one section.

Because our tutors have such impressive academic track records, standardized test tutoring often leads to academic tutoring. Please call our office to inquire about academic subject support.

Pinnacle Prep - The Jingle
While you peruse our tutors’ descriptions, you can also listen to our jingle! It was written and performed by tutor Andrew Gregory, who is also a member of the world-famous autotuners The Gregory Brothers.

Josh

Josh graduated with a B.A. from Yale University where he studied subjects ranging from Theater and English to Psychology and Law. After performing in some of the most acclaimed regional theaters in the country – and after receiving a Governor’s medallion as a “California Arts Scholar” in his hometown of Berkeley – Josh is now pursuing his twin loves in New York: acting and tutoring. Josh’s positive energy, warmth, and command of test-taking techniques make him an ideal instructor.

Nicole

Nicole earned her B.A. from NYU with a major in Anthropology, where she placed on the Dean’s List all four years. When she is not wrapped up in a great math problem, Nicole is performing with her band at various locations around New York. As a tutor, Nicole utilizes her creativity to help students see problems from many different angles.

Mike Z

Mike earned a B.S. in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry from Yale University, where he divided his time between writing funny articles for campus publications, playing Ultimate Frisbee, and studying the molecular basis of plant immune response. An aspiring satirist, he has written in nearly every conceivable form, including the comic, essay, postcard, short story, poem, blog, and opinion column. He is currently working on a musical. In his sessions with students, Mike is a patient, engaging tutor who uses humor to make difficult concepts approachable.

Patricia

Patricia graduated from Boston College as the valedictorian of her class with a dual degree in English and Theater Arts. While at Boston College, Patricia was a member of the Presidential Scholars Program and, as a playwright, saw two of her award-winning plays produced and directed by university faculty. She is an established actress who can be seen performing in and around New York City. Patricia is a patient and engaging tutor who developed a creative teaching style while teaching within Boston’s prison system.

Erin

Erin graduated magna cum laude from Yale University with a B.A. in English and Theater Studies. Although she has always loved literature and theater, while in college she enjoyed studying a wide range of subjects, including Biological Anthropology and Egyptian Hieroglyphics. She is an actress and Shakespeare enthusiast who also enjoys making less-than-healthy baked goods and is famous in certain circles for her chocolate chip cookies.

Allison

Allison graduated summa cum laude from NYU with a major in English and a minor in Creative Writing. When she’s not tutoring, you will likely find her absorbed in a collection of short stories, writing poetry, or working on a crossword. She loves to travel and spent a semester in Prague, where she developed a mean ability to order food and argue with taxi drivers in rapid-fire Czech. As a tutor, Allison is engaged, patient, and sympathetic, and uses her sharp sense of humor to break through resistance and boredom.

Darian

Darian is currently completing his Ph.D. in Anthropology and African American Studies at Yale University, where he also earned M.A. and M.Phil. degrees, both in Anthropology. He also holds B.A. degrees in English Literature and Anthropology from UCLA. Darian has been tutoring and teaching Writing and English Literature for over 12 years at the elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels. He has also been teaching SAT prep for the past 5 years. As an educator, Darian enjoys helping students overcome academic challenges and using literature/composition as a means of helping them to cultivate critical thinking skills. Darian’s scholarly pursuits involve all things philosophical and theoretical: existentialist philosophy, Continental philosophy (more generally), critical theory, and literary criticism, among other topics.

Fran

Fran graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Economics. After college, she worked as an economic consultant in New York, determining damages for law suits involving Fortune 500 level companies. Currently, Fran is pursuing post-baccalaureate studies in order to complete the perquisites for veterinary school. When she’s not studying Organic Chemistry and Biology, Fran enjoys road biking, writing short stories, and crossword puzzles. As a tutor, Fran is able to break down complex concepts into their elemental parts, allowing her students to solve even the toughest of problems.

Stephanie

Stephanie received her B.A. in American Studies from Duke University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Drawn to Duke’s acclaimed Center for Documentary Ssaratudies, Stephanie studied audio documentary production and worked as co-coordinator of Youth Noise Network, Durham’s youth radio program. As a Pinnacle Prep tutor, she continues to engage and guide students with her zest, insight, and diligence. Having toured worldwide with her band, she is almost as famous as an Appalachian fiddler as she is as a tutor.

Dan

Dan graduated magna cum laude from Davidson College with a B.A. in Comparative Literature, a course of study that had him traveling all over Eastern Europe honing his Russian and German. Language and literature are his twin passions, but when he’s not occupied with vocabulary he can probably be found circling the park in preparation for his next marathon. A member of Phi Beta Kappa and a National Merit Scholar, Dan is an enthusiastic tutor with a knack for getting ideas across.

Jack

Jack graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, he served 3 years as a board member of Penn’s oldest student theater group, Quadramics. In addition to being a fantastic tutor, he also works as a film writer and production assistant. As a tutor, Jack combines his talents in performance with a hands-on, practical approach to test-taking.

Dhaya

Dhaya graduated with a B.A. from Columbia University with a double major in English and Education, and an Ed.M. from Harvard. She’s been a teacher in public and private schools, and worked for several international organizations in Asia. When she’s not teaching or doing research, Dhaya enjoys salsa dancing and experimenting with recipes of her own invention. Her encouraging and interactive approach help students master even the toughest problems.

Michael H

Michael graduated magna cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in Music and a Certificate in Computer Science. For his senior thesis project, Michael designed and programmed an interactive software application for performing musicians which he then used to compose music for a room full of 30 laptops. In addition to being a much-requested tutor, he currently works as a music producer, sound designer, and occasionally as a web developer. In his spare time, Michael enjoys picking up new programming languages and training for half-marathons.

Brandon

Brandon completed all of the math courses at Berkeley before he was 16 and then went on to earn his M.S. in Mathematics from NYU, where he specialized in mathematical physics. Brandon also has many other interests, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and has traveled the country competing and medaling in some of the world’s most prestigious tournaments, including a silver medal at the Pan American Games. His teaching experience ranges from Johns Hopkins’ CTY program to Jiu Jitsu classes for college students at NYU to one-on-one test prep. As a tutor, he always strives to help students not only overcome their difficulties with challenging material but also to enjoy the classes they once found frustrating.

Carolyn

Carolyn graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania. She received high honors in major for her thesis work – a statistical and analytical deconstruction of the primary voter. (It was a real page-turner.) Currently, Carolyn works as an actress and writer in New York City, and, in her free time, likes making experimental grilled cheeses. Carolyn’s patience and good humor help take the anxiety out of test prep.

Lauren

Lauren graduated cum laude from Yale University with a B.A. in International Studies and Economics. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. A tremendous performance history (National Merit Scholarship winner) and a lifelong love of algebra (winner of the Rensselaer Medal for Math & Science) make her an enthusiastic and well-rounded tutor.

Christopher P

Chris graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Philosophy, and he’s now a doctoral candidate in the philosophy department at NYU, where his focus has been ethics and moral psychology. When he’s not trying to philosophize, he’s trying to compose. Chris has studied composition and piano performance privately for several years and hopes one to day to go to school for composition. He’s a patient, friendly and engaged tutor, who loves seeing his students performing at their best.

Ben

Ben graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a degree in English literature. He enjoys reading, writing, and going to the movies. In addition to writing on film for a variety of publications, he works as a part-time copy editor (i.e., professional grammar stickler). His ability to help students feel at ease while inspiring them to work hard is a recipe for success, and his track record in test prep is proof.

Alex

Alex graduated summa cum laude from New York University where he focused on the fields of Philosophy, Literature, and Art History. He is an artist, musician, and filmmaker. Alex’s sense of humor, versatility, and rigor help his students master a range of concepts.

Ali

Ali graduated from Amherst College, where she majored in French and completed pre-med requirements. She is currently applying to medical school, and in her free time she enjoys yoga, crossword puzzles and being creative in the kitchen. As a tutor, she is patient, encouraging, and able to simplify difficult concepts.

Beth

Beth received a B.A. from Wesleyan University in Biology. She has spent years applying her love of biology as a researcher, from studying cells in the laboratory to tagging rodents in the rain forests of Hawaii. A patient tutor, she strives to make science less intimidating.

Rachel L

Rachel has M.A. in English Literature from the University of Chicago. Beyond her love of literature, she has a passion for the study of philosophy, which has informed her academic work on the novelistic portrayal of the structure of consciousness. Having been raised by a lawyer and a librarian, grammar and logic are her bread and butter, and she enjoys teaching as much as she does learning. Rachel’s enthusiasm is contagious and her expertise engaging.

Julia

Julia graduated with a B.A. from Barnard College, where she majored in European History. During college she worked as an ESL teacher and as a field organizer for a political campaign, and after graduating, she became a film editor and grant writer for documentaries. She has tutored students of a range of ages and in varied communities – including Peru! Julia is particularly adept at recognizing and adapting to her students’ individual learning styles – a crucial skill that makes her a sensitive tutor.

Cory

Cory graduated magna cum laude from Yale, where he majored in English and won six departmental prizes for his writing. His patience and creativity as a tutor are matched only by his incredible height and lankiness as a person. When he’s not tutoring, he’s a playwright, whose plays and musicals about hedge funds, internet trolls, astronauts, and sewer people have been produced at Yale and in Manhattan.

Carl

Carl is completing a Ph.D. in Philosophy at CUNY. His early training in the sciences at college, his later training in Philosophy, and his engaging and dynamic teaching style make him a well-rounded, accessible tutor.

Elizabeth

Elizabeth earned a J.D. from NYU School of Law. While at NYU, in recognition of her outstanding legal writing, she was specially selected to be a member of the Moot Court Board. After law school, Elizabeth clerked for two years at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. She is now an attorney at the Center for Appellate Litigation. Before law school, she spent a year in Prague teaching English and acting in a number of plays, commercials, and even a movie. Elizabeth’s sense of humor and reassuring demeanor are an effective combination in helping her students achieve their best.

Ethan

Ethan graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Classics, focusing on Latin. He wrote his senior thesis on the correspondence between Cicero and M. Caelius Rufus. He also holds an M.A. from Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics, where he indulged two of his life-long loves, music and tinkering with electronics.

Eric

Eric received his B.A. in English from Grinnell College, where he was Phi Beta Kappa and won top graduating English major honors. After graduating, Eric came to New York to teach English and History at a public school in Harlem through Teach for America. He is now a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology, studying everything from Freud to IQ testing. His experience in education and diverse interests make him a great fit for a wide range of students looking to excel.

Nate

Nate graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame and received his M.F.A. from Columbia University, earning several prestigious awards and fellowships at both schools. He is currently a professional actor, tutor, and computer support technician. A former math-lete, two-time mock-trial state champ, and high school mascot, Nate currently lives in Harlem with his wife Cait and dog Buddy the Elf. A unique combination of technical and creative, Nate brings an intuitive, logical, and practical approach to tutoring that sets students at ease.

Danny

Danny received his M.F.A. from Brown University, graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Theatre and a minor in International Studies, won a prestigious scholarship to spend his junior year abroad at Cambridge University, and was a National Merit Scholar. His love for word problems is second only to his love for helping people achieve their goals.

Rachel A

Rachel earned an M.M. in Classical Voice from Manhattan School of Music and a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University, where she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. She is currently pursuing a career on the operatic stage, already having performed in San Francisco, New York, Italy, and elsewhere. In addition to traveling, music, and foreign languages, Rachel loves tutoring, and brings patience, perseverance, and smiles to all of her students.

Valerie

Valerie holds a B.A. in English and Theater Studies from Yale, where she won the Richter Summer Research Fellowship, and an M.F.A. in Playwriting from Brooklyn College. In addition to being a tutor and playwright, she is editor of offoffonline.com and an adjunct lecturer at Brooklyn College.

Roy

Roy graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy and Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and an M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Wisconsin. He pursued a PhD at the City University of New York before becoming a full-time documentary filmmaker. He now produces independent documentaries and educational shows for such networks as National Geographic and PBS. As a tutor, Roy’s patience and lively sense of humor make any problem approachable.

Claire

Claire earned her B.A. from Bennington College, where she concentrated in Literature and Natural Science. An avid reader with a serious soft spot for grammatical studies, Claire can often be found editing for fun – she also loves gardening and is currently working on the New York Restoration Project. Her patience and love of problem solving and teaching make her an excellent tutor.

Kiran

Kiran graduated magna cum laude from New York University, where she was selected as a Senior Legacy Ambassador and as a participant in the Dean’s Research Colloquium. She was also a National Merit Scholar and member of the National Dean’s List. Having worked in public relations, marketing, education, and theatre, Kiran has a variety of skills that make her a well-rounded tutor and skilled communicator. She is currently working in television and brings her energy from the production world to her tutoring sessions.

Paul

Paul graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Mathematics and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Math Education at Teachers College of Columbia University. He has worked with American students in all grade levels and taught in the Marshall Islands through a Harvard volunteer program. Paul has a unique insight into what students need to be inspired and to learn. His high-energy, charismatic personality makes Paul a tutor an especially effective tutor with whom students enjoy working.

Leo

Leo received his B.A. in English from Vassar College and his M.A. in Cinema Studies from New York University. Leo also writes film criticism for a variety of national and international publications. One of the most senior Pinnacle Prep tutors, Leo engages students with his dynamic personality, inspires them with stories from movies, and builds their confidence through his reassuring manner.

Andrew

Andrew grew up in Virginia, where he enjoyed racing sticks down creeks and walking to the local public library. After graduating as the valedictorian of his high school, he attended Swarthmore College. In addition to being an exceptional tutor, Andrew is a a key member of the The Gregory Brothers, now famous for their Auto-Tune the News videos – a Gregory Brothers video was featured at the 2011 Oscars. With help from his fellow band member and brother Michael Gregory (a former Pinnacle Prep tutor), Andrew wrote and performed the Pinnacle Prep Jingle, which you can hear by calling our office and being placed on hold.

 

Kelly, Tutor / Tutor Manager

Kelly received her M.A. in Art History from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She has taught English in Beijing and performed curatorial work for museums in Pittsburgh and New York. Kelly’s French skills are formidable, her love of grammar is often contagious, and her ability to impart unforgettable mnemonics has saved lives at least once. In addition to being one of Pinnacle Prep’s most senior and requested tutors, Kelly plays an invaluable role as Tutor Manager. She has helped hire, train, assign, and mentor all of our tutors since 2007.

Megan, Tutor / Educational Services Manager

Megan graduated magna cum laude and went on to earn her M.A. in Latin American Studies from Tulane. Megan is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Sigma Iota, and Mensa. She brings terrific enthusiasm and patience – a rare combination! – to every session, inspiring her students to reach their goals. As Manager of Educational Services, Megan is responsible for a variety of projects, including materials development, international programming, and outreach initiatives. She also plays a key role in training new tutors.

Sarah, Academic Advisor

Sarah received her M.A. from Brooklyn College in English Literature. She has her B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing and is an avid writer and poet, whose publications can be found in both local and nationally recognized literary journals. Her management and tutoring background supplies her with the ability to see the big picture and context while at the same time appreciating the minutiae that often stymies the best intentions. As Academic Advisor, Sarah monitors the progress of each student, relays feedback to parents, and makes sure that all students are on track to reach their goals.

Jay, Tutor / Assistant Tutor Manager

Jay graduated summa cum laude from Berklee College of Music where he studied jazz guitar and composition. While earning an M.A. in Anthropology at Columbia University, he also worked as a teacher and musician in Brooklyn. As a result, Jay brings over twelve years of teaching and tutoring experience to his students. In the Pinnacle Prep office, Jay is a source of indispensable administrative support, especially in the coordination of tutor hiring. Outside the office, Jay’s inimitable balance of patience, insight, and genuine funniness helps his students tackle tests successfully and painlessly. Jay’s academic interests include ethnomusicology, critical theory, medical anthropology, and the history of medicine. His most recent obsession is clawhammer banjo.

Vanessa, Assistant Academic Advisor

Vanessa’s B.A. in Communications from Loyola University of Chicago is only partly responsible for her excellent communication skills – her warm, empathetic nature and her attentive ear are at the heart of what makes her a valuable member of the Pinnacle Prep team. As Assistant Academic Advisor, Vanessa is in close touch with families, making sure students are getting the most from their tutoring plans. When she is not busy helping students are reaching their full potentials, she is composing songs and making electronic music – in a recent interview with MTV, her music was compared to that of Björk. She also has two middle names, and, while she is a true cat lover, she is also famously kind to dogs.

Jen Keiser Gordon, CFO

After graduating magna cum laude from Barnard College and earning academic honors at Columbia Law School, Jen clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Stephen C. Robinson in the Southern District of New York and worked as a litigator in Manhattan. Prior to law school, Jen served as Executive Director of a nonprofit and then as Deputy Finance Director in a New York City mayoral campaign. Now the CFO of Pinnacle Prep, Jen utilizes her legal background to oversee finances and compliance. She is also involved in strategic planning, day-to-day operations, and management. Jen enjoys speaking to parents and helping them select the right program for their families. Her delightful and ever-positive persona brings a bright light into the office on a daily basis.

David Gordon, Founder and CEO

David founded Pinnacle Prep over 10 years ago with one goal: to offer students a systematic methodology designed to maximize their scores on standardized tests. Combining his extensive tutoring experience with rigorous analysis of published tests, he developed methods and techniques that have proven to help students achieve higher scores. Knowing that motivation and engagement are key, David stresses handpicking tutors not only for their impeccable academic records, but also for their excellent communication skills and dynamic personalities. He is active in the training of every tutor and personally involved with all of Pinnacle Prep’s students by tutoring, assigning tutors, and evaluating progress reports throughout the test preparation process.

Prior to starting Pinnacle Prep, David served on the faculty at NYU, where he earned an M.A. in Composition, and at Hofstra University. He also founded the Look & Listen Festival, a non-profit organization that presents new music concerts in art galleries, and served as President of the League of Composers/ISCM, the oldest new music organization in the U.S. The Look & Listen Festival recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary. During his tenure as President of the League/ISCM, David launched the Orchestra of the League of Composers, started Residency, Membership, and Commissioning Programs, and increased the organizational budget over 300%. Included in David’s artistic background are a novel he wrote entitled The Canvas, a documentary he directed and edited called Mitia, which is shown by the Spertis Museum in Chicago to Holocaust survivors, and numerous works of music he composed over a 10-year period. David is also an avid fantasy baseball competitor and holds championships in some of the nation’s most competitive leagues.

Want to be a Pinnacle Prep tutor? Contact us for more information.