Peter

Peter earned a B.A. in French language and literature, an M.A. in comparative literature, an M.F.A in theater directing and is currently pursuing his Ph.D! He’s passionate about teaching and learning and loves finding creative ways to explain concepts and motivate his students. Outside of tutoring, Peter brings that same creativity to his internationally acclaimed work as a theater director.

Mabry

Mabry graduated with honors with a B.S. in both Psychology and Biology. She is passionate about making complex concepts understandable, and she enjoys finding innovative ways to help students grasp challenging material. Outside of tutoring, Mabry loves to read, listen to podcasts, and spend time with her cat.

Carson

Carson graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Physics and is currently pursuing an M.S. in Computer Science. Carson is very passionate about teaching and loves using humor to make learning fun and rewarding for his students. He prides himself on his ability to explain complex problems in a comprehensible manner, allowing his students to gain the confidence they need to achieve their goals. Aside from academics, Carson loves playing guitar, singing, learning new things, and meeting new people.

• "I felt very comfortable with the tutors at Pinnacle Prep, and they, in turn, were flexible in their approach with me. They designed a program that best fit my specific needs in order to achieve great results — my Verbal jumped 130 and my Math rose 150 points — and I also really liked the people I worked with."

  — Rebecca, Nightingale, Northwestern

Con

Con graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and a B.A. in philosophy. They like to approach every problem from several angles to help students find the strategies that work best for them! When not tutoring, Con can often be found playing a variety of tabletop games and a variety of wind instruments.

Liza

Liza graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in theater and linguistics. She has an empathetic and positive tutoring style and is committed to making difficult concepts more approachable for her students. Outside of tutoring, Liza can usually be found acting, directing, singing in the shower, or working on a crossword puzzle. As one of our first session managers, Liza meets with new students and their families, answers questions and sets them up with a personalized test plan.

Dylan

Dylan received his B.A. in history, and is currently pursuing an M.A. in history as well. His passion for history is matched only by his passion for learning and teaching. In his personal life, he enjoys reading, writing short works of fiction, and listening to podcasts pretty much any time he is walking around the city.

Forrest

Forrest graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in cinema studies and also holds an M.A. in the same field of study. He currently works as a freelance film critic and photo archivist. Forrest works hard to foster trust and tailors his methods to students’ sensibilities and preferences. When he isn’t tutoring, you can probably find him wandering through museums, at the movies, or taking in a baseball game.

• "My Pinnacle Prep tutors were not only informative and helpful, they also truly cared about my progress on the SAT. I could not have achieved my goal without them, and my vast improvement on the SAT is proof of just how beneficial they truly were. I improved 160 points on the Verbal and 200 points on the Math! Thanks, Pinnacle Prep!"

  — Molly, Taft, Wake Forest

Zach

Zach earned a B.S. with departmental honors, majoring in cell and molecular biology with a focus on the genetics of neurodegenerative disease. He is currently pursuing an M.P.H. program. When he’s not nerding out over science, he’s probably nerding out over film or music. Zach likes to keep up the positive energy at his sessions, clearly explaining concepts and skills to put students on the path to success. When he’s not tutoring, you can find him petting other people’s dogs at the park, indulging in reality TV, or cooking up a storm in his kitchen.

Lynsey

Lynsey graduated cum laude with a B.A. in English and visual art and is currently pursuing an M.F.A with a concentration in sculpture. She loves to teach, and works as an educator at many NYC-area institutions like the Museum of the City of New York and Rikers Island. As a tutor, she approaches her students with warmth and enthusiasm and uses humor to make students feel relaxed and confident. In her free time, she creates art, reads, and plays guitar. As one of our first session managers, Lynsey meets with students and families to answer questions and craft a test plan.

Trent

Trent earned a B.F.A. in musical theatre and has pursued his passion for teaching everywhere his career has taken him. He has taught at the middle school, high school, and university level. His favorite way to teach (because it’s the best way to learn!) is one on one, where he can teach to the precise needs of each student. When he’s not tutoring, you can find him on stage, on screen, or sometimes behind the camera working in television production.

Eirene

Eirene earned a B.A. in film and media studies from Columbia University and a B.A. in political science from SciencesPo Paris. She enjoys teaching her students useful strategies that can help them succeed on any test question they may come across. Outside of tutoring, Eirene is also a writer and a filmmaker, with a love primarily for science fiction and documentary filmmaking.

Tyler

With a B.A. in Neuroscience and a minor in Interdisciplinary Performance, including concentrations in dance and flute performance, Tyler brings a unique blend of analytical and creative skills to their tutoring approach. They believe in fostering a collaborative environment with a supportive demeanor and inventive problem-solving techniques to engage students and make sessions effective. Beyond tutoring, Tyler enjoys dancing, relaxing with a good book in the park, and exploring the best thrift stores in NYC.

Gabi

Gabi earned a B.A. in psychology and literary arts, an M.S. in education focused on 7-12 Special Education and a second master’s degree in counseling. Gabi taught ELA for several years in public schools and enjoys working one-on-one with her current students. She is an enthusiastic and warm tutor with a knack for tailoring lessons to best fit her students. When she is not tutoring or teaching, she cuddles her kittens, rock climbs, and enjoys ice cream in the park. As a first session manager, Gabi helps set students and families up with a plan that helps them reach their goals.

Blake

Blake graduated with a B.F.A. in musical theatre and 8 semesters on the dean’s list with honors. Shortly after, he moved to New York City to pursue theatre as an actor/producer. His strength in tutoring comes from his enthusiastic energy and his ability to make learning fun for every one of his students. When not tutoring or acting, Blake enjoys dogs and camping. Blake is one of our first session managers and makes sure our students are set up for success with a personalized test plan.

• "All of my Pinnacle Prep tutors were outstanding! I really enjoyed working with them to reach my testing goals: my Verbal score improved over 200 points, and I ended up with 770 on the Verbal and 770 on the Math!"

  — Marisa, Milburn, Yale

Mihalis

Mihalis is a national merit scholar who graduated with an M.A. in music with a concentration in ethnomusicology. He also holds a B.A. in politics and a minor in computer science. He is currently a masters student in ethnomusicology and hopes to pursue a Ph.D. He is passionate about empowering students and providing them with the tools, skills, and confidence to achieve their full potential. He not only focuses on efficient test taking strategies, but also on comprehensive understanding of the concepts that are tested on entrance exams. When not tutoring you can find him reading, cycling, cooking, playing bouzouki and guitar, and spending time with friends and family.

Willa

Willa earned her M.A. and her B.A. in philosophy, with an emphasis in logic and feminist philosophy. Her specializations extend from standardized testing to academic support in a breadth of subjects, and she has experience teaching students of all ages. Willa also oversees many of the administrative operations at Pinnacle Prep. Her relationship with our company spans more than a decade. Outside the office, Willa’s passions include comedy, dance, and textile art.

Ash

Ash won departmental awards in college and graduated with a B.A. in music. They place great value on creating a supportive learning environment and enjoy breaking down complex problems into simple steps. When not tutoring, Ash will likely be found in the studio, on the soccer pitch, or researching techniques to perfect a new recipe.

Jett

Jett graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and minors in philosophy and environmental studies. Jett discovered his passion for tutoring in high school and has continued helping students tackle difficult subjects and realize their own potential ever since! While not tutoring, Jett can be found playing with his cat, designing video games, or drumming with his band.

Ben

Ben played college football and was a member of the NESCAC All-Academic Team for three years running. He graduated with a double degree in English Literature and Chinese. He enjoys supporting students by teaching them a systematic approach to tests. Outside of tutoring, you can find him reading, doing crossword puzzles, or playing tennis.

Manuel

As a Venezuelan-American and native Spanish speaker, Manual is passionate about supporting his students as they navigate the challenging and rewarding process of learning Spanish as a second language. He holds a B.A. in mass communications and digital media. Manuel is a visual artist, content creator, and fitness coach who enjoys helping students reach their maximum potential!

Megan

Megan earned a B.S. in biomedical engineering and is currently pursuing an M.S. degree in the same field. She enjoys teaching students new test-taking strategies and growing their confidence in their own abilities. In her free time, Megan enjoys running, playing pickle ball, and trying out new restaurants.

Myles

Myles is a calm, reassuring and very versatile tutor. He earned his B.A. with honors in math but loves tutoring students in the verbal sections of tests as well. An avid bass player, Myles brings a creative, positive energy to engage students and take them to the next level. As a First Session Manager, Myles meets with new students to get them started successfully on their tutoring journeys.

Darrin, Senior Manager

Darrin graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in theatre and minors in history and dance. Darrin’s passion for education stems from his own curiosity and creativity, and his background in teaching occasionally extends beyond academic tutoring and into the dance studio. He brings his warm and light-hearted nature to each tutoring session in order to provide the best atmosphere for successful studying. When Darrin is not tutoring, he might be found searching for the best donut in New York City. As senior manager, Darrin talks to new families and meets with new students to introduce them to our techniques and equip them with a personalized plan.

Ashwin, Regional Director

Ashwin earned a J.D. and an M.A. in history, where he lectured on CIA-backed coups and deconstructed colonial histories. He hasn’t lost his fondness for deconstructive theory, though! Today, he uses it to help high school students overcome the “intellectual hegemony” of standardized tests. In his free time, Ashwin tortures himself by taking capoeira (a Brazilian martial art) lessons and by making all the wrong fantasy football decisions. As Regional Director, Ashwin helps hire and communicate with tutors. He also does first sessions with students and helps match them with great tutors.

Executive Team

Dhaya Ramarajan, COO

Dhaya graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English and a minor in education and an Ed.M. in education policy. She worked as an English teacher in public and private schools for several years. When she’s not teaching, Dhaya enjoys salsa dancing and experimenting with recipes. Her encouraging and interactive approach helps students master even the toughest problems. In her role as COO, Dhaya helps hire, train and communicate with tutors and oversees daily operations.

Jen Keiser Gordon, Esq., CFO

Jen graduated magna cum laude from college and earned academic honors in her J.D. program. She clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Stephen C. Robinson in the Southern District of New York and worked as a litigator in Manhattan. Jen co-founded At the Table, a nonprofit that provides tutoring and mentorship to students currently or formerly in foster care. As the General Counsel and CFO of Pinnacle Prep, Jen oversees finances, compliance, human resources and family engagement. She enjoys speaking with parents and helping them select the right program for their families.

David Gordon, Founder and CEO

David founded Pinnacle Prep in 2002 with one goal: to apply a systematic methodology to boost student scores on standardized tests. Combining his extensive tutoring experience with rigorous analysis of published tests, he developed methods and techniques that have helped students reach and exceed their goals. 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.

Prior to starting Pinnacle Prep, David served on the faculty at both New York University, where he earned an M.A. in composition, and Hofstra University. He also founded the Look & Listen Festival, a non-profit organization that presents new music concerts in art galleries and recently celebrated its 18th anniversary, and served as president of another non-profit, the League of Composers/ISCM, the oldest new music organization in the U.S. 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 by over 300%.

Throughout his life, David has also explored other artistic media, including writing a novel entitled The Canvas and directing and editing the documentary film Mitia, which aired on local television and was used by the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago. David also has a lifelong passion for games and has won significant tournaments in billiards, poker, and chess. Recently, he’s found joy in board game design. He created his first board game when he was a teenager and after a long hiatus, has made over 30 games in the last four years (davidgordongamedesign.com), several of which have been signed by publishers and are expected to be released soon.

In their spare time, David and his wife Jen (the CFO of Pinnacle Prep) can often be found cheering on their children at baseball games or karate exhibitions, or taking their beagle Gordon K. Gordon (the official Pinnacle Prep office dog) for walks.