Paul, Lead Instructor, Founder, and CEO of Acorn Tutoring, is passionate about developing young minds. He has been professionally tutoring children and teens in the Bay Area since 2005; in that time he has tutored more than 10,000 hours with over 800 students. Paul is dedicated to supporting his students academically through close mentorship. His patient teaching style fosters a safe learning environment while empowering students to gain confidence in their abilities.
Paul founded Acorn Tutoring to provide even more comprehensive advising and support for parents and students navigating the challenges of elementary, middle, and high school. When he is not tutoring, Paul enjoys reading, computer programming, spending time with his family, and eating a great meal.
Paul founded Acorn Tutoring to provide even more comprehensive advising and support for parents and students navigating the challenges of elementary, middle, and high school. When he is not tutoring, Paul enjoys reading, computer programming, spending time with his family, and eating a great meal.
Ariel, Acorn's Director of Business Development and Executive Director of Golden Ticket Admissions, has been helping high school students navigate the college admissions process for nearly a decade. Before founding Golden Ticket Admissions, Ariel served on the Undergraduate Admissions Committee for Stanford University. In this role, she evaluated thousands of applications for undergraduate admission and developed a keen sense for the art of crafting a winning application.
Ariel is passionate about helping teens develop their unique personal narratives, and is dedicated to giving her students the tools necessary to pursue their intellectual goals. In her free time, Ariel also enjoys performing arts, appreciating nature, and learning new languages. Golden Ticket Admissions is proud to partner with Acorn Tutoring to help students gain skills and confidence for success!
Ariel is passionate about helping teens develop their unique personal narratives, and is dedicated to giving her students the tools necessary to pursue their intellectual goals. In her free time, Ariel also enjoys performing arts, appreciating nature, and learning new languages. Golden Ticket Admissions is proud to partner with Acorn Tutoring to help students gain skills and confidence for success!
Jeff, Associate Instructor and Acorn's resident Child Development Specialist, has been working with children from birth through high school for over fifteen years. Jeff specializes in helping youngsters during their most critical stages of development, and later on in helping them develop critical foundational skills in reading, writing, math, and science. Jeff is also the resident expert in standardized testing, especially SAT and ACT preparation. Jeff tailors his tutoring style to match the needs of each child--assessing their strengths and needs, and helping them develop study habits for success. When he is not tutoring, Jeff enjoys working on social justice issues, playing sports, cooking, and spending time with his wife and four children.
Jacob, Associate Instructor, has always been a teacher. He has taught Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and PSAT/SAT/ACT test preparation. Born and raised in Berkeley, Jacob graduated from Maybeck High School with AP credits in both Physics and Calculus.
While earning his BA in Chemistry at the University of Boulder at Colorado, Jacob was already mentoring others in the sciences. Later, he educated students at the WOW! children's science museum, working in exhibit design, special programs, and educational research. For the last 3 years, Jacob has been teaching math and science at a local high school. When he is not teaching, Jacob is learning programming, bass guitar, painting and gardening.
While earning his BA in Chemistry at the University of Boulder at Colorado, Jacob was already mentoring others in the sciences. Later, he educated students at the WOW! children's science museum, working in exhibit design, special programs, and educational research. For the last 3 years, Jacob has been teaching math and science at a local high school. When he is not teaching, Jacob is learning programming, bass guitar, painting and gardening.
Rahul, Associate Instructor, is a sophomore at UC Berkeley, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Education. He’s worked at the Breakthrough Silicon Valley nonprofit for 4+ years as a writing, math, and coding instructor and tutor. He loves tutoring Math, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science. He wants to make sure students are not intimidated by the quick pace at which high school classes can go, and he’s willing to help in any way he can. Outside of his academic interests, Rahul regularly plays basketball and tennis, and enjoys discovering new places to eat.
Nathaniel, Associate Instructor, has been tutoring throughout his college career. He finds tutoring to be very fulfilling. He graduated recently from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Mathematics and a strong interest in Physics and Chemistry. While in college, his interest in the nature of proofs and logic drove him to pursue math and philosophy. Nathaniel understands that often loss of interest in math, or fear towards it, can be driven by reasons that extend way beyond math itself, and into realms as diverse as psychology and sociology. Nathaniel is inspired by the process of accompanying his students on their own journeys of discovering what their relationships with math can be. He hopes to pursue a career involving the intersection of math and psychology.
Cheyenne, Associate Instructor, holds a Bachelor’s in Physics from the University of California, Berkeley. Having completed courses in computer science, physics, philosophy, and mathematics, Cheyenne is an accomplished academic with a passion for education.
Since 2015, she worked as a particle physics and antimatter researcher at both the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and CERN, a National Accelerator Laboratory in Europe. In addition to her career as a physics researcher, Cheyenne has worked as a professional tutor and Undergraduate Student Instructor in mathematics. As the daughter of an educator, Cheyenne immensely enjoys empowering the next generation of students in their math and problem solving abilities and aspires to become a professor of physics.
Since 2015, she worked as a particle physics and antimatter researcher at both the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and CERN, a National Accelerator Laboratory in Europe. In addition to her career as a physics researcher, Cheyenne has worked as a professional tutor and Undergraduate Student Instructor in mathematics. As the daughter of an educator, Cheyenne immensely enjoys empowering the next generation of students in their math and problem solving abilities and aspires to become a professor of physics.
Sarah, Associate Instructor, holds a PhD in Performance Studies from the University of California, Davis, with Designated Emphases in Classics and Classical Receptions and Feminist Theory and Research. She earned a BA with High Honors in English from Oberlin College. Her research focuses on the translation and adaptation of Greek tragedy. She has taught as an Associate in Drama at UC Davis, and worked as a Teaching Assistant in numerous departments including English, Film Studies, and Humanities. She also works as a Teaching Artist with the Berkeley Playhouse, and has experience providing behavioral therapy for students with autism. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, cross-stitching, and playing tabletop role-playing games with friends.
Jim, Associate Instructor, has taught and tutored Mathematics and Statistics for many years, in many different contexts and for many different kinds of students including those from High Schools and Colleges. Students have repeatedly said that his explanations have an unsurpassed clarity, and he is always attentive to individual student’s learning needs. He holds a PhD in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and has taught at San Francisco State University and San Jose State University among other institutions . He now is retired from College teaching and focuses on local High School tutoring.
Rourke, Associate Instructor, is a recent graduate of Occidental College in Los Angeles where he studied Diplomacy and World Affairs and minored in Psychology. He feels strongly about giving back to the community. While in college, he worked in Occidental College’s neighborhood partnership program, helping inner-city school students. There he learned how to motivate a diversity of students. He has since used these skills to work as an independent tutor for many students. Rourke has also explored tutoring across languages by teaching English to local businessmen when he studied abroad in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In his free time Rourke enjoys going to local sporting events and live music as well as getting outdoors and biking.
Jake, Associate Instructor, is a graduating senior at UC Berkeley, earning a double-major in Cognitive Science and Music. He tutors English, Spanish, French, math, and SAT/ACT prep. A drum set instructor and lifelong musician, Jake is passionate about guiding his students as they learn and evolve. In his academic tutoring, he applies the same flexibility and patience he has learned in his experience teaching music. A lover of the outdoors, Jake also likes to bike, hike, and rock climb.
Maggie, Associate Instructor, has been tutoring 6 years through UC Berkeley's Athletic Study Center; she specializes in math, standardized testing, and writing. At Cal, Maggie designed a statistics tutoring program for the Cal Football Team while herself competing on both the Crew and Track and Field teams and participating as a member of the UCB Symphony Orchestra. She graduated the UC Berkeley in 2014 with an English degree, an emphasis in math and business, 2 Varsity Letters, and an NCAA title. Upon graduating, she worked as an assistant coach to Cal Women's Crew, and then as the assistant coach for Oakland Strokes Men's summer program. Combining her coaching and tutoring backgrounds, she works to develop a tutoring system for athletes, musicians, and students who excel in areas outside of the classroom. In her free time, Maggie is building an online platform to help young women realize, and systematically monetize, their passions.
Chloe, Associate Instructor, graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a major in history and a minor in Latin. Though her loyalty currently lies with the humanities, Chloe's first love was math--throughout her time at Oakland Tech HS, she was convinced she's be an engineer. Chloe has tutored middle and high school students in math and science and has worked as an intern Humanities teacher at the Head-Royce School's Heads Up summer program. There she was respected by teachers for her calm conviction that each student could succeed and liked by students for her enthusiasm and optimism. Chloe is convinced that all academic work can be engaging and fulfilling--that thinking itself should be thrilling--and she is committed to helping students gain the confidence and skills to succeed in that project. When she's not reading, writing, thinking, or discussing, Chloe works as a whitewater river guide on the Rogue river in Oregon.
Hilary, Ph.D., is a tutor, editor and writing coach for high school and college students as well as for business and education professionals. She specializes in college and grad school personal statement writing, guiding applicants via her unique blend of critical thinking and creative expression skills.
Hilary Roberts has taught Reading and Composition at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz and has been on the faculty at Contra Costa College for the past eight years, presenting courses in expository, creative and persuasive writing and literary interpretation. Her workshops on college application personal narratives have been long-time fixtures in the Chabot College and College of San Mateo Community Education programs. The Princeton Review invited her to be a featured speaker at their Roadmap to College event. She completed her doctoral degree in English at UC Berkeley and her Master’s degree at University of Michigan.
Hilary Roberts has taught Reading and Composition at UC Berkeley and UC Santa Cruz and has been on the faculty at Contra Costa College for the past eight years, presenting courses in expository, creative and persuasive writing and literary interpretation. Her workshops on college application personal narratives have been long-time fixtures in the Chabot College and College of San Mateo Community Education programs. The Princeton Review invited her to be a featured speaker at their Roadmap to College event. She completed her doctoral degree in English at UC Berkeley and her Master’s degree at University of Michigan.
Daniel, Associate Instructor, has a BA in physics and math from Swarthmore College, and a passion for teaching. Daniel tutored students one-on-one for several years before coming to UC Berkeley for graduate school in physics. While at Berkeley, he taught introductory mechanics to hundreds of UC Berkeley undergraduates, and in 2014 he received the UC Berkeley physics department award for outstanding graduate student instructor. Daniel's former students consistently note his clarity, friendliness, and motivating mindset. In his free time, Daniel enjoys programming, reading biographies, and karaoke.
Alexi, Associate Instructor, loves helping elementary and middle school students reach their full potential in their academic and musical studies. He has over eight years of experience tutoring a variety of disciplines from study skills to ukulele and is capable of tailoring his instruction to meet the needs of families and their children. Alexi prides himself on being a student-centered tutor who gets to know his pupils and makes learning extremely fun, relevant, and exciting!
Alexi received his Master’s in Multiple Subject Elementary Education from San Jose State University’s Critical Research Academy and holds a BA in music from Sonoma State University. Besides academic subjects, he also loves to teach ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, and flute. When not tutoring, Alexi enjoys playing in his band The Saxophones, doing anything that is on or near the water, and traveling
Alexi received his Master’s in Multiple Subject Elementary Education from San Jose State University’s Critical Research Academy and holds a BA in music from Sonoma State University. Besides academic subjects, he also loves to teach ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, and flute. When not tutoring, Alexi enjoys playing in his band The Saxophones, doing anything that is on or near the water, and traveling
Dylan, Associate Instructor, is a graduate student and teaching assistant at UC Berkeley interested in number theory. As an undergraduate, he earned a BA in mathematics at Boston University. During his years there, he discovered that he had a strong passion for mathematics.
Dylan was a counselor for the PROMYS program held at Boston University for three summers, where he mentored high school students in mathematics, specifically number theory. Dylan also participated in several teaching programs such as MIT's Splash and Harvard's HSSP, and the Art of Problem Solving. In addition to good Korean BBQ, Dylan enjoys weightlifting and playing hockey.
Dylan was a counselor for the PROMYS program held at Boston University for three summers, where he mentored high school students in mathematics, specifically number theory. Dylan also participated in several teaching programs such as MIT's Splash and Harvard's HSSP, and the Art of Problem Solving. In addition to good Korean BBQ, Dylan enjoys weightlifting and playing hockey.
Eric, Associate Instructor, has a passion for Statistics. He has a Master's Degree in Applied Statistics and BA in Research-based Psychology from CSU-East Bay. Eric has ten years of experience tutoring privately, as well as many years of experience as a Teaching Assistant. With an advanced degree in Statistics, Eric has an in depth understanding of Statistics that is not often found in many other math tutors.
In addition to working with high school students, he has assisted many students from local universities, graduate schools and community colleges. Eric has been highly successful in helping students overcome their anxiety over Statistics by being very attuned to the strengths and weaknesses of each student.
In addition to working with high school students, he has assisted many students from local universities, graduate schools and community colleges. Eric has been highly successful in helping students overcome their anxiety over Statistics by being very attuned to the strengths and weaknesses of each student.
Allan, Associate Instructor, has a passion for teaching physics and math. He has a Phd in physics from the University of California at Davis where he taught physics for science and non-science majors. He has recently retired from work in industry and has begun a new career as a tutor in math and physics. Allan has volunteered as a tutor in physics at El Cerrito High School and in geometry at Berkeley High summer school. However, he feels most passionate about tutoring AP calculus and AP physics. When not tutoring, Allan enjoys reading, hiking, swimming and spending time with his family and friends.
Nancy, Founder of Step by Step for Academic Success, received her BA in Psychology from UC Berkeley. After becoming a mother, she discovered her current professional calling. Nancy learned from her own children the immense value of setting up and following a clear, manageable schedule and routine, along with explicitly defining goals and expectations. Between raising her children and working in schools with at-risk youth, Nancy has been confirming and solidifying her coaching methodologies for over a decade.
She has worked with students who have been clinically diagnosed with learning disorders such as ADD/ADHD, NLD, dyslexia, and executive function disorder. Oftentimes these students are incredibly bright, but have trouble with organization, time management, goal setting, and focus. Nancy continues to cater to this underrepresented group of highly intelligent yet struggling youth to help them realize their full potential.
She has worked with students who have been clinically diagnosed with learning disorders such as ADD/ADHD, NLD, dyslexia, and executive function disorder. Oftentimes these students are incredibly bright, but have trouble with organization, time management, goal setting, and focus. Nancy continues to cater to this underrepresented group of highly intelligent yet struggling youth to help them realize their full potential.
Alex, Associate Instructor, has a BA from Swarthmore College and an MSc in Pure Mathematics from Imperial College London. He has been tutoring math students from middle school through high school and college since completing his undergraduate degree in 2012. Along with academic support, Alex has helped many students prepare for standardized tests and the college admissions process. Along with his academic interests, Alex enjoys playing the piano and exploring the great outdoors.
Eli, Associate Instructor, coaches in writing, critical thinking, public speaking, and test preparation. As a student at Berkeley High and then UC Berkeley, Eli forged a unique academic career embracing the disciplines of history, literature, and theater. After graduating with highest honors, he joined the teaching staff of American Studies at UC Berkeley, where he helped students develop research papers and prepare for exams. Eli has also taught at Beth Chaim Religious School, California Shakespeare Theater Conservatory, The Crowden School, and Cal Adventures.
Eli loves to help students of all kinds unlock their innate curiosity, intellect and enthusiasm to do their best work. Eli recognizes that cultivating critical thinking skills is a highly individual process, and he gives students the personal attention they need to become confident writers and thinkers.
Eli loves to help students of all kinds unlock their innate curiosity, intellect and enthusiasm to do their best work. Eli recognizes that cultivating critical thinking skills is a highly individual process, and he gives students the personal attention they need to become confident writers and thinkers.
Nicole, Associate Instructor, is passionate about teaching. She graduated from Portland State University in the top 2% of her class, earning a B.S. in Social Science with a minor in Women’s Studies. Her major included concentrations in Black Studies, Chicano/Latino Studies, Sociology, Psychology, and Child & Family Studies, specialties in Ecofeminism and Black Feminism, and research on the queer Catholic Latina population. Nicole currently works at Aspire Public Schools, where she teaches students in K-8th grade. She is fully trained in Toolbox, which she implements with her K-5 students. As a corps member for Teach for America, Nicole will soon begin her elementary school placement in Richmond and her M.Ed. through Loyola Marymount University. Nicole has worked very closely with students with learning disabilities, as she navigated her own education with Dyslexia. This personal connection has given her invaluable strategies that help these students thrive. As a competitive rower, Nicole is also well-versed in the college recruiting process, and works with high school athletes to optimize offers from top colleges. When she is not teaching, Nicole enjoys running, CrossFit, and traveling.
John is an academic coach and meditation instructor. He utilizes mindfulness techniques to empower his students to overcome anxiety both academically as well as socially. A certified hypnotherapist and master practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), John received a B.S. in Mathematical and Computational Sciences in 2006 from Stanford University. After three years trading stock options on Wall Street and an M.S. in Financial Economics from the University of Oxford, John switched tracks to become an academic coach and meditation instructor in 2010.
After working with John, students become calm, relaxed and focused while taking tests and in social situations. Students acquire a stronger and healthier state of mind ideal for improved performance and higher scores.
After working with John, students become calm, relaxed and focused while taking tests and in social situations. Students acquire a stronger and healthier state of mind ideal for improved performance and higher scores.
