Our Tutors | lafayette

Our Tutors list is organized as follows:
1) Danville only Tutors 2) Tutors who work in Danville & Lafayette 3) Lafayette Only Tutors 4) Lafayette & Moraga Tutors 5) Moraga Only Tutors
Please be patient as we continue to update the list.

Name & Mug Shot	Lafayette Academy Locations	Subjects	Profile
Cyrous A. (Cal)	Danville	All Levels of Math	Cyrous recently graduated from Cal, where he studied pure mathematics. He plans on pursuing his masters in math soon, and has tutoring experience both at Kumon and with family and friends. We’re happy to welcome Cyrous to the Lafayette Academy family!
Daniel K	Danville	All Levels of Math, SAT Math
David P. (CSU East Bay) Teaches Math at Amador Valley HS	Danville	All Levels of Math, SAT Math	David Powers is a math teacher at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton. He holds both a BS and MS in mathematics from CSU East Bay. In addition to teaching at Amador, David also teaches part-time at Las Positas College. He has been teaching and tutoring students in math since 1997. Most of his free time is spent with wife and 2 children. He also enjoys sports and movies.
Dave S.	Danville	Math	Dave has tutored Math and Physics for 20 years! Enough said.
Drew W. (Iowa State)	Danville	Strategic Reading/Writing, English	Drew teaches Reading Comprehension to 5^th grade students at low preforming Oakland schools. He teaches two classes of 8 students per week, 4 days/week. He is also student teaching 4th graders in the Walnut Creek School District
Eric E.	Danville	All Levels of Math, SAT Math	My name is Eric English and if you need a few questions answered about mathematics (no irony implied X-D) I might be the person you’ll soon be talking to! Growing up, I’ve always had an affinity for math, coupled with a desire to help people, I quickly found myself in a non-professional tutoring position at a young age. Following my nose, I ended up starting a peer tutoring program at my high school which is where my desire to teach was first satiated by the discovery of the reward one receives from helping someone in need. Quite some time ago I was studying civil engineering and was also designing fire sprinkler protection systems for a small engineering firm out of Stockton and with what spare time I had during those days, I applied at a nearby tutoring facility where I began to teach higher level math to local high school and college students. This is where I was eventually convinced that I could possibly make a career out of something I enjoy doing and have been a tutor ever since! I’ve been a teacher for quite some time now, just not in the general sense. I’ve been a snowboard and ski instructor for Bear Valley Ski Resort since I was 17. Snow sports are a huge hobby for me as well as an occupation. I really enjoy the outdoors, from working in the snow to hiking Half-Dome at 4 in the morning. I’m engrossed by the peacefulness and serenity that only very secluded nature can bring!
Jonathan M. (SF State/Cal Poly)	Danville	All Levels of Math	Jonathan is currently studying all things math at San Francisco State, and though he’s a new addition to us here at the Academy, he used to tutor math at Los Medanos Community College. His goal is to help students love math! He plans on continuing his math studies and one day becoming a math professor at a California State University!
Kamelia B. (UC Davis)	Danville/Lafayette	Physics, all levels of math, economics, SAT Math	Kamelia graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Managerial Economics. She has been tutoring math, physics, Spanish, and SAT prep for 3 years. She plans to become a teacher, but meanwhile loves teaching at Lafayette Academy. She loves the outdoors and traveling and hopes to teach abroad soon.
Kristen M.	Danville	Math, Spanish	Kristen grew up in the Bay Area, went to college in Arizona, and lived abroad in Costa Rica and Singapore. Recently she completed a Bachelors of Science degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Spanish. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, being around dogs and improving her photography skills. She aspires to make a difference in the world by educating people about environmental awareness. At the Lafayette Academy, Kristen enjoys tutoring students of all ages, particularly in Mathematics and Spanish, and helping each student become successful. She is currently debating going back to school for her teaching credential.
Subhen M. (Columbia)	Danville	Chemistry, Math, SAT Math	Subhen is very passionate about teaching math and science. He thinks it is very important to develop skills in these areas from an early age, and relate the practical applications of these subjects to future life experiences! A chemical engineer by training and about 30 years of practical experience working for several US and International companies, Subhen earned his PhD in Chemical engineering from Columbia University. He is also a certificated substitute teacher for several school districts in the bay area.
Tara G. (U.C. San Diego)	Danville	Spanish	Tara is another great new addition to the Lafayette Academy staff! She graduated from UC San Diego, where she studied history and Spanish literature. As a full-time high school teacher, her experience is invaluable! She hopes to someday travel to Asia and Europe, and will continue teaching in order to share her passion for learning with students.
Daniel S.	Danville/Lafayette	Chemistry, Physics, Math
Karl B. (NYU)	Danville/Lafayette	Spanish, English, History, SAT Verbal	Originally from Orinda, Ka& rl graduated from New York University. He teaches Spanish along with U.S. History and SAT Critical Reading & Grammar/Writing. He enjoys watching soccer, snowboarding and traveling.
Jonathan K.	Danville/Lafayette	Chemistry, Physics, All Levels Math, SAT Math
Michael P. (Davis)	Danville/Lafayette	All Levels Math, Chemistry, SAT Math	Hello! My name is Michael, and I just graduated from U.C. Davis as a psychology major. But don’t be fooled by my choice of major, I would prefer to work with lots math and science. When I am not busy with homework, I really enjoy spending time with my fiance, working out at the gym, playing basketball, playing on my Playstation 3, and did I mention spending time with my fiance?.
Mark B. (Cal)	Danville/Lafayette	SAT and ACT Prep + I pay the bills and sign the paychecks.	That’s my whole family at my daughter Dana’s UCSB graduation in 2010 (one day after my youngest daughters, Hillary and Becca, graduated from Campolindo). I’m the guy who owns the place and while we like to have fun at Lafayette Academy, we are very serious about our role in the community. We have a fantastic staff from all walks of life including Cal students, Ivy League graduates, semi-retired teachers, full-time teachers, recent college graduates on their way to medical or law school, and plenty more. We expect our instructors to engage, inspire, and teach your sons and daughters so they can succeed in school with less stress. You benefit from our collective experiences with thousands of local students over the past few years. Okay, enough about Lafayette Academy, let’s talk about me.I’m a Cal grad from the “Animal House” (some might say “Brickhouse”) era. I have four daughters, one dog, and one wife. My oldest daughter (Mallory) graduated from the University of Michigan in 2007. After a few successful stints with non-profits back East, Mallory hopes to start her own non-profit organization on the left coast (and with a great deal of pride, I mean “left.”) By the time you read this (if in fact anyone reads this), she will be living in Columbia. Dana (daughter #2, chronologically, of course) went to work for KPMG after graduating from U.C. Santa Barbara, and then landed a great position at Google where she is happily employed today. My twins, Hillary and Becca, are sophomores at U.C. Davis (Hillary) and Cal (Becca). The Academy helped all of my children which is why my official title is “Owner and (now former) Customer.”Please don’t be fooled by our playful profiles or casual attire (yes, Kirkland is my favorite brand). We think our relaxed atmosphere is integral to our success because we have created an ideal learning environment for students. We also continue to innovate to ensure that our students get the best results.Finally (I know that’s what you’re thinking), we are always open to your input so please do not hesitate to contact me with your feedback and suggestions.Thanks for paying attention.Mark Bressler
Alex C. (CSU East Bay)	Lafayette	All Levels Math, Chemistry, History, English, SAT & ACT Prep	Alex may be new to Lafayette Academy but he isn’t new to tutoring. In fact, he has tutored and taught classes for six years, including high school geometry. Alex is pursuing his teaching credential and a math degree.
Avra D. (Cal)	Lafayette	Elementary and Middle School Math	I have been in the field of education for forty years, as a teacher, counselor, and program coordinator. I have taught elementary aged students, hight school juniors and seniors, and adults. And in that order over the years. The subjects I most enjoyed teaching high school students were math and English.In January of 2002, I actually retired from teaching, hoping I would have more time to pursue things I enjoyed and had no time for, like gardening, hiking, traveling in months other than summer, and being able to complete reading a book in less than three months. At the same time, I wasn’t ready to leave education entirely. In March, I walked into the Lafayette Academy to get information about it. The next week I began training for the Number Masters Program (now called “Master Math”). This has become my new career now, working with K – 8 students, right back where I first began. Sometime I will really retire, but I think I like semi-retirement best.I received my Bachelor’s Degree from UC Berkeley, with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology. My plan at the time was to get a Master’s and be a social worker. Teaching held no interest for me. Obviously, I changed my mind. After graduating from UC, I did a year of post-graduate work at San Jose State and earned an elementary ed credential. I later also earned an Administrative Credential, but I found my interest was much more in teaching and counseling students.My husband and I have been married for 40 years and have lived in Lafayette for 35 of those years. Our son and daughter grew up in Lafayette and attended Burton Valley, Stanley, and Campolindo. It’s fun for me to be working with students in my own community from school districts I know so well.
Christopher G	Lafayette	All Levels Math, Biology, SAT, ACT
Dominic V. (UC Santa Cruz)	Lafayette	SAT Verbal, Strategic Reading/Writing	With over a decade’s worth of experience coaching for a wide range of standardized tests, Dominic has the skills and experience to help students improve their SAT and ACT scores, and the knowhow to improve their overall reading ability. Educated at UC Santa Cruz and Loyola University Chicago, Dominic has worked with students to improve SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT scores, and has been helping students improve their reading and writing abilities since his undergraduate days.
Elizabeth M.	Lafayette	Strategic Reading/Writing, Middle School Subjects	As one of our Strategic Reading specialists, Elizabeth has been with Lafayette Academy for many years! Her calm demeanor and patient nature help her reach even the most unmotivated student. Come see her if your child is struggling with homework, especially reading and writing!
JR (U. of A.)	Lafayette	Spanish	JR is an institution at Lafayette Academy, and we often joke that he is one of our few tenured professors. This is his 6th year at The Academy and JR is as enthusiastic as ever. JR is the consummate instructor: he expects and demands excellence from his students, mentors or coaches them when necessary, and engages his students like no other. JR also conducts his Shadow Classes in Spanish so your children get additional speaking practice. Although JR’s Exam Crams are legendary, his weekly Shadow Class students get the “Full JR” treatment and consistently do well in Spanish. If you want a higher grade in Spanish, join one of JR’s Wednesday night Shadow Classes.
Eddie L.	Lafayette	SAT Math	Eddie is a math teacher at Doris Eaton, one of the most highly regarded private schools in the East Bay. Eddie has taught SAT math for several years and returns to Lafayette Academy after a one year hiatus. Eddie lives in Orinda with his wife and two children. He spends his summer as a swim team coach in Orinda.
Neil Z. (Cal)	Lafayette	Biology	A recent graduate of Cal, Neil joins Lafayette Academy with vast experience tutoring biology at the college level (5 years). I have tutored biology at Cal for 5 semesters, working as a drop-in tutor at the student learning center. For the last year, I have also worked as a study group leader for the university. I teach two study groups a week, each of which consists of one hour of lecture and one hour of worksheet time. I am applying for a MD/MPH dual degree. I hope to work in community health with the underserved both as a physician and an epidemiologist. My ultimate goal is to cater public health interventions to a population’s unique needs and wants, and use epidemiology to analyze the interventions’ effectiveness.
Philip C. (Cal)	Lafayette	Biology, Chemistry, Algebra	With degrees from Cal in molecular environmental biology and philosophy, Philip brings impressive experience to Lafayette Academy. He tutored at College of the Canyons in Valencia prior to joining our ranks as an awesome science/math instructor. Philip has dreams of earning his graduate degree in philosophy, but is currently enjoying helping students change their minds about science and math by showing them those subjects CAN be fun!
Richard S.	Lafayette	Chemistry
Stacey M. (DVC)	Lafayette	Algebra, Geometry	A current DVC student, Stacey joins Lafayette Academy this year to continue the legacy of her older brother, Tommy, who was one of our most popular math tutors in Moraga! She is a geometry whiz, just like her brother, and has been working with students privately for the past five years. Stacey aspires to become an art teacher someday (because of all her experience drawing circles and triangles while tutoring geometry, of course!)
Thomas M. (Cal Poly)	Lafayette	Chemistry, Biology, All Levels Math, History	I started tutoring at Lafayette Academy last winter in science subjects. I tutor Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Pre-Calculus, and US History. I taught my first Biology Shadow Class last year.I plan to graduate school in the fall (next year). It will most likely be in Micro Biology/Pathology. It would seem that one day I will be teaching at college level.
Tracy R. (Pacific Union College)	Lafayette	Strategic Reading/Writing, English	Tracy has been a reading comprehension and writing instructor at Lafayette Academy for four years. Her quirky and sensitive sense of humor tends to be appealing to even the most reticent of students, regardless of their age. Tracy studied English and psychology at Pacific Union College in the Napa Valley. True to her broad interests, Tracy also attended and graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied the oboe. She’s currently working on her teaching credential and plans to become a writing teacher. High school essays and research papers are her specialty. Tracy also worked for five years at Lindamood-Bell, becoming head consultant with a thorough knowledge of all Lindamood-Bell techniques. In her spare time Tracy likes to write poetry, short stories and her very own “great American novel.” She’s fun, she’s caring and she’s always listening.
Bryan G. (UC Santa Cruz)	Lafayette/Moraga	History, English, Writing, SAT	Originally I am from Walnut Creek and graduated from Northgate High School in 2007. More recently I graduated from UC Santa Cruz (2011) with a BA in History and the Russian Language. I have a wide range of interests when it comes to History with a specific focus on the US, Russia and China in the 20th century. In Santa Cruz I was a writing tutor for two years for both 1st and 2nd year undergraduates as well as in local high schools. I helped students formulate and craft their essays into pieces of work they could be proud of. By doing this I hoped to give students the tools necessary to be better writers for life and engage with their ideas in new and exciting ways. I also tutored lower division History courses about both Europe and the United States in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. During my second year I acted as a Critical Theory teaching assistant and led one three hour discussion per week. I was also involved for three years with the Kinetic Poetics Project and led creative writing and poetry workshops in High Schools and on the UC Santa Cruz campus. I am available to tutor World History, US History, AP US History, AP European History, English, AP English, critical reading skills, and all levels of essay writing/editing. I love history, everything Russian, poetry, coffee and spend most of my free time riding my bike around Oakland, reading and writing.
Carolyn B. (U.C. San Diego)	Lafayette/Moraga	Chemistry, Math	Carolyn graduated from UCSD with a degree in Environmental Chemistry. She has been tutoring math, chemistry, and SAT prep for 6 years. She loves traveling, sports, and tutoring at Lafayette Academy! Come see her if chemistry is giving you a hard time. She’ll make it fun!
Kyle R. (St. Mary’s)	Lafayette/Moraga	All Levels Math, English, Physics, Spanish	Kyle graduated from St. Marys where he studied music, business, and art. He mainly tutors math (all levels), but also loves to work with students in both Spanish and English. Kyle is the self-proclaimed best tutor in the world, maybe the universe.
Mike T. (SF State)	Lafayette/Moraga	All Levels Math, Chemistry, Physics, French	When Mike isn’t tutoring math and science at Lafayette Academy, he’s probably on the road with his band. Music and math are two of his passions, and he’d argue that each is a language of its own! If chemistry or any level of math is giving your child a rough time, Mike is the master of creating real-life examples to help explain concepts and excite students about their work. Mike has tutored at Lafayette Academy for six years!
Monica T. (Cal State East Bay)	Lafayette/Moraga	Spanish, French	¡Hola! Me llamo Mónica Tapiarené. Nací y Crecí en Lima, Perú. Ahora vivo en Walnut Creek y enseño español en La Academia de Lafayette.The Lafayette Academy is preparing our future leaders by providing them with the tools they need to compete in the global economy. Reading, writing and speaking Spanish will open many doors, especially in Califorina. I guide students through the fascinating and sometimes complex world of Spanish grammar and literature. I teach grammar and vocabulary in context in a stress-free, fun environment. My substantial knowledge of Spanish and Latin American literature helps students understand the linguistic and the cultural components of the literary pieces they read.I earned a B.A. in British & American Literature and a M.A. in English (emphasis on Applied Linguistics). I also teach English Composition and Grammar at Napa Valley College.¡Prepárate para el futuro!¡Aprende español en La Academia de Lafayette!
Peter R. (Cal)	Lafayette/Moraga	Math, Chemistry, Physics
Toni D. (Brandman)	Lafayette/Moraga	Strategic Reading/Writing, Middle School Subjects	Since starting at Lafayette Academy, I have enjoyed working with all grade levels, covering a wide variety of subjects. I primarily work with elementary and middle school students, and I have grown with my students as they progress into high school.Prior to coming to work at Lafayette Academy, I had two years experience with private tutoring at the elementary level. I have led individual and small group instruction in a school setting. I continue to work in the schools, managing extra-curricular writing groups and science clubs. I hope to obtain a teaching position in an elementary classroom, although I have not yet decided whether I would prefer lower elementary (K-2) or upper elementary (3-6) as I love working with both age groups. I plan to continue working with the extra-curricular groups I have, and of course I plan to continue working here at Lafayette Academy.
Brandon B. (St. Mary’s)	Moraga	Biology, History, Writing, Gov/Econ	I have been tutoring friends and family informally for years. In high school I began tutoring in the Tenderloin in San Francisco and then started with Lafayette Academy in the winter of 2011.
Jillian C. (Cal)	Moraga	Chemistry, Math, Biology	I graduated with a degree in Public Health from Cal last year! I played water polo most of my life, including two on Cal’s Varsity team. I have tutored at Lafayette Academy since February 2011. I also have experience tutoring and teaching at elementary and high schools in Berkeley and Oakland. I’m a huge health nut and am attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a certified Health Counselor! I am currently growing my Heath Coaching business-“Best Organic You.” You can even check my website out J www.best-organic-you.com
Julia L. (Colorado State)	Moraga	Math, Chemistry, Biology, French	Julia Long is currently a part-time student at UC Berkeley getting her paralegal certification. She got her B.S. from Colorado State University in health and exercise science with a concentration in sports medicine. She enjoys tutoring students in math and science and is constantly amazed by what her students teach her along the way. She currently lives in Lafayette and has three dogs. Her favorite event of the year is going to the SF Auto Show at Moscone Center.
Krista V. (St. Mary’s)	Moraga	Spanish, Math, English, Strategic Reading/Writing	Krista grew up in Tucson, Arizona and moved out to the Bay Area to attend Saint Mary’s College. Currently a senior pursuing a degree in psychology with an emphasis in adolescent to adult development, she plans to become a high school English teacher. She is also doing a minor in Creative Writing and hopes to be admitted to Saint Mary’s MFA program in Nonfiction. She enjoys tutoring math and Spanish, as well as all levels of English. When she’s not busy with school, you can most likely find her at the gym taking pilates and Zumba classes.
Sarah K. (Cal)	Moraga	Math	Sarah is a Miramonte graduate from the class of 2006. During her senior year, she volunteered as a tutor and teacher’s assistant at Meadow Homes, a bilingual elementary school in Concord, and considers it one of the best things she did her senior year. After graduation, she flew half way around with world with two large suitcases to live in Ireland for a year. After a year she was “forced” to return to California to begin her higher education at Berkeley. Sarah started working at Lafayette Academy during her Sophomore year at Cal. She looks forward to seeing you at the Moraga location as she starts her 4^th year at Lafayette Academy!