About
While my tutoring spans across multiple subject areas, I specialize in standardized exam preparation and admissions advising.
By far, I am most experienced with the SAT exam. In fact, I even served for the College Board as a contracted exam item writer (part-time) from 2019-2020.
While I had had much success in preparing students for the SAT prior, upon becoming part of the actual exam design and composition process - sneaking behind the "secret curtain" - created a most unique layer to how I approached certain concepts and strategies with students for the better, significantly.
In short, my process is to prioritize the student first. I do not recycle the same exact program of study from one student to the next. I draw upon an arsenal of resources to create customized material for each student to match his/her learning needs and capacities. Thus, while I will generally have an overarching plan when we begin, I react to reality and in real time. If struggle persists that I had not anticipated, I will have resources ready to address by or prior to next session.
Ultimately, if we set realistic expectations, and if the student then follows my lead, I assure you, come exam day, the student will thrive. As many former students have commented in reviews, if we COLLABORATE, the student wins.
Specialties
Grade level
Subject
Photos and videos
Reviews
gina T.
only 30ish at most, who had the most profound impact on my teenage sons academics
performance.I found Dan and asked that he assist my son, then a HS freshman, with his
writing for school (which was very poor). Dan, in our phone discussion, could ... Show more
kevin F.
with me for a solid six months, elevating my composite SAT score from 1250 to 1510! His
approach is super unique, and its unlike any other tutor or rigid commercial course.Dan
actually spent a year writing SAT items across all exam sections in 2020 - as ... Show more
victory S.
exceptional across the board, bringing my SAT composite score from a 1050 to a 1410. He
works towards you as a the student, crafting and developing guides and exercises, relying
on extensive College Board material, and finding any way possible to commu... Show more
Jeremy A.
bit of bump for math. Took the June exam and destroyed it. Score, overall, up nearly 150
on Reading/WL section. And I had spent time and money on another tutor before him who
just treated me like a robot. Dan is cool and funny, but hes also intense and s... Show more
Jason S.
make any concept, no matter its difficulty, simple to comprehend and understand. He
prepared me for the AP US Government exam -- for which he serves as a free response
scorer -- and also has taught the course at the college level, and I absolutely dominated it.
Katie C.
only worked with me for several months in the LSAT, taking me from a 145 before we met
to six months later a 165; he also worked relentlessly with me to craft my entire law school
admissions application -- resume, ways to craftily maneuver around a few thi... Show more
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I first take a few minutes to chat with the student to get to know him or her. I then ask what material he or she feels most comfortable with and where he or she is struggling. I then use that as a starting point to begin to develop my lesson plans. I sometimes also do a short diagnostic check as well. I then immediately begin to put an individualized study plan together for the student, combining the vast number of resources I possess and also creating new materials if my own, on-the-fly, to really hone in on where and how I can best help the student.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
EDUCATION
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center
B.A., magna cum laude, New York University (NYU) History (departmental honors) and Political Science.
Minors: Philosophy, English, and Spanish Language & Literature
M.S., Mathematics, Columbia University
EXPERIENCE
--Former high school teacher for Teach for America: Humanities and Math.
--Assistant Director of K-12 Math, Reading, and Writing learning center for four years.
--Freelance contributor to standardized exam development, specifically SAT and ACT (all sections of each exam).
--Over 10 years of private tutoring: Writing, Math (elementary through high school), Middle and High School English, SAT, ACT, GED, Praxis Core, LSAT, TOEFL, preparation, Public Speaking, Spanish, ESOL, and more.
--With SAT/ACT preparation, I develop each course of study to the student's specific needs, and I possess content knowledge of each section of both exams. In addition, as a former exam designer, I know the patterns designed to deceive students. Therefore, I combine content mastery with skilled technique in test-taking.
I adapt immediately if we encounter struggle, provide clear and concise explanations and examples, both in topic-guide form and in explanation, and I offer countless exercises patterned exactly on exam format.
As my reviews on this site demonstrate, my work with students has propelled them to scores they initially believed unachievable.
How did you get started teaching?
I initially began teaching by tutoring other students in my high school for honor society. From there, I continued to tutor other students, and I began a small business, which I took with me to college and beyond. I served as the director of operations for a K-12 Math, Reading, and Writing program, and taught high school Humanities and Math. Currently, I serve as an adjunct professor in Political Science, Criminal Justice, and History while pursuing independent legal projects and tutoring students of all needs.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students of all skill-levels, disabilities, backgrounds, and more. You name any type of student, and I have almost certainly worked with him or her as a tutor or teacher.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A student whom I assisted in drafting a graduate school admission essay recently wrote me a genuinely heartfelt thank you note, expressing his gratitude for how hard I worked with him and saying how proud he was of the essay.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Think about if you want to be in a comfortable, yet interactive learning environment. The more you think, the more we work together to write essays, solve math problems, prepare for the SAT, ACT, and other standardized exams, build confidence in your public speaking skills, and so much more. If you want someone with you every step of the way -- to keep you on track, alleviate your struggles, and build off your successes, then I believe I'm the right fit for that student.