Sy SAT/ACT Prep
About
As a recent high school graduate (St. John's School in Houston, TX) headed to the prestigious Cornell University in the fall, James possesses a unique perspective on studying habits and time management. With a friendly yet focused attitude towards teaching, James creates a highly personalized learning environment with all of his students. Having just navigated secondary education and the college admissions process, he relates easily with his students and helps them achieve a healthy balance between the academic and other aspects of daily life.
James strives to help others achieve success. He enjoys creating working relationships with students, where he may share the lessons he's learned from his education, but more importantly, where he may help his students through their own trials and tribulations. James sees education not as a chore but as a puzzle and a test of one's creativity. In this way, he revels in the opportunity to make learning enjoyable for his students. Ultimately, James loves to see those with who he works excel both in education and in life.
Highlights
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
The most important part of my teaching process is identifying a student's desired field of study. If this aligns with my expertise, I will chat with the parent and student (a succinct phone call will often suffice) to understand what needs work.
A diagnostic meeting will then be arranged. I am glad to travel or meet virtually via video conference. The student will take a comprehensive diagnostic test, which I will score. I will use this information to detail a lesson plan. This plan is flexible and can conform to any number of sessions.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
- 1580 SAT Score (780 Reading and Writing, 800 Math); placed in the 99th+ percentile of all testing students
- High School Diploma with High Honors from St. John's School in Houston, TX (5 AP Classes, 14 Honors Classes)
- Eagle Scout with innumerable experience teaching Scouting skills and leading volunteer projects
- 200+ hours volunteered at the Nehemiah Center, as a teaching assistant, and the Houston Food Bank, as a project leader, educating children aged 5-14
- Admitted to Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) with a combination of strong test scores, an excellent academic record, compelling essays, and diverse extracurricular activities
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rate is $45 per lesson (usually 45 minutes to an hour), with a free diagnostic lesson and call. Because my rate is not hourly as per convention, I often stretch my lessons to make sure a student has a sound understanding of the material.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
- How do I learn best, and is this teacher capable of creating a learning environment that will suit my needs?
- What have I tried in the past (study habits, educational resources used, etc.), and has that aided or hindered my progress?
- Can I be honest with this teacher and expect honesty in return?
- Will this teacher help me work through the stress associated with academics?