Academic/AP Instructors

For over three decades, Jen has been a beacon of inspiration and guidance in the realm of middle and high school mathematics. She has experience teaching at  Upper Darby High School and, more recently, the Shipley School. A proud alumna of the University of Delaware, Jen holds a B.A. in Mathematics Education.

Further enhancing her expertise, she pursued and achieved an M.A. in Mathematics from Villanova University. With an unwavering passion for mathematics, Jen thrives on tailoring her teaching methodologies to the unique needs of each student, ensuring their comprehension and success. Her dedication to the craft is evident in every lesson she delivers, making mathematics both accessible and engaging for all her students.

Dr. Popiel received his PhD in physics from Temple University in 1990. After publishing several papers on Quantum Mechanics, he came to a fork in the road: Understand Physics more deeply by moving forward traditionally OR understand it by following the multiple paths that precede it. He chose the latter, and to that end he established a private tutoring business, where he tutored high school, college, and graduate students in math, physics, and engineering. As Einstein said: "You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother."

Sabrina Gaitan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and her Master’s in Structural Engineering from MIT. She has spent the last four years working in New York City as a structural engineer, leading complex projects and collaborating across teams. Sabrina has been tutoring students for several years and is passionate about mentorship and education. She has taken the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, GRE, and GMAT, and enjoys helping students build confidence, master key concepts, and develop effective test-taking strategies. She will be starting her MBA at the Wharton School in August 2025.

Ben studies at the University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Statistics. He graduated from Upper Dublin High School, where he built a strong academic foundation across AP Mathematics, Science, History, English, and Computer Science.

​

At Penn, Ben has continued to pursue his passion for education. He tutors for the SAT, mathematics, and economics, including work with the University’s Weingarten Center. Beyond academics, he is a member of Penn’s fencing team and holds leadership positions in several campus organizations, such as the Undergraduate Economics Society and Common Cents, a student group focused on financial literacy education.

​

Ben is dedicated to helping students build confidence and master challenging concepts in a supportive, personalized environment.

Emilio’s students have a track record of extremely high scores on the AP Chemistry test, the SAT Chemistry Subject test, and on the chemistry and organic chemistry portions of the MCAT. Emilio is our expert in all levels of organic and inorganic chemistry. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from MIT and an M.S. in organic chemistry from UC Irvine before working as a medicinal chemist at SmithKline Beacham developing potential medications for AIDS.

Eliana is studying International Relations at Drexel University, with minors in French and History. She works as a Peer Tutor in Drexel’s Writing Center and as a French tutor for the Global Studies department—roles that allow her to merge her love of language and learning with her dedication to helping students succeed.

​

Her passion for French and history was shaped by her family background and the influence of her French relatives, which inspired her to study both subjects in depth at the university level. In 2026, she will study abroad in France, where she looks forward to immersing herself in the language and culture to further enrich her academic and personal growth.

Linda is pursuing both a B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School and a B.A. in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania. With over five years of tutoring experience across various topics and levels, she is passionate about topics ranging from sustainability and climate change to agriculture and renewable energy. Linda has gained hands-on experience in climate tech VC, tropical ecology at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and studying the genetic basis of evolution at Penn. She plans to pursue a PhD in conservation biology after graduation.

Mark Nakahara graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2012 with a degree in Classics. After graduation he taught all levels of Latin and Ancient Greek at Scranton Preparatory School, a co-ed private high school in Scranton, PA. In addition to teaching, Mark worked on the staff of the Santa Susana Archaeological Project in the summer, helping to oversee the excavation of a Roman villa in rural Portugal. After teaching for five years, Mark then entered law school, graduating from Penn Law in 2020. He now works as an attorney in Philadelphia but has never lost his love of the classics.

Michael Whalen is a devoted and experienced educator who brings over a decade of teaching and tutoring expertise across a wide range of academic settings. With a B.A. in History and Government from the College of William & Mary and a Master’s in Education, Michael has taught in public, charter, and independent schools, most recently at The Episcopal Academy, where he has been a dedicated Upper School History teacher since 2017.

​

Michael has extensive experience teaching AP U.S. History and tutoring World History, and has also designed and led courses on world religions, leadership, and academic support for students with diverse learning needs. He co-created and currently leads Episcopal’s Sophomore Leadership Class, mentors students through the Esse Quam Videri Society, and has coached junior varsity tennis for nearly a decade.

​

As a tutor, Michael has worked with learners at every level—from elementary school students building foundational reading skills to high schoolers mastering AP exams and developing executive functioning strategies. His thoughtful approach helps students find clarity and confidence, whether they’re strengthening study habits or preparing for major assessments.

Michael’s skill as a seasoned AP U.S. History, World History, European History, and Government instructor, has enabled his students to achieve scores and an extraordinarily high level. His enthusiasm for seeing student’s succeed is at the core of his executive function coaching. The organization, note-taking, and academic writing skills he cultivates in students serve as a lifelong foundation for success.

A native of Denver, Colorado, James moved to Pennsylvania in 2013 to begin his Master’s research at Villanova University, where he specialized in the history of Europe and the Islamic World, and tutored students in the Villanova Writing Center.  After graduating, he took a position at Holy Family University, teaching the history of the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds and encompassing the entire globe, from China to the Middle East to Europe to the Americas.  In the summer of 2016, he enrolled in the intensive immersion language program with the Middlebury Language Schools, making Arabic his third foreign language, after Spanish and French.  James is also an experienced musician, enjoying playing the piano, clarinet, saxophone, drums, and singing in his free time.

Jonathan Fabrey is a college consultant and AP tutor with a wealth of experience in the education sector. With a diverse background that includes roles as a teacher, college consultant, IB Coordinator, AP Teacher, AP Reader, and school counselor, Jonathan brings a comprehensive understanding of the academic landscape to his students.

He holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Education Social Studies with a concentration in psychology from West Chester University, and a Master’s in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition to tutoring AP Psychology and AP US History, Jonathan leverages his educational background and practical experience to provide tailored guidance to his students.

Throughout his career, Jonathan has successfully supported numerous students in their college applications, resulting in acceptances to prestigious institutions such as Princeton, McGill, Georgetown, The Naval Academy, University of Saint Andrew’s (Scotland), Boston College, and Villanova. His dedication to student success and holistic approach to education make him a trusted consultant in navigating the complexities of higher education.

Maia holds a B.A. in History with minors in Fine Arts, Museum Studies, and Spanish from Haverford College. Coming from Haverford College's Writing Center, Maia is passionate about working with students and making meaningful connections. With five years of tutoring experience, she specializes in AP History courses and ACT/SAT prep. Maia is currently pursuing a career in museum education and hopes to complete a PhD in History. In her free moments, she is a voracious reader and an avid knitter.

Ariadna is a native Spanish speaker with years of teaching experience in the local community. Graduating from Villanova University, she holds two Masters Degrees—one in Education and the other in Hispanic Literature. Ariadna is exceptionally well-equipped to guide students of all levels on their journey to proficiency.

Ariadna's teaching repertoire spans across all levels of Spanish, ranging from beginner to advanced, and includes specialized courses such as AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature. Whether you're aiming to improve your academic Spanish skills or seeking guidance for the AP Spanish Exam, Ariadna's comprehensive knowledge and tailored approach ensure effective learning outcomes.

With Ariadna as your tutor, you can expect personalized instruction, engaging lessons, and unwavering support on your language-learning journey. Take the first step towards mastering Spanish with Ariadna as your trusted guide.

Lisa graduated with honors and worked as a research assistant and lab coordinator for introductory and upper-level biology courses. Currently Lisa works as an upper school science teacher.

​

Lisa teaches biology, chemistry, environmental science, anatomy & physiology, and zoology. She has also experience tutoring students in earth science and geology. Growing up on a farm in Upstate NY inspired Lisa's love of science, nature, and the outdoors.

Jasper earned dual degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Colgate University, where he received several academic honors, including the Dean’s Award with Distinction, the Beckman Research Scholarship, and the Oberheim Memorial Award for excellence in biological research. During his undergraduate studies, he also served as a chemistry tutor, helping fellow students strengthen their understanding of complex scientific concepts. Since graduating, Jasper has worked as a research assistant in biomedical science at both Brown University and NYU Langone Health.

​

While his passions lie in chemistry and biology, he also has experience teaching precalculus and Algebra II. In addition to his academic and research pursuits, Jasper is dedicated to public service. He began volunteering as a firefighter at 17 and is now pursuing a professional career in firefighting. Through both tutoring and firefighting, Jasper strives to make a meaningful impact and contribute to his community.

JD graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a B.A. in Comparative Literature and Hispanic Studies and later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He brings over seven years of collegiate teaching experience from institutions such as Lehigh University and the University of Chicago.

​

In private tutoring, JD makes complex material approachable and relevant. His standardized test prep, particularly for the SAT, emphasizes understanding test structure and mastering core concepts for significant score gains. As both a National AP Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, JD also provides expert-level AP exam preparation to help students achieve academic success.

Bob holds a B.A. in English and History from the University of Delaware, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Additionally, he holds an M.F.A in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, where he was awarded a teaching fellowship.

Alexander Guevarez currently teaches Upper School English at Germantown Friends School, where he has covered a range of topics, from Art of Persuasion: Reading and Writing Well to English Literature, from Tragicomedy to Taking Hitchcock Seriously. He is a graduate of Amherst College, majoring in English and Philosophy, and Johns Hopkins University, where he was a doctoral candidate in English. At JHU, he also edited The Norton Anthology of Poetry (Sixth Edition) as well as The Hopkins Review.

Sonia Joseph is a Chemistry and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering dual major at the university of Pennsylvania, where she is part of the Vagelos Integrated Program of Energy Research (VIPER), a program that each year selects 25 highly qualified students from around the world. In high school she was a national merit finalist, and a Cum laude on the National Latin Exam.   Sonia scored a perfect 800 on the Math SAT, an 800 on the subject test math level II, and an 800 on the Subject Chemistry test.  Additionally, she scored a 5 on Calculus BC AP test and a 5 on the Chemistry AP test.