Interested in becoming a tutor for Kaplan Tutoring Services?
BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATIONS OF SELECTED KTS TUTORS
KTS takes special care to match each student with the tutor who is best prepared to satisfy his or her educational needs. A decided advantage of one-on-one tutoring is the ability of the tutor to individualize the instruction. All KTS tutors are dedicated to providing knowledge and guidance while helping their students reach their full potential.
KTS tutors share many attributes. They are all experts in their fields, having received Phi Beta Kappa and/or other honors during or upon graduation from college. They are personable and know how to engage students and encourage them to persevere and strive for excellence. Even though they come from all over the U. S., they share many common interests, such as hiking, biking, rock climbing, martial arts, travel adventures, and creative arts (such as woodworking, painting, playing musical instruments, and writing). Several became Eagle Scouts, participated in the Teach for America program, and/or underwent EMT training, and many are actively involved in social justice activities. Their individual backgrounds and areas of expertise are provided below.
CINDY KAPLAN
Cindy Kaplan received her B. A. degree (with honors) in Mathematics (Phi Beta Kappa) from the University of Texas at Austin, completing a double major in Mathematics and English, as well as all of the required secondary education/teacher training classes. After an initial career in computer programming and systems analysis, Ms. Kaplan turned to a career in teaching.
For twenty years, Ms. Kaplan was a classroom teacher of Algebra I and II, pre-algebra, and other mathematical topics, as well as Social Studies. She also provided math resource for students who were struggling with the subject, and she won two creativity awards from the Bureau of Jewish Education of RI for programs that she developed that integrated mathematics with Judaic studies. Since 2005, she has tutored students from the middle school through college levels in mathematics. She has also helped students with writing, history, and Spanish, and she has prepared and implemented private summer school curricula. Every August she runs an Algebra Readiness Workshop for incoming high school freshmen.
A major area of expertise for Ms. Kaplan is standardized test preparation. She tutors students privately and in small groups when preparing them to take the SAT, ACT, GRE, SSAT, HSPT, NECAP, PRAXIS, GED and SAT SUBJECT tests. She also assists high school seniors prepare their Senior Projects and college essays and aids families as they negotiate the entire college application process.
Ms. Kaplan is technical editor of the Wiley publications, Catholic High School Entrance Examination for Dummies and SAT for Dummies. In addition, she has authored several articles for math teacher publications, edited mathematics textbooks, and prepared state standardized test questions. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the Rhode Island Mathematics Teachers Association (RIMTA).
VALE COFER-SHABICA
Vale Cofer-Shabica received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Physics from Brown University. During his junior year, he studied history, literature and quantum physics at two universities in France, and following graduation he spent a summer in Mexico, learning Spanish. As the math specialist at a Rhode Island high school, he helped students to better understand mathematical concepts, while assisting teachers to improve their mathematical pedagogy. He also taught courses in calculus and statistics at a Rhode Island charter high school. Mr. Cofer-Shabica currently works as a research associate at Brown University, where he is involved in experimental and theoretical research concerned with chemical dynamics and the computational modeling of chemical reactions. In the fall of 2012, he will continue his studies and research as a Ph.D. candidate in physical chemistry at Brown.
Heavily involved in the Boy Scouts of America in his youth, Mr. Cofer-Shabica attained the rank of Eagle Scout and also held various positions during the summers of 2001 through 2006 at a Boy Scout camp. As Ecology Director, Program Director, and Assistant Camp Director, he planned and implemented a variety of programs for the campers and staff.
Mr. Cofer-Shabica tutors students in all levels of math, from pre-algebra through calculus and statistics (middle school through college). He also tutors at the high school and collegiate levels in chemistry and physics, and he can assist high school students with French and conversational Spanish. In all of his academic tutoring, he supplements classroom instruction and teaches missing or misunderstood concepts, while catering to each student's individual needs and learning style.
Mr. Cofer-Shabica is also available to work with students privately and in small groups to successfully prepare them for the SAT, AP, GRE, and GED exams and for SAT Subject Tests in Math, Chemistry, and Physics.
MICHAEL DA CRUZ
Michael da Cruz is scheduled to receive his law degree from Roger Williams University's School of Law in the spring of 2014. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree (with a Concentration in History) from Brown University. Prior to his years at Brown University, Mr. da Cruz spent two years in the honors program of McGill University (in Montreal), majoring in history and classics. He also spent a summer at Georgetown University, where he studied political theory and economics. As a high school student, Mr. da Cruz received recognition as an AP Scholar and a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student.
He has served as editor of the following publications: "Brown Journal of History," "Hirundo: McGill Journal of Classics," and "Historical Discourses: McGill Journal of History." In addition to his studies, he clerks part-time at a law office in Rhode Island. A wine expert, Mr. da Cruz also shares his expertise as a wine consultant in various capacities.
Having tutored students for a number of years, Mr. da Cruz is available to tutor in a variety of subjects. He specializes in private tutoring for the LSAT exam (having personally scored in the 97 percentile on the exam). His other areas of expertise include the following subjects: English, history, government, physics, and economics. He also enjoys helping students improve their study, reading, and writing skills in order to work more efficiently. Mr. da Cruz can assist students to prepare for their SAT and GRE exams and their SAT subject tests in Literature and U. S. and world history, as well as AP exams in history, English, and government.
ANNA FISHEL
Anna Fishel, a Columbia University student, is currently participating in an internship as a research assistant in the laboratory of Brown University's Cognitive, Linguistics, and Psychological Sciences Department. She is also taking classes at Brown University with thoughts of transferring to its premed program next year.
While in high school, Ms. Fishel received Commendation on the National Merit Scholarship exam and was named a National AP Scholar for receiving a score of 4 or higher on eight (!) or more AP exams. She received a score of 5 on the exams for Biology, Chemistry, Calculus BC, and Literature, as well as a score of 4 on the exams for Language and Composition, European History, Spanish, and U. S. History. Having received a combined SAT total score of 2170, she also received a perfect (800) score on the SAT Biology subject test.
Ms. Fishel is available to tutor students in math, English, and Spanish I and II, as well as all levels (through AP) of biology and chemistry. In addition, she can help students with SAT prep and SAT subject test prep in biology.
Her outside interests include participating in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, composing and performing music (bass guitar), and writing poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. One of her poems was published in a national teen literary magazine.
CHRISTOPHER GEGGIE
Currently a PhD student in the Classics at Brown University, Chris Geggie graduated magna cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa and valedictorian) with a B.A. in Latin and Greek (and a minor in English and the Classics) from Wabash College. While at Wabash, Mr. Geggie was the recipient of several scholarships for original and creative work in the humanities, allowing him to do scholarly research in England, Germany, Italy, and Turkey. He also had a paper published in the college's humanities journal.
After completing a Teach for America training program in Secondary English and Foreign Language instruction, Mr. Geggie taught English and Latin in high schools in Los Angeles and Indianapolis. During his undergraduate years, he tutored all levels of Latin and Greek.
Mr. Geggie is available to tutor students for all levels of Latin, including the SAT Subject Test in Latin. He can also tutor all levels of high school English, with particular emphasis in writing, as well as Greek and introductory courses in French, German, and Italian.
ELLYN "ELLIE" GOLDBERG
Ellyn "Ellie" Goldberg majored in mathematics and psychology at the University of Chicago and received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors, having attained a place on the Dean's List every semester. Subsequently, she received a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Education (School Leadership) degree from Harvard University as a Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Fellow. She is a participant in the Leadership Rhode Island Core Program.
Ms. Goldberg is currently an adjunct faculty member at Regis College, teaching a course entitled "Developing Math Practices in Algebra." For several years she was Quantitative Reasoning Specialist at a Rhode Island high school, teaching various math subjects to high school students and facilitating student peer teaching of mathematics. She also led professional development to help staff improve and implement math lessons.
Her past experience in education in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Boston has included curriculum development, strategic planning to improve learning, mentoring student teachers, and student advocacy. She has led professional development sessions for Teach for America novice teachers. As a Lead Algebra Teacher, she helped students achieve the highest standardized test scores in their school's history. In Baltimore, she was nominated for the 2005 Sue Lehman Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Ms. Goldberg has been involved in tutoring for many years. While specializing in all levels of math, she can tutor most other subjects as well. She is also available to assist students to prepare for standardized tests and high school and college entrance examinations.
DAVID GREENBERG
David Greenberg received his B. S. degree, summa cum laude, from Northeastern University's College of Computer and Information Science, with a dual major in computer science and mathematics. Having maintained a 3.86 GPA, he was the recipient of the Cardinal Cushing Award. Mr. Greenberg anticipates receiving his MAT Secondary Mathematics degree from Western Governors University in June, 2012.
As a Quantitative Reasoning Specialist at a local high school, Mr. Greenberg has developed and implemented a new math program, has collaborated with other specialists to continually improve the program, has taught classes and workshops on algebra, geometry, and robotics, and has tutored many students on an individual basis.
Prior to entering the teaching field, Mr. Greenberg served as a computer software developer and programmer analyst. As part of his responsibilities, he trained interns and new employees and revamped the entire training program for the company where he worked.
Mr. Greenberg is available to tutor students in all levels of mathematics, as well as physics, computer science, and robotics. He can also prepare students for the Math I and II SAT subject tests.
He serves as the treasurer of the Advisory Board of Northeastern University Hillel and can be found participating in and organizing social action programs in the Providence and Boston communities. He enjoys traveling to exotic destinations, such as Bangkok, Laos, Egypt, and Israel, and practicing the Hebrew and Spanish languages.
JONATHAN "oi" JUAREZ
Jonathan Juarez, who prefers to be called by his nickname "oi," graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in American Civilization. While attending Brown, he spent a semester in Barcelona, Spain, studying history, philosophy, biology, and economics.
Mr. Juarez has performed a wide range of teaching and tutoring activities. Most recently he worked with students as an AmeriCorps VISTA Learning Organizer at Central Falls High School. He has provided classes in digital video, drawing, animation, and sports at Wheeler School, where he also served as a judge for the high school parliamentary debates. For four summers, he instructed students in writing, filming, editing, and screening movies at the Miami Science Museum.
Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Juarez is actively involved in the Rhode Island community, where he assists immigrants in many aspects of their lives, such as home foreclosures, English classes, childcare programs, and law enforcement victimization. He teaches and helps organize classes at the Providence Free School. In the past, he earned the following community service awards: the Silver Knight Award in New Media and the Eagle Scout Award.
Mr. Juarez's areas of tutoring expertise include writing, history, and all levels of Spanish through AP Spanish. He works with students to improve their reading comprehension while preparing them for the Critical Reading section of the SAT. Other SAT Prep expertise includes the subject tests in U. S. History and Spanish. If a student wants to use film as a medium for presenting a school project, a Senior Project, or a college essay, Mr. Juarez can assist in all aspects of its production.
ANNE KAPLAN
Anne Kaplan graduated cum laude from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and biology. For several years while pursuing her degree, she worked as a Laboratory Assistant in the Chemistry Department and a Teaching Assistant in the Physics Department. While at the University of Hartford, she was involved in research on alternative treatments to chemotherapy (as a Genetics Research Assistant) and arteriosclerosis in sharks. Ms. Kaplan is currently involved in oncology research as a Clinical Research Assistant at The Miriam Hospital in Providence.
During her college years, she attained Dean's List and President's List honors, and she was the recipient of the Topper's Foundation Scholarship. For three years, she was President of Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society. During her free time, she was a member and officer of The Science Fiction and Fantasy Guild.
Ms. Kaplan is available to tutor biology, chemistry, and physics, including AP levels and SAT subject tests. She can also tutor all levels of math through calculus, as well as Math Levels I and II SAT subject tests. Fluent in Spanish, Ms. Kaplan can tutor various levels of Spanish.
SIMON LIEBLING
A senior at Brown University, Simon Liebling anticipates receiving his B. A. in history in May, 2012, having maintained a 4.0 average. His academic versatility is particularly impressive. In high school, he was a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction, having achieved a score of "5" on the following six AP tests: Calculus BC, Comparative Government and Politics, English Literature, European History, Physics C, and Spanish. During his junior year in college, he studied history at the University of Bologna in Italy, where he also gained fluency in Italian.
Mr. Liebling has many years of experience as a tutor, instructor, and leader in a variety of settings. He has tutored students privately in mathematics and physics. As a BOLT (Brown Outdoor Leadership Training) leader and Brown Leadership Institute instructor, he has led workshops, classes and outdoor trips for Brown undergraduates and for high school students attending Brown's summer programs. As a BELL (Brown Environmental Leadership Lab) Intern, he was involved in organizing and running various academic and recreational programs for students. An expert rock climber himself, he teaches climbing skills and facilitates group ropes course outings.
Having an SAT combined total of 2320 (out of 2400), Mr. Liebling is well qualified to tutor students for the SAT. His combined scores for the Math Level 2, Literature, and Spanish SAT Subject Tests of 2310 (out of 2400) demonstrate his ability to tutor students for many SAT Subject Tests. He is also available to tutor students in all levels of math, physics, history, English, and Italian.
CHRIS NORRIS-LEBLANC
Chris Norris-LeBlanc was originally studying for a degree in mathematics at Brown University, but he recently swtiched his major to history. He is a graduate of Providence Country Day School, where he received recognition ranging from Yale and Williams College book awards to awards for excellence in Latin and visual arts. Selected for the PCD Murray Scholar Award, which rewards leadership and academic and athletic excellence, Mr. Norris-LeBlanc received a full year's scholarship with all expenses paid.
Mr. Norris-LeBlanc is available to tutor physics and all levels of math from pre-algebra through college calculus, as well as history and Latin I and II. He can prepare eighth graders for the SSAT and high school students for the various college entrance exams and subject tests. Having received a combined SAT score of 2160, Mr. Norris-LeBlanc can instruct students on strategies, as well as math and English language concepts.
When he is not studying or tutoring, Mr. Norris-LeBlanc enjoys rock climbing, guitar playing, hiking, and organizing for social justice.
DANIEL PATTERSON
Daniel Patterson, who is pursuing a degree in Mathematics at Brown University, effectively combines his passion for mathematics and computer science with his experience as a teacher and tutor. Besides helping students with homework assignments and test preparation, Mr. Patterson specializes in providing curricular enrichment to his students.
His perfect scores on the Math SAT, Math Level 2 subject test, and AP Calculus AB test attest to his superior mathematical ability, and his science background is equally impressive. Before graduating cum laude from Phillips Exeter Academy, he won numerous awards in mathematics. He has tutored students in computer science at the university level, and he taught English in Mexico. Mr. Patterson is available to tutor all levels of math (middle school through college), as well as computer science, writing, and all scientific subjects. Having participated in Spanish language programs in Mexico and Ecuador, he is qualified to tutor students in Spanish as well.
Mr. Patterson also prepares students for the various college entrance exams, subject tests, and AP exams. His personal combined SAT score was 2270, while his three subject test scores (in Math II, Chemistry, and Biology) totaled 2360 (out of a possible 2400). He improved his computer skills by being an Engineering Intern at Facebook and currently enjoys setting up and supporting computer websites.
As a trained Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (W-EMT), Mr. Patterson spent two weeks aiding the people of Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake. He currently volunteers his time and computer expertise at a free health clinic in Providence, and he teaches a computer class at the Providence Free School. Other outside interests include working for social justice and making things by hand.
BEN SAVITZKY
Currently doing post baccalaureate work in Physics at SUNY Stony Brook (Long Island, NY), Ben Savitzky graduated magna cum laude (Phi Beta Kappa) with a B. S. in Chemistry-Physics from Brown University. While at Brown, he was awarded an Undergraduate Teaching and Research Assistant Fellowship, and he received prestigious awards and prizes in Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry. A member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Mr. Savitzky published a scientific paper and also won the Leallyn B. Clapp Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis.
As a Teach for America Corps Member, Mr. Savitzky taught physics, geometry, and pre-calculus in a high school in East Palo Alto, California. He designed and used a hands-on, inquiry based conceptual physics curriculum for which he created all of the labs, assessments, and other resource material. He also designed curricula and class materials for the school's geometry and pre-calculus courses. Prior to his work in Palo Alto, he taught mathematics at a charter public school in Los Angeles.
Mr. Savitzky has tutored for many years and is currently available to tutor high school and college students in the Queens and Long Island geographic area in all levels of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. He can also prepare students for the SAT and ACT college entrance exams, as well as the SAT subject tests in Mathematics I and II, Physics, and Chemistry.
A speaker of basic Mandarin Chinese and Hebrew, Mr. Savitzky demonstrates his versatility as a former EMT-B and Wilderness First Responder, rock climber, painter, hiker, and martial arts enthusiast.
FRAN SHABICA
After receiving an A.B. degree in zoology from Hunter College (of the City University of New York), Fran Shabica completed her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biological and medical sciences at Brown University. Dr. Shabica was a visiting assistant professor of biology at Wheaton College and Connecticut College, and she subsequently was a science teacher at Lincoln School in Providence for ten years. From 1994 to 1996, she taught biology (part-time) at Rhode Island College, and since 1995 she has been a science teacher at Dartmouth High School in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
With her many years of experience, Dr. Shabica is exceptionally qualified to tutor high school and college students in the following biological sciences: Biology (AP and regular), Anatomy, and Physiology. She also specializes in preparing students for the SAT Subject Test in Biology.
NOTE
All KTS tutors are thoroughly screened and undergo a police background check (which is required by many private schools and public school districts).
CONSULTANTS (available via phone or email only)
NOAH LANGOWITZ
Noah Langowitz received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Physics from Brown University in May, 2010. Throughout his undergraduate years at Brown, he maintained a 4.0 average. He is currently pursuing his doctorate in Chemistry at the University of Chicago.
During the summer of 2007, Mr. Langowitz taught physics in the Philadelphia area. In the fall of 2007, he was a teaching assistant in General Chemistry at Brown. He has also served as a tutor for Organic Chemistry I and II. Having received an Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award, Mr. Langowitz performed research at Brown during the summer of 2009.
While in Rhode Island, Mr. Langowitz was available to tutor high school and college students in physics, chemistry, biology, and all levels of math through calculus, as well as the SAT subject tests in science and math. In Chicago, he will continue to be available on a consulting basis in all of these areas.
ANDREW D. GREENE
Andrew Greene received his B.S. degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Applied Mathematics and Physics from the University of Rhode Island, having been the Bruce D. Campbell Physics Scholarship recipient from 2000-2004. In early 2010, he received his Ph.D. degree in Physical Oceanography and subsequently accepted a position at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center.
From 2000 to 2004, Mr. Greene conducted engineering physics classes as a teaching assistant in the Physics Department at URI. He has also tutored extensively in all levels of math and physics from 2000 to the present.
QUALIFICATIONS OF OTHER KTS TUTORS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST