Leah graduated with a double major in Mathematics and Writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. During her time at MIT, she won multiple writing awards and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She also served as a teaching assistant for calculus and differential equations, where she conducted office hours, led recitations, and provided additional problem-solving sessions to help students grasp difficult concepts. One of her most notable contributions was co-developing and co-leading a rapid prototyping workshop aimed at cultivating problem-solving skills and facilitating quick iteration and testing of solutions. With eight years of teaching and tutoring experience working with over 100 students, Leah looks forward to building a supportive relationship with Foundation Learning students and helping them take charge of their education.
Leah’s passion for tutoring is rooted in the profound satisfaction she experiences when witnessing students' transformative "ah-ha!" moments as they conquer concepts they once found daunting. She finds it deeply fulfilling to guide students through challenges and see their knowledge and confidence grow. She specializes in tutoring for the SAT and ACT and for AP calculus, pre-calculus, trigonometry, and algebra.
Leah’s tutoring approach prioritizes student-centered learning, fostering critical thinking, and promoting active engagement. She places a strong emphasis on problem-solving and instills a growth mindset, urging students to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and think creatively. She aims to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where students feel empowered to become independent learners, equipped with the skills and confidence to excel academically and beyond. With a commitment to transparency, she actively seeks feedback on her teaching methods and consistently offers positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to students. She sees setbacks as opportunities for growth, working closely with students to pinpoint the root of their challenges and explore alternative learning strategies, including taking breaks when necessary.
Acknowledging that no two learners are alike, Leah excels at adapting her teaching methods to match individual learning styles. By incorporating hands-on activities and real-world examples tailored to students' interests, she ensures optimal engagement and understanding. She also prioritizes granting students autonomy and choice, empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey.
In addition to being a tutor, Leah is a versatile artist. She is proficient in pottery-making, screen printing, and digital art. She also aims to hone her skills in tufting and sewing to make her own rug clothing.
Abhiram has a Bachelor of Arts in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics from Lafayette College. His exceptional academic record and research contributions were recognized with the Excel Scholar award at Lafayette. He also completed his master's at the University of Colorado at Boulder and his postgraduate education at Columbia University. With over 5 years of tutoring experience and a background as a TA, Abhiram is driven by his passion for teaching and aspires to become a professor in the future.
Abhiram finds tutoring to be a fulfilling pursuit, as it enables him to play a role in shaping the future generation of thinkers and leaders. He specializes in ACT and SAT prep and physics, mathematics, statistics, microeconomics, macroeconomics, chemistry, and computer science at all levels, including AP and IB.
Abhiram is known for his patience, thoroughness, and hard work. He is diligent in his tutoring, providing extra support and assistance with any questions students may struggle with. Abhiram is also recognized for his approachable and easy-going demeanor, as he infuses humor into his sessions and offers words of affirmation to build students' confidence.
Abhiram excels at sparking students' curiosity to actively engage them in their learning process. He frequently incorporates real-world examples to illustrate how seemingly simple concepts are applied at the forefront of deep tech and cutting-edge research.
Outside of tutoring, Abhiram enjoys playing music and pushing his boundaries—he has even won a spicy food eating competition three times!
Carla earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature from the University of Texas and has accumulated over a decade of teaching and tutoring experience, boasting several thousand success stories and counting. Her passion for teaching is rooted in her desire to support individuals and help them realize their dreams, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in the learning process. For Carla, elevating students, nurturing a lifelong love of learning, fostering a growth mindset, and instilling the confidence that achievement brings are all illuminating aspects of being an educator.
Specializing in English Language Arts (ELAR) and writing, Carla's commitment to student success is evident in her unwavering dedication. She believes that being a cheerleader for students requires energy and an unwavering desire to help others improve, even in challenging circumstances.
As a certified teacher with both classroom and online teaching experience, Carla’s teaching methods stand out. Fun is a serious component of her tutoring philosophy. She believes in removing strict rules and pressure from the learning process, allowing learners to enjoy and retain knowledge. Celebrating her learners' milestones, driven by hard work and surpassing their goals, brings her immense joy. Witnessing their confident strides into the next phase of their academic journey fulfills her, and she infinitely believes in the promise of every individual she supports.
Carla excels at surpassing students' expectations and accelerating their progress beyond traditional timelines. Her methodology is grounded in data-driven techniques, scientifically validated methods, and best practices. Understanding the impact of emotion on learning, she adopts a lively and engaging teaching approach, transforming lessons into enjoyable games, embracing mistakes with laughter, and sustaining a dynamic learning atmosphere. Confronting challenges head-on, Carla employs innovative solutions, providing words of wisdom and encouragement during difficulties, simplifying intricate concepts, and addressing mental barriers. Her classroom experience has sharpened her ability to keenly observe struggling learners, while her one-on-one interactions have equipped her with valuable insights into what it takes to keep students motivated.
In her free time, Carla enjoys reconnecting with nature. She lives near the beach with her husband and dog, where they enjoy camping, fishing, dolphin watching, and taking pictures of the animals they encounter. She and her husband also volunteer with the National Park Service at the Padre Island National Seashore as part of a rescue and nesting program for the critically endangered Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle.
We take homework help seriously – all Foundation Learning tutors have extensive tutoring experience or hold a college degree in a discipline students need homework help in.
Foundation Learning makes it easier to track homework progress! Our high-level progress tracker ensures students, tutors, and families are on the same page. At the beginning of your engagement, the tracker will be shared with you so you can see what your child is working on and how they’re performing.
Our tutors are selected based on the subjects your child needs help with most, which topics they’re struggling with, their needs, and the information you provided in the intake form. Foundation Learning tutors know how to transform student needs into concrete action plans!
The program best suited for your child depends on the level of support they need, their availability, and which particular concepts they need the most help with. Ready to compare your options? Schedule a call with us today!