Adam

Certified Tutor

I grew up in and around Chicago, graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Comparative Literature, and studied at Bostons Berklee College of Music. I have taught English in Paris; studied theater in Berlin; performed improv comedy at Chicagos Improv Olympic Theater; interned at ABC News in Washington, D.C.; served as the Communications Coordinator to the Illinois Attorney General; and, since moving to Nashville in 2008, I have played guitar and pedal steel guitar on David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Jay Leno, Austin City Limits, the Country Music Awards, and the Grammys. I have worked as private teacher to home-schooled students; and as an in-home academic tutor, focussing on ACT preparation, math, writing, French, and German, for nearly a decade.

Because I so clearly remember the anxiety of preparing for my college boards, as well as the satisfaction of moving from confusion to mastery, preparing young adults for the ACT gives me the most satisfaction as a teacher and tutor. My personal style as a teacher/tutor? I try to get to know my students: what do they enjoy about learning; what do they hate; how do they learn best; what are their strengths and weaknesses, perceived or otherwise; what are their goals; how do their goals for themselves match up with their parents expectations? I try to find my way into each students shoes and then ask myself, If I were this person, what would be helpful to me?

Some students are inherently confident but need guidance developing test-taking skills, memorizing vocabulary, or assimilating math formulae.; some students doubt themselves and need encouragement and emotional support to put their knowledge to good use; each student is different. When Im not tutoring, Im playing guitar steel guitar is sort of my specialty writing and recording music, practicing yoga, and meditating. Sunday mornings, you can usually find me playing an instrument in church.