IvyBoost Welcomes Our New Tutors to Our Team!
Tim Charles, Writing Mentor/Tutor
Tim has an BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University and an MA in TESL from Canterbury Christ Church University. He started his teaching career in 1990 and subsequently taught in Japan, Saudi Arabia, U.K., Italy, Poland, and Turkey. Since settling the U.S., he has worked at CSU, East Bay for five years teaching reading/vocabulary, listening, and writing classes for international students. His current areas of focus are teaching English, preparing students in ACT and SAT exams. As someone who is appreciative of fine writing and an avid reader, he encourages students to develop their own voices, express themselves creatively and to flourish stylistically. Recently, he has been proof reading, editing, and advising new authors on their essays.
Tim believes in empowering students, in enabling them to take responsibility for their own learning, and in developing their potential as writers. “People excel and learn not because they are told to, but because they want to” – Peter Senge.
Tim has also been an IELTS writing and speaking examiner for six years. In addition he is a published writer, having reviewed several Barron’s test preparation books on IELTS and TOEFL, many plays for various drama magazines, and a semi professional photographer with SFJazz who regularly covers live music in the Bay Area.
Tutor, Jennifer Pomponio
Jenn is finishing up her PhD in chemistry at UC San Diego. She has an MS in chemistry from UCSD and a BS in biochemistry from Sonoma State University. As a teaching assistant at UCSD, she taught students in upper and lower division chemistry classes. She has been a science and math tutor on and off for over 15 years.
Jenn specializes in chemistry, biology, and math tutoring for high school and college students. She strives to use real-world examples and analogies when explaining complicated concepts. Her passion for science and education is immediately apparent and keeps students engaged and interested in even traditionally boring topics. Her fun, easy-going nature helps her connect with students of all ages making sessions enjoyable and learning painless. Every individual is unique, so Jenn customizes her tutoring style to help every student achieve their goals.
In her free time, Jenn enjoys making jewelry, listening to music, attending to 49er’s games, and browsing dog adoption meet-and-greet events (even though she is allergic and can never bring one home).
Tutor, Sandeep Dey
Sandeep recently graduated with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from UC San Diego, and as such has a strong aptitude for both Math and Physics. In addition, during his time as a student in Mission San Jose High School, he was able to score in the 99th percentile in all three of the SAT I subjects of Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing, and thus is also very comfortable with the language arts. Sandeep also has long history of tutoring students, working at the KUMON Math & Reading Center while he was in 8th grade until he graduated from high school, as well as tutoring during his college years. He is committed to seeing students succeed and nurture a new generation of intellectuals to make positive contributions to the world.
