Serving students nationwide through in person and online sessions
Instructor Selection

Credentials Open the Door.
Teaching Gets You In.

A degree doesn’t make you a great teacher — and at ConnectPrep, we know the difference. Our vetting process goes beyond credentials to find instructors who are truly exceptional in the classroom. Most of our instructors bring 10 or more years of teaching experience, and every single one has proven they can transform how a student thinks — not just deliver content.

5
Vetting steps
10+
Avg. years teaching
5.0★
Average rating
ConnectPrep Origins
Born at Stanford. Built on Academic Excellence.
ConnectPrep was founded by a Stanford graduate with a singular belief: that teaching ability — not just academic pedigree — is what changes a student’s trajectory. A PhD means nothing if the student leaves the session more confused than when they arrived. That belief shapes every hire we make.
Stanford University Origins
Our instructors have taught at
Public & Private Schools Colleges & Universities Graduate Programs Research Institutions
3
References required
100%
Background checked
Live
Teaching demo required
10+
Yrs experience avg.
Our Standard

A 5-Step Process That Tests Teaching, Not Just Knowledge

Most tutoring companies look at resumes. ConnectPrep looks at something harder to fake: whether you can actually teach. Credentials matter — but the moment we care about most is the live teaching demonstration, where every candidate has to show us, in real time, that they can make something difficult feel clear.

01
Application & References
Candidates complete a detailed instructor application including contact information for three professional references who can speak directly to their teaching ability, subject mastery, and character. References are contacted and verified before the process advances.
02
Subject Mastery Interview
Every candidate faces a rigorous subject knowledge interview. This is not conversational — candidates demonstrate expert-level command of their subjects on the spot, under pressure. We want instructors who genuinely know their material deeply, because you cannot teach what you don’t understand. But we also look at how they explain their answers. Even here, at the knowledge test, teaching ability shows.
03
Live Teaching Demonstration
This is the step that matters most. Candidates deliver a live teaching demonstration to a ConnectPrep evaluator. We are watching for: Does the explanation land? Can they sense when something isn’t clicking and shift approaches mid-session? Do they make the material feel accessible without dumbing it down? Is there energy, warmth, and genuine engagement — or just information delivery? This is where most candidates fall short, and it’s exactly what we need to see.
04
Communication & Presentation Assessment
We evaluate general communication skills, the ability to present complex ideas in accessible language, and interpersonal effectiveness. ConnectPrep instructors must be able to build trust and rapport with students of all ages and backgrounds — not just explain the material.
05
Background Verification
All instructors undergo a comprehensive background check through the Criminal Records Bureau as a condition of joining the ConnectPrep team. Student safety is non-negotiable. Only after all five steps are completed — and only if each one meets our standard — does an instructor join our team.
Instructor Profile

What Makes a ConnectPrep Instructor

We respect impressive academic backgrounds — and most of our instructors have them. But the quality we weight above all else is this: can you teach? Not explain. Not lecture. Teach.

10+
Years avg. experience
Experience you can feel in every session.
Our instructors have seen every type of learner, every type of confusion, and every type of breakthrough. That depth of experience is what separates a great explanation from a transformative one.
Deep Subject Mastery — But That’s the Floor
Subject expertise is necessary but not sufficient. We expect every instructor to know their field at an advanced level — but the real test is whether they can explain it to a confused 15-year-old at 8pm on a Tuesday. That’s a completely different skill.
Relationship & Rapport
Students learn from people they trust. Our instructors are mentors first, teachers second — they build genuine connections with students and parents, creating an environment where confidence grows alongside academic performance.
Results Obsession
Our instructors are driven by student outcomes, not session hours. They track progress, adjust their approach when something isn’t working, and push every student toward their highest achievable performance level.
Local Curriculum Knowledge
Many ConnectPrep instructors are active classroom teachers at local public and private schools. They know the curriculum, the specific exam formats, and often collaborate directly with a student’s school teachers.
Confidence Building
Academic performance and self-belief are inseparable. ConnectPrep instructors use positive reinforcement, progressive challenge, and specific feedback to build the kind of confidence that sustains students well beyond the tutoring engagement.
Teaching Over Credentials
We have instructors with PhDs who are extraordinary teachers and instructors with bachelor’s degrees who are just as extraordinary. The degree is context. The teaching is the job. What matters is whether a student improves — and our instructors are obsessed with making that happen.
Meet the Team

A Few of Our Specialists

Every ConnectPrep instructor has passed our full 5-step process. Here’s a look at some of the specialists on our team.

Michael Broderick
Michael Broderick
College Consultant
Michael brings more than 20 years of experience in education and admissions, including serving as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at independent and charter schools. As founder of his own college consulting practice, he has supported 500+ families and visited more than 200 college campuses. A Professional Member of the IECA, he holds advanced degrees in educational administration and counseling and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Tennessee.
College ConsultingIECA Member500+ FamiliesU.S. Marine Veteran
Sarah J.
Sarah J.
College Advisor and Counselor
Nearly a decade of experience guiding 300+ students through college admissions. Visited 40+ colleges globally. Specializes in BS/MD programs, unique learners, and first-generation college families. Certified in the Strong Interest Inventory and Myers-Briggs Typology. Degrees from Middlebury College and Vanderbilt University. Fulbright Fellow.
College AdvisingBS/MDEssay CoachingFulbright Fellow
Krishna
Krishna
Science and Test Prep Instructor
Passionate about education as empowerment, Krishna teaches through the Socratic method, emphasizing critical thinking over memorization. B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from UC Berkeley, M.S. in Chemical Engineering from UC Irvine. Over 8 years of teaching experience, consistently guiding students to top college admissions outcomes.
ChemistryBiologySAT / ACTUC Berkeley
Katelyn B.
Katelyn B.
ELA and Test Prep Instructor
Committed to first-class teaching that goes beyond memorization. With 6+ years of tutoring across all grade levels, Katelyn specializes in English, essay writing, and science subjects. Pursuing a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Political Science at Northeastern University. Known for building genuine student confidence through personalized learning plans.
English / ELAEssay WritingTest PrepK–12
Ashwi B.
Ashwi B.
STEM and AP Science Instructor
37 years of teaching experience across India, Jamaica, and the United States, including at the University of West Indies Medical School. Specializes in AP and A-level Biology, anatomy, and physiology. Known for creating genuine learning breakthroughs through engaging, exploratory teaching methods. Students have achieved top AP exam scores and USA Biology Olympiad success.
AP BiologyAnatomyPre-Med37 Years Experience
Monark T.
Monark T.
Mathematics Instructor
10 years of experience transforming how students experience math, using tools like Desmos and Geogebra to make abstract concepts accessible. Master's and Sixth Year of Advanced Studies in Mathematics from the University of Bridgeport (4.0 GPA). Specializes in Geometry, Pre-Calculus Honors, and AP Calculus BC, regularly boosting SAT and ACT Math scores by 200 to 300 points.
AP Calculus BCPre-CalculusSAT MathM.S. Mathematics
Chris
Chris
Test Prep and Multi-Subject Instructor
Over 10 years of teaching with consistently top-rated reviews. Specializes in all levels of math, economics, and standardized test prep including the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, SSAT, SHSAT, HSPT, and ISEE. Known for creating stress-free, engaging sessions that dramatically improve student scores. Holds a B.A. in Economics from Pitzer College.
GRE / GMATSAT / ACTEconomicsK–12 Math
Linda V.
Linda V.
College Counselor and Advisor
Over 20 years of experience in K-12 education with a track record of helping students gain acceptance to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, UCLA, Notre Dame, and the University of Michigan, among many other top institutions. Her expertise spans college essays, graduate school applications, and identifying ideal-fit schools. Holds a BA in Education and an MA in Counseling.
College CounselingGraduate SchoolEssays20+ Years
Ann H.
Ann H.
ELA and Writing Specialist
35-year tenure in public education, excelling as a writing specialist, tutor, and proofreader/editor. Her approach centers on meeting students at their level and challenging them toward mastery in grammar, syntax, and writing clarity. BA from Radford University, MA from Gardner-Webb University with expertise in educational leadership.
WritingGrammarELA35 Years Experience
Thais
Thais
Reading, Writing and ACT Instructor
BA from Tufts University in International Relations with minors in Philosophy and Entrepreneurship. Served as a teaching assistant, ACT tutor, and instructor at Tufts' Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Specializes in equipping K-8 through high school students with foundational reading and writing skills, AP Literature, AP Research, and the ACT reading and writing sections.
ACT ReadingAP LiteratureWritingTufts University
Matthew M.
Matthew M.
Mathematics and Test Prep Instructor
Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of East Anglia (UK), with degrees from New York University and Columbia University. Focuses on integrating technology in math education including innovative use of 3D printing. Over 8 years of experience at multiple academic levels; leads the mathematics department at Northeastern University-London and tutors students for U.S. admissions exams.
PhD MathematicsColumbia / NYUTest PrepEdTech
Wendy
Wendy
ELA and Test Prep Instructor
A New Jersey native with deep roots in language and the arts, Wendy won a state championship in musical theater and was recognized by the New Yorker as an undergraduate. With advanced studies at Cornell, NYU, and the Sorbonne in cinema and literature, she has mentored students to achieve publication and awards. Specializes in English across all grade levels with additional tutoring in Math, Science, and the Arts.
ELAWritingTest PrepCornell / Sorbonne
Min
Min
Math, Science and Test Prep Instructor
B.S. in Business and Economics from Boston University, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Former New York City Teaching Fellow who taught math and science to middle and high school students in the Bronx and Manhattan. Tutoring experience covers the ACT, SAT, ISEE, SSAT, HSPT, English, honors chemistry, college-level physics, and economics. Known for making learning straightforward and genuinely enjoyable.
SAT / ACTISEE / SSATPhysicsBoston University
William
William
College Advisor and School Counselor
Over 7 years as a certified School Counselor dedicated to transforming the college application journey into a clear and guided experience. Uses strategic tools like Naviance, CommonApp, and Coalition to navigate students through college admissions. Holds a Master of Education in School and Mental Health Counseling from William Paterson University (3.8 GPA).
College AdvisingCommonAppSchool CounselorM.Ed.
Richard
Richard
College Advisor
Richard brings a unique perspective to college advising with his Bachelor's in Sociology from the University of Michigan and a Master's in Career Counseling from San Francisco State University. With over 15 years of experience, Richard excels in helping students identify their passions and align them with potential career paths. His services include college selection, application guidance, essay editing, and interview preparation.
College AdvisingCareer CounselingEssays15+ Years
Jordan
Jordan
Executive Coach and Special Education
Jordan earned his Bachelor's in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, followed by a certification in the Orton-Gillingham approach. With a deep commitment to inclusive education, Jordan has worked extensively with students requiring specialized support, particularly in reading and literacy. His advocacy extends into helping families navigate the educational rights of their children.
Executive CoachingSpecial EducationOrton-GillinghamVanderbilt
Elena
Elena
College Advisor and Test Prep Specialist
Elena holds a Master's degree in Educational Counseling from UCLA. With over 8 years of experience as a college advisor and test prep specialist, she has guided countless students through college admissions and standardized testing. Elena specializes in SAT and ACT preparation, offering personalized strategies that cater to each student's unique strengths.
College AdvisingSAT / ACTM.Ed. UCLA8+ Years
Greg
Greg
Social Studies Educator
Gregory Lico is a veteran Social Studies educator certified in Connecticut and New York with 10+ years of classroom and tutoring experience. He teaches AP World History, AP European History, and U.S. History, designing student-centered lessons that spark curiosity and build critical thinking. He also integrates theater arts to cultivate creativity, empathy, and expression.
AP World HistoryAP Euro HistoryU.S. HistoryCT/NY Certified
Julie
Julie
Spanish and World Languages Instructor
Born and raised in Argentina, Julie earned her BA in International Relations and has been teaching languages for over 10 years. She speaks six languages — Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, and French — which allows her to connect with students from diverse backgrounds. She specializes in Spanish I through AP Spanish, helping students build confidence and succeed on their exams.
AP Spanish6 LanguagesWorld LanguagesArgentina
Mary
Mary
Reading Specialist and K–8 Educator
Mary holds a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Literacy Education from Columbia University. A dedicated K-8 educator and reading specialist, her passion lies in applying the Orton-Gillingham approach to help students with dyslexia and reading difficulties. With over 10 years of experience, Mary creates engaging, multi-sensory learning experiences.
Reading SpecialistOrton-GillinghamDyslexiaColumbia M.S.
Join ConnectPrep

Are You an Exceptional Teacher?

We’re not looking for the person with the longest resume — we’re looking for the person who lights up when a student finally gets it. If teaching is genuinely your craft and you have the experience to prove it, we want to talk. Most of our instructors bring 10 or more years in the classroom. All of them bring something that can’t be faked: a real ability to reach students.

Apply to Join the Team
Industry-leading hourly compensation based on grade level, subject, and credentials
Performance-based bonuses and clear pathways for hourly rate increases
Flexible scheduling across CT, NY, NJ and remote sessions nationwide
Become part of a team that is reinventing education — bold ideas, tech-driven approach
Genuine growth opportunities — ConnectPrep promotes from within