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Meet Our Team

Our team of tutors is the best in the business – our tutors have years of experience teaching or tutoring and each tutor goes through 25+ hours of training with our senior team. We build a strong relationship with each student and care deeply about each of our student’s successes. Meet some of our team below.

We offer tutoring in all of the admissions tests and more than 50 subjects, including AP subjects, Spanish, French, Executive Functioning, Programming, and more. Whatever your study needs may be, we have a tutor for you!

  • Specializing in all Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Bachelors from Carnegie Mellon University in Mathematics and Computer Science.
  • Artas has been tutoring since 2017 and enjoys rock climbing, traveling, and playing the piano.
Artas Alajbegu
Specialist Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Barnard College in Cellular and Molecular Biology 
  • Ellen is currently a PhD candidate at Rutgers NJMS studying the link between Alzheimer’s disease and insulin resistance
Ellen Angeles
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Rutgers University
  • Karoline volunteers raising dogs for Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Karoline Avard
Elite Tutor
  • Elite level tutor specializing in all subjects
  • Bachelors from Rutgers University; Masters from Webster University of Vienna
  • Kurt has written four complete novels, published 97 articles, and completed 35 short stories.
Kurt Avard
Director of Business Development
  • Specializing in Spanish
  • Adjunct Professor at Montclair State University
  • Monica teaches AP Spanish at Summit High School and leads its Abroad Program
Monika Bartlett
Expert Tutor
  • Manages day to day operations of First Choice Prep
  • Bachelors degree from SUNY Albany
  • Previously worked in the publishing industry for more than 15 years
Erika Berg
Administrative & Office Support
  • Elite level tutor specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Wesleyan University; Masters from Columbia University
  • Jay scored in the 99th percentile on both the SAT and ACT in high school and aced 11 of his AP exams.
  • With more than 10 years of college advising experience, Jay has supported more than 200 students in earning admission to their top college.
Jay Cha
Director of College Consulting
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Ramapo College; Graduated magna cum laude
  • Sam has 7 years of tutoring experience including leading instruction at Mathnasium
Sam Chapman
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in Mathematics
  • Bachelors and Masters in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
  • Enjoys skiing, traveling and hiking and have successfully scaled Mt Fuji and Ben Nevis.
Charles Culberson
Specialist Tutor
  • Leads our Client Services to ensure a great client experience
  • Bachelors from University of Maryland
  • Ellen has years of experience in marketing/communication and client support
Ellen Edson
Client Success Manager
  • Specializing in English and Literature
  • Bachelors in Philosophy from NYU and Masters in Literature from American University
  • Tonio recently retired from teaching at West Orange High School; he has also published a young adult novel.
Tonio Favetta
Specialist Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Hofstra University and Masters from Long Island University
  • Barry has 23 years of experience tutoring
BG
Barry Goldberg
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in mathematics
  • Bachelors from Stockton College and NJ Teachers Certification for K-12
  • Ruben has more than 20 years of Mathematics and test prep experience, including experience at the college level
Ruben Gomez
Specialist Tutor
  • Manages and coordinates our Sunday Testing Center for Diagnostics and Practice Test
  • Bachelors in English and Masters in Teaching from Drew University
  • Carlin has been a high school English for 9 years and currently teaches at Hillsborough High School
Carlin Heinle
Testing Center Manager
  • Specializing in Physics and Computer Science
  • Working toward Bachelors from Rutgers University  in Computer Science
  • Hired as a Solutions Engineer after graduation for Deloitte Consulting in D.C..
Araika Khokar
Specialist Tutor
  • Bachelors in International Relations from University of Delaware
  • Previously worked as an international equities trader for three European banks
  • Geraldine ran 8 marathons (6 NYC and 2 Philly) and walked the Camino from Lisbon, Portugal to Santiago, Spain.
Geraldine Kilgore
Billing & Invoicing
  • Specializing in English and Literature
  • Certified teacher in English, previously named Teacher of the Year
  • Prior to teaching, Jeff was a high level music magazine editor and writer.
Jeff Kitts
Specialist Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT.
  • Bachelors from Cornell University in molecular and cellular biology.
  • Daniel has been tutoring since 2017 and enjoys playing the guitar, running, and creating board games.
Daniel Lacy
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Seton Hall University
  • Sean serves as a National Guard Field Artillery officer
Sean Lukowski
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s from Rutgers University in mathematics and math education
  • Chris teaches math at Piscataway High School, plays tennis and video games, and loves to spend time with his three dogs and cat
Chris Mango
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from William Paterson University; graduated summa cum laude
  • Luke is currently completing a 1600 hour training program to become a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique
Luke MacDonald
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in Mathematics and Science
  • Certified teacher in math and science
  • Ruth has 35 years of tutoring experience
RR
Ruth Rosenman
Specialist Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from New York University
  • Stan was an active Navy officer and trained young recruits in submarine operation
Stan Serbanica
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in HS ELA and all MS subjects
  • Bachelors from University of Pittsburgh and JD from Seton Hall Law
  • Terry teaches college level law courses and specializes in Grad School tutoring as well
Terry Shapiro
Specialist Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Masters in Education from Harvard University
  • Paul has authored more than a dozen SAT prep books and practices his love of language as Chief Editor at Editly AI
Paul Simpson
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from University of California, Berkeley; graduating in three years
  • Nida crochets and plays more than six instruments, she’s currently teaching herself the violin.
Nida Sinha
Expert Tutor
  • Specializing in English & Literature
  • Bachelors from Seton Hall University; Graduated magna cum laude
  • Ann has experience with students with learning disabilities and IEPs
Ann Szalay
Specialist Tutor
  • Specializing in French
  • Bachelors in Arts in International Languages and Business and a Masters in International Relations and Diplomacy
  • 17 Years of tutoring French level one through AP as well as adult clients for business and military deployment purposes
Nicole Tartaglia
Specialist Tutor
  • Elite level tutor specializing in all subjects
  • Bachelors and Masters from Rutgers University; Phi Betta Kappa Society
  • James joined First Choice Prep in 2012
James Van Stone
Director of Talent
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Temple University
  • Joe is a certified Science teacher in Livingston
Joe Velardi
Expert Tutor
  • Founder level tutor, specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Rutgers University; graduated magna cum laude
  • Nick appeared on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, with special guest Steve Harvey
Nick Wierda
Founder and CEO
  • Supports operations and strategy
  • Bachelors from Rutgers University; graduated summa cum laude
  • Jenn has 20 years of special events and fundraising experience
Jenn Shetsen Wierda
Manager, Operations and Finance
  • Specializing in all subjects and both sides of the ACT/SAT
  • Bachelors from Columbia University
  • Maurice was a former student athlete and swimmer
Maurice Wright
Expert Tutor

Join Our Team!

We’re always looking for great tutors to join our team. At a quick glance, here’s what we’re looking for:
  • Tutoring or Teaching Experience
  • Relationship Building Skills
  • Tech Savvy
Click the button below to apply and learn more about our open roles.
Click Here To Apply

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