Alexis ann peterson

The test-obsessed founder of Alexis Prep, Alexis would ask for and receive test preparation books for most holidays even as a young child (truly). Despite this worrisome fact, she is entirely socially acceptable. Alexis did not realize test prep would become her life until 2016, when she quit her day job and officially launched the earliest version of Alexis Prep. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Alexis attended Stanford University on full athletic scholarship as a member of the Women’s Crew Team. She went on to earn her Master’s degree at Harvard University and then spent two years studying French at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. She is a certified personal trainer and triathlete in her spare time. 

LIZ CORDONIER, head tutor

Liz boasts a Ph.D. in Molecular Nutrition from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as a B.S. in Biochemistry from West Virginia University. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine studying the role of the brain in obesity and diabetes, and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Lone Star College. Liz began tutoring engineering students in chemistry as an undergrad, and has been teaching high school, college, and graduate students in a variety of capacities since.  She is passionate about tutoring students in math and science because she wants students to realize that these subjects do not have to be overwhelming! Liz tutors for the ACT, SAT, ISEE, high school math (algebra, geometry, precalculus, AP Stats), high school science (on-level biology, AP Biology, on-level chemistry, AP Chemistry, and Anatomy & Physiology), and French (all high school levels, including AP). Liz is also an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

Jenny Mauk, Head of ADMIN

Jenny claims she is NOT a natural test-taker. She is, however, a high achieving and efficiency obsessed mom of two (probably) over-scheduled girls. Jenny graduated Magna Cum Laude in only three years from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in French (thank you AP credits!). Jenny loves chatting with parents and students about all things test prep, and a call with her is typically the first step in helping us create a fully-customized plan for each of our students.

emma sargent

An outside observer could have guessed Emma might become a tutor from a young age, as she thought a fun childhood pastime was playing the “GRE vocabulary flashcards” app on her mother’s phone. Emma went on to score a 35 on the ACT (including a 36 in Reading, a 35 in Science, and a 35 in English), and a 1550 on the SAT (including a 790 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing). Emma earned her undergraduate degree from Yale University, and her Master’s from the University of Oxford. She loves to explain things and help others understand concepts and enjoys history, philosophy, economics, and foreign language (she speaks beautiful French). Emma tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, geometry, French (all levels, including AP French), absolutely anything History, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, English (including essay writing and editing), and high school Anatomy & Physiology. She also helps students prepare and polish college applications. Additionally, Emma is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

cole grandel

Cole graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Bioengineering, and is now a Ph.D. student at Rice University in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology. Cole has been taking standardized tests since age 11, earning himself a full scholarship to a college-preparatory boarding school, and going on to score a 35 on the ACT and a 2370 on the SAT. He has been tutoring since high school, where his earliest students were his siblings (editorial note from Alexis: siblings are generally NOT an easy crowd to tutor), and then moving on to professional tutoring and teaching throughout college. Cole tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, GRE, GMAT, OLSAT, TOEFL, all levels of middle and high school math, all levels of high school science, and AP US and European History. He also helps students prepare and polish college applications.

Ryan Bronston

Ryan graduated with a degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University, and has worked extensively as a writing tutor at the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning. Ryan is passionate about politics, history, philosophy, economics, and literature, and in his free time enjoys singing (especially a cappella), writing, and cooking. Ryan tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, AP English (both Language and Literature), AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, AP European History, AP World History, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Microeconomics. Ryan also truly loves helping students with college essays, and is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

NATALIE LORD

Natalie has been an education fanatic since the age of 4, when—apparently tired of waiting—she told her mom it was time for her to “do school”. A graduate of Yale University with degrees in Economics and Mathematics, Natalie scored a 36 on the ACT and a 1530 on the SAT (including a 790 on the math section). She also scored a perfect 800 on the SAT Math Level 2 Subject Test, was named an AP Scholar with Distinction, and graduated from Suwannee High School in her hometown of Live Oak, Florida as valedictorian (with an unweighted GPA of 4.0). She is a lover of all things math and math-related (physics, economics), especially Calculus, and was a member of the Yale Cheer team. Natalie tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, all levels of middle and high school math, high school science (all levels of chemistry, physics, and environmental science), AP US History, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Microeconomics. She also helps students prepare and polish college applications.

kiara reyes gamas

Kiara earned her B.S. in Bioengineering from Rice University, where she is now a current Ph.D. student in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology conducting research on antibiotic resistance in wastewater systems. Kiara is trilingual (English, Spanish, and French)—she was born and raised in Mexico City, received a French education (Lycée Franco-Mexicain) through 9th grade, and then attended boarding school in the US (Culver Academies) for grades 10-12. Kiara tutors for the SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, all levels of middle and high school math, all levels of high school science, AP US History, AP Spanish, and AP French. She is an expert on international student applications, and also helps students prepare and polish college applications.

Jake cordonier

Jake is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering at West Virginia University, with research experience in 3D printing, thin films, organic electronics, and fluid cooling in microgravity. He graduated summa cum laude from WVU with B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Physics, and was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship in 2014. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, video games, weight lifting, and trivia. Jake tutors all levels of middle, high school, and college math, all levels of high school science, French, intro level programming (Matlab, Python), and college-level physics and engineering (including statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, mechanics of materials, and modern physics).

Sid lewis-hayre

Over the years the most important lesson Sid has learned from his teachers is how to enjoy learning. He therefore hopes to instill the same passion for knowledge in his students. A graduate of Yale University, Sid majored in math and loves to spend his free time swimming and playing water polo. He has broad academic interests that range from studying quantum computing and comparing auction mechanisms to reading Shakespeare and writing about the use of military intervention in foreign countries. He loves logic, and believes the best part of mathematics is its application to the real world. Sid has a resume with multiple perfect test scores, including a perfect 800 on the Math Level 2 SAT subject test and 5s on the AP exams for Physics Mechanics, Physics E and M, Physics 1, and BC Calculus. Sid tutors for the SAT, ACT, all levels of middle and high school college math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, AB and BC calculus, and IB math), all levels of high school physics (on-level and all AP physics courses), AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, and AP Spanish.

Charlotte Weisman

Charlotte graduated from the University of Michigan with a Cognitive Science and Computer Science degree—her favorite thing about these subjects is finding out how both the mind and computers can solve complex problems, and she hopes to apply her studies to solving problems with artificial intelligence. In high school, she received the Brown University book award for excellence in verbal and written communication and did research (that she is now shocked was allowed in a high school bio lab) on DNA mutation and protein structure. Until she was 9, Charlotte’s career aspirations were to be an astronomer and ballerina, at which point she decided that being an astrophysicist was a more realistic goal. Proficient in French and currently learning Spanish, Charlotte absolutely loves food and her favorite pastimes are trying new cuisines, restaurants, and recipes. Charlotte tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, all levels of math through Calculus AB, biology, chemistry, both US and European history, AP French, AP Microeconomics, and English (including essay writing and editing). She also helps students prepare and polish college applications. Charlotte is also an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

Ethan Krohn

Ethan is pursuing a BSBA in Finance while also minoring in Accounting at Elon University (he will then be working for Markel Corporation as an SEC Reporter). Ethan is trilingual (English, German, and French), and is, rather unsurprisingly, a gifted language tutor. In his free time, Ethan enjoys writing code in Python for stock trading, and also loves surfing and playing in his band, The Narrows. Ethan tutors students in German, French, statistics, geometry, economics, finance, and accounting.

Debbie Lederman

Debbie, who originally hails from Houston, is currently majoring in Cognitive Neuroscience and Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, she loves watercoloring, yoga, and hiking. Debbie tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, middle and high school math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and precalculus), high school science (on-level biology and on-level chemistry), AP English Language, AP US History, and Spanish (all levels, including AP). Debbie is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications, and is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

Kinsey Jeansonne

Kinsey is a Neuroscience major minoring in Chemistry at Trinity University (she is on the pre-med track to be a psychiatrist). She enjoys playing softball, hiking, and watching Jeopardy. Kinsey tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, middle and high school math (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and AP Statistics), AP English Language, AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, and AP Macroeconomics. Kinsey is also an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

BRI PADILLA

Bri is an Actuarial Mathematics major at the University of Michigan. As an actuary, she uses mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess the risk of potential events and develop a plan to help minimize the cost of that risk. Bri began tutoring when she was 13 and has continued to tutor students of all ages since (particularly in math, since it's one of her favorite subjects!). In her free time, she is an avid book reader and collector who hopes to have her own personal library someday. Bri tutors for the SAT, ACT, all levels of math through Calculus 3 (including AP Calculus AB & BC and IB Math), AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP US History, and AP US Government and Politics. She also helps students prepare and polish college applications. Bri is also an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

EMILY CAPLAN

Emily is currently studying Computer Science, Philosophy, and Biology at Duke University. She plays lacrosse and loves to be outside, and she also ran a cake decorating business during COVID! Emily tutors for the SAT, ACT, middle and high school math (including AP Calculus AB & BC), biology (including AP Bio), chemistry (including AP Chem), computer science (including AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles), AP US Government and Politics, economics (including AP Macro & Micro), and AP Spanish Language. Emily is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications, and is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

BENAZIR NEREE

Benazir graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Linguistics, Psychology, and Integrative Biology. She studied abroad three times throughout her college career (including 2 programs in France and a semester at sea) and was a member of the Harvard College Debating Union. Back in high school, Benazir scored perfect 36s on the English and Reading sections of the ACT. She is particularly passionate about helping with college applications and essays. In her free time, she likes to write and travel. Benazir tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, OLSAT, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, as well as biology (including AP Bio), chemistry, AP English Language, AP US History, AP European History, and economics (including AP Macro & Micro). Benazir is available to coach students for speech and debate and is also able to help students prepare and polish college applications. Further, she is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

SELLERS HILL

Sellers is a molecular biology student at Harvard University and hails from Wilmington, NC. Sellers received a perfect 36 on his first ACT attempt, and his test resume includes a laundry list of 99th-percentile scores. Sellers thrives in the middle ground between humanities and STEM: he currently writes and photographs for the Harvard Crimson and last summer he interned at the National Institutes of Health. Accordingly, Sellers is as thrilled to work through a tough math section as he is to tackle challenging grammar concepts. Sellers loves running, swimming, photography, and reading (especially about new scientific discoveries!). Sellers tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, and math through precalculus. He is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications, and is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

EDDIE GONET

When he was 5 years old, Eddie announced he would study hard so he could go to Harvard and “learn everything under the sun.” Goal accomplished! Eddie now studies Economics at Harvard and loves tutoring as much as he enjoys learning. When he's not studying for a big exam, you can find him having daily tea time with friends, traveling the world singing with the Harvard Krokodiloes, or keeping up with U.S. Politics. An Alexis Prep grad himself, Eddie is a big fan of the ACT, but also tutors for the SAT, ISEE, SSAT, economics (including AP Macro and AP Micro), biology, English (including AP English Language and AP English Literature), and all levels of math through precalculus (as well as AP Stats). Eddie is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications, and is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

HAILEY CARTER

Hailey graduated from Yale University with a degree in Humanities. Originally from Minneapolis, Hailey loves snowboarding, film photography, any kind of poetry, and the color yellow. She tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, all levels of math through AP Calculus BC, chemistry, physics, computer science (including AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles), English (including AP English Language and AP English Literature), AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, AP European History, AP World History, Latin, and Ancient Greek. Hailey loves helping students with any kind of essay writing, and is available to help students prepare and polish college applications. Hailey is also an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

PETER REYNOLDS

Peter studies Mechanical Engineering and Math at Rice University. Peter is a naturally gifted test-taker: as a high school student, he took the ACT once and scored a 36 on every section (this was after taking only two practice tests!). Peter also earned 5s on ten AP Exams (and so was named an AP Scholar with Distinction). In his free time, he loves riding his bicycle and races for Rice's cycling team. Peter is also a huge NYT crossword fan, and has completed every daily crossword for over a year! Peter tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, all levels of math through AP Calculus BC, all levels of physics through AP Physics C (both Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism), and computer science (including AP Computer Science A). He is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications.

RACHEL LEE

Rachel is a senior at Rice University. She studies Bioengineering and Engineering Design and is interested in working in the Medical Device Industry after graduation. As a high school student, Rachel had the rare distinction of scoring in the 99th percentile on both the SAT and ACT. She tutors for the SAT, ACT, AP Calculus AB, and all levels of biology. She is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications.

LIA KIM

Lia is currently pursuing a B.A. in Cognitive Sciences at Rice University. She is bilingual (fluent in English and Korean), and in her free time enjoys baking and crocheting. She tutors for the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, TOEFL (or similar English exams), all levels of math through AP Calculus BC, and biology (including AP Biology). Lia is also available to help students prepare and polish college applications, and is an executive functioning and study skills coach for students of all ages.

John rhee