The
Tutors & Friends
Family
Tutors & Friends began with a simple yet profound passion for education. I, Alex, started tutoring in high school in 2014, and my wife, Sarah, shared that passion through her college tutoring. As we saw the impact we could make, we decided to build something larger together. In 2019, we expanded our team with our first additional tutors, and in January 2020, Tutors & Friends was officially born. Since then, we've had the honor to work with over 80 dedicated tutors and have had the privilege of serving more than 600 students.
Our journey is driven by a heartfelt commitment to providing the highest quality support and genuinely putting our students’ needs first. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in each student’s life and are excited to continue this journey with you, helping you reach your full potential and achieve your dreams.
Alex & Sarah Stein
Hello! We’re Sarah and Alex, the founders of Tutors & Friends. Our mission is to uplift future generations through mentorship and education, creating opportunities for growth and success. We’re deeply passionate about making a positive impact in students' lives. When we're not working, we enjoy spending time with our beloved toddler, Lola, and striving to make the world a better place for her and others. We look forward to helping students reach their full potential and making a difference together!
Jack Howard
Hello, I'm Jackson Howard! I'm a dedicated fourth-year student at UCSD, pursuing a joint degree in Mathematics and Economics. As a tutor, I specialize in math and physics and find great joy in helping students overcome challenges and build their confidence. When I'm not tutoring, I enjoy surfing at the beach, immersing myself in music, cooking, and playing basketball. I'm passionate about making learning a positive experience and look forward to supporting your academic journey!
Safiyya Patel
Hi! I'm Safiyya, a fourth-year general biology student at UCSD with aspirations to attend medical school in the future. My passion for the sciences is matched by my love for dancing, fashion and design, and watching films. In addition to my studies, I tutor subjects like biology, human anatomy and physiology, and Spanish. I'm dedicated to helping students find their own path to understanding and success. Feel free to reach out with any questions or let me know what learning styles work best for you—I'm here to support your learning journey!
Spencer Cheng
Hey! I'm Spencer, a recent graduate of UCSD, double majoring in History and Political Science. I plan to attend law school next year, combining my interests in history and politics with a legal career. I tutor math, history, and English, and I'm passionate about helping students grasp challenging concepts. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies, playing volleyball, and making music. My favorite part of tutoring is the moment when everything clicks for a student. I look forward to working with you soon!
Erin Hausmann
Hello! I'm Erin, a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, pursuing a Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics (I'm passionate about Algebra!). I've taught 12 college-level math courses, including college algebra, elementary statistics, pre-calc & trig, and business calculus. I enjoy working one-on-one with students and am known for being patient, kind, and supportive. In my spare time, I love baking, French cuisine, running, rock climbing, and going on adventures with my family!
Troy Oliveira
Hi, my name is Troy Oliveira! I'm a recent graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science. I've been tutoring a wide range of subjects since I was 16, with a special focus on computer science, which became my specialty at 18. In addition to academics, I'm an avid volleyball player, having competed for the MIT varsity team and currently competing on the professional beach volleyball tour. I'm excited to share my knowledge and experience with you!
Owain Williams
Hey there! I'm Owain, a second-year student at UCSD on the path to earning a degree in Mathematics. I specialize in math, physics, and computer science, and have several years of experience helping students master challenging concepts. I find it incredibly rewarding to see students conquer new material and gain confidence in their abilities. I'm passionate about making learning a positive experience and look forward to helping you achieve your academic goals!
Shreya Redlam
Hi! My name is Shreya, and I'm currently pursuing a career in the dental field. I recently graduated from UCSD with a major in General Biology and a minor in Global Health. I tutor math and enjoy helping students understand and excel in the subject. In my free time, I love watching horror movies and reading. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion for learning with you!
Lauren Wolff
Hi! My name is Lauren and I recently graduated from Cal Poly SLO with a degree in Microbiology. In college, I worked as a chemistry TA for 2 years, and have also been apart of several research labs - studying HIV, blood clotting, and RNA therapies! I love science, and especially love helping people learn it! I hope to attend medical school in the future. In my free time I like to rock climb and watercolor!
Tien Vu
Hello! I’m Tien, a master’s student in electrical engineering at UCSD. When I’m not studying, you can find me playing pickleball or enjoying brunch with friends. With math and physics being central to my major, I have a strong grasp of these subjects and would love to help you build a deeper understanding of them. Let’s tackle those challenging concepts together and boost your confidence in math and physics!
Kai Abel
Hi! I’m Kay Abel-Mayorga, a third-year Chemical Engineering student at UC San Diego. My passion for chemistry began in high school. I now love helping students deepen their understanding of this complex and fascinating subject. Beyond academics and tutoring, I enjoy playing guitar, hitting the beach, playing spike ball with friends, bowling, and watching mystery/thriller shows. I’m excited to work with you and help you master chemistry!
Payton Hart
Hi! I’m Payton. I’m in my fourth year at Point Loma Nazarene University, majoring in Environmental Science, where my passion for teaching and learning in the sciences truly thrives. I’m excited to continue my academic journey by pursuing a PhD in Chemistry, with the goal of becoming a professor and sharing my love for science with future generations. When I’m not in the classroom or tutoring, you can usually find me gearing up for a pickleball tournament or enjoying some time at the beach!
Claire Phillips
Hi! My name is Claire and I am in my fourth year at UCSD, where I am studying physics and math. I primarily tutor mathematics and physics. My favorite part of tutoring is being able to help students strengthen their skills and feel more confident in their knowledge and classes. When I have free time, I enjoy spending time at the beach, doing puzzles, and reading great books.
Elaine Guo
Hi! I’m Elaine, a recent graduate from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Data Science. I specialize in tutoring math, and I’m excited to assist with everything from K-12 math to single-variable calculus. My goal is to make complex concepts easy to understand and help students build the confidence they need to succeed. I love seeing that moment when everything clicks! Outside of tutoring, you can find me journaling or enjoying sunset walks along the beach. I look forward to working together to help you reach your academic goals!
Mia Sevidal
Hi! I’m Mia Sevidal, a third-year Mechanical Engineering student at San Diego State University with a deep love for math that began in high school. I’m passionate about making math more approachable and helping others unlock their potential to reach their academic goals. Beyond tutoring, you can find me exploring thrift stores, hitting the running trails, enjoying movies and concerts, or hiking in nature. I’m excited to get to know you and support you on your journey to mastering math!
Ryan Hadaya
Hi! I’m Ryan Hadaya, and I recently graduated from UC San Diego with a degree in Economics. During my time at UCSD, I had the privilege of serving as Vice President of my fraternity, where I honed my leadership and communication skills—qualities that I bring into my tutoring sessions. My passion lies in helping students excel in math and economics, two subjects that I’ve always found fascinating. I believe that with the right guidance and a bit of encouragement, anyone can master these subjects.
Estevan Bahro
Hi, I’m Estevan! I’m currently a fourth-year student at UCSD majoring in Human Biology, with a deep passion for science and helping others understand complex topics. My love for sharing knowledge is what drives me toward a career in medicine. Beyond biology, I have a strong interest in psychology and the social sciences, which broadens my approach to understanding how we learn and grow. When I’m not tutoring or hitting the books, I enjoy hiking, working on my car, and exploring new travel destinations. I’m excited to support you on your academic journey and help you succeed!
Luisa Paredes
Hi! I'm Luisa, a fourth-year Molecular and Cell Biology student at UCSD, also pursuing a Master’s in Biology. My love for science drives both my academic journey and my passion for helping others succeed in chemistry, biology, and math. I aim to make learning not just effective but also enjoyable by fostering a positive, engaging atmosphere where students feel empowered to reach their goals. Together, we’ll make mastering these subjects a fun and rewarding experience!
Andrew Hagen
Hi there! I’m Andrew, a senior Applied Mathematics student at UCSD with a passion for helping students excel in math at all levels. I find it incredibly rewarding to guide students toward achieving their academic goals by not just understanding the material, but truly mastering the key concepts. I pride myself on breaking down challenging problems into manageable steps to build both confidence and competence. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy watching basketball, staying active at the gym, and spending quality time with friends. I’m excited to work with you and help you conquer your math challenges!
Athira Rajiv
Hello! I’m Athira, a recent graduate from UCSD with a degree in Public Health and a minor in Data Science. My academic background includes extensive coursework in statistics and calculus, which has given me a strong foundation in mathematical concepts. I’m passionate about helping students not only succeed in math but also build lasting confidence in their abilities. There’s nothing more rewarding to me than guiding a student from initial uncertainty to genuine mastery of a topic. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy soaking up the San Diego sun at the beach, discovering new coffee spots, and unwinding with a good movie. I look forward to helping students thrive in their academic journey!
