PrepNow Tutor - Ben M.
An engineering student and self-proclaimed “definite proud nerd,” Ben thrives whenever he’s learning and sharing knowledge with others. He has experience tutoring language learning and math, such as geometry, algebra II, pre-calculus, and AP Statistics. Ben’s patient, adaptable, empathic approach makes him an asset to students with foundational gaps and those facing intimidating standardized tests.
In 2024, he earned a BA in Spanish with a minor in music from Carleton College, where he was on the dean’s list. In 2026, he’ll have also earned an AA in electrical engineering from City Colleges of Chicago. After college, he spent a semester in Madrid, helping run Carleton College's study abroad program. After serving as a seasonal administrator at a study abroad program agency, he worked as a middle school test-prep tutor and data-entry associate before returning to school to study electrical engineering.
“I decided to start tutoring because I think all students can benefit from having a helper in their corner—I know I have!” he shares. He first entered the classroom as a Spanish teaching assistant during his senior year of college. “Watching those students go from shy and inexperienced in the language to finding their voice and becoming enthusiastic about it over a semester might have been the most rewarding experience of my whole career so far,” he reflects.
Ben’s approach is heavily influenced by some of his awesome, former teachers. “Because I struggled with certain topics growing up, a lot of teachers got frustrated with me or assumed I wasn't trying hard enough, or that I'd never be able to learn. But when I had teachers who took the time to explain things clearly, I did learn,” he explains. “I believe that anybody can master any skill as long as they have good mentors and put in the effort, and my goal is to always treat my students the way my best teachers treated me.”
Looking back on his time in high school, Ben is proud to have served as the school newspaper’s editor-in-chief; he also wrote and directed a full-length play for the student theatre club and composed music for several performances. In college, his impressive senior thesis earned him the Distinction in the Spanish Major award.
When he’s not solving math problems, he enjoys reading, biking, and gaming. “I'm also very passionate about music—I sing almost every day, play piano, guitar, drums, and bass, and am almost always listening to something! I especially love classic rock, and my favorite band is the Beatles,” he adds.
Fun fact: Ben has been to several different countries, including Canada, Japan, Panama, Spain, and England.
|