Getting Started
Consultation and Evaluation
Paul the Tutor's offers a free Consultation and Congitive Learning Evaluation. Here you can ask any questions you have, see the results of your cognitive evaluation, let us know about your student, and find out what Paul the Tutor's can do to help.
Skip the Consult?
Know what you want and ready to get going? We're fine with that too. Let us know what you are looking for and we can get started immediately.
Customized Instruction. Better Grades. Better Thinkers
1. Cognitive/Learning Evaluation
We begin by discovering students' Learning Profile: cognitive strengths and weaknesses, learning mindset and style, and any other impediments to success.
2. Customized Instruction
Instruction guided by students' Learning Profile: presentation, information, and customization are all desgined to use strengths to bolster weaknesses while fine tuning learning mindset.
3. Better Grades & Better Thinkers
Developing underlying skills while teaching school subjects means student finish their work, are ready for the test, and are prepared to succeed independently in the future.
Paul the Tutor
Paul the Tutor (aka Paul D. Osborne Ed.M.) suffered from dyslexia and visual memory issues until he discovered that his brain had strengths: logical problem solving, event memory and emotional awareness. By using these strengths to overcome his weaknesses, Paul ended up graduating from UC Santa Barbara and then the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Curriculam Vitae
- Tutor - 1991 to present
- M.Ed. Harvard - 2005
- Author - LD SAT Study Guide
- Speaker
- Published Epidemiology Researcher
Our Tutors
Thomas Centineo
I have been tutoring as my main profession for over the past 16 years, not too long after earning perfect scores on the math sections of the SAT and ACT. Helping over 800 students of all skill levels for various courses and standardized tests has continued to remain an exciting and enjoyable journey. Seeing my students exceed all expectations with fundamentals, logic, and structure, has made it most memorable. My background in mechanical engineering has trained me to focus on approaching things in a simple and logical manner. Having the student understand the "why" and the "how", rather than memorizing the "what", establishes a strong foundation from which they can build their knowledge with ease and confidence. I am in the final editing stages of my SAT math prep book, which I plan to self-publish soon. My main hobbies include archery, chess, and carpentry, and I thoroughly enjoy discovering the logic and mathematical details in each.
Subjects: Algebra (Pre,1, 2), Geometry, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Calculus (1, 2, AP, IB), Physics (including AP), Statistics. Math/Quantitative Sections: ACT, HSPT, ISEE, PSAT, SAT, and SSAT. Establishing a solid routine with study skills (while monitoring homework and extra practice).
Vivek Narayan
I graduated with a B.A. Integrative Biology and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology at UC Berkeley. I have over 10 years of tutoring experience at both the high school and college levels, and I love sharing my enthusiasm for science with my students. I believe in the importance of understanding each student's individual needs and learning styles, and working with students on study habits and test-taking strategies that will help each student reach their full potential.
Subjects: Chemistry (HS and College) Organic Chemistry, all Math through Calculus, Biology, English, Physics, Stats, ACT & SAT Prep.
Eileen Stahl
Eileen has been with Paul the Tutor's since 2016 in both teaching and administrative roles. As the Test Prep Coordinator, she oversees all test prep students and ensures their lessons cover the material they need with the proper accommodations for their learning styles. Eileen is also our Senior Curriculum Writer, having done more work than anyone else on staff writing and maintaining our test prep curriculum to keep it up to date. She graduated with honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and has done significant work in writing, editing, and education. One of her favorite parts of teaching is getting to know students and coming up with personalized tutoring plans for their needs.
Subjects: ACT, SAT, high school entrance tests, English, history, reading, writing, math through 8th grade, social sciences, and general coursework management
Elinor Fukuda
I have been a private tutor working now for 18 years and I am a native Spanish and Japanese speaker. I work with children with learning disabilities (A.D.D, A.D.H.D, Down Syndrome, and children with anxiety), animal lover, world traveler (28 countries and counting) and absolutely love reading.
Subjects: Spanish (All Levels) History (All Grades) English Lit and Writing Math (Algebra I) Science (K-8)
Andrew Goddard
I'm a UC Santa Cruz graduate holding a bachelor's degree in biological sciences with a passion for tutoring. As a tutor, I've offered private lessons for clients in the immediate Bay Area and beyond for close to 5 years. And I continue to do so today! From day one, my students notice an improvement in their abilities and overall comprehension. Every student learns differently, so I find out how they learn best and adapt accordingly.
Subjects: Algebra (pre/I/II), Geometry, Statistics, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics, English (essay writing help), overall organizational tips (planners, task management, prioritization, etc.)
Our Staff
Leslie Holtzclaw
Leslie has worked for Paul the Tutor's since 2017 as Paul's Assistant and the scheduling coordinator. Leslie attended the University of Oklahoma for several years and graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a degree in Organizational Leadership. A favorite part of Leslie's job is making Paul the Tutor's parents and students lives easier by providing excellent customer service. When she's not working, Leslie loves spending time with her family, especially her granddaughter, and working in her organic garden.
Evan Chen
Software engineer currently studying at Stanford. As the tech intern, he keeps the website up and running (most of the time).