Seattle

As the Director of Tutor Services, Tom has been with Applerouth since 2011, specializing in Economics, Business, and mentoring athletes. A standout scholar, Tom graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Economics and Finance from the University of South Alabama and earned an MBA from the University of Rochester. After a successful career in finance, he transitioned to education, earning multiple teaching certifications from the University of Georgia and spending over 13 years teaching high school. Tom sums up his tutoring philosophy simply and decisively: “Take a two-pronged approach: master the material and master the test.”  When not tutoring, Tom enjoys fishing, cruising in his red Camaro, and cherishing time with his family.

“I wanted to reach out to say thank you for tutoring my daughter. She raved about you from Day One. Her excitement when she received her ACT scores was tremendous. We are so proud of her and beyond impressed by how much you helped her in only a few sessions. I have recommended Applerouth to many of my friends (we used the tutoring service for her older brothers as well) but I will definitely be recommending you specifically! You have true talent.”

Chelsea, the Seattle-area Tutor Manager, joined Applerouth in 2016 with a strong background as a college-level science instructor. A former International Baccalaureate student, she earned a Bachelor’s in Biological Science and dual Master’s degrees in Biology and Science Education from Florida State University, where she also conducted lab research and taught undergraduates. Chelsea takes a student-led approach to tutoring, saying, “I don’t give direct answers; instead, I ask questions to guide students toward a problem-solving process they can use in the future.” Outside of work, she enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and playing bass guitar.

“Our daughter is so fortunate to have Chelsea as her tutor. She was struggling last semester, but with Chelsea’s help, she improved significantly this semester. She had more than 10 tutors before, and Chelsea is the best tutor she has ever had. She ROCKS!”

A National Merit Finalist, Tal earned his B.S. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from Emory University’s School of Law. After practicing law, he found his true passion in education and joined Applerouth in 2013. Known for his sharp intellect and methodical approach, Tal inspires confidence and mastery in his students. He describes his tutoring style as individualized, saying, "I like to get to know a student to determine their learning style, goals, and personality. Based on that, I can be laid-back, no-nonsense, or a combination of both. I challenge all my students to set high goals and emphasize the importance of practice and effort." Outside of tutoring, Tal enjoys chess, languages, and music.

“Your expertise, patience, and commitment to going above and beyond have had an incredible impact on our daughter’s confidence and preparedness for this important test. Your influence will extend far beyond this test, as you have empowered her with skills that will serve her well in future academic pursuits. Your contributions to her educational journey will forever be appreciated and remembered.” 

Bess has been with Applerouth since 2013, working with students from diverse backgrounds. She holds a BA from William & Mary and an MFA from George Washington University. With an infectious love of learning, Bess inspires students to take ownership of their academic journey, encouraging them to ask, "What can we get curious about?" By tailoring her approach to each student’s unique learning style, Bess challenges them to set ambitious goals and stay engaged in every step of the test preparation process—from mastering content to refining strategy. When she’s not tutoring, you’ll find her reading Shakespeare or exploring mixed martial arts.

"Bess’s individualized tutoring and ongoing encouragement gave our daughter the ability to attack the test with confidence! Bess understood and explained the areas where our daughter could study to improve, and shared the tips and tricks for that extra boost when the answer wasn’t clear. We highly recommend Bess and the private tutoring at Applerooth to any family looking to support their student in achieving a higher score on the SAT!"

With degrees in Art Marketing and Art Education from Georgia universities, Shara-Sue joined Applerouth in 2014, bringing eight years of experience teaching Special Education, Math, and Visual Art at the middle and high school levels. As a Senior Tutor Manager, her lively, adaptive, and energetic style empowers students to build confidence and conquer test anxiety to be fully prepared for test day. Known for her dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for students and families, Shara-Sue creates a supportive and engaging learning environment. When not tutoring, Shara-Sue enjoys creating art, traveling, and exploring Atlanta’s vibrant cultural scene.

"Shara-Sue is the most incredible tutor! We are so appreciative of Applerouth for matching us with her. We are thrilled with the help and leadership she has provided to our daughters, who adore her. She is truly wonderful."

Matt joined Applerouth in 2011 and quickly became a key curriculum designer, developing numerous lessons and practice tests, while serving as the primary author of the SSAT and writing guides. With a BA from UC Santa Barbara and an MA from Emory University, where he taught for nearly a decade, Matt’s creative teaching style helps students build strong academic foundations. He is praised by many families for his engaging approach, good sense of humor, and proven success. Outside of work, Matt enjoys watching movies, making music, and cooking.

“My daughter got her test scores this morning and we are on Cloud 9! She got her best scores in both R/W and Math for a 1530 total. Matt, I am certain her ability to understand the test and to have confidence in her own abilities is a direct reflection on her time spent tutoring with you.”

A Harvey Mudd College graduate with advanced studies in Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science from Georgia Tech, Sarah has been with Applerouth since 2013. As the company’s Math Specialist, she shapes SAT/ACT math content and oversees the curriculum department while also excelling as a math and science tutor. Sarah’s tutoring philosophy is rooted in simplifying complex problems: “It’s good to keep the big picture in mind, but the best approach to almost any problem is to take things one step at a time.” In her free time, she enjoys knitting, baking, and singing in her choir.

“My daughter likes Sarah’s style and how she helps break things into manageable pieces. She feels Sarah is already helping her better understand the concepts.”

A triple-major graduate of Emory University in Religion, History, and Art, John holds an MA in Religious Studies and an MAT in Teaching with a focus on Social Studies. Since joining Applerouth in 2009, John has become a sought-after Executive Functioning coach and a stand-out tutor, known for helping students build systems for success and think like test writers. He explains, “The difference between a high score and a perfect score is the difference between thinking like a test-taker and a test-writer.” As Applerouth’s Director of Training, John develops programs and trains educators nationwide on using Appleruth’s curriculum and methods. Outside of work, he enjoys writing comics, studying pedagogy, and spending time with his family.

“My son received his ACT scores today and finally got that 35! He did especially well in English, the section he focused on most with you. Thanks again for all of your time and expertise with the test prep. We’ll be sending our other son your way in a few years!”