Award-Winning Executive Functioning Tutors
serving Oakland, CA

I've helped several hundred students in a wide variety of subjects, from executive functioning to computer science to standardized testing. I also help students with general support in math and English. Most of my students are around 9-17, but I work well with students who are older and a little younger as well. I also work very well with students who have specific obstacles or requirements, such as neurodiversity support or schedules that change a lot. Most of my background is in computer science, from my college major to my experience hands-on over the past 10 years. Regardless of the subject, I believe every student's needs are unique and every student is able to achieve great things with the right preparation and support. My number one goal is to provide that whenever I can, both to the student and to their parents. I communicate with parents outside of sessions a lot to establish their expectations, better understand students, and recommend ways they can directly support their children in their journey as well.

Managing art projects from concept to finished piece — juggling sketches, revisions, material prep, and critique deadlines — forced Laura to develop the exact planning and sequencing skills that executive functioning coaching targets. She teaches students to build visual workflows and concrete routines for breaking down assignments, initiating tasks, and tracking deadlines across subjects, drawing on the same project-management instincts that drive her studio practice. Rated 4.9 by clients.

The best part of tutoring is promoting students' long-term success through mastery of reading, writing, math, study skills, organization, and critical thinking. In particular, I enjoy helping students build test-taking strategies and core skills for the ACT, SAT, and other admissions tests. I also support pre-K and K-12 students learning math and ELA. Before joining Varsity, I tutored in a Reading and Writing Lab for university students with learning disabilities where I earned a College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certification. Since joining Varsity, I have completed continuing education through the Lastinger Center for Learning. I graduated from the University of Arizona in 2021 with a BA in Cultural Anthropology. In addition to tutoring, I have worked as an instructional aide for an art program, an applied anthropology researcher, and a nonprofit program coordinator. Out of all these experiences, I enjoy tutoring the most. I look forward to working with you!

Claire teaches concrete systems — color-coded planners, task-chunking methods, priority matrices — rather than vague advice about "staying organized." Her background across a wide range of academic subjects means she can tailor these executive functioning strategies to whatever coursework a student is actually struggling to manage, from essay deadlines to exam prep schedules.

Medical school demands serious executive functioning — juggling anatomy, biochemistry, and clinical rotations means Kaitlyn has battle-tested systems for time management, task prioritization, and breaking large projects into manageable steps. She teaches students how to build their own planning routines, from using calendars effectively to chunking study sessions so material actually sticks. Rated 4.8 by students and families.

Jennifer's M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction trained her to design structured learning sequences — a skill she now applies to teaching students how to plan multi-step projects, estimate time for assignments, and organize materials across classes. Her experience spanning elementary through college-level work means she calibrates these systems to each student's actual academic demands, building routines around real homework and deadlines rather than abstract exercises. Rated 5.0 by clients.

As a dedicated tutor with over 5 years of experience, I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology from Tulane University, which informs my approach to understanding student needs. I specialize in subjects such as Algebra, Psychology, and American History, and I am passionate about fostering a supportive learning environment where students can thrive. My teaching philosophy centers on building strong relationships with my students, using tailored strategies that cater to their unique learning styles. I find great joy in helping students develop their executive functioning skills and confidence, enabling them to achieve academic success. Outside of tutoring, I enjoy reading and exploring new educational resources, which keeps my methods fresh and engaging.

Planning, prioritizing, managing time, and shifting between tasks — these executive functioning skills underpin academic success but rarely get taught explicitly. Derek tackles them as teachable skills, building concrete systems like task checklists, color-coded planners, and structured routines that students internalize over time. His doctorate focused on how curriculum design shapes learning behavior, which gives him a research-grounded toolkit for strengthening these cognitive habits.

Five years working specifically with students with learning differences taught Sydney where the real sticking points are — the student who knows what the assignment says but can't figure out where to start, or the one who chronically underestimates how long a reading response will take. She ties executive functioning strategies like task breakdown and self-monitoring directly to the English and Spanish coursework she also tutors, so students practice these skills on actual assignments rather than in isolation. Rated 4.9 by clients.

Running a natural sciences department at a bilingual elementary school in Ecuador meant Joy wasn't just teaching content — she was building systems for planning, prioritization, and task completion across two languages and multiple grade levels. She applies that same structured approach to executive functioning skills like time management, organization, and breaking long-term assignments into manageable steps.

Planning a multi-step assignment, managing time across subjects, breaking a big project into smaller pieces — these are skills that don't come naturally to every student. Heather's clinical psychology training gives her a framework for teaching organizational strategies that actually stick, and she tailors each system to how a student's brain already works rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all planner approach.

Planning, prioritizing, managing time, shifting between tasks — these are the invisible skills that school demands but rarely teaches outright. Elise breaks executive functioning into concrete, practicable habits: using checklists to start assignments, setting timers to maintain focus, and building routines for organizing materials. Her special education training means she understands the neurological side of these challenges, not just the behavioral one.