About us

Mission Statement

Big Sib Tutors offers tutoring for students from grades K to 12 by college students in subjects of your choice! 

Founded during the advent of Covid-19 and remote learning, our goal is to help with parents and students adjusting to the remote learning experience. We will get through this together. 

If you know anyone who is struggling and needs help for their children, please share this. We would all be more than happy to help as much as we can. 


So why Big Sib Tutors?

We're students as well as tutors. We teach others from our own experiences as students and we hope to give mentorship as well as solace for those who struggled in a position we were once in throughout our academic experience. In many ways, think of us as older siblings sharing years of experience as well as academic help and advice. 

Meet The Team

Kelly Wang

Founder + Tutor

Introduction Video

kelly.wang@bigsibtutors.org

Hello!

My name is Kelly Wang. I graduated from Yale University with a masters degree in Data Science and Statistics; There, I studied child Psychology and the applications of machine learning. I graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Psychology and also from Stuyvesant High School, and Halsey Middle School in Forest Hills. I’ve been teaching as a private tutor for around 10 years now. To help both parents and children with the transition, I founded "Covid-19 Tutoring Support" in 2020 for students who feel like they’re struggling with their subjects and need an extra helping hand. We are now currently "Big Sib Tutors" and I couldn't be more proud of my team

I'm so blessed to be working with the tutors who agreed to join my team in supporting youth and families across the country.

Note: Any administrative questions regarding scheduling, payments, etc can be directed to me

Ellie Hoffman

Hi! I’m Ellie Hoffman. I’m a current tutor with big sibs and I’m happy to offer my services to you and your child. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2021 with a B.A. in Linguistics and a minor in French and Francophone Studies. At Penn, I completed my own research study in sociolinguistics and was also involved with performing arts as well as writing for Penn’s oldest satirical magazine. I have experience as a teaching assistant in English and a passion for learning and would love to share it with others.

I can tutor anything in the humanities at any grade level, French at any level, English, writing, math (K-8). I’m happy to tutor students of any age, and love helping younger kids, especially those who would love to be in touch with their creative sides. 

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. Thanks for reading and I can’t wait to meet you!

Luke Amendolara

Tutor 

Hi! I'm Luke Amendolara. I've been tutoring standardized exams, math and reading for several years. I attended Bard High School Early College in Manhattan and I'm currently studying at Columbia University. I know how to help students ace their standardized tests, but I also believe in a process oriented approach, helping them learn concepts in a deep way that will benefit them far beyond just getting a good score on a test. The way math was taught in school never clicked for me until I started being curious and reading about it on my own, and I hope to help others find their own curiosity for the subjects they learn in school. I can tutor mathematics and SAT/ACT/SHSAT preparation. 

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. I'm excited to meet with you and help with academic endeavors!

Travis Tyson

Hi! My name is Travis and I’m a graduate of Stuyvesant High School and NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in political psychology and social justice. I am Big Sibs’ resident chess tutor and have been playing the game since I was 5. Growing up, I went to many tournaments, with my highlight being my middle school team tying for first place at Youth Nationals! I quit competitive chess by high school, but have still been playing casually ever since. I also have experience tutoring elementary math and algebra for two years when I was in high school, and spent a year helping teach kids about climate justice at the Sixth Street Community Center’s after-school program for elementary schoolers. At Big Sib Tutors I specialize in teaching middle schoolers all kinds of subjects, including chess, math, Spanish, and the SHSAT.

Going forward I’m excited to continue working with kids and teach them the wonders of the millennia old game known as chess! 

Please contact Kelly if you are interested in scheduling your first lesson!

Thammie QuÁch

Tutor 

Hello! My name is Thammie Quách. I graduated from NYU with a B.F.A. in Drama in 2022 and have been a working actor since.

I am the art and creative writing teacher for Big Sib Tutors. I worked with Commonpoint/Beacon for the past two years, specializing in providing art lessons to elementary & middle school students. My goal is to inspire students to not only become confident artists with a pencil and paper, but to observe the real world through the lens of one as well. 

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. Excited to make art!

Sally Chen

Tutor 

Hello! My name is Sally Chen. I’m a first generation college graduate from Parsons School of Design with a BFA in Illustration and minor in Psychology in 2022. Before that, I graduated from Stuyvesant High School and Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Brooklyn.

Now, I’m an art teacher for Big Sib Tutors and a professional illustrator! 

In the past, I’ve taught art classes for kids ages 5 to 12 at The GIANT Room, worked at The Feminist Press, illustrated a children’s book called A Song For Nolan published June 2024 with Little Bee Books and GLAAD, created art for NPR, The Marshall Project, and VinePair, and have been exhibited by Sing For Hope Pianos, Flushing Town Hall, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and many more.


Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. Excited to help you on your art journey, wherever that may be!

Ahkeel TImothy

Tutor 

Hi! My name is Ahkeel. I am a first-generation college student and Questbridge scholar who graduated from Columbia University in 2023 with a B.A. in Mathematics. I’ve been teaching as a tutor for six years. I primarily tutor high school and college-level Mathematics, but I am also comfortable tutoring English and Physics. In addition to helping students achieve their academic goals in the classroom, I have supported several high school students in increasing their ACT scores by an impressive 4 points. 

Please contact Kelly for the first session. I’m excited to meet you and help you reach your academic goals.

Teddy Jin

Tutor 

Hi! My name is Teddy Jin. I went to Bronx Science and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. I discovered my passion for coding in highschool and my love of web design in college. I picked up HTML, CSS, Javascript, React, Python, Java, C, C++, and SQL as well as experience tutoring students in a variety of subjects along the way. I aspire to be the encouraging and supportive mentor I wish I had while learning Computer Science.

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. Excited to get to coding!

JaY Chun

Tutor 

Hello! My name is Jay Chun and I'm the resident Computer Science teacher for Big Sib Tutors. I majored in Management Information Systems from Rochester Institute of Technology and learned a multitude of business foundational skills and a variety of different technical skills from database management to coding.

During my college years, I always found joy in teaching kids. It's always a fun experience to help kids improve their self-esteem and guide them to realize their unlocked potential. My experience extends beyond the classroom; I've honed my writing skills through debates in college and high level English courses such as “Critical Analysis of Banned Literature”. I have also tutored dozens of different people in public speaking and essay writing.

I primarily teach Computer Science, but I'm also comfortable teaching math, English, and science. Let's get to some learning!

Fun fact: I also currently hold the computer science classes on the weekends at the library!

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. Excited to meet everyone :)

Caleb Sooknanan

Tutor 

Hi everyone! My name is Caleb Sooknanan, and I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stony Brook University back in 2020 with degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mathematics & Statistics. I am currently a student at the New York Institute of Technology’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, NY. 

It is an absolute privilege being able to tutor and assist students within my community and throughout New York. I am able to tutor in subjects such as high school level mathematics and biology, and I am also willing to edit college essays and applications. As so many students before me have allowed me to grow on my academic journey, I hope to use this position to give back to students as they pursue their academic goals and dreams. I am particularly fond of tutoring middle school, high school, and college chemistry; geometry, trigonometry, algebra I and II; precalculus and calculus; and middle school, high school and college biology.

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. It's my pleasure to help!

Alice Shao 

Tutor 

Hello, my name is Alice Shao. I hold a special education teaching license for grades 1-6. I graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in Childhood and Childhood Special Education and a master’s degree in Special Education. 


My tutoring experience dates back to my high school years. I started tutoring 2 brothers in 2017, when they were in 4th and 5th grades, and helped them prepare for the SHSAT. They later attended Bronx Science and Stuyvesant High school. 


Upon completing my Masters degree in Special Education in 2022, I started teaching at PS 24 in Queens, where I taught in a 4th and 5th grade 12:1 self contained bilingual Mandarin class. In August 2023, I transitioned to teaching middle school in ICT classes for science and history at a charter school in Manhattan. 


Currently, I work as a tutor with Big Sib Tutors, primarily teaching younger students in grades 1 and 2. 


Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. I look forward to working with you!

Despoina Sparakis

Hello! My name is Despoina Sparakis. I went to Stuyvesant High School and recently graduated from UCLA with my B.S. in Physics. At UCLA, I was a head learning assistant for several physics labs and math classes for two years. I am trained in learning assistant pedagogy and can tailor my tutoring to suit any student's learning style. 

I've been a tutor with Big Sib Tutors for two years now, where I tutor physics, math, and standardized test prep. I love helping students achieve their academic goals, improving their confidence, and motivating them to achieve their full potential in their classes. 

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. I know physics has a difficult reputation, but we can tackle it together!

Patricia Kuster

Hello! My name is Patricia Kuster. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Stony Brook University in 2022 with a BS in Sociology and Psychology and a minor in Biology. At Stony Brook, I worked as a Precalculus, Calculus I and Calculus II tutor for three years for the university’s Educational Opportunity Program. I also served as a teaching assistant in organic chemistry, precalculus, and calculus courses. 

For the last two years, I have worked as a 6th/8th grade classroom math teacher at a public charter school in Newark. While working as a classroom teacher, I’ve engaged in lesson planning, lesson differentiation, and improved my communication with middle-school students. 

I have also been a tutor with Big Sib Tutors since September of 2020. During my time here, I have tutored students in countless subjects, ranging from second grade math to regents physics. I have especially enjoyed working with high-schoolers on math/science regents and SAT prep, but I’m open to working with students of any age. 

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. I look forward to working with you!

Jason Wang

Hi! My name is Jason Wang. After graduating from Stuyvesant High School, I decided to marry my love for learning with the performing arts—pursuing a B.F.A in Drama at NYU. During that time, I became president of the All Asian Arts Alliance— providing the Asian artist community with workshops, professional mentorship, and opportunities to showcase their art. 

I graduated in 2023 and am now an award-winning playwright! I have worked with students of all ages since 2016, and like to challenge my students to be creative, develop their own strategies and habits, and build both confidence and organizational skills that will last beyond their public education. In addition to the humanities, I also specialize in middle school math, college essay prep, and art school auditions. 

Please contact Kelly for a first lesson. I look forward to helping you with school!

Michael Cai

Technician

Hello, I'm Michael Cai, a solutions developer at Big Sib Tutors. My background includes a master's degree in computer science from NYU, a bachelor's from Queens College, and a Stuyvestant High School diploma.

I'm here to assist with development and support of the tech we use in BigSibTutors including the very website you're browsing. I am commited to providing the best support possible for everyone. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions regarding technical issues with the website! 

Graduated Tutors

Rishi Bhatt

Tutor 

Rishi Bhatt went to Stuyvesant High School and graduated in 2020.  He was a senior at CUNY Hunter college with a double major in Math and Computer Science while tutoring at BigSibTutors

He has been been tutoring for our CS coding camps and has helped with both math and computer science in our classes. Thank you Rishi and we wish you best of luck in college!

Klarissa Wankel

Tutor 

Klarissa is a Master's student in the Social Work department at University of New Hampshire when she worked with us. She graduated from Stony Brook University in 2021 with my Bachelor's degree in psychology with minors in political science and health medicine. She started tutoring with BigSibTutors in September of 2022 and has helped students who have special educational needs. Thank you Klarissa! 

Shiva Vummidi

Tutor 

Shivasuryan Vummidi worked with us when he was a first-year MD/MPH student at SUNY Downstate. He graduated from Stony Brook University in 2022 with a BS in Biochemistry, summa cum laude and graduated Stuyvesant High School in 2018. 


Shiva has made a great impression at Big Sibs and helped many students with chemistry and biology. He is currently pursuing his medical degree and we wish him the best of luck!

Rachel Lam

Tutor + Technician

Rachel worked with BigSibTutors during 2021. She graduated as a computer science major at Stony Brook University with a degree in computer science. She had a great impact on BigSibTutors and helped tremendously especially during the pandemic with her volunteer tutoring services. Many of her younger students loved watching her draw and create visuals to help them learn. We wish her best of luck in her future career!

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