Master Tutors

Name	Subjects	Description	Education
Carol Green	Speech and Debate	Carol is currently a Speech and Debate Teacher at The Harker School and also advises the Model United Nations program there. She previously coached at the University of the Pacific Speech and Debate program. Carol has coached qualifiers to many national speech and debate tournaments at both the high school and also the collegiate level. Carol also works with non-competitive debate students in researching and debating international issues at Model United Nations conferences around the country. She has also spent extensive time working with students who suffer from high levels of communication anxiety to help them overcome this fear. Carol strongly agrees with university scholars that oral communication skills are invaluable and works to encourage students of all levels to utilize these skills on a daily basis in both traditional and non-traditional learning environments.	B.A. in Political Science, emphasis in comparative government, University of Wyoming M.A. in Communication Studies, University of the Pacific
David Dennis McGinnis	Speech and Debate	David is the head of Lynbrook Senior High School's speech and debate program, which currently ranks number one in the national circuit in California. He also founded the Bay Area Circuit Debate League, which is dedicated to promoting accessible debate amongst the youth. The National Forensic League has certified David as a "Diamond Coach" in speech and debate. On top of teaching and mentoring students in this passion of his, David also enjoys teaching English Literature, Composition, and Journalism.	B.A. in English Literature, Macalester College M.S. in Education, St. Cloud State University
Don Heinsohn	Speech and Debate, History	Don Heinsohn is a credentialed teacher and Speech and Debate coach for the state and national champion James Logan High School Speech and Debate Team. Don was a high school competitor, has been certified a Triple Diamond Coach by the National Forensic League and has coached for over 22 years. Don has extensive experience in coaching Speech and Debate; the schools in which he has taught include Burroughs High, West Bakersfield High, Arroyo Grande High, and James Logan High. He has also taught numerous State and National Champions and Finalists. Don is a current history teacher at James Logan High and president in New Haven Teachers Association.	B.A. in Political Science, UC Santa Barbara
Laura Rose	English, Writing	Laura Rose earned her B.A. in English from San Jose State University in 2003 as a Dean's Scholar. She was a recipient of the James O. Wood Shakespeare Award from her English Department in 2002, and again as a graduate student in 2005. Laura completed her Master's in English and Comparative Literature in 2006, with German as a second language. She has lectured as a graduate assistant in several SJSU English classes, and taught ESL with a non-profit in San Jose during the summer of 2005. Recently, Laura delivered a paper on the work of William Faulkner and Jean Toomer at the UCLA Southland Conference, a seventeen year-old tradition of the UCLA English Society. Laura Rose has a deep interest in creativity and language arts.	M.A. in English, San Jose State University B.A. in English, San Jose State University
Randy Liang	Chemistry, Biology, SAT Math	Randy Liang has been a tutor with ThinkTank Learning for about two years and has tutored over 1,000 hours from a variety of middle school students to college students. He has had extensive experience tutoring and peer advising students up to the college level having been involved in a student advisory committee which helped plan out biological science programs for high school students. Upon earning his double major degree from UC Davis, he served as an undergraduate researcher for the university's organic chemistry department. Randy was also a student volunteer and doctor's assistant for the Sutter Memorial Hospital Emergency Room. He is now in the process of applying to medical school. He scored above the 99th percentile in the biological and physical sciences on his MCATs. What makes Randy such a popular tutor is his ability to connect and develop friendly relationships with his students and their parents. Many of his students do not only see him as a tutor, but also view him as a mentor. He treats his students as a younger brother or sister, providing the tricks to understanding chemistry. Because he did poorly in his chemistry honors class in high school, Randy understands certain barriers that prevent students from understanding. Not only does he strive to help students earn an A, but he also inspires students to develop an interest in chemistry as well. Many of his students have been inspired to explore the field of chemistry. This is his goal- by helping to develop a student’s interest in chemistry, not only will they be able to understand and excel in their class, but they will also be motivated to continue studying. In this sense, his students develop a drive - a key necessity to success. Randy is also currently writing an SAT II Chemistry book for ThinkTank Learning, which is schedule to be finished in the next year.	B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UC Davis
Rita Chimienti	English	Rita is an honors graduate from Santa Clara University. There she double majored in Italian Studies and English, with a specialization in American Poetry. She will soon be pursuing her M.A. and PhD. in Italian Studies. She has been tutoring for numerous years in Italian and English for both youths and adults. She is currently teaching an adult Italian class in Menlo Park.	B.A. in English & Italian Studies, Santa Clara University
Tue Rust	Math, Physics	Tue Rust graduated from UC Berkeley in Astrophysics. He then taught at Milpitas High School and The Jose Valdes Summer Math Institute. He will earn a Masters degree in Mathematics from San Jose State University in the fall with a 3.9 GPA. He currently teaches at San Jose State University and teaches and tutors at ThinkTank Learning. ThinkTank staff regularly ask parents of tutees how their tutor is performing. For two years, every week Tue earned A's in every category. His reputation precedes himself, for parents call the center specifically asking for him. He teaches all levels of math students, from failing Algebra 1 students to B+ Calculus BC students. On multiple instances, he has helped a tutee raise a D to a B, or a C to an A. Tue's most notable gifts are his intelligence and his personality. He immediately understands a person's perspective and has the ability to fill any and every need. Many of our clients are 1st and 2nd generation students, and he is effective within every socio-economic class. He truly respects culture and has the ability to work within it, instead of teaching to it. Tutoring and teaching can be stressful. Staff members constantly relate their amazement at Tue's professionalism in handling very delicate situations. He helps students with much more than math. He helps students with personal problems and helps them gain an inner confidence. Tue is a consummate teacher. He reaches students, builds confidence, and gets results. People are lucky to have Tue as a tutor precisely because Tue feels lucky to help people grow.	M.A. in Mathematics, San Jose State University B.A. in Astrophysics, UC Berkeley