Meet Our Tutors

In tenth grade, Jody Steinglass began tutoring three middle school students in their advanced science class and discovered a passion and flair for teaching. Upon graduating and matriculating to Yale University, where he studied pre-medicine and earned a BA in Economics, Jody continued tutoring students in math and science. While pursuing his master’s degree in Interactive Telecommunications in 2002 at New York University, Jody began Empire Edge as a way to stay engaged with education. Upon graduating, he hired two of his adjunct professors to work at Empire Edge and never looked back. 

As president of Empire Edge, Jody oversees every aspect of the company — from recruiting, hiring, and training his staff to matching students with their ideal tutor. He continues to tutor a small number of students because, after all of these years, he still finds it to be the most rewarding part of his work day.

In his spare time, Jody and his wife and two sons enjoy the outdoors — swimming, hiking, sailing, and skiing/snowboarding.

Phoebe spent four years as Assistant Director of Admission at Sarah Lawrence College and has worked full time as a college adviser with Empire Edge since 2018. She has traveled all over the world giving workshops and presentations on college admission, essay writing, and the application process—including CIS, IACAC, and NACAC conferences. While working on the college side, she was in charge of reading, evaluating, and decisioning thousands of college applications, and she maintains close relationships with college representatives, deans, and faculty all over the country. With Empire Edge, she’s committed to demystifying selective college admission and works closely with each family to tailor an individualized, student-centered approach to the application process.

She holds a B.A. in writing and literature from Sarah Lawrence College and has extensive professional experience in copywriting and editing.

Rich graduated cum laude from Georgetown University in 2005 with a BS in physics and mathematics. He continued his studies and research at Georgetown University where he earned his MS in physics in 2011 and PhD in physics with distinction in 2013. He is the Director of STEM Programs at Empire Edge and has been with the company since 2014. He has had a history of success preparing students for a variety of standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, and AP exams in math and physics. In addition, he tutors a myriad of academic subjects, including pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, and physics. Rich provides a professional and energetic approach to tutoring and he challenges students to raise their academic expectations. Rich enjoys playing strategy-based board games and is a self-taught guitar player. He is originally from Garden City, NY.

Zachery received his BA cum laude from Davidson College and MFA from the University of Georgia, primarily focusing on Shakespeare. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and recipient of two theatre fellowships. He received an Outstanding Teaching award from UGA. His specialties include SAT/ACT/ISEE/SSAT/SHSAT/HSPT math and verbal sections, with additional expertise in writing and drama. He believes standardized test tutoring helps students build a foundation of discipline and self-awareness that will support them throughout their academic careers. He enjoys offering students organizational tools and creative exercises that jump-start their studying and writing processes and allow them to take ownership over their education. He is also the former state champion in Magic: the Gathering for North Carolina.

After getting her BA in Mathematics from Smith College, Frances took off to the other side of the world. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in northern Ghana and has also taught at a private, international school in Palestine. Teaching from middle school math up through AP Calculus, Frances fell in love with helping students reach their “aha” moment in math. She believes all math is learnable and wants to help her students conquer fear of math. When she isn’t with students, she is cooking up a storm and crocheting some new project.

Benjamin earned his A.B. in Mathematics & Physics from Brown University, his M.S. in Physics from the University of Washington, and his M.S. in Physics Education from CUNY-Lehman College.  He taught both algebra-based and calculus-based Physics at Bard High School Early College – Manhattan for over ten years before joining the team at Empire Edge.  Benjamin loves helping students make connections between the science they’re learning in class and the real world, and teaching students how to confidently analyze and solve really challenging physics problems.  In his free time, Benjamin plays all kinds of games and studies foreign languages such as German and Japanese.

With a background in coding and publishing, Matt currently teaches freshman composition at the City University of New York. He graduated summa cum laude from the College of William & Mary and holds an M.F.A. in poetry from Brooklyn College. Matt tutors in SAT/ACT verbal, writing, history, algebra, pre-algebra, and executive functioning. He is all about rigorous, creative approaches to problem solving and the moments when students know they’ve internalized a new strategy. Matt is from Virginia inside the D.C. beltway and loves tea.

Joe graduated summa cum laude from Moravian College before earning his MA at Lehigh University. Joe tutors the SAT and ACT, as well as a variety of high school and middle school entrance exams (including the ISEE, SSAT, and HSPT). He loves tutoring because he loves working with kids and showing them that preparing for standardized tests needn’t be stressful or boring. Joe plays guitar and produces and mixes music in his spare time. He is originally from Bethlehem, PA.

Ananya graduated magna cum laude from Claremont McKenna College, where she majored in chemistry and economics. She has extensive experience tutoring college students through her university as well as teaching K-12 students in underserved communities. During the pandemic, she started a nationwide virtual tutoring program to ease the burden that virtual learning imposed on families. As an NCAA-recruited college athlete, Ananya understands the different pressures placed on students in their college application journey. Her favorite part of tutoring is the meaningful, supportive relationships she builds with students over time. She is currently a student at Duke Medical School, and she is available remotely over Zoom.

Matthew graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT with double majors in Mathematics and Theater, in addition to a Film Studies minor. He tutors a full range of mathematical disciplines, from elementary to college-level, and excels in helping students develop a lifelong love of mathematics. Seeing a student overcome a difficult problem by their own ability is one of his favorite things, and he enjoys empowering students to reach their personal academic goals. Besides Empire Edge, Matthew enjoys playing guitar and acting.

Eli received his PhD in Mathematics from the CUNY Graduate Center, after studying mathematics and economics as an undergraduate and being inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He tutors mathematics from elementary school up through advanced undergraduate coursework in the subject. Eli also prepares students for the mathematics sections of many standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, SHSAT, and NYS Regents. In addition, he has worked with high school students on chemistry, physics, and German. Although he has many years of experience as a tutor and an educator, Eli continues to enjoy coming up with innovative ways to get students to understand mathematics and never takes a “one size fits all” approach. When he is not communicating mathematics or developing curricula, you can likely find him in a movie theater or talking about movies, especially those made by Alfred Hitchcock. He is originally from Brooklyn, NY.

Gibson Grimm graduated summa cum laude from Middlebury College in Vermont. During his time in school, he was fortunate enough to work as a fiction reader for the prestigious New England Review as well as perform Off-Broadway, and he is grateful for his liberal arts education and its approach toward forging an appreciation for all disciplines of study. The son of a poet (and a student of the written word), he tutors English, Writing, History and the verbal sections of the ACT/SAT, and loves most the unique perspective every student brings to these fields. When not teaching or learning, Gibson can be found cheering on his hometown Florida team, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Elena graduated from Duke University with dual concentrations in Spanish and Psychology, and from NYU with a master’s in International Relations. She tutors Spanish at all levels, from beginner through advanced college-level. Elena loves working with students and never gets tired of the “aha moments” when things begin to click and what seemed impossible suddenly becomes doable. Elena is an enthusiastic amateur violinist who founded and directs a string orchestra for beginning adults. She is also a member of the United Nations Symphony Orchestra. Elena has lived in several cities and considers herself an East Coaster.

Kevin is a Ph.D. Candidate at Rutgers University working on his dissertation on American history. Before that, he got his M.S. at The New School in New York City and was an architect for some time. He has taught in university classrooms for years on a variety of topics, and is always thrilled to help students at all levels study, write, and learn to the best of their ability. When not in a classroom or in the library (specifically, the Rose Reading Room at Stephen A. Schwarzman), he loves riding his bike to the beach (even in winter!).

Mauricio graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. in Philosophy & Religious Studies.
While at Stanford, he took coursework in Earth Systems Science and became a docent at
the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. As a docent, he taught environmental science and
ecology to local K-12 youth and led guided tours for university guests. Mauricio is now
pursuing a graduate degree in psychology. Outside of Empire Edge, he leads classes in mindful movement and sports psychology for K-5 students at a tennis-themed afterschool program in Brooklyn. Mauricio is an avid learner with a wide range of interests and knowledge, aiming to inspire students
by sharing his sincere enthusiasm for learning and natural curiosity.

Michael graduated from Wesleyan University with a triple major in Math, Physics, and Computer Science, and was also the first Wesleyan student to concurrently complete a Master’s in Mathematics with High Honors. Working with his advisor he will soon be publishing research on advanced mathematics. At university he was a Teaching Assistant for many classes, and even helped design an upper-level elective course, where he found a love for teaching STEM subjects. He loves to see the ‘Ah-hah’ moments when working with students. 

Outside of teaching, he is a big fan of both the NBA and Premier League soccer, and is also continuing to learn more in the field of number theory and automorphic forms. 

Alina graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Physics from Northeastern University. A longtime lover of all things math and physics, Alina has worked as an educator in various capacities since 2013. After working as an 11th grade math teacher in Denver, Colorado for two years, she has returned home to the east coast to be closer to family and continue serving scholars here. Through her own experience as a student, a tutor, and a teacher, Alina has seen firsthand the profound impact a dedicated educator can have in helping students build confidence in their abilities and realize their full potential. On her days off, she can be found playing guitar, going to concerts, and walking around the city.

Mark graduated from Stanford University with honors and distinction, earning a bachelor’s degree in biology. At Stanford, he conducted research in Dr. Christopher Barnes’ lab, studying HIV antibodies and their role in vaccine development, culminating in an honors thesis that he created and presented. Mark was also a member of Stanford’s Division I gymnastics team, where he contributed to five team national titles and earned All-American honors three times.

Mark has been tutoring math and science for over four years, working with students from elementary school through the college level. His approach focuses on breaking down complex topics into clear, manageable steps, and he enjoys helping students achieve both their academic and personal goals. He is currently taking a gap year before beginning medical school. In his free time, Mark enjoys learning to play guitar and exploring New York City.

John is at the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University. Before Columbia he studied at the University of Virginia, where he took a B.A. in History with highest distinction. His work focuses on the economic history of the American south, with a particular emphasis on the mechanization of coal production. Right now he is probably listening to a jazz record, writing a folk song, or reading great literature—likely Faulkner, Hemingway, or Tolstoy.

Sandy graduated from Duke University with an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering
with minors in Mathematics and Earth & Ocean Science and returned to Duke for a
master’s in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Data Analytics. She has
experience tutoring students from pre-k through adult learners and enjoys seeing students
discover their strengths and become confident in their abilities. She especially enjoys
helping students develop an excitement and love for math.

Sandy grew up in Ohio but loves the faster pace of living in New York City. She currently
works as a civil engineer in the transit sector and outside of work enjoys playing soccer and
basketball as well as crocheting and baking.

Joshua received his BA summa cum laude from Cornell University, where he studied Film and Information Science, and is pursuing an MFA from Columbia University in Screenwriting and Directing. He tutors the SAT/ACT Verbal sections and writing. He provides a lively, patient, and thorough approach to tutoring and is excited to help students realize their potential. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and watching movies. 

Gabby graduated magna cum laude from University of California, Los Angeles, where she was a recruited athlete on the women’s rowing team and received a B.A. in English and a minor in Film, Television, and Digital Media. Gabby is passionate about taking an individualized approach with each student and loves to see their confidence and ability grow! She is currently completing an MFA in fiction at New York University. In her free time, she enjoys running and watching movies.

John earned his B.A.in mathematics from Boston College.  He taught chemistry at Wilbraham & Monson Academy and calculus and geometry at the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science in Boston before joining the team at Empire Edge.  John loves igniting the spark of curiosity that transforms math and science from a slog of mind-numbing rote memorization and mechanical procedures to an exciting and useful framework for understanding the real world.   In his free time, John is an avid cyclist, hiker and camper.

Diego graduated cum laude from Skidmore College in 2025 in Physics (with Honors) and Mathematics. They’ve been tutoring peers since high school, and in college they were a member of the highest in-demand tutoring team at Skidmore. Their passion for teaching comes from seeing their students grow and excel. Having done astrophysics research for most of their undergrad, Diego is also passionate about discovering the secrets of the universe through science. When not working or studying, they enjoy programming, music production, and weightlifting.  

Kyle Watkins is a graduate of the University of Iowa, where he studied English and Creative Writing while studying under graduates of the prestigious Iowa Writers Workshop, as well as Theatre Arts–where he performed in over a dozen plays, performing roles in developmental productions and classical mainstays alike. Since graduating, he now coaches a prestigious Speech and Debate team in New Jersey, helps students strengthen their English and reasoning skills, and auditions a whole lot. In his free time, Kyle enjoys reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), playing board games, and painting.

Claire graduated from the University of Oregon with an M.A. in Spanish Literature and Culture and a B.A. in History, Latin American Studies, and Spanish. She credits her high school Spanish and History teachers for igniting her curiosity and love of learning. Claire has lived abroad in Peru and Mexico and traveled to Honduras and Spain. For the past four years she taught Spanish at the college and high school level in Eugene, Oregon. She loves to inspire curiosity and confidence in students at every step of their learning journey. Claire’s recent move to NYC from Oregon was inspired by her life-long passion for theater. She is an actor, singer, and dancer. In her free time, she loves to bake, read, hike, and spend time with her two tabby cats. 

Zachary graduated from Yale University in New Haven, CT with double majors in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Theatre and Performance Studies. He tutors students in a broad range of academic subjects including all high school math disciplines, chemistry, and biology. Zachary brings curiosity, empathy, and enthusiasm to his sessions, and he especially enjoys helping students build confidence as they tackle challenging material. He believes education is most effective—and fun—when it’s rooted in what genuinely interests the student. He plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician, which further builds on his particular passion for helping students connect big ideas across disciplines in ways that feel meaningful and relevant. Outside of tutoring, he’s an avid performer who loves being on stage and exploring New York’s theatre scene. 

Alex has worked in test prep for nearly a decade as a tutor, private teacher, and test developer. Since graduating from Sarah Lawrence College with a BA in Computer Science and Theatre, he’s written thousands of practice ACT and SAT questions and developed math content for The College Board. Alex loves to bring empathy and adaptability to his lessons, helping students feel safe enough to make mistakes and confident enough to tackle challenges. In his free time, Alex enjoys performing, spending time outdoors, and playing games with friends.