Craig Sutkin

My interest in tutoring stemmed from my passion for chemistry in college. Once I completed honors general chemistry, I joined the General Chemistry Peer Tutoring program (GCPT) at UC Irvine. Multiple times a week I taught students one-on-one. It was so rewarding to help students gain confidence in a subject they once found confusing. Before every midterm and final exam, I held big lecture hall review sessions going over everything students needed to ace their tests. Over 180 students showed up to each of my review sessions. After tutoring for a year in the program, I was promoted to a coordinator position where I recruited, trained, and supported tutors. I was involved in GCPT for 3 years in total.

I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I received a B.S. in biology with a minor in business management from UC Irvine. I graduated with summa cume laude honors (top 2% of my graduating class). At UC Irvine I completed an independent research project studying B-cell regeneration with my honors genetics professor as my mentor.

I am enthusiastic about teaching standardized testing at AJ tutoring as these tests give students a chance to highlight their excellence during the competitive process of college applications. Unfortunately, SAT/ACT/AP tests can be a source of anxiety for students as these tests are one of the final barriers on the road to college. However, I believe that every student can do well on these exams with the right training and practice. I strive to help all of my students achieve their standardized testing goals and get into their top choice program for college.

As a tutor, I believe it is important that my students develop confidence in their knowledge. When looking at the big picture, such as the SAT, this can seem overwhelming. However, I like to break down big concepts into digestible, bite-size pieces, making learning fun and manageable. I tailor my approach to each student’s specific needs and I strive to make my students feel supported and comfortable asking questions. I believe there are no stupid questions.