PrepNow Tutor - Brad J.
Brad is an economist-turned-educator specializing in math and test prep. He holds a BA in economics with a minor in math from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. Since graduating, he has worked in the actuarial field, combining analytics, deep mathematics, and finance to drive decision-making for sponsors of large pension plans. The role required him to pass “notoriously difficult actuarial exams on probability, statistics, financial mathematics, model-building, and much more,” he notes. Over time, he pivoted to education after realizing he loved working with students far more than he did corporate finance. In addition to tutoring, he’s also an in-classroom tutor, assisting with classroom management and helping reinforce lessons one-on-one and in small groups.
His approach is “that of a great working partner, who sweats with you and makes you laugh even while you're actively in pain,” he quips. His humor and positivity keep students engaged and motivated. "I am relentlessly positive about where my students are capable of going, and ruthlessly honest about the grit, effort, and time it takes to get there,” he explains. When it comes to working with reluctant students, he “leads with laughter and praises progress,” and has no qualms about calling out students who aren’t putting in effort. “I'm a firm believer in aligning long-term goals (understanding, confidence, success) with short-term rewards (praise, breaks, treats), but also a believer in the necessity of just doing it.”
As a student, he won the Rara Avis Award in Economics and the Omicron Delta Epsilon awards for his excellence in economics. He also ran cross country, dabbled in theatre, and led a funk/rock band. “Don’t worry—there’s no evidence online,” he adds.
In his free time, he enjoys running triathlons, basketball, and getting involved in whatever his kids are excited about at the moment.
