PrepNow Tutor - Raines L.
Raines has experience working with students in all things math, including pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, linear algebra, analysis, probability theory, and topology; additionally, he’s familiar with all sections of the ACT and SAT. Throughout his academic career, Raines had a special affinity for exam preparation; he knows how to share his proven test-taking skills with his students. His rigorous mathematical understanding, combined with his professional experience writing academic papers, makes him an asset when it comes to ACT/SAT preparation.
Raines earned a BS in mathematics and a BS in economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he conducted independent research and tutored for several years. A recent graduate (as of 2025), he continues to conduct research focused on agricultural economics and climate change—with his sights set on publication in impactful journals.
His first foray into tutoring was during his high school years, when he’d stay after school to help peers with various math concepts. Later, he tutored through UW-Madison, where he was hired as a private Chinese instructor for a family's high school student. “I'm quite proud of the time I spent with him because I developed my own curriculum, lesson plans, and homework all independently, and found tremendous joy in watching him improve his Chinese,” he recounts. As his previous teachers did for him, Raines aims to instill a love of learning in his students and believes in teaching intuition over strictly memorizing.
Raines’ approach is all about intuitive learning, patience, and critical thinking. “I believe that intuition can be learned, and I want students not just to understand the material but to intuit it,” he explains. He teaches students to approach problems through multiple methods so they can find what works for them; his multi-angled approach also comes in handy when it comes to test-taking skills. Raines understands the importance of building a genuine relationship with his students and caters his instruction to suit each student’s interests and learning styles. “On a more philosophical level, I hope to inspire a love of learning in the way my instructors did for me. If you can establish a passion for learning, the rest comes naturally!”
His academic prowess earned him the Herfurth-Kubly Award, “the oldest, largest, and most prestigious honor granted to graduating seniors by UW-Madison.” On top of that, he earned a sundry of fellowships, grants, and scholarships, including those devoted to environmental and independent research, academic excellence, and Chinese language proficiency.
Aside from research and tutoring, Raines enjoys getting active in the Twin Cities (climbing, hiking, biking) and plays music with his band. He has toured all over the US, Canada, and Europe—proof that even math majors can rock. Fun fact: he is “relatively fluent” in Chinese, and in 8th grade, he lived in Shanghai with a host family.
