Mentors for Essential

​Online Classes
Our summer virtual program works with the most talented and dedicated mentors who are US top Chess player, national math trainee, professional writer with high school teaching experience, and graduates from leading English Education Departments. We believe that they will serve as good role models and excellent teachers for our future leaders.
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​Language Arts and Writing
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Mr. Wilson
5-6th grade, 7-8th grade academic writing
  • Has taught middle school, high school, and college English since 2005.
  • Current Ph.D. student in English Education at Columbia University Teachers College.
  • Teaching upper school English at a private school in Manhattan 
  • Special interests include thesis and essay writing, post-war American literature, dystopian literature, science fiction, classical education
  • Worked as an associate editor in the Chicago area
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Mr. Jordan
 2nd-3rd, 4-5th grade academic writing
  • Currently second year of a Masters in English Education at Teachers College - Columbia University
  • Teaching all ages for the last 5 years and students' favorite writing and speaking teacher
  • Background in theater and acting heavily influences his teaching style, trying to incorporate energy and performance games into his lessons, regardless of age
  • Encourages public speaking and making students feel comfortable enough to participate
Ms. Disha
PreK–K, 1st-2nd grade phonics and reading comprehension
  • Recent graduate of the School of Education at Harvard University
  • Taught preschool and early elementary in New York City
  • Successfully created "Around the World" program for her classes which helped the students to better understand other cultures and the world

​Ms. Califf
PreK-1st grade reading comprehension
  • Graduated with a Masters in English Education from Teachers College - Columbia University
  • Experienced with new readers as a librarian in an elementary school
  • Taught phonics, public speaking, and reading comprehension to kindergarteners up to 8th grade
Mrs. Knorr
​5-6th, 7-8th grade creative writing
- Completed undergrad at Northwestern University and holds an MA from NYU
- Has taught middle school English for four years in NYC and Minneapolis
- Currently preparing to begin with a private K-8 school in Seattle in the Fall
- Loves YA literature and making suggestions to students!
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Science and Non-fiction
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Ms. Erin
 3rd-4th, 5th-6th grade science
  • Current MA student in Biology at Columbia University 
  • Teaching high school science in NYC
  • Prior to teaching in schools, she worked in various education departments at zoos and museums and presented to the general public about various topics
  • Researched and wrote articles about science news for EUSCI
Ms. Kelly
Introduction to non-fiction, non-fiction & research
  • Adjunct Instructor of English Department at CUNY
  • Teaching college students how to conduct and compose research paper




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Math
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Ms. Lydia
all level math boost
  • Has taught middle school, high school, and undergraduate level mathematics since 2016
  • Current PhD student in Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Chicago specializing in topology
  • Completed undergraduate at Cornell University and holds an MA from WFU
  • Worked as a Pre-Algebra teacher in Cleveland, Ohio at the Hathaway Brown School
  • Special interests include playing the cello, singing, and walking Siberian Husky
Dr. Fang
​all level competitive math & AoPS
  • Was a trainee of 1997 China National Math team ​
  • Helps children to experience from the simple to the complex, from the finite to the infinity, from the known to the unknown to the mathematical exploration
  • ​PhD researched focused on pure math and currently works in the financial industry in NYC

​Chess

Grandmaster Mac
from beginning to advanced levels
  • Two time defending NJ State Chess Champion
  • 2013 US Open Co-Champion
  • Has led several students to become national scholastic champions and one to a World Youth Championship title
  • Head coach of a group of national-level chess players in a ​top-rated private school in NYC​