CUTTA's talented team of tutors engages students in a unique way. Often coming from international backgrounds, accustomed to academic rigor, goal-oriented and versatile, our tutors will know how to adapt their teaching style to the needs of every student. Get to know a few of them below!
Marni Berger
Hometown: Bar Harbor, Maine
Program of Studies: MFA, Writing, School of the Arts (expected graduation: May 2012)
On tutoring: “I encourage my students to understand that the learning process counts just as much as the product. For it is a love of the learning process that makes learning sustainable.”
Fun fact: Marni owns a dog George Eliot, named after the nineteenth century writer, who is in training to become a creative writing tutor – a.k.a. a certified therapy dog, working with students who need encouragement to write.
Tareq Abuissa
Hometown: Iowa City, IA
Program of Studies: B.A. in Economics-Mathematics and Music
Areas of Expertise: ACT and SAT test preparation, Mathematics, Writing, French
On tutoring: “Tutoring is extremely rewarding and a constant opportunity to cultivate knowledge, conversations, and relationships. I strive to be a friend and a listener in each of my sessions, and to arrive on understanding by helping students to realize the answers are already inside of their own minds."
Fun fact: “I love to play stringed instruments and recently purchased a sitar from New York Craigslist."
Aaron Shin 
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA
Program of Studies: B.A. English Literature from Boston University '10; M.F.A. Creative Writing at Columbia University '12
Areas of Expertise: Writing of Creative Non-Fiction, Fiction and Poetry, Composition, and Rhetoric.
On tutoring: “ Effective tutoring is all about communication. When I teach, I try to first understand the student's specific needs and then cultivate a learning environment that addresses those needs. I am an amicable guy, which I find helps students retain information, since I am not trying to cram their minds with knowledge, as much as flex the intellectual muscles they already possess. I also try to maintain a casual report with my students through email or social media, in order to let them know that I am always available to answer their academic questions, even when I am away.”
Fun fact: “Once upon a time, I wanted to be a stand-up comedian.”
Vladimir Ilic
Hometown: Leskovac, Serbia
Program of Studies: Dual degree in Physics (Oberlin College), and
Materials Science and Engineering with a minor in Applied Physics
(Columbia-SEAS)
Areas of Expertise: Physics and Mathematics
On tutoring: “ As a very methodical person, I place great importance on building a strong knowledge basis before tackling more challenging ideas. I consider my success proportional to that of my students, and I strive to inspire detailed and thorough understanding of concepts in the given area of study, as well as stimulate 'functional' knowledge applicable in any situation.”
Fun fact: “ My greatest hobby, and indeed one of my greatest passions is Argentine tango.”
Yinuo Wang
Hometown: Holmdel, NJ
Program of Studies: BA Biochemistry (expected 2012)
Areas of Expertise: Biology
On tutoring: “Students who have spent most of their time learning in the classroom will discover that tutoring not only fills in knowledge gaps with ferocious efficiency, but also has the potential to alter how you view the learning process itself. I strive to share with my students the excitement of understanding how to approach the subject while tackling today's problem.”
Fun fact: “ As a biologist in training, I genetically engineer yeast to be able to make unnatural molecules with interesting properties.”
Nehali Nanawati
Hometown: Lodi, NJ
Program of Studies: Post-Baccalaureate Premedical Studies (expected 2012), Columbia University, NY.
Bachelor of Architecture (2010), Pratt Institute, NY
Areas of Expertise: Chemistry, Physics, Algebra, Calculus, English, Elementary French
Design Software: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, AutoCAD, Maya, 3dsMax
On tutoring: “If I can explain a concept or problem that a student is struggling with in a different way, then I know that I have accomplished something. Teaching is an enriching experience because I can help students tackle advanced work and develop strong problem solving skills by creating a solid foundation in the fundamentals. Also, as a life-long learner, tutoring gives me the opportunity to constantly learn new things.”
Fun Fact: "In high school, I worked for Donna Karan New York, the design company, not the store."
Maya Koenig-Dzialowski
Hometown: Princeton, NJ
Program of Studies: B.A. in Economics (2009), Certificate in Pre-medical studies (expected 2011)
Areas of Expertise: Languages, Math, Science, and Economics
On tutoring: “I’m drawn to tutoring because I enjoy interacting with others in an academic setting. As a goal-oriented person, I find it very fulfilling to help someone make steps towards better understanding a subject matter. Tutoring also allows me to learn about new topics via the students I tutor; everyone’s background always has something interesting to offer!”
Fun fact: “I make homemade lavender sachets, using the lavender from my grandfather’s backyard in the south of France.”
Francesca Trianni 
Hometown: Modena, Italy
Program of Studies: Columbia College, Political Science with a concentration in Sustainable Development
Areas of Expertise: Homework help and translations
On tutoring: “As a child, I was lucky enough to be supported by capable teachers. My tutors not only helped me in becoming a better student but also encouraged me to see learning as an incredible journey, regardless of my grade point average. This balance, between learning for the sake of enriching your mind and studying to reach better grades, is what I strive to give to my students.”
Fun fact: “I’m a fearless adventurer of the culinary world and trying new recipes is a hobby of mine.”
Mila Rusafova
Hometown: Nowhere and everywhere. My family’s originally from Bulgaria but I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia and have lived in Seattle, Washington, Prague, Czech Republic, Singapore, and New York.
Program of Studies: BA. Major is still undecided but I’m planning to declare in Political Science and French with a possible concentration in English.
Areas of Expertise:
English, French, History, Biology, etc.
On tutoring: “I enjoy teaching and working with students in areas I feel I can explain well and help them improve. The look of realization on a student’s face and seeing their grades and confidence rise makes it really worthwhile.”
Fun fact: “Since I was 12 years old, I’ve never lived anywhere longer than three years.”
Nicolas Miyares
Hometown: West Hartford, CT
Program of Studies: Political Science and Russian Language and Culture
Area of Expertise: Spanish
On tutoring: “I love teaching and I believe that the acquisition of a second language, especially Spanish, could provide a student with an advantageous leg up in today’s world.”
Fun fact: “I’m an avid scuba diver.”