Every child has the ability to succeed.
At Five Star we specialize in connecting students with tutors who can help them flourish. Each student is paired with a tutor who is not only prepared to meet his/her academic needs, but who also possesses the ability to relate to the individual student. This enhances the learning process.
MEET OUR TUTORS
Jen Filannino
After graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2010 with a degree in English and Creative Writing, Ms. Filannino stumbled upon tutoring while working as a freelance writer for a local magazine. She interviewed a business owner, who loved the article so much that she asked Ms. Filannino to tutor her daughter. She taught her for three years, but her career in teaching had just begun.
Ms. Filannino loved English and writing so much that she decided to go on for an MA in English and Creative Writing, which lead her to teaching at the collegiate level at Kean and Monmouth University, and Union County College, where she has been for three years.
In addition to teaching College Composition, World Literature, and Creative Writing classes, Ms. Filannino also teaches privately and works at a tutoring center for test prep.
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Poem published by the English Honor Society:
‘My Father’s Wine’
Website: www.english.org/sigmatd/pdf/publications/Rectangle16.pdf
EXPERTISE IN:
English
Creative writing
Emily R. Makarewicz
As a teacher of English, my objective has always been to use literature to open my students’ eyes to the word around them and to help them understand the power of language to help us communicate ideas. As an educator in general, I believe that teaching is an art form best developed through collaboration, communication, and goal setting. As my career has progressed, I have begun to see myself as a mentor to other teachers as well as a facilitator of group goals. I am always looking for ways to grow as a teacher and to help improve the effectiveness of my school in preparing our students for life after graduation.
EXPERTISE IN:
SAT/ACT
English
Literature
Writing
William Kwak
I am a Biology Major at NJIT entering my senior year in college. I am able to teach high school math, biology, general chemistry, and the SATs. I have received a 2300 on my SATs, getting a 760 on the Reading section, a 750 on the Math section, and a 790 on the Writing section. I also have experience tutoring students on the new SAT with the 1600 scale so you do not have to worry about the transition from the old SATs to the new SATs. I also took the Math 2C SAT Subject Test, the Biology SAT Subject Test, and the Chemistry SAT Subject Test. I got a 790 on the Math 2C Test, 720 on the Biology Test, and a 760 on the Chemistry Test. I am currently studying for my Dental Admissions Test, so the chemistry and biology are very fresh in my head.
EXPERTISE IN:
Math
Biology
General Chemistry
SAT's
Tamara Hart
Tamara Hart is an English professor who has been teaching composition, literature and creative writing at Kean University, College of St. Elizabeth and UCC. She has worked as an SAT/ACT tutor for the last ten years, both privately and for various centers. She is dedicated to her students and to her craft, as an educator and a writer.
EXPERTISE IN:
SAT/ACT
English
Literature
Writing
Dave Heilman
Dave Heilman (Drummer/ Percussionist) earned his Bachelor's degree from New Jersey City University in Music Education and Jazz/Classical Performance while performing in the Broadway shows Swing!, Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Burn the Floor, and the long-running, beautifully creative, hit show STOMP.
He was a founding member of the synth-pop group Jupiter One, which celebrated years of national touring and two full-length albums on Warner Music Group.
He has collaborated and recorded with grammy nominated artists Regina Spektor, Lars Vaular, Bernhoft, and Sondre Lerche leading to several world tours with performances on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and CBS's Late Night with David Letterman.
Heilman became a mentor of Norway's number one-rated, hit tv show The Voice and continues to perform and record with various artists around the world. He enjoys teaching privately and often returns to his Alma mater of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School as a clinician for the various jazz ensembles.
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Youtube links:
Sondre Lerche on Letterman "Private Caller" [2012]
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=eDAVktyA4Cg
Fancy Colors "Island Rose" [2015]
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=MV_1GAeSJgU
Sondre Lerche on KEXP "Crickets" [2014]
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=g-PsyDk74OU
Regina Spektor in Brazil "Fidelity" [2010]
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=z3PBbskSQR0
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EXPERTISE IN:
Music
Drums
Nick Afflitto
Nick Afflitto holds a bachelor of music education degree from Montclair State University with a concentration in trumpet performance. He has over 20 years experience as a music educator, performer, recording musician, and composer.
Nick began his teaching career in Elizabeth NJ where he now serves as director of Elementary Bands at the William F. Halloran Gifted and Talented Academy. He also teaches trumpet privately out of his home in Rahway NJ. As a performing musician he has played all over the country in a all variety of musical styles.
Besides the trumpet, Nick is an accomplished guitarist, writer and sound engineer, and produces records out of his studio, Sparrow Recording. He is available for music lessons with a focus on trumpet, but can teach beginners of all instruments. He also offers lessons in music technology, engineering and production.
EXPERTISE IN:
Music
Trumpet
Guitar
Ian Farrington
I am a working musician who has been performing and teaching in New Jersey for the past 15 years. Throughout the years I have developed and refined my skills as a teacher and a musician. I have dedicated myself to providing quality education for my students and to have a close relationship with the parents of the students that I teach. My single goal as a teacher is to provide students with the skills that they will need to help them develop into well rounded musicians. These skills include; body posture, scales, chords, sight-reading, music theory, ear training, and appropriate repertoire.
EXPERTISE IN:
Music
Guitar
Gabriel Levin
My name is Gabriel Levin. I am 20 years old and a Junior at the New Jersey Institute of Technology majoring in Mechanical Engineering. I like to DJ and produce music in my spare time. Being the oldest in my family, I’ve tutored many of my cousins and sister in all levels of math and science.
EXPERTISE IN:
Math
Science
Salvatore Cordaro
Hi, I’m Sal Cordaro and I am a rising senior at New Jersey Institute of Technology. I study Computational Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. I have lots of experience tutoring all STEM subjects, especially mathematics and physics. I have tutored people since I was I high school and I work very well with others. Currently, I work at NJITs Math Tutoring Center. In my free time, I like to weightlift and play video games.
EXPERTISE IN:
Math
Science
Daniel Rodriguez Fano
I'm a second year Mathematical Science Major at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) with a concentration in Computational Math and a minor in Finance. I am part of the Bayonne High School Class of 2017, where I was part of the Math team and took the classes Algebra H, Geometry H, Algebra 2H, Precalculus H, and AP Calculus BC. I am a volleyball player and part of the National, Language (Italian), and Rho Kappa Social Studies Honors Societies. I am a social and outgoing person who likes to work in both group and 1 on 1 sessions, I have experience tutoring since my senior year in high school and in friendly sessions at the NJIT Math Tutoring Center. Proficient in Spanish, English, and Italian.
EXPERTISE IN:
Math
Science
Sean ORiordan
My name is Sean O'Riordan. My subject areas comprise basic Spanish and K-12 English Literature/Writing and Social Studies.
I am available nights and weekends by appointment and can meet at your home or in a public place that works for you. I am a father of two and husband, as well as a long time educator, conveniently located in Summit, and willing to work with you based on your location and availability.
Finally, I am available more frequently during the summer months if the need arises.
Looking Forward to Working With You!
EXPERTISE IN:
Language arts/writing
Social Studies
Psychology
Intro Spanish
Brian Zengewald
My name is Brian Zengewald and I am a mathematics teacher at Rahway High School. I attended The College of New Jersey where I received my degree in mathematics and a minor in education. Besides being a full time math teacher I am also a driving instructor and a real estate agent at Berkshire Hathaway in Westfield. I also have played football, wrestling and track throughout my entire school career and coached when I first became a teacher.