Meet Our Tutors!
Ishika Puri: Founder and CEO
Hello! My name is Ishika Puri, and I am the founder of ATX Bright Tutoring. I was the salutatorian of the Vandegrift High School Class of 2020 and am part of the Class of 2024 of the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business.
Experience:
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Salutatorian of Vandegrift High School Class of 2020
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Awarded "Outstanding Student in Mathematics" for Vandegrift Class of 2020
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Worked as a Kumon tutor since September of my freshman year (2.5 years) and I have been private tutoring through ATX Bright Tutoring for 1.5 years
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Was a Kumon student for over a decade
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Have participated in multiple mentorship programs in school competitions (ex: mentoring a freshman group in DECA, Vandegrift's business club)
Through my years of schooling, I understand a student's difficulties.
Through my years of tutoring, I understand how to address the difficulties.
Subjects Taught: All math (including Calculus and Statistics), English, all Pre-AP Sciences, AP Biology, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Government, AP Human Geography, World History
Andrew McAlinden
Hello! My name is Andrew McAlinden, and I am a junior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Current Valedictorian of Vandegrift High School Class of 2022
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Total SAT score of 1590 with a perfect math score
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Perfect ACT score of 36
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Extensive experience in Computer Science and has undertaken numerous personal projects, including a program that can solve a Rubik's cube!
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Significant coding practice from Vandegrift's internationally recognized robotics team, where Andrew held the position of software lead
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Received a score of 5 on the following AP exams: AP Statistics, AP Computer Science, AP World History, and AP Human Geography
Subjects Taught: Any math, English, Computer Science, Chemistry, Statistics, AP Human Geography, World History, Macroeconomics, Physics, or others (upon request)
Sarthak Gupta
Hello! My name is Sarthak Gupta, and I am a junior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Ranked in the top 3% of all students in the Vandegrift High School Class of 2022
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SAT Score of 1520 (780 math, 740 English)
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6 months of tutoring students virtually in Math at Learn To Be; students reported an average improvement of 15% in their numerical grade and 1-2 letter grades
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Extensive experience working in the education industry: Sarthak has designed and implemented advanced education and training solutions for several multinational education companies, such as Data Science Council of America
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Worked as a Table Tennis coach for kids aged 7-13 at Austin Table Tennis Club and as Math and Science Mentor for middle schoolers at the Thinkery Children's Museum in Downtown Austin
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Notable feature with a review from a former student: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFFUkgZhAHc/ -- "[Sarthak], Ben’s tutor, has been a great addition to our family. He’s kind, he’s punctual, and he’s reliable. Ben is living proof that this actually works and is so beneficial."
Subjects Taught: English, World History, Art History, Macroeconomics, AP Human Geography, Chemistry, Statistics, Calculus AB, Statistics, French, Physics, or others (upon request)
Viraj Ramachandran
Hello! My name is Viraj Ramachandran, and I am a senior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Superscored a 35/36 ACT score (99th percentile)
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Current Project Manager and Hardware Lead of one of Vandegrift's prestigious robotics teams
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Several years of experience with AutoDesk Inventor CAD software designing parts for robots, and other items
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Placed 55th in Overall 11th grade Science in state
Michael Tao
Hello! My name is Michael Tao, and I am a junior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Ranked among top 20 of Vandegrift Class of 2022
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Currently taking 5 AP courses, including AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics
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Has played piano for the past 12 years and was recently awarded a Certificate with Merit for his performance in the advanced piano program for Trinity College London
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Used to play table tennis and now serves as a fitness coach for a team
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Currently learning both Korean (mainly reading and writing) and Mandarin
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Earned a 5 on both AP exams: AP World History and AP Human Geography
Subjects Taught: Algebra I/II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Biology, Physics I, Chemistry, World History, Human Geography, and Computer Science
Jai Reddy
Hello! My name is Jai Reddy, and I am a junior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Top 3% of Vandegrift Class of 2022
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Current Marketing Lead kickstarting a brand new robotics team
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Volunteered for 100+ hours teaching basketball to elementary and middle schoolers to support underprivileged Indian communities and provide educational means to children who can’t afford it
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Presenter for program teaching high schoolers ‘How to Ace an Interview’ in coordination with Austin Public Library and the city of Austin
Subjects Taught: Chemistry, AP Human Geography, World History, French I, II, and III, Biology (Pre-AP), Macroeconomics, Physics 1, English, Algebra I/II, Geometry
Liana Mina
Hello! My name is Liana Mina, and I am a junior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Ranked in top 4% of all students in the Vandegrift Class of 2022
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Currently taking 4 AP courses, including AP Chemistry, AP Physics, and AP Calculus AB
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Member of the Vision Dance Company (3 years), Vandegrift Viperbots (2 years), and VHS DECA, a business club (3 years)
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Volunteered at Austin Bangla School for 3 years, teaching kids how to read and write Bangla
Maci Simmons
Hello! My name is Maci Simmons, and I am a senior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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Ranked in the top 6% of all students in the Vandegrift Class of 2021
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Worked as a private tutor from 2018-2019 in Pre-AP Precalculus, Algebra 1, and Geometry, students’ grades increased from failing to all B’s
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Awarded National Merit Semifinalist and Finalist candidate
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SAT Score of 1570 (780 Reading and Writing, 790 Math)
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Drill Instructor for the Vandegrift Band Program for two years, including the year that we won the Grand National Championship
Subjects Taught: Any math course except for AP statistics, Chemistry; others as requested
Mukta Valluru
Hello! My name is Mukta Valluru, and I am a senior at Vandegrift High School.
Experience:
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ACT Score of 35
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Former paid researcher at the University of Texas College of Natural Sciences
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Will complete 11 AP courses by graduation, including AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Statistics, and AP Macroeconomics
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Member of the Vandegrift band leadership team for 3 years and was elected as drum major this past year
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Volunteer for Austin Humane Society
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Attending Texas A&M University in the fall to study in the College of Veterinary Medicine
Subjects Taught: Pre-AP or on-level Chemistry, Pre-AP or on-level Biology