Meet Our Tutors

The best tutors are those who understand the demands placed on today’s students, and that’s why Education Plus employs active and retired instructors, as well as professionals who are experts in their fields. Our tutors realize that each student learns differently and can target his or her needs without a rigorous testing process. They also value communication – working with students, parents and school personnel to ensure that children have a network of support to help them reach their learning goals.

Nina Apfelbaum

Experience: Began tutoring in 1999. BA and MA in Elementary Ed from Temple; MA in Special Ed from Arcadia University; has been teaching middle school (grades 6, 7, 8) for 25 years.
Subjects tutored: SAT Critical Reading/Writing, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, GED, Special Ed, Elementary Ed, English (writing, grammar, and poetry).
Hobbies/interests: Dancing, swimming, reading.

Michelle Beck

Experience: Began tutoring in 2011. BA from Temple University and MA in Elementary Education from Holy Family University.

Subjects Tutored: Elementary K-6

Hobbies/interests: Reading, traveling, scrapbooking.

On working for Education Plus: “Mitch has a real concern for his clients and staff. It is enjoyable helping each student gain confidence and see the progress that Education Plus students make.”

Bill Brown

Experience: Began tutoring October 2004. BS in Electrical Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology; MBA from University of Texas, San Antonio; Electronic Engineer in the computer, telecommunications, aerospace, defense and auto industries.
Subjects tutored: Algebra I, II, Geometry, Trig, Pre-Calculus, Calculus (also Honors & AP) SAT I Math; SAT II Math (Levels 1 & 2); Chemistry (also Honors), Physics (also SAT II, AP & Honors)
Hobbies/interests: Water sports, reading, racquet ball.
On working for Education Plus: “Working with teenagers is very rewarding.”

Eric Chesloff

Experience: Began tutoring in 2001. BS in Chemistry from Lafayette College, MS in Chemistry from Indiana State University; in the process of finishing a PhD in Education online from Walden University.
Subjects tutored: Alg I, II, Geometry, beginning Calculus, Chemistry, SAT Math, SAT II Chemistry, GRE.
Hobbies/interests: Music (playing the guitar), gardening.
On working for Education Plus: “It’s wonderful when the effort exerted by both tutor and student results in measurable improvement.”

Megan Delany

Experience: Began tutoring in January 2011. BS in Accounting from University of Delaware; MA with Secondary Math Certification from Cabrini College; previously worked as a Math Enrichment Specialist at the Fels South Philadelphia Community Center, as a Tax Consultant at Deloitte & Touche, and a Control Analyst at JP Morgan.
Subjects tutored: Math and SAT
Hobbies/Interests: reading, yoga, travel.
On working for Education Plus: “As Nelson Mandela once said: ‘Education is  the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ The tutors at Education Plus will help further develop your world-changing skills.”

Bob Freyman

Experience: Began tutoring in December 2001. BA in Math from Penn; MBA in Finance from University of Michigan; worked as an accountant.
Subjects tutored: Algebra I & II, Trig, SAT Math, Levels I & II, ACT GRE, GMAT, ASVAB, GED, intro to Accounting.
Hobbies/interests: Chess, table tennis, following sports, especially baseball.
On working for Education Plus: “I am an effective math tutor for Education Plus and committed to students with their particular learning challenges and goals.”

Lisa Gratz

Experience: Began tutoring February, 2011. BA from University of Pittsburgh-English with concentration in writing and a certificate in children’s literature; MA from Arcadia University – English/Writing; currently considering MSA and PhD programs; private tutoring for 10 years; currently a composition instructor at Montgomery County Community College, Arcadia University & Community College of Philadelphia.
Subjects tutored: Reading Comprehension, Language Arts, Writing Skills, Test Prep, Study & Organizational Skills, SAT Critical Reading/Writing
Hobbies/Interests: Creative writing (poetry, creative non-fiction), walking in the woods, spending time with dogs.
On working for Education Plus “What impresses me most about Education Plus is the thoroughness, dedication and enthusiasm of the director, Mitch Blatstein.”

Allan Heller

Experience: Began tutoring December 2008. BA in English from Indiana University of PA; newspaper correspondent; freelance writer; author of three books with a contract for a fourth one; worked briefly in the insurance industry.
Subjects tutored: English, SAT I & II, GED.
Hobbies/interests: Reading, writing, coin collecting.
On working for Education Plus: “Education Plus is genuinely concerned with the success of every student that we tutor.”

Steve Kraisler

Experience: Began tutoring in May 2005. BA in math; MA in Philosophy from Penn; teaching certificate from St. Joseph’s University.
Subjects tutored: High school Math through AB Calculus, college Math, SAT Math
Hobbies/interests: Computers, travel.
On working for Education Plus: “This is the most satisfying educational experience in my 38 years of teaching.”

Jack McKenna

Experience: Began tutoring in December 2010. BA in Math/Education from LaSalle College; MS in Computer/Education from Philadelphia Textile; taught 30 years for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; worked as a math tutor for 27 years; currently working at Philadelphia University.
Subjects tutored: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, SAT I math, ACT math
Hobbies/Interests: sports, travel, restaurants, music (oldies).
On working for Education Plus “Though new at Education Plus, I am very impressed with the time and effort that Mitch devotes to his clients and the people who work for him.”

Brad Morrill

Experience: Began tutoring September 2002. BS in Economics and Business from Lebanon Valley College; MA and PhD in Education from Temple; worked with curriculum development; created 8-10 non-profit after school programs; wrote grants for educational services.
Subjects tutored: SAT Critical Reading/Writing, study & organizational skills, English, GRE, GMAT, ACT, GED.
Hobbies/interests: Athletics, exercising, reading, waterskiing, swimming, good restaurants.
On working for Education Plus: “Every student has the possibility for success. This is why I get so much satisfaction from working with them on an individual basis.”

Martha Nelson

Experience: Began tutoring in November 2003. AB in Chemistry; MST in teaching of Mathematics; MBA in Marketing and International Business; fully certified in NY State; adjunct college professor of statistics; pharmaceutical marketing research; in the past, worked as a bench chemist for a manufacturer of medical diagnostic tests; taught high school Math and Science.
Subjects tutored: Math through Calculus, Chemistry through AP, Biology, Intro to Physical Science, all three areas of SAT prep.
Hobbies/interests: Gardening, tennis, biking.
On working for Education Plus: “I appreciate Mitch’s real concern for the students and their families. I have met all kinds of interesting young people and enjoy interacting with them.”

Bonnie Perry

Experience: BS from Penn State-Elementary and Special Education, M.Ed from Arcadia University- Education Administration; certificates for Principal, Special Education Supervisor, Elementary & Special Education; taught for 30 years, transition coordinator in Philadelphia, ran summer education programs, worked at summer camps.

Subjects tutored: All subjects K-8; Private high school test prep.
Hobbies/Interests: exercise (swimming, biking), avid reader, volunteer for Special Olympics & residential home for special education children.
On working for Education Plus: “Education Plus is a holistic approach with its commitment to the improvement of the students in all areas.”

Eric Podietz

Experience: Began tutoring in October 2007. BS in Geology from Tufts University; taught Science for 1 ½ years; taught SAT course at Penn State in the winter of 2010; software engineering for 25 years.
Subjects tutored: SAT Math, Alg I, II, Geometry, ACT, GRE.
Hobbies/interests: Handball, biking, hiking, carpentry, watercolor painting.
On working for Education Plus: “The individualized approach Education Plus uses allows me to capitalize on the strengths of each student to maximize their performance.”

Jeff Rubin

Experience: Began tutoring June 1994. BA from Temple (History major, English minor); MEd from Arcadia University in Secondary Education, English; taught high school for 37 years in Adapted Math, English and history; worked 5 years as a counselor and specialist at Southampton Day Camp; taught summer school for 15 years.
Subjects tutored: SAT Critical Reading/Writing.
Hobbies/interests: Photography, reading, exercise, music, dancing.
On working for Education Plus: “I have found the students to be conscientious, hard working, motivated, goal-oriented and respectful. All in all, it is a pleasant experience working with students from Education Plus.”

Jordan Sahl

Experience: Began tutoring December 2008. Associate’s degree from Manor Jr. College; BA from Arcadia University in both Early Childhood and Elementary Ed.; PA certification in Elementary Ed; worked for several tutoring companies for over 10 years.
Subjects tutored: SAT Math, Alg I, II, ACT, study skills, test prep, reading and comprehension, writing.
Hobbies/interests: Coaching sports, history, politics, life-long learning.
On working for Education Plus: “I enjoy working with Education Plus students and seeing the progress and strides they have made.”

Rex Saffer

Experience: Began tutoring in November 2011. BS in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Utah; PhD in Astronomy from the University of Arizona; 30 years of academic and industry experience, with a lifelong commitment to excellence in education and scientific research.
Subjects tutored: Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science.
Hobbies/interests: Music, woodworking, information technology, scholarship of ancient Near Eastern Theology, Archaeology, Anthropology.
On working for Education Plus: “As a member of the Education Plus team, I get great satisfaction from one-on-one work with students from all walks of life. When the student succeeds, we all succeed.”

Marc Schlesinger

Experience: Began tutoring the spring of 2007. BA from Wheaton College, MA-Religion & Spanish; MA from George Washington University- Education and Human Development; currently enrolled in Post-Baccalaureate teaching program at West Chester University; elementary resource teacher for 2 years; high school English and social studies teacher for 3 years.
Subjects tutored: Social Studies and English.
Hobbies/Interests: recreational sports
On working for Education Plus: “I want to help students achieve their Educational Goals.”


Kathy Schoengold

Experience: Began tutoring February 1999. BA and MS from University of Pennsylvania; taught Spanish in public schools for several years.
Subjects tutored: Spanish, early childhood through adult; SAT II Spanish.
Hobbies/interests: Walking, art.
On working for Education Plus: “It is a pleasure to work with young people and adults and watch them progress.”