Alan Reed

I was born in the Bay Area before moving to the East Coast at a very early age. I graduated from the Stern School of Business at NYU with a Bachelors of Science in Finance & International Business. Throughout my high school and college career, I was influenced by a handful of teachers who shaped my worldview and teaching style. Like many students, I know the dramatic difference a great teacher can make, with compounding effects especially when we are lucky enough to experience that young. Particularly, my creative writing brain was stimulated in small classes in "TAG" programs in elementary school. I was enamored with Choose Your Own Adventure books and was given the opportunity to author my own for my family, teachers, and friends to enjoy. In high school, I excelled in STEM subjects, skipping ahead one grade in math. Being thrown into the world of Calculus with students a year older than me was the best kind of challenge. Though I was out of my comfort zone, I was motivated to prove that I belonged. High School was the first time I felt the impact of a great tutor who could help me think of concepts in the right way for me. It removed for me any stigma that might've been misplaced in my mind about "needing" extra help. My father was instrumental in guiding me through those seemingly impossible questions. Working with him in that way undoubtedly led me to pursue a career as a tutor myself. Shortly after graduating from NYU, I took on tutoring as a side gig while working in the hedge fund world. Initially seeing it as just a part-time job, I was blown away by how different of a feeling I got from tutoring versus my full-time career at the time. I was led to believe the latter path was the "right" one, the respectable one. However, as each year passed, I had to admit that teaching brought me unmatched satisfaction. I was actually making a concrete difference with students who looked up to me and appreciated my efforts. I've never looked back. Teaching for TestTakers since 2010, I take pride in helping thousands of students over my career. Outside of education, my two main passions are sports and cooking/eating. My South Jersey roots took hold of me during my formative sports years. Thus, I cheer for all Philadelphia teams. When I'm not watching (or hate watching) my Sixers, Phillies, or Eagles, I'm in the kitchen whipping up a delicious meal for my wife and me. You may also find me exploring the NYC dining scene.