top of page

About Me

About Michael

Michael Nugent tutor seen and heard holistic success All Things Tutoring Bay Area Oakland East Bay Lamorinda Lafayette Orinda Moraga Berkeley Emeryville Piedmont SAT ACT College Essays AP SSAT ISEE HSPT Subject Tests affordable high value smart writing history academics caring supportive experienced intelligent successful math middle school high school online remote zoom PSAT Environmental Science Government Literature coach mentor compassionate prestigious results knowledgable go to arts comprehensive achievement high achiever individualized personalized perfect scores reading verbal writing algebra geometry trigonomentry precalculus pre calculus U.S. US American European wise insightful warm enjoyable fun dedicated resourcing creative personality gay lgbt lgbtq queer trans

I am a test prep specialist, college admissions counselor, and academic tutor. Having worked with several hundred students, and with experience at both large tutoring companies and boutique firms, I bring my expertise to meet the needs of each individual student. 

​

I graduated from Bowdoin College with degree in Sociology, where I worked in the Admissions Department. I have tutored students to perfect scores on both the SAT and ACT, and, more importantly, to major score increases. I am a member of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling  (WACAC), the Bay Area Tutoring Summit and the Matchlighters Scholars Program.

​

A graduate of Tamalpa Institute, I am a certified Somatic and Expressive Arts Educator, and I use this training to better resource students for the academic and personal challenges they may face in high school and beyond. I am also a test prep curriculum writer and tutor trainer. 

 

I previously owned a skills training business for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, and worked in a sober men's transitional shelter program. Outside of work, you might find me rehearsing with my dance theater company or hiking in the redwoods.

My Approach

In my career, I have often found there is a need to reinforce the value of every young person, regardless of their grades or performance in school.

 

Students feel a pressure to produce results that has arguably never been higher – and that can be especially pronounced with testing. Amidst all of their responsibilities, I view the role of a tutor as a unique one: I not only offer my expertise, strategic guidance and practical tools but also support students in feeling seen and heard as a person.

​

I have found this holistic approach produces better results, too. Focusing on all the things a student can control – the strategies, the content, and self-care – brings their attention where it belongs, and away from the future unknowns that threaten to distract them from the task at hand. For students experiencing testing-related anxiety, I offer tools to bring themselves back to their bodies and calm down so they can return to focusing on one question at a time.

 

I view testing as a metaphor for life: a puzzle to solve, a mountain to summit. Whatever the challenges we face in life, there is someone to help so we don’t have to do it alone. I am here to work with each individual student, collaboratively set their goals, and support their success in every way I can.

bottom of page