ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
In 2004, a group of Harvard grads in LA with plans to
change the world faced the everyday challenge of paying their bills.
Much to their surprise, they were rejected by a wide variety
of food service jobs for one simple reason: they were "overqualified."
In 2004, a group of Harvard grads in LA with plans to
change the world faced the everyday challenge of paying their bills.
Much to their surprise, they were rejected by a wide variety
of food service jobs for one simple reason: they were "overqualified."
Deciding to use their education as an asset rather than a liability,
they started working for a variety of tutoring agencies. They quickly realized
that, rather than teaching the material, most of the tutors at those other
agencies were just doing their students' homework. Students did well in the
short term, but lacked the understanding, confidence, and motivation to ace
their tests and gain the long-term benefits that a great education provides.
In the summer of 2005, the four heroes of our story formed Overqualified, LLC.
All had spent time teaching in some capacity during high school and college,
and now they were eager to share their experiences to help others gain the
opportunities they enjoyed in higher education. They're now successfully
paying the bills...and successfully changing the world, one student at a time.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Tackling self-doubt
All of the students we've ever met have had things that they
think they can't do. But it's precisely those
theories—"I'm just bad at math," "I'm not good at languages,"
or "Shakespeare is dumb"—that prevent them from doing what they
need to do to succeed.
All of the students we've ever met have had things that they
think they can't do. But it's precisely those
theories—"I'm just bad at math," "I'm not good at languages,"
or "Shakespeare is dumb"—that prevent them from doing what they
need to do to succeed.
In actuality, what it takes to do well in school is fairly simple and
obvious, but students' ability to make it complicated is endless.
Overqualified's tutors go beyond the excuses, the complaints, and
the perceived lack of ability or desire, to tackle the fundamental
self-doubt that is undermining their progress.
Every student wants to do well. By getting them out of their own
way and showing them what's possible, we instill a lifelong motivation
and desire to succeed. We teach students to trust their own intelligence,
so that they can focus on the work and progress toward the results that
they've always wanted.
The perfect Student-Tutor match
Overqualified takes great care in matching tutors with students,
because each student requires an individualized approach.
Overqualified takes great care in matching tutors with students,
because each student requires an individualized approach.
We consider not only the academic issues being addressed, but also
the extra-curricular interests and personality traits that
ensure an effective working relationship. Within a productive partnership,
the student gains academic confidence, inspiration, and independence.
Once we've found the perfect tutor match, Overqualified then designs
a customized program for your student according to his or her needs.
OUR TUTORS
Katie O'Brien
A native New Englander, Katie O'Brien attended Pinkerton Academy in
NH and was the valedictorian, the class president... basically the nicer version
of Tracy Flick. After studying English and American Literature at Harvard,
she moved to New York to perform professionally and teach Shakespeare in
schools throughout the city.
A native New Englander, Katie O'Brien attended Pinkerton Academy in
NH and was the valedictorian, the class president... basically the nicer version
of Tracy Flick. After studying English and American Literature at Harvard,
she moved to New York to perform professionally and teach Shakespeare in
schools throughout the city.
The following year brought stints teaching drama in Oxford and Edinburgh,
as well as serving as a writing instructor to over 1000 students.
Finally, Katie has landed in Los Angeles, where she is currently co-authoring
a book with Hunter that will bring the Overqualified approach to students
everywhere, and maintaining a long-distance relationship with the Red Sox.
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Hunter Maats
Hunter Maats is the consummate global nomad. After finishing high school at Eton College,
he traveled to Long Island and spent a year living with and working at the lab of Dr. James D Watson, who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA.
Hunter Maats is the consummate global nomad. After finishing high school at Eton College,
he traveled to Long Island and spent a year living with and working at the lab of Dr. James D Watson, who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA.
Since then he has excavated Panamanian latrines for the Smithsonian, written
for travel guides on three continents, and supported such unpopular causes as Harvard football.
Now, he lives in LA where he and Katie O are writing the book that will
get every student doing what they need to do to succeed.
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Josh Brener
Josh graduated from Harvard University in 2007 with an honors
degree in English and American Literature and Language. Focusing on theatre
and creative writing as an undergraduate, his studies culminated in an original
full-length play that he wrote for his senior thesis.
Josh graduated from Harvard University in 2007 with an honors
degree in English and American Literature and Language. Focusing on theatre
and creative writing as an undergraduate, his studies culminated in an original
full-length play that he wrote for his senior thesis.
Josh also wrote, acted, and served as President for the Hasty
Pudding Theatricals, an experience that afforded him the opportunity
to hang out with the likes of Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and that's right,
Scarlett Johansson. Also as an undergrad, Josh worked for the Harvard
Admissions Office, where he learned the ins and outs of the college
application process firsthand. He has happily passed this knowledge along
to high school students all over the United States... well, mostly Texas, Ohio, and California.
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