
MAXimize Tutor LLC
College Student Tutors
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Our founder and lead educator, Amanda Martinsen, oversees and helps plan tutoring sessions for all MAXimize Students. Our impressive college student tutors are here to implement the plans Amanda puts in place for students, or to help students directly with their homework, side stepping to fill conceptual gaps as needed. This is an excellent, flexible, and efficient option for many students!
If you are a current junior or senior in high school, or a college student, and are interested in learning more about becoming a college student tutor, please email Amanda at amanda@MAXimizeTutor.com to learn about how to apply.
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Maria Bambrick-Santoyo
Massuchusetts Institute of Technology​
Maria graduated from Yale University in 2024 with a degree in Applied Physics and a certificate in Energy Studies. She’s now starting a PhD at MIT, where she hopes to combine tools from physics, chemistry, and engineering to investigate how the most basic building blocks of nature—atoms—come together to power advanced devices. Above all, Maria loves using the tools of math, science, and engineering to solve problems. She has 4 years of experience tutoring high school and college students, and hopes each student she works with can share in her joy of learning! In her free time, she can be found playing tennis, dutifully taking care of her many plants, or hanging out at a coffee shop downtown.
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Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calc, Calc, Physics, Spanish
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Nicolas Bambrick-Santoyo
University of Notre Dame
Nicolas is currently a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He graduated as a National Merit Finalist from Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, where he was the head captain of the robotics team, vice president of the jazz band, and ran cross country. At Notre Dame, he plays trumpet in the marching band, is a part of the Irish FIRST mentoring program for high schoolers, and also plays trumpet in Notre Dame’s student mariachi band. He has interests in math, physics, writing, and history, and loves working with others to solve all sorts of problems! In his free time, he can be found building things, playing piano and producing music, and playing various sports with his friends.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Physics, Reading, Writing, English, Spanish, US History, Music Theory

Isababella Carney
Rice University
Isabella is a freshman at Rice University, where she is studying Cognitive Science on the pre-law track. She recently graduated from the Latin School of Chicago, where she served as captain of the swimming, water polo, and scholastic bowl teams. She was also involved in the Intersectional Feminist Alliance, the Women in STEM club, the Kiva club, and tutored peers through the school’s Writing Center. Outside of school, Isabella enjoys playing club water polo, reading, playing the piano, and trying new matcha recipes. Fluent in Bulgarian, Isabella is especially proud of founding LinguaLearners, a program that connects Bulgarian-American students in Chicago with low-income elementary schools in Bulgaria to teach English through a bilingual lens. Isabella is excited to bring her tutoring experience to MAXimize. She is especially strong in writing, math, and physics, and enjoys creative, interdisciplinary problem-solving.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Reading, Writing, Physics

Delaney Gallagher
Kenyon College, Graduate
Delaney is a recent graduate from Kenyon College where she earned a degree in economics and political science with a concentration in public policy. At Kenyon, she was on the Women’s Lacrosse Team, worked in the admissions office, and served in multiple capacities on the college’s two governance bodies. At Glenbrook South in Glenview, she graduated as a member of National Honor Society and served as a tutor in the Titan Learning Center for 2 years. Outside of her major she has a deep passion for physics and continues to pursue non major physics classes in college, along with english as she attends the writer’s college. She hopes to help foster students' deep fundamental understanding of these areas along with many others in her sessions.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Physics
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Deming Gantz
North Shore Country Day High School
Deming Gantz is currently a senior at North Shore Country Day School. She is a driven learner and a member of her school’s varsity Field Hockey, Model UN, and Science Olympiad teams, where she is a medal winner. Deming is also a co-president of the Rocketry Club as well as an avid performer in her school’s theater department. She loves all things math and science, and after this year will have completed AP Calc BC, AP Physics, and AP Chem. Deming tutors many different maths and sciences and loves being able to help students!
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Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calc, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Biology, Chemistry

Juliette Holsizer
Harvard University
Juliette is a junior at Harvard University, concentrating in Applied Mathematics on the Computer Science track. At Harvard, she serves on the boards of Girl Up, Undergraduate Women in Law, and The La Vie Club. She graduated cum laude from Lake Forest Academy in 2023 as a National Merit Scholar and spent much of high school playing varsity tennis, ice hockey, and lacrosse, while also working with several gender-equality nonprofits. In her free time, Juliette is a CorePower instructor and enjoys running, baking, and swimming.
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Reading, Writing, Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics

Samantha Kaminsky
University of Michigan
Samantha is currently a senior at the University of Michigan. She is studying Biology, Health, and Society, and is on the pre-med track. She is from Northbrook, Illinois, and graduated from Glenbrook North High School (GBN) as a Glenbrook Scholar. At GBN, she made Honor Roll every semester. She was the captain of the Soccer and Bowling teams at GBN, a member of National Honor Society, and was the school mascot named Sparty, where she helped to lead school-wide events. Currently at Michigan, she is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, the President of Gamma Sigma Alpha, and a member of a pre-health fellowship. She also works in a Neuroblastoma research lab. In school, Samantha has always enjoyed learning about mathematics and science, and has prior experience tutoring high school chemistry. Samantha is patient, and is very innovative, and she is dedicated to find creative ways to help students learn new and challenging material. At MAXimize, she is excited about sharing her passion for learning with her students.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Hebrew

Bennett Koroko
Loyola University Chicago
Bennett is a senior at Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Theoretical Physics and Applied Mathematics and a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, an academic fraternity for physics students. He plans to eventually earn his Ph.D. and become a physics professor at a research university. Currently, he is conducting research in holography on the black hole information paradox. Outside of school, he enjoys both making and listening to a wide variety of music, as well as tinkering with computers.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Physics

Grace Muckerheide
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Grace is currently a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She is a Civil and Environmental Engineering major with a concentration in Water Resources Engineering and Science. She graduated from Naperville North High School, where she was the managing editor for the school newspaper, a peer tutor and a member of the softball team. In college, she is the treasurer of Illini Painting Club, an active member of Society of Women Engineers and an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Outside of school, she enjoys reading and listening to a wide range of different music.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Calculus, Physics, Reading, Writing

Claire Nicgorski
University of Notre Dame
Claire Nicgorski is currently a freshman at the University of Notre Dame. She is in National Honor Society and a member of the Science and Engineering Learning Community. She was the Captain of Glenbrook South's girl's ice hockey team and the local Girl's travel ice hockey team. Throughout highschool. Calire was a volunteer tutor for her classmates in the Titan Learning Center. She has always loved math and completed AP Calculus last year. Claire tutors Elementary math. She also tutors reading and writing.
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Reading, Writing, Elementary Math

Lauren Nicgorski
University of Notre Dame
Lauren Nicgorski is a freshman at the University of Notre Dame, and is studying finance in the Mendoza College of Business. Lauren was a high-school varsity field hockey and softball player, board member of the STEM program’s mentorship based outreach club, and a volunteer in the school’s tutoring center at Glenbrook South High School. Lauren can tutor a wide range of subjects but is especially passionate about math and is proficient through Calculus III.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Physics, Reading, Writing
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Jillian Paulson
Loyola University Chicago
Jillian is a junior at Loyola University in Chicago where she is studying Physics. She graduated from Seven Lakes High School where she was a part of National Honors Society and National Science Honors Society, as well as a leader in the band program. She loves more than anything to work with kids and peers - she spent high school working as a swim instructor and babysitter and won a leadership award from the color guard program at Seven Lakes. She spent her summer before college working at a school in Dallas and is so excited to continue teaching all subjects through MAXimize tutoring!
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Physics, Chemistry, Reading, Writing

Abigail Rose
University of Wisconin - Madison
Abby is currently a sophomore studying Applied Mathematics, Engineering, and Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During high school, Abby worked with Mathnasium for two years and founded a math tutoring club at her former elementary school. Abby is excited to work with new students at MAXimize and continue this tutoring journey. Outside of school, Abby loves adventure and is currently trying to learn how to sail!
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Spencer Schmalz
Loyola Academy
Spencer is a high school junior at Loyola Academy, graduating in 2027, with a passion for academics and a strong background in tutoring. With experience spanning subjects, Spencer has been tutoring peers and younger students since grade school. His journey began during COVID, helping younger siblings with remote learning, and expanded to an in-class tutoring role at Joseph Sears School, where they worked with second graders for four years. He is known for adapting to each student’s learning style and building strong academic relationships, Spencer is eager to continue making a difference through MAXimize.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, Reading, Chemistry, Physics

Jessica Schmidt
St. Olaf College​
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Jessica is a senior at St. Olaf College majoring in Biology and Mathematics with a concentration in Statistics and Data Science. She graduated from Glenbrook South as a National Merit Finalist, member of the National Honors Society, and recipient of the John W. McConnell Math Award. She has experience tutoring in the Titan Learning Center for 2 years and spent much of her time in high school on the Science Olympiad and Math Teams. At St. Olaf, she is the President of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. Jessica enjoys sharing her joy for math with others and helping students understand the math they learn in the classroom and use it to experience the world around them. At MAXimize, she is excited to help students develop both their skills and interests in STEM.
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Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics

Courtney Schumacher
Colby College​
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Courtney is a senior at Colby College, where she is majoring in Economics with a concentration in Financial Markets and Psychology. In addition to her academic pursuits, she plays ice hockey and works for the athletic department. Since graduating from New Trier High School in 2022, Courtney has been a dedicated tutor with MAXimize Tutors. Students who work with Courtney continue to provide feedback stating that she is dedicated, explains things clearly and in a way that they can easily understand. She is truly an essential asset to the MAXimize team! She loves helping students, siblings, and friends learn mathematical concepts, specializing in middle school math through Algebra 2.
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Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2

Ellie Smealie
University of Michigan, Graduate
Ellie is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Health, and Society. She is currently a first-year medical student at New York Medical College, where she is putting the very study skills and strategies she teaches into practice in her own pursuit of becoming a doctor. With over eight years of tutoring experience, Ellie has worked with students ranging from elementary school to college, helping them excel in subjects like English, Writing, Biology, and History. Known for her engaging and supportive teaching style, she is committed to helping students build the confidence needed to improve their grades and reach their fullest academic potential. Whether breaking down complex topics, organizing study plans, or guiding students through the intricacies of essay writing, Ellie strives to empower her students to succeed at every step of their academic journey.
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Biology, English, Writing, History

Julia Waldron
The Ohio State University, Graduate
Julia graduated from The Ohio State University, with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science. She has been a tutor for 9 years now, and loves helping students excel. Watching students gain confidence as they see their own improvement is what makes Julia love what she does. Julia began her tutoring career with peers in high school, and has continued up until now. Since high school, she has been a tutor to students of all ages ranging from 5-18. She has tutored in all subjects, with math being her speciality.
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Elementary Math, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry, Pre-calculus, Calculus, Elementary Science, Biology, Reading, Writing
Cancellation Policy
Professional & Custom Tutoring: If you cancel your session less than 48 hours before your session, you will be charged a $40 planning fee. If you cancel your session less than 24 hours before your session, you will be billed for the full session. Frequent cancellations can result in loss of your tutoring slot to be filled by someone from the waitlist.
On Demand Virtual Tutoring: If you cancel an on demand virtual tutoring session less than 24 hours ahead of time, you will be billed for a 30 minute session.
Thank you for understanding! Tutors spend time preparing for tutoring sessions ahead of time, arranging childcare around tutoring sessions, and tutoring slots cannot always be filled at the last minute by a different student. Please keep this in mind when scheduling.
