“The study of History is the beginning of wisdom.”

– Jean Bodin

– Jean Bodin

What to Expect from Individualized History and Humanities Tutoring at Open Door Education

From Ancient Civilizations to Current Events, from Macroeconomics to Psychology, Open Door Tutors can help your student to develop the knowledge, habits, and confidence that will empower them to feel successful in even the most challenging Social Science classes. First we will work to understand how to best support your student, then we will connect them with a great-fit tutor who will partner with them to set and achieve meaningful goals in their journey towards academic success.

Understanding What
Your Student Needs

Matching Your Student
to a Great-fit Tutor

Helping Your Student Set
and Achieve their Goals

Academic Subjects in History and Humanities

Overview and Introduction

World history has a broad scope, covering all of history across the entire planet. To begin to make sense of it all, from Mesopotamia and Ancient Greece to the African Kingdoms and Maya, your student will need to draw upon the disciplines of history, sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science.

What to Expect

In addition to learning effective study habits and note-taking skills and gaining experience working with primary source documents, your student will develop an understanding of the patterns and rhythms that define so much of human history and an appreciation for the complex stories that inform our present. Your student will be better able to analyze the events of the past and, in turn, understand the present.

How It Works

Your student will work with their tutor to build a strategic study plan that is responsive to their particular needs including implementing effective memorization techniques, taking effective notes, writing compelling research papers, and studying for tests. With time and practice, your student will see their grades and confidence improve, and they will be better prepared for challenging coursework in college.
The calling of the humanities is to make us truly human in the best sense of the word.

J. Irwin Miller

Overview and Introduction

World history has a broad scope, covering all of history across the entire planet. To begin to make sense of it all, from Mesopotamia and Ancient Greece to the African Kingdoms and Maya, your student will need to draw upon the disciplines of history, sociology, anthropology, economics, and political science.

What to Expect

In addition to learning effective study habits and note-taking skills and gaining experience working with primary source documents, your student will develop an understanding of the patterns and rhythms that define so much of human history and an appreciation for the complex stories that inform our present. Your student will be better able to analyze the events of the past and, in turn, understand the present.

How It Works

Your student will work with their tutor to build a strategic study plan that is responsive to their particular needs including implementing effective memorization techniques, taking effective notes, writing compelling research papers, and studying for tests. With time and practice, your student will see their grades and confidence improve, and they will be better prepared for challenging coursework in college.
he calling of the humanities is to make us truly human in the best sense of the word.

J. Irwin Miller

Overview and Introduction

When your student understands and recognizes the themes, cycles, and narratives of our history, they are better equipped to understand the present and create the future. Effective US History tutoring empowers students by not only teaching them how to effectively study and retain the specific information they are tested on, but also by providing meaningful context for making sense of the past.

What to Expect

With the support of their tutor, your student will gain a stronger understanding of US History and improve their grades in school while developing the necessary analytical skills, research habits, and studying process to be prepared for college-level history courses.

How It Works

Your student’s US History tutor will start by addressing any specific and urgent needs your student may have, from learning effective research methods to studying for a big test. As your student develops stronger habits that support their classroom success, their tutor will support them in pushing further, working to understand the context and legacy of important historical events while strengthening their core academic skills.
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

Marcus Garvey

Overview and Introduction

When your student understands and recognizes the themes, cycles, and narratives of our history, they are better equipped to understand the present and create the future. Effective US History tutoring empowers students by not only teaching them how to effectively study and retain the specific information they are tested on, but also by providing meaningful context for making sense of the past.

What to Expect

With the support of their tutor, your student will gain a stronger understanding of US History and improve their grades in school while developing the necessary analytical skills, research habits, and studying process to be prepared for college-level history courses.

How It Works

Your student’s US History tutor will start by addressing any specific and urgent needs your student may have, from learning effective research methods to studying for a big test. As your student develops stronger habits that support their classroom success, their tutor will support them in pushing further, working to understand the context and legacy of important historical events while strengthening their core academic skills.
A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.

Marcus Garvey

Overview and Introduction

Psychology bridges natural and social sciences, teaching students the structure and functions of the brain while also exploring evolutionary motivations for human behavior. Your student will understand patterns of human behavior, while asking and answering challenging questions about human nature. Psychology also empowers students to understand their own habits and patterns of behaviors, gaining insights that can help them to be more effective learners.

What to Expect

Your student’s tutor will help them to understand and remember essential terminology, analyze dense texts about theory and philosophy, write effective and well-organized papers, and recognize course concepts in the world around them. As your student gains a deeper understanding of core concepts in Psychology, they will be able to apply these concepts to a range of contexts, from their academic to their professional careers.

How It Works

To begin with, your student’s tutor will work with them to identify their immediate priorities, considering urgency, importance, and complexity in determining where to start. Over time, as your student sees their results improve and their confidence increase, they will work with their tutor to master content at a deeper level and think more critically about the important and challenging questions Psychology seeks to answer.
We are what we are because we have been what we have been, and what is needed for solving the problems of human life and motives is not moral estimates but more knowledge.

Sigmund Freud

Overview and Introduction

Psychology bridges natural and social sciences, teaching students the structure and functions of the brain while also exploring evolutionary motivations for human behavior. Your student will understand patterns of human behavior, while asking and answering challenging questions about human nature. Psychology also empowers students to understand their own habits and patterns of behaviors, gaining insights that can help them to be more effective learners.

What to Expect

Your student’s tutor will help them to understand and remember essential terminology, analyze dense texts about theory and philosophy, write effective and well-organized papers, and recognize course concepts in the world around them. As your student gains a deeper understanding of core concepts in Psychology, they will be able to apply these concepts to a range of contexts, from their academic to their professional careers.

How It Works

To begin with, your student’s tutor will work with them to identify their immediate priorities, considering urgency, importance, and complexity in determining where to start. Over time, as your student sees their results improve and their confidence increase, they will work with their tutor to master content at a deeper level and think more critically about the important and challenging questions Psychology seeks to answer.
We are what we are because we have been what we have been, and what is needed for solving the problems of human life and motives is not moral estimates but more knowledge.

Sigmund Freud

Overview and Introduction

Economics is the study of human behavior in relation to resources, and it teaches students essential concepts, terminology, and relationships that will help them to make sense of important national and world events. When your student takes Economics, they will learn the law of supply and demand, theories of market forces, and properties of stable currency. But they will also learn about the way we make choices, how our biases affect our behavior, and how we can be more disciplined and reliable in how we make decisions.

What to Expect

Some students need help understanding challenging concepts while others seek support in developing good study habits for a class that moves quickly and uses extensive technical terminology. Your student’s tutor will work to identify your students strengths and difficulties and work collaboratively with them to develop the understanding and skills necessary to be successful in their Economics class.

How It Works

Most students meet with their tutor for a weekly, one-hour session. During the session, your student and their tutor will identify academic priorities and goals, review concepts and practice applying them to new context to ensure that your student understands, and collaborate to establish reliable study habits to support your student’s long-term success.
Economics is everywhere, and understanding economics can help you make better decisions and lead a happier life.

Tyler Cowen

Overview and Introduction

Economics is the study of human behavior in relation to resources, and it teaches students essential concepts, terminology, and relationships that will help them to make sense of important national and world events. When your student takes Economics, they will learn the law of supply and demand, theories of market forces, and properties of stable currency. But they will also learn about the way we make choices, how our biases affect our behavior, and how we can be more disciplined and reliable in how we make decisions.

What to Expect

Some students need help understanding challenging concepts while others seek support in developing good study habits for a class that moves quickly and uses extensive technical terminology. Your student’s tutor will work to identify your students strengths and difficulties and work collaboratively with them to develop the understanding and skills necessary to be successful in their Economics class.

How It Works

Most students meet with their tutor for a weekly, one-hour session. During the session, your student and their tutor will identify academic priorities and goals, review concepts and practice applying them to new context to ensure that your student understands, and collaborate to establish reliable study habits to support your student’s long-term success.
Economics is everywhere, and understanding economics can help you make better decisions and lead a happier life.

Tyler Cowen

Meet the Tutors Behind Open Door Education!

Meet the Tutors Behind Open Door Education!

Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, we’re here to help!

Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, we're here to help!

Kind Words from Past Students

Kind Words from
Past Students

Tom

He/Him

Master Tutor

SAT/ACT, SSAT, German, Writing, Organization

Tom’s first experience with one-on-one education came through an informal language exchange program in Berlin, Germany, where he lived for parts of 2007 and 2009. For one hour, Tom would teach his partner English, and for the next hour, Tom’s partner would teach him German. It was like platonic speed dating for polyglots, and Tom enjoyed the experience. When Tom returned stateside in late 2009, now fully confident in his language skills, he decided to tutor German to students in the Boston area, and thus blossomed his tutoring prowess, which now includes the ISEE, SSAT, SAT, ACT, and GRE.

Tom studied Political Science and German at the University of Rhode Island, where he earned his BA in 2008. Tom also competed as a Division-1 track and field athlete in the long and triple jump. Since he suspects the reader is wondering, the answer is “yes:” Tom was indeed able to dunk a basketball on a regulation rim. For several years, Tom worked in environmental policy, and in 2012 he completed a Masters of Environmental Management at Duke University, with a concentration in Environmental and Resource Economics.

When Tom is not at Open Door, he pursues snowboarding, patronizes Chipotle, visits family and friends, and travels the US and abroad.

Ellen

she/her

Senior Tutor

SAT/ACT, Organization, Writing, Literacy

Ellen is enthusiastically supportive of a wide variety of learning styles. Her educational experience encompasses public and private settings and students of many ages and backgrounds. She has earned a master’s in Integrated Day Education from Antioch New England Graduate School, and a second master’s from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Ellen is licensed as a teacher and administrator in Massachusetts and prefers to spend her time working face-to-face with individual students.

She leverages knowledge of neurology, organization, technology, special education, and long-term educational outcomes to support students with atypical learning styles. Her tutoring partner has four legs and meows.

Ellen values self-reflection and challenges her own learning in such diverse areas as enigmatology, mycology, costume, international and historic dance, and local history. Becoming a grandmother has confirmed Ellen’s certainty that all children are special.

Matt

he/him

Principal Tutor and Founder

SAT/ACT, SSAT, Math, Humanities, Writing, Organization, Biology, Chemistry, US History

From humble beginnings (helping his younger sisters with their math homework), Matt’s tutoring career quickly blossomed in 2005 when he began tutoring students in math, history and writing in his hometown of Acton, Massachusetts. Since then, he has worked as a private tutor and classroom instructor for various subjects, teaching a 6-month ESL program for high school students in Mexico and, more recently, an SAT/ACT prep course for under-served kids in DC’s For the Love of Children program. Matt now works full-time as an academic and test prep tutor, helping students in the following areas: SAT/ACT/GRE, Math, US History, Writing, Biology and Chemistry. Matt graduated from Williams College in 2004 and earned a Master’s of International Studies at Johns Hopkins in 2010. In addition to cheering/complaining about his beloved Boston Red Sox, Matt enjoys salsa dancing and cooking.

Travis

he/him

Founder and CEO

SAT/ACT, SSAT, ISEE, Math, Humanities, Writing, Organization

Travis Minor founded Open Door Education in 2011 with the goal of providing exceptional educational support and helping students to feel successful.

Travis, who earned his B.S. in Secondary Education at the University of Vermont and his M.Ed. at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, began his teaching career in West Philadelphia, where he became acutely aware of the profound impact of enthusiastic, rigorous tutoring. He saw how one-on-one tutoring could teach content efficiently and effectively, but that it could also provide so much more, from mentorship to organization to a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an effective student. Travis loves helping students succeed, and he’s grateful that he gets to spend each day doing what he loves.

When he’s not at Open Door, Travis loves listening to podcasts, running, playing basketball, learning to play bass, and going on adventures with his wonderful wife Rebecca and his best friend Dewey, a Bernese Mountain Dog.