MARISSA

Academic Director

Marissa has dedicated the past two decades to higher education, with diverse roles including student affairs, leadership development, and admissions/enrollment. She spent a significant portion of her career at Bryn Mawr College, where she learned the intricacies of selective admissions and witnessed the transformative power of liberal arts and women’s colleges.

She also has extensive experience counseling on school selection and admissions; her approach to advising students and families emphasizes mindfulness, personal growth, and celebrating each step of this pivotal journey. As a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist, Marissa brings a holistic perspective that integrates academic preparation with emotional well-being. Her focus is on helping students excel in their studies and test preparation while maintaining balance, ensuring that they are not only prepared for the next academic step but also confident and resilient in the face of academic challenges.

Marissa lives in Philadelphia where she loves being a mom to her toddler son and teenage diva dog. She enjoys trying new restaurants, exploring new parks and playgrounds with her son, spending time with family and friends, yoga, and dance fitness classes.

GRETCHEN

Senior Tutor

Gretchen has been working for LP ever since she graduated from Princeton University, where she studied Molecular Biology and Dance, and moved to New York City to dance professionally. When, after a few years of pursuing contemporary dance, she felt like she was ready for a change, Gretchen had the opportunity to fully immerse herself in the world of international education. In the process, she fell in love with the culture and language of Brazil.

Gretchen loves teaching—particularly chemistry—and she gets especially excited to help her students reach the “Aha!” moments that occur when initially puzzling or daunting concepts finally click.

Gretchen also volunteers her time tutoring ACT/SAT lessons to underserved students through The Jesse Kolber Foundation scholar program. When she's not at LogicPrep, Gretchen can be found practicing yoga, listening to WNYC, taking dance class, or reading in Carl Schurz park with her pet bunny, Xavier (pronounce "sha-vee-air").

JAMIE

Senior Tutor

Since graduating from Duke, Jamie has spent more than a decade guiding students to success as a LogicPrep Tutor and Academic Advisor. No matter what he is teaching, Jamie brings a thoughtful, holistic approach and calm demeanor to inspire confidence and help his students maximize their potential. Jamie leads the development of LogicPrep’s ACT and SAT verbal programs and serves as a mentor to LogicPrep’s team of Tutors. He also helped to establish and serves on the board of the The Jesse Kolber Foundation, which provides both access to and financing for college to high-achieving students who have demonstrated resilience, financial need, and a commitment to academic excellence. 

A deeply logical thinker who beats everyone at board games, Jamie is the person you look forward to playing with anyway; his approachable, reassuring confidence makes him an empathetic and effective coach no matter what he is doing. When he’s not teaching, Jamie spends his time on a wide range of passions, including sports, music, literature, and his beloved dogs, Duke and Hobbes.