BILTMORE’S TUTOR REQUIREMENTS
- Master’s Degree and/or PhD
- Teaching Experience
- Exceptional Interpersonal and Motivational Skills
QUALIFICATIONS: All of our tutors have Master’s degrees or PhD’s and extensive teaching experience. Beyond these industry-leading requirements, Biltmore Tutoring looks for individuals who have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. Biltmore Tutoring selects only those tutors who measure up to our standard of excellence.
EXPERIENCE: Biltmore Tutoring provides our tutors with an environment in which they can continue to pursue their own pursuit of personal excellence, without many of the headaches associated with traditional teaching or those associated with in-home tutoring (travel, etc.) As a result, we are able to attract the best tutors in the area.
All of Biltmore Tutoring’s specialists possess a minimum of a Master’s Degree along with teaching experience, and are experts in their subject areas.
OUR TUTORS
Dr. MARJORIE TIMMS, PhD
Dr. Marjorie Timms brings a rich history of training, research and direct classroom experience to the creation of individualized programs in Writing, Reading, and Communication Arts. With a broad range of teaching experiences in both remediation and enrichment of communication skill development, Dr. Timms combines thorough assessment with innovative, research-based strategies to provide a personalized approach to developmental communication. At Biltmore Tutoring, Dr. Timms serves as a mentor, guide, and tutor in helping students to develop effective creative, scholarly, or technical writing. Sessions may involve the infusion of creative and expressive arts or focus on identified communication needs. In addition, Marjorie offers preparation for standardized tests, such as the PSAT/SAT/ACT/SSAT, college entrance essays, study and learning skills, or skills in public speaking and group presentation. Aspects of interpersonal communication may be woven into sessions, with opportunities for practicing skills in conflict resolution, strengthening confidence in communication or refining skills in personal and social communication.
Goal-oriented sessions are based on a combination of diagnostic-prescriptive assessment and identification of learning strengths and special abilities, with a pragmatic focus on incorporating individualized learning styles and multiple forms of intelligence, along with motivational multi-modal, experiential learning and a systematic achievement of mutually-selected goals.
A graduate of Northwestern University’s renowned School of Communication, with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and English Education, including combined studies in the Interpretation of Literature, Theatre, and Public Speaking, Marjorie has retained a focus on creative arts infusion and dynamic, interactive learning experiences. Graduate studies have included two Magna Cum Laude Masters degrees – a Master of Arts in Drama: Acting and Directing from West Virginia University’s Creative Arts Center and a Master of Science in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology from Ithaca College in New York. In addition to completing a 5-year research grant in language and reading from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Timms was awarded a Doctorate in Special Education, with a focus on curriculum design and instruction. Marjorie also studied conflict resolution and mediation with Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, resulting in a nine-year project incorporating Rosenberg’s nonviolent communication model (NVC) in work with young people, family communication, and resolving interpersonal communication issues.
Dr. Timms holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech/Language Pathology, (CCC-Sp/L) along with Professional Teaching Certification in Language Arts, English, Speech Communication, Drama/Theatre and Special Education. She has also been honored with Master Teacher status, Who’s Who in American Women, the Woodbury Reports ‘Excellence in Education’ award and over 250 grants for her innovative work in expressive arts and communication for both gifted students and students with learning challenges, as well as ‘twice-exceptional’ gifted learning disabled students.
Marjorie’s particular area of expertise involves her belief in discovering or rediscovering each student’s special gifts and abilities as a springboard to overcoming barriers to achievement.
*** Please note that Marjorie’s busy schedule as a lecturer allows only for remote tutoring via Zoom ***
Subjects: AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature; College Essay Writing; SAT Reading; SAT Writing & Language; ACT English; ACT Reading; Reading and Study Skills; GRE; SSAT
Dr. MARY MAC OGDEN, PhD
Dr. Mary Mac Ogden has over twenty years of teaching experience at the secondary and college levels. She is a published author and conducts research on southern politics, civil rights and American nationalism. Her book, The Politics of Progress in South Carolina, is currently in publication at the University of South Carolina Press.
Dr. Ogden received her B.S. in History from Presbyterian College, an M.A. in History from UNC Wilmington, an M.Ed. in Secondary Social Studies, a graduate certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies and a PhD in American History with special fields of US South and American Women from the University of South Carolina. She is a Guardian Ad Litem and a freelance writer, and holds teaching licenses in North and South Carolina. Her special interests are traveling, conducting research, renovations and resale of estate jewelry.
Subjects: AP US History
NATHAN MOORE, MFA
Nathan Moore graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA in English and Biology. At UNC, he worked in their Writing Center, where he developed an extensive toolkit for approaching writing assignments across disciplines and genres. Afterwards, he spent several years pursuing a career in academic publishing at Duke University Press, before returning to school to complete an MFA in creative writing at Boston University. At BU, he taught writing workshops to undergraduates at the university and high school students at Boston Arts Academy.
His goal as a tutor is to make language approachable in all forms, whether it’s grammar, reading comprehension, or writing. Language is expressive, but there are also straightforward rules and strategies that can serve as a solid foundation to build on, especially in a high pressure or time sensitive testing environment. As one of his professors put it, “If writing can’t be taught, then everyone wouldn’t make the same mistakes when they start.”
In his spare time he enjoys grueling summit hikes, sifting through thrift stores and estate sales to feed an overflowing vinyl and book collection, cooking elaborate meals with his wife, and working endlessly on a novel in the middle of the night.
Subjects: AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature; SAT Reading; SAT Writing; ACT Reading; ACT English; College Essay; SSAT; Reading & Study Skills; College Essays; AP Biology; Biology; AP Environmental Sciences
BILL SATTERFIELD, MS
Bill Satterfield completed his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) at the University of Florida, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE) from the Florida Institute of Technology with a specialization in Integrated Circuit (computer chip) Design.
After starting his engineering career in Failure Analysis, he completed a Masters degree and moved into circuit design where the majority of his career was designing circuits for space applications. Many of his “chips” are currently flying in satellites in orbit around the Earth. As part of this work, he has four patents covering mathematic derivations and physical circuit designs for this extremely challenging environment.
His teaching experience covers a wide range from leading college engineering courses, to performance driving instruction at over 140mph.
As part of his community service focused on helping youth, he has volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters for 8 years as well as volunteering as a certified Tire Rack teen driving school instructor to help improve the sad statistics for our teen drivers.
His hobbies are diverse: an amateur race driving career started with autocross (2009 E-Stock Florida State Champion driving a 1995 Miata), progressed into track days, and finally into road racing. He has driven a wide range of vehicles on racetracks, ranging from a Toyota Tercel to a Lamborghini Huracan. When not driving, he is “Flagging and Communication” certified and has worked at the 24 Hours of Daytona race for many years. Low-speed hobbies include vegetable gardening, home remodeling and construction, and bicycling.
Subjects: ACT Math/Science; SAT Math; AP Calculus; Algebra (all levels); Integrated Math I-III; PSAT; SSAT; Study Skills; Geometry; Trigonometry
EVAN LUNT, MS
Evan is a science educator with experience teaching at the secondary and college levels. He received his BS in chemistry in 2016 from Brown University and completed his MS in chemistry in 2019 from the University of Pennsylvania. His research focus was in inorganic chemistry, or the chemistry of metals, but chemistry at large has always fascinated Evan. He approaches the teaching and learning of STEM subjects as putting together puzzles, marrying the mathematical approach of memorizing formulas with the creative, spatial awareness and 3D manipulation he believes makes science engaging and thoughtful. He has enjoyed teaching and mentoring students from elementary age groups up through college, and he truly believes that everyone is capable of grasping and enjoying science. He has explicit goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion in and out of the classroom to ensure that every student he encounters leaves having learned something.
Outside of the classroom, Evan finds his creative outlet with music and visual art. He is a trained classical pianist and cellist, having played with numerous orchestras, bands, and other performing groups over the years and having appeared on a few CDs (now on Spotify!). He enjoys learning new instruments and has dabbled in steel drum, marimba, organ, and timpani. As an artist, Evan enjoys painting, sculpture, and fashion; having recently fixed his sewing machine, he hopes to be engaging with the fashion world again in no time.
Evan is a recent transplant from Philadelphia and loves the fresh air and the beautiful mountains here. He loves being outside, hiking, and exploring the miles of trails around Asheville. He is always accepting recommendations for new hikes!
Subjects: AP Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; Inorganic Chemistry; ACT Math/Science; SAT Math; AP Calculus; Algebra (all levels); Integrated Math I-III; PSAT; SSAT; Geometry; Trigonometry; AP Statistics; AP Physics; AP Environmental Science; College Math; Multivariable Calculus
CALIE BERRY, MA
Calie Berry grew up in what was, at the time, the sleepy little town of Charleston, South Carolina. She grew up at the beach. Her upbringing on the coast instilled an incredible love and appreciation for this incredible planet and all of the beauty that it nurtures. Her curious nature was piqued as she traveled to countries such as Costa Rica and St. Maarten. As she was exposed to more foreign cultures, she couldn’t help but delve into Spanish. She started learning Spanish when she was 12 years old and that process continues to this day – Calie understands what it means to be a lifelong learner!
She has been incredibly fortunate to have traveled to and lived in multiple countries, such as Peru, Spain, Argentina and Costa Rica. She possesses Bachelors’ degrees in both English and Spanish from Clemson University. She was awarded an assistantship to the Spanish Graduate Program at the University of Georgia (along with a scholarship) and was able to earn her Master’s degree in Spanish and to travel extensively overseas. Calie also taught at the Universidad Cesar Vallejo in Trujillo, Peru, and was able to expand her knowledge of the Spanish-speaking world by leaps and bounds as a result of this experience.
While Spanish (as well as English language topics including ACT and SAT preparation) are a large passion of Calie’s, she also enjoys being outdoors in her free time. She loves to cook delicious vegan meals and to create things that inspire others. She is of the firm opinion that life is short and must be lived to the fullest. Calie is inspired to help students achieve at their utmost level of ability, while appreciating the wonders and possibilities of the larger world.
Subjects: Spanish I, II, III; AP and College Level Spanish; AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature; SAT Reading; SAT Writing; ACT Reading; ACT English; SSAT; Reading & Study Skills; College Essays
ELLEN HARRIS, MFA
Ellen Harris is an educator and tutor whose 30-year academic career includes college freshman advising, university teaching and tutoring program administration. An honors graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis where she earned the BA in Anthropology/Sociology, her undergraduate concentrations were World Cultures, History and Literature. A graduate scholarship recipient, she holds the MFA in Communications/Media from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, serving as graduate teaching assistant to undergraduates while completing the three-year program’s coursework, media practicum requirements and comprehensive examinations.
From a young age, Ellen looked up to her teachers, but she had something extra for inspiration.
Her mother and her aunt were accomplished educators. As teachers, they modeled patience,
dedication and an ability to develop trusting, productive relationships. Those same qualities
have guided Ellen throughout her career.
With a lifelong passion for education and deep commitment to the community of learning, Ellen
places a premium on helping students succeed. As a university instructor, she taught courses
in Composition, Social Sciences, Media Arts and History. As a media producer, she created
over half a dozen award-winning nonfiction pieces in association with PBS North Carolina. As
both instructor and producer, she served as mentor and advisor to countless students and
aspiring professionals.
Her documentary filmmaking explores the backroads of North Carolina and probes the human
heart, including narratives of a disabled teacher, a rural student, and a perceptive family elder.
She is also a grant recipient for projects supporting gifted and talented education and diversity
in education. In her travels and experience with educational programs overseas, she gained
experience among students from all over the world.
Locally, she is a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and she
has volunteered in research, preservation and museum work in her hometown of New Orleans.
She loves music, the performing arts, film, road tripping, and most anything outdoors. A tutor
who knows the value of engaged, active learning, Ellen is very enthusiastic about Biltmore
Tutoring’s student-centered approach and results-oriented strategies.
Subjects: AP Biology; AP Environmental Science; Social Sciences; Composition; AP English; AP Literature; AP US/European/World History; Study Skills; College Counseling; Essay Writing; ACT English, ACT Science; ACT Reading; SAT Reading and Writing
DENNIS LABARGE, MBA
Dennis LaBarge has been a teacher for the past 15 years, following a successful career in the computer industry as a product line manager and business consultant. Certified to teach Physics, Chemistry, and Math, Dennis has 14 years experience teaching High Level International Baccalaureate (IB) Physics and 6 years experience teaching Advanced Placement (AP) Physics B. His real world experience in the private sector has enabled him to bring his subjects alive in the classroom, enlightening students with tangible examples of how the Physics, Math, and Chemistry principles are applied in everyday life.
Having earned a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) and a Masters in Business Administration from Oakland University, Dennis was taught by professors who employed traditional lecture style instruction. From his first days as a teacher himself, however, Dennis has employed an inquiry-based approach in the classroom as means to engage his students in critical thinking throughout the entire learning experience. Rather than depending strongly on PowerPoint lectures for delivering the content of the course, Dennis has used hands-on demonstrations of discrepant events and numerous discovery-based practical lab activities to deliver the concepts directly into the hands of the students. Dennis has led workshops on his teaching methods for science and math teachers at the various school districts where he has taught and at selected teachers conferences in the US, South America, the Middle East and in Europe.
Dennis has applied his inquiry-based teaching approach also with his tutoring students, successfully preparing them for improved performance in the classroom and for high achievement on their IB and AP subject tests.
Subjects: Algebra I – II; Geometry; Pre-Calculus; Trigonometry; SSAT; Integrated Math I-III; AP Chemistry; AP Physics; SAT Math; ACT Math; ACT Science
KRISTIN KELLY, MA
Kristin graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Social Work from NC State University. After graduation, Kristin accepted a recruitment scholarship offer from Kansas State University and took a job as a Graduate Teaching Assistantship there. While completing her Graduate Teaching Assistantship she was recruited for a position as the STEM outreach coordinator in a National Science Foundation grant office—the K-State Office for the Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering. In that particular role she was able to work with junior women faculty on the tenure track as well as help coordinate and provide support for STEM summer camps for young girls and women in the Manhattan, KS area. In 2014, Kristin graduated from Kansas State University in 2014 with a Master of Arts degree in Sociology by successfully defending and depositing her thesis on political sociology and social movements. After graduation, Kristin was published in a competitive peer-reviewed journal, Contemporary Justice Review. Kristin was also accepted as an AmeriCorps volunteer here in Asheville, NC for two years, where she continued her work as a STEM Education Coordinator and Educator for two local nonprofits in the area.
Kristin is currently an instructor at Gaston College where she teaches courses in Sociology and Academic Success. In her sociology courses, Kristin highlights the importance of the Arts in STEM by designing hands-on, engaging activities for her students that emphasize the engineering design process, science and mathematical sociology. Kristin also teaches Academic Success courses to college transfer students and shows her students study strategies that and techniques for college.
In her downtime, you can find Kristin on the French Broad River in the summer months on a paddle board or on a tube, floating down the river. Kristin also enjoys playing community softball and kickball when she is able. On occasion, she can also be found mentoring elementary and middle school children in LEGO robotics. Overall, Kristin is a well-rounded individual, gifted writer and mathematics lover who is looking forward to helping your child succeed!
*** Please note that Kristin’s teaching schedule allows only for remote tutoring via Zoom ***
Subjects: AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature; SAT Reading; SAT Writing; ACT Reading; ACT English; ACT Math; ACT Science; College Essay Writing; SSAT; Reading & Study Skills; Pre-Algebra; Algebra I; Algebra II; Geometry; Statistics; Integrated Math I; Integrated Math II; Integrated Math III; Science
GARY ANDERSON, MS
Gary received his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin and his master’s degree in Mathematics from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Upon graduating from Marquette, Gary spent 37 wonderful years teaching high school math in the classrooms of Germantown, Wisconsin, and retired in 2016. In his long career, he also coached football, basketball, baseball and golf. He coached the varsity golf team for 17 years!
After retiring he moved to Hendersonville, NC, with his wife, Sally. Gary’s ties to Wisconsin still remain, as he has two married sons and a granddaughter that he gets back to see as often as he can. If he can tie this to a visit at American Family Field to see his beloved Milwaukee Brewers, that’s even better!
Today, Gary fills his time by volunteering with Meals On Wheels, serving on the Laurel Park Greenway Board, and tutoring! You will also find him on a bike, on a hike or walking their greyhounds Higgins and Finn – or perhaps their newest addition, a beagle named Hazel.
Gary believes that a good tutor will teach mathematics in a way that builds student confidence, while helping them – and their parents – achieve their goals.
Subjects: ACT Math; ACT Science; SAT Math; SSAT; GRE; SAT Subject Tests; Algebra; Pre-Algebra; Geometry; Integrated Math I; Integrated Math II; Integrated Math III; Integrated Math IV; Calculus; AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC
KATIE DAVIS, MA
Katie earned a MA in Special Education from Vanderbilt University with a focus on behavioral disorders. While pursuing her Master’s Degree, Katie tutored for the Vanderbilt Reading Clinic as well as Nashville Metro Schools, researching and applying evidence based reading interventions. Prior to attending Vanderbilt, Katie received a BA in Psychology with a Minor in Educational Studies from Haverford College. While attending Haverford, she was a four year starter and two year captain of the school’s NCAA women’s fencing team.
In addition to tutoring, Katie is a full time special education teacher. She values tutoring because of the opportunity to focus on an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in a supportive environment. Katie particularly enjoys helping students discover what reading strategies and executive functioning skills work best for their individual learning style.
In her spare time, Katie enjoys cooking, swing dancing, and caring for her rescue dog, Gatsby.
Subjects: AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature; SAT Reading; SAT Writing; ACT Reading; ACT English; College Essay; Biology, SSAT; GRE; Reading & Study Skills; Algebra; Pre-Algebra; History; Spanish; ACT Math; ACT Science
BRIAN CASKEY, MA
Brian Caskey
holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from UNC-Wilmington, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Brian completed his Master’s program with great distinction, finishing with a 4.0 GPA. In addition, his thesis, “Autobiography, Southern Themes, and False Nostalgia in the Poetry of Cathy Smith Bowers” won an award as the best master’s thesis in the program. Brian’s work has been published in both scientific and literary journals, including Bios and Palaver Journal.
Before opening Biltmore Tutoring with his wife, Stacey, Brian worked for many years as a systems administrator and senior manager of digital projects for Barnes and Noble. Since returning to the field of education, Brian has helped many of the area’s top students with biology, literature and history topics. A versatile tutor, he specializes in AP US History, AP World History, and AP European History, but he also tutors in Biology, Environmental Science, and Literature topics. Brian takes great pleasure in showing students how to score highly on their AP essays, using what he calls ‘the murder method.’
Despite his technical background, Brian is a firm believer that narrative is the most important element that leads to understanding. Knowing the story that ties facts and details together is the only way to understand what’s happening and why.
In his spare time, Brian enjoys kayaking, fishing, golfing, and restoring old cars (his current project is a 1971 Datsun 240Z sports car).
Subjects: AP US History; AP European History; AP World History; Biology; Environmental Science; AP English Language and Composition; AP English Literature; College Essay Writing
STACEY CASKEY, MS, NBCT
Stacey Caskey completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Brooklyn College and Queens College. She went on to receive additional master’s degree at New York University. A National Board-certified educator, she taught in the NYC school system for eleven years before moving to Asheville in 2001, weeks before 9/11. Stacey taught at Claxton Elementary from 2001-2010 and is now the educational director and co-owner of Biltmore Tutoring. With 25+ years in education, Stacey is one of the most knowledgeable resources of curriculum, school administration, and testing programs. She was elected to the Henderson County School Board in 2020.
Stacey received her College Counseling Certificate from the University of California – San Diego in 2012. She makes frequent visits to colleges and universities around the US, so that she can stay abreast of admissions criteria and requirements, as well as obtain an understanding of college-specific programs and opportunities. Once gaining college admittance, Stacey works with families to obtain scholarship money to fund these dreams.
Stacey says, “College admissions are much more competitive now. In 2020, Harvard accepted only 6% of their applicants, Stanford 7%, Duke 14%, and UNC 29%. What does that mean for your student? Excellent ACT and SAT scores are needed before students will even be considered by a college admissions committee. Grades, extracurriculars, and class ranking are also important. After the application process begins, we take great pride in helping parents and students navigate the confusing application process, and to help students decide between various programs and scholarship offers.”
Subjects: College Counseling; Academic Advising; College Essay Writing