Meet Santi Orozco: Senior SAT & ACT Tutor.
Teaching has been a constant in my adult life, as a passion, a service, and a profession. I worked in a handful of academic settings before joining Top Score, serving as a tutor at BoldABC, an academic specialist at Durham Academy Summer Institutes, a Project Manager at KIPP Public Schools, and Head Tutor at Durham Public Schools. As a refugee and first-generation college student (Duke University), I am acutely aware of not only the power of education, but how a student’s identity impacts their learning. A student who thinks their neurodiversity makes them unable to ace standardized tests must be shown (often!) evidence of their ability, to build confidence. Another who believes their innate ability will carry them through 200+ questions must be shown their vulnerability, to build meticulousness. I bring focus and methodology for helping students to develop critical thinking skills and mature intellectual identities. I continue to feel incredibly fulfilled helping students explore their curiosities and apply that knowledge to develop their character.
How I set about the task? First and foremost as a tutor, I encourage a holistic relationship with my students. I recognize that students’ complex interests, dreams, and personality inform their unique learning processes. Consequently, I always put effort into getting to know my students profoundly. A few minutes to contextualize a student’s learning and enthusiasm for hobbies can result in months of deeper motivation to connect how a particular assignment, exam, or piece of information may prove valuable for their personal values and aspirations. If they sense I am invested in them, they will invest in the program and their own success.
Middle School Services: SSAT • Middle School Math
High School Services: ACT • SAT • PSAT • SSAT • Algebra I • Algebra II • Geometry • Pre-Calculus
College Services: Intro Psychology • Cognitive Psychology • Personality Psychology • Intro English/Writing Courses • Spanish • Essay Review
Comprehensive SAT & ACT Program: $4,800
Infinity Math Test Prep Primer: $2,250
Comprehensive SSAT, HSPT, ISEE Program: $2,700
Non-Test Prep Hourly Rate: $150
Duke University
Head Tutor & Teacher Assistant for Durham Public School (DPS) students
Member & Choreographer for Duke Street Medicine Hip-Hop Dance Group
Research Assistant at Belief, Affect & Behavior Lab
Western High School
Member of National Honor Society
Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society
AP Scholar with Distinction
Recipient of AP Capstone Diploma
Congressional Debate member of school’s National Speech & Debate Team
Experience
- Project Manager at KIPP Public Schools
- Academic Specialist at Durham Academy Summer Programs
- English Literacy Tutor at BoldABC Tutoring
Human Heart
- Colombian immigrant and refugee
- Expert Settlers of Catan strategist
- Full-time cat owner and snuggler
- National Parks devotee
- Music connoisseur and producer