Education is the foundation upon which the future of children, and thus our world, is built. This underscores the significance of educators who go above and beyond to unlock the gates to opportunities for learners from all walks of life. The Achievable Excellence in Education Awards are designed to spotlight these contributors, acknowledging the dedication …
Education is the foundation upon which the future of children, and thus our world, is built. This underscores the significance of educators who go above and beyond to unlock the gates to opportunities for learners from all walks of life. The Achievable Excellence in Education Awards are designed to spotlight these contributors, acknowledging the dedication and innovative efforts of tutors, admissions counselors, and teachers who transform lives on a daily basis.
Below, we are pleased to announce the 2024 Achievable Excellence In Education Awards nominees and winners! To view them, visit the Achievable Excellence in Education Awards 2024 nominees and winners page.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions in five categories, reflecting the various facets of educational guidance and instruction:
This year’s nominees stand out not just for their expertise in their respective fields but for their unwavering commitment to making education accessible and engaging. Each nominee has helped individuals make significant strides in achieving their educational and career goals.
Education is a tool of empowerment, offering students the keys to unlock their full potential. Be it through illuminating the complexities of algebra, guiding students into their dream colleges, or navigating the pathways to professional licensing, these educators have proven that with the right guidance, the impossible becomes achievable.
Bio: I was born and raised in Mexico City, educated in the United States of America, graduated from the University of Houston and went to work as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley. Years later I went to work for a subsidiary of AIG. Later, I became a real estate broker and owned my real estate agency. Now that I am semi-retired, I am paying it forward to the next generation by helping test takers achieve their dream of becoming a Financial Advisor.
Mark is the recipient of our Special Recognition award to honor his efforts that extend beyond test preparation and tutoring. Mark has spent decades in the finance industry and leverages that knowledge to provide coaching and career support alongside his tutoring. He mentors his clients and gives them clarity, direction, and support with their careers in the finance industry. His motivation comes from inspiring his clients to be their best selves in and out of the workplace, helping them navigate the challenges in finance around promotions, work-life balance, and more. Mark’s holistic approach to and deep investment in his client’s success aligns with Achievable’s mission of making education accessible to everyone, and we’re excited to honor him as our Special Recognition award winner.
Bio: Julie is the owner and primary instructor at Brain-Grow Education. She attended Columbia University and designed the first undergraduate Education major there, graduating summa cum laude. She then moved on to Harvard University where she earned her Ed.M in Education. Julie has been teaching full-time for over 20 years. She is a firm believer in hard work, implementing effective strategies, and designing a curriculum that is engaging and rewarding.
Julie’s dedication to education is evident in her work both as a teacher and at Brain-Grow Education. Julie loves learning, and spends every class working to pass that excitement along to her students. Her infectious enthusiasm helps make her a student favorite both at her school and online through Brain-Grow. She is also known for her willingness to try new things to help her students learn and is always on the forefront of new educational trends and technologies. This innovative mindset combined with a genuine passion for education makes her the kind of teacher you hope your kids will experience.
Bio: I am a Compliance Officer with specific experience in Fixed income and Equity markets in addition to tutoring candidates for the Series 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 24, 55, 63, 65, 66 exams. Specialties: trading, risk arbitrage, institutional sales, teaching FINRA licensing exams, compliance, sales supervision, trading and market making, AML, Member firms, Broker Dealer, Trading activity, Broker-Dealer, Compliance consulting, Compliance program, Registered representative licensing and supervising. Annual compliance, Compliance policies.
Ken is a larger than life personality that endeavors to make preparing for financial licensing (FINRA and NASAA) exams as fun and easy to understand as possible. Known for his colorful language and blue collar roots, Ken has grown a large following on Youtube and TikTok channels. In them, he breaks down complex problems into simple rules and explanations, takes practice exams live so that viewers can watch him think through problems, and offers words of encouragement for those going through the tough financial licensing process. Ken gives back to the community by sharing his knowledge openly with the world, extending his impact far beyond the students he tutors himself.
Bio: David Blobaum is a nationally recognized expert on standardized exams and college admissions. He graduated from the University of Chicago with honors both from the college and in his major. Since then, he has devoted himself to helping students reach their potential on the SAT and ACT and, more broadly, to help them succeed through education. In addition to leading Summit Prep, he is on the Board of Directors for the National Test Prep Association and serves as its Director of Outreach to help highlight how academic standards can help students, schools, and society.
Summit Prep is an academic tutoring organization focused on providing personalized lesson plans and instruction to all of the students they work with. Focused on the New Jersey area, Summit Prep supports students through regular high school classes, AP classes and exams, and SAT and ACT admissions preparation. Summit Prep works with many students for multiple years and guides their educational journey and academic careers at a critical juncture in their lives. David, the founder, is a prolific speaker and advocates for the importance of standardized testing for improving college equity on news outlets from local to national, all while appreciating the challenges that come along with these tests.
Bio: Petia is a former Dean of MBA Admissions and the founder of My MBA Path. Her mission is to connect aspiring leaders with the MBA program of their dreams. For candidates who want to put together MBA applications they are proud of, she serves as chief strategist and thought partner in the MBA admissions process.
Petia impresses with her wit and comprehensive knowledge about the graduate school admissions process. Her company, MyMBAPath, has a long track record of helping aspiring MBA candidates get into the top MBA programs in the country, especially the illustrious M7 schools. Petia is a “happiness warrior”, always bringing an infectious cheer to every client and helps applicants stay motivated on the long and often challenging journey of applying to MBA programs.
Bio: Sasha founded Ivy Scholars in 2015, and since then has worked with hundreds of students, honing his skills as an admissions counselor. He has helped students from every background, and seen them succeed at applying to every one of the top fifty colleges in the US. He has gathered and oversees a team of like minded-mentors, who delight in seeing the success of their students, and who work to master the ever-shifting admissions landscape. Sasha’s vision for Ivy Scholars is to educate, enable, and empower students to achieve the best versions of their lives by exploring their intellectual curiosities, proving their talents, and telling their stories to top-tier admissions committees.
Ivy Scholars, led by Sasha Chada, has, in nine short years, established itself as one of the premier undergraduate admissions counseling firms in the United States. Sasha’s dedication to students and care for his craft are evident in his work and his firm’s results, which includes 7X the national admit rate to top schools like Stanford, Columbia, and MIT. His episode on the Shift podcast about landing impactful internships is so insightful that other counselors have said that they made it required listening for their staff. Sasha and Ivy Scholars are leading the way by focusing on making genuine educational experiences a key part of building a college resume, and providing white glove service for those navigating the US college admissions process.
The Achievable Excellence in Education Awards not only serve as a public acknowledgment of the outstanding work being done by educators around the country, but also as a celebration of the profound impact education has on individual lives and society at large. By highlighting the achievements of these dedicated professionals and organizations, we hope to inspire others to pursue excellence in their educational work.
We invite you to join us in celebrating these remarkable nominees and winners. Their stories of commitment, innovation, and impact are a testament to the power of education. By recognizing their contributions, we acknowledge the invaluable role educators play in shaping our future, making dreams attainable for everyone, regardless of their starting point.
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