Letter from Founder
I never cared to pursue education as a career. I saw pedagogy overcomplicated, curriculum diluted, and achievement inflated. Ostensibly, we were doing more to better our education system yet our results show the opposite.
What I always cared about was how people became better versions of themselves— how they became happy, fulfilled, and found purpose. I studied developmental psychology to try to understand how our thoughts and behaviors worked and why the range of human experience was so vast. I studied philosophy because I couldn’t help ask questions and the why behind everything. I fell into education quite accidentally and, after more than a decade, I'm happy I did. I learned much about myself, and more about human beings than I ever did in my studies.
Human development starts from the inside-out. Academic development works the same way. Most acknowledge that our emotional state impacts our learning, but I have seen firsthand how much learning impacts our emotional well-being. Students that are engaged in their learning feel purpose and peace of mind, while experiencing a greater sense of self.
My goal is to provide adolescents with the vision and insight regarding who they are, and the tools to continue to develop themselves to their potential. Because a student’s livelihood is so intertwined with their academic world, it is nearly impossible to separate the individual from the student. Addressing one always impacts the other— I address both.
We are here to support students on their life journey from adolescence into adulthood: emotionally, intellectually, academically, and strategically.
David
Founder
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David Joseph Issabey
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Coach David’s perspective, influenced mainly by his studies in philosophy and psychology, provides him with a humanistic and comprehensive mentorship approach. Prioritizing development over achievement, he believes the first leads to the second. As a coach, his approach is to teach students how to self-reflect and self-analyze, allowing them to understand themselves deeply and accurately. His goal is to provide adolescents insight regarding who they are so that they can control their own development.
An admittee to college, graduate school, law school, and medical school, David brings a wealth of experience applying to various academic programs. Across the various programs he’s applied to, he has earned admission to DePaul University, New York University, the University of California Los Angeles, New York Law School, George Washington Medical School, and Harvard University.
Team
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ACADEMIC PARTNER
A researcher, educator, and advocate for accessible learning, Asia blends her expertise in mathematics, physics, and the philosophy of science to create meaningful educational experiences. She believes science should be for everyone and takes a student-centered approach, making complex ideas approachable and relevant. With experience in teaching and research, she connects theory with real-world applications, helping students build confidence in their intellectual abilities. Her passion lies in breaking down barriers to education, ensuring learning is engaging, empowering, and accessible to all.
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ACADEMIC PARTNER
A researcher at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, Chaehee has a background in biochemistry and microbiology, as well as bioinformatics, in which she earned a Master of Science degree. Chaehee’s sharp analytical ability is met with a quiet and soft-spoken demeanor. She brings an organized and efficient method— one crafted from years conducting scientific research— to guiding students to new and challenging academic concepts. Her kindness allows her to challenge students by lifting them up with encouragement and understanding.
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ACADEMIC PARTNER
An up and coming physicist, Antonio brings a personable and down to earth yet passionate and driven teaching approach, pushing students to dig deeper. He continually asks the question of why, and is as analytical as he is curious. Though his academic interests lie in theoretical physics and advanced mathematics, he enjoys history, art, and philosophy just as much. Students thrive under his mentorship due to his ability to relate, make complicated ideas simple, and provide in-depth background knowledge, connecting disciplines while making material relatable.