Wondering what sets Private Prep’s books apart? We sat down with Emily Lubejko, Tehya Baxter, Daniel Hamilton, Kyla Haggerty, Chris Reddick, Max McMahon, and Michael Cerro, authors of our ACT materials, to learn more about these experts behind the texts and what they like most about our For the Love Of… series.
What inspired you to work on these test prep books?
Michael (Science): I developed a library of knowledge about the ACT Science section from working with Private Prep students and learning how they approach the exam; it’s incredible how students think differently about the same questions. I felt an insatiable urge to get this information down on paper, because I wanted to share it with students I could not work with directly. There are hardworking students out there that could flourish with just a bit of guidance.
Kyla (Reading/English): Working on For the Love of ACT Reading and the upcoming For the Love of ACT English is my attempt to make this information accessible to a wider scope of students, while also making the actual content more enjoyable and less scary. A lot of the existing test prep books use challenging language/vocabulary, which makes things sound more complicated than they actually are. I’d rather make complex concepts feel simpler!
What is your favorite part of the book? What do you think makes it special?
Emily (Reading): I love that For the Love of ACT Reading is interactive. A student who needs support with the ACT Reading section probably doesn’t want to have to read unnecessary words! So, we tried to break it up into small pieces of reading and then give the student a chance to practice and try out the strategies.
Dan (Reading): The skills taught in For the Love of ACT Reading extend beyond test prep. For many students, the text offers a quick, invaluable course in foundational close reading strategies.
Kyla (Reading/English): We have to read these passages with our students, so we really did try to make them interesting! Beyond that, I think the Guessing Strategy worksheet is extremely useful. It really proves that the goal is to learn the ACT, and that the exam itself has patterns and tricks that sometimes don’t have anything to do with reading comprehension.
Teyha (Reading): I appreciate that For the Love of ACT Reading can be used with students who are coming into this process at any level. There are tools to build reading comprehension, but you can also jump right to strategies for time management. While it can be worked through cover to cover, it also has the flexibility to be utilized non-sequentially, allowing students to focus on material that they know they need more work on. If you’re looking for reading support, the last thing you want to do is read more than you need to!
Chris (Math): My favorite part of For the Love of ACT Math is the pure volume of practice. Far too often the amount of practice in other prep books falls short. The runner-up is probably the handwritten explanations.
Max (Math): My favorite part has been trying to predict how the ACT is evolving to ensure that For the Love of ACT Math is the best possible reflection of the real test. I also love that the book allows students/tutors to efficiently and productively diagnose and work on their areas of greatest need for improvement.
When you’re not tutoring, what can we find you doing?
Chris (Math): When I’m not tutoring or developing resources for Private Prep, I work as a paramedic in Yonkers and The Bronx.
Tehya (Reading): Outside of Private Prep, I am a certified Irish dancing teacher, traveling around the world with a program that trains dancers to compete at the highest level of international competition.
Dan (Reading): I love to bike and explore the corners and hidden pockets of very large cities.
Emily (Reading): My favorite things are my rescue pup Benny and watching the Baltimore Ravens. I’m also planning a wedding, which is putting my organization and planning skills to the test!
Max (Math): I am an accomplished amateur baker (currently honing my skills on the savory side of the kitchen). Historically, I have been a sports, movie, and video game- nut, but now most of my efforts go into being a proud father of a newborn son!
Thanks for chatting everyone! Want to learn more about our books or the test prep process? Check out our resources library or contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation.
