Joseph
Joseph is a lover of arts and ideas, and he endeavors to share this passion with every student he teaches. With over 12 years of experience as an educator, he believes that learning how to navigate the intellectual world enriches the beauty and depth of life. With this in mind, he makes it his goal to empower students with the skills and knowledge to think critically and compassionately about themselves, their values, and the living things that surround them.
Joseph majored in English at Rice University, where he also took classes in philosophy, film, linguistics, and mindfulness meditation. He studied poetry at St. Andrews University in Scotland, as well as British literature at University College London. After graduating, Joseph pursued his passion for music as an intern at SugarHill Studios, the oldest continually operating recording studio in the United States. In 2011 he transitioned into teaching, serving for two years as an English IV and AP English instructor at YES Prep Southwest in Houston. Many of Joseph’s students, typically the first in their families to attend college, now have advanced degrees.
In addition to English, Joseph tutors history, science, mathematics, and Spanish. He also provides personalized assistance with the college and graduate application process, with a particular focus on crafting essays, personal statements, resumes, and supplements. He’s helped students earn acceptances to elite universities and top-ranked graduate programs in business, law, sciences, and humanities.
When he isn’t teaching, Joseph is most likely either producing music, making pottery, or working in the garden. An amateur botanist and active member of the Houston Cactus and Succulent Society, he has been featured as a speaker and written articles on horticultural and ecological topics. He also enjoys hiking and cooking.
Joseph believes that adolescents are learning to navigate the emotional and interpersonal world – not just the academic one – and that developing healthy emotional habits is crucial for fulfillment later in life. So, while he helps students build the accountability, independence, and maturity that are necessary for success, Joseph also works hard to nurture students’ self-esteem, curiosity, and joy.