Management
Steve Feldman – Founder & Educational Director
Steve has over ten years of tutoring experience, specializing in math for students in K-12 and standardized test prep. As Educational Director, Steve oversees curriculum development and the Academic Coach hiring and training process. He is focused on maintaining the high level of service our NYC students and families have become accustomed to from Private Prep.Growing up in Bethesda, Maryland, Steve has been a coach, teaching assistant and tutor since 1993. After graduating on the Dean’s List at Emory University, Steve moved to New York City and worked in finance at UBS while moonlighting as a private tutor. After two years, his enthusiasm for education combined with his students’ success inspired him to build a tutoring service in Manhattan. Steve has taught part time at the Calhoun School and is pursuing a Master's Degree in Education at New York University. He lives on the Lower East Side with his fiancée, Lauren, who was integral in the launch of Private Prep. He loves traveling, sports, great food and spending time with family and friends.
Scott Levenson – Executive Director
Scott joined Private Prep in 2008 as Executive Director to handle business functions and allow Steve to focus on the promise of our top of the line service. Scott also manages Private Prep’s strategic growth into markets outside of New York City, including our day-to-day operations in Westchester.Scott has spent time as a tutor and mentor for underprivileged students in the Washington, DC metro area. During high school in Potomac, Maryland, Scott helped struggling elementary school students from low income neighborhoods with their schoolwork. After graduating from Emory University, Scott moved back to Washington DC to work as an analyst at MCG Capital. While honing his skills in finance over four years at MCG, Scott also mentored inner city high school seniors as part of the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund program. Seeking an opportunity to explore his entrepreneurial spirit and further professional development, Scott returned to Emory for his MBA, where he graduated with honors.Scott currently lives on the Upper West Side with his wife Tamara and new born son Blake. He is passionate about family, sports, travel, cooking and is an avid reader.
Stefanie Lob – Westchester Director
As Westchester Director, Stefanie is a resource to our students and responsible for the day-to-day operations of Private Prep Westchester. Originally from Larchmont, NY, and a graduate of Northwestern University, Stefanie elected to forgo medical school and dedicated her career to helping students realize their potential. As part of the NYC Teaching Fellows program, Stefanie taught math and built curriculum as a department head at the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics over the course of four years. In her time as a tutor at Private Prep she has helped students strengthen fundamental math skills and increase scores on the math portion of the SAT and ACT. Stefanie has also spent time as a leader on Outward Bound experiential learning trips in Alabama and the Everglades, a ski instructor in California and a gymnastics teacher in NYC.
Isaac Brown – Connecticut Director
Isaac has worked with kids as a teacher, tutor, and camp counselor for over ten years. With a diverse scientific background, Isaac specializes in teaching all levels of math and science. He began working with Private Prep in 2007 while teaching physics at Bronx Science in New York City. As a tutor, Isaac has the unique ability to teach challenging math and science concepts and relate to students on a personal level. In 2009, Isaac returned to his hometown of Westport, CT to launch the Connecticut branch of Private Prep and is responsible for the day-to-day operations in Fairfield County.Growing up in Westport, Isaac attended Staples High School where he was the recipient of several academic awards in math and science, as well as captain of the wrestling team. After completion of his degree in physics at Northwestern University, Isaac moved to New York City to teach physics at Bronx Science, followed by two years as nanotechnology analyst at emerging tech firm, Lux Research. Today, Isaac continues to follow his passion for education as Private Prep’s Connecticut Director and an active member in the Fairfield County community. He is one of two tutors for the Westport chapter of A Better Chance – a non-profit organization dedicated to offering inner-city students the opportunity to attend high-level suburban high schools. He directs the Science and Nature Program at Camp Playland in New Canaan, CT and is an active member of the Westport Astronomical Society, facilitating a children’s astronomy program at Rolnick Observatory in Westport.In his free time, Isaac enjoys concerts, outdoor sports, spending time with his family, and making delicious quesadillas.
Nicole Cohen – Head Learning Specialist
As Head Learning Specialist, Nicole provides valuable support to our students and tutors and assists in the development of Private Prep proprietary resources focused on time management, organization, study skills and students with learning differences. She draws on 15 years of experience working with a wide range of students. Nicole has worked as was a 3rd and 4th grade classroom teacher, an in-schoool Learning Specialist and built her own tutoring private practice. Through these experiences, Nicole has had the opportunity to work in many of the Independent Schools our students attend, including: Brearley, Manhattan Day, Hackley, and Abraham Joshua Heschel. Presently she is a Middle and Upper School Learning Specialist for The Nightingale-Bamford School.A native of Great Britain, Nicole earned her B.Ed. in Education, SpecialEducation and Sciences (minor) from Cambridge University. She also holds a master's degree from Teachers College, Columbia University. Nicole is married to David and they are proud parents of twin boys. As a family they are all learning Tae Kwon Do. Nicole is also a dedicated yogi and cook!
