About Us

What we do

We match families with tutors who work 1:1 with students of all ages in their homes and online. Our purpose is always to enable students to become curious, confident, and independent learners. We stay up to date with current best practices and customize instruction to each student’s needs, learning style, goals, and interests.

It’s always been about the kids

In 2005, Nurturing Wisdom founder Pari Schacht was working full-time as a history teacher on the North Shore of Chicago. She also tutored students after school. Pari experienced how powerful one-on-one tutoring was for her students and how rewarding it was for her. Ultimately, she decided to leave her teaching job to focus solely on tutoring. Nurturing Wisdom was born and has supported thousands of families in the years since!

Founded, owned, and run by women

After moving away from Chicago and opening her own Montessori school, Pari sold Nurturing Wisdom to long-time employees Alyssa Coburn, Erin Doyle, and Jeanne Rerucha in 2016. All three are former classroom teachers, and Jeanne and Alyssa are moms. With this background the trio brings a specific perspective to serving families and running a business.

#alwayslearning

Our administrative team is made up of education professionals, and their experience and expertise influence everything we do. We know that the process of learning is not one-size-fits-all, and it’s not a straight line from here to there. It's also about more than just academic content. Tutors integrate strategies for motivation, growth mindset, executive functioning, and anxiety. Learning - truly learning - takes time, and it doesn’t have a defined end. We want students to…

• learn how to learn
• become self-aware of their learning style
• see mistakes as opportunities
• celebrate the small achievements along the way to meeting their big goals

More than smart

We work with only the best tutors. Who are they? All college graduates, they are lawyers and actors, stay-at-home parents and scientists, teachers and grad school students. And they’re so much more than good at their subjects. Our tutors are masterful at breaking down concepts and processes, meeting students where they are. Just as important, they care about connecting with their students and helping them grow. Their ability to tailor lessons and respond to students’ needs in the moment sets them apart!

From our kind of town to the rest of the world

Three cheers for technology! Because of Zoom, Google Docs, and document cameras, we’re able to deliver the same services we provide to our in-person Chicagoland students to families everywhere from Arkansas to Hong Kong. We even tutored one eighth grader as she traveled around the world with her family!