Working closely with students, families, and schools, Josh Berlin and his group provide individually tailored tutoring and education consulting programs, with the ultimate goal of shaping strong, thoughtful students who have the skills to move forward in a successful, independent manner. Whether the student requires subject tutoring, and/or skills training to address concerns such as executive function, attention deficit, and more, we offer a careful balance of support and accountability in the service of these goals.
Since 1988, Josh Berlin has provided study skills, learning support, and education consultation, to students of all ages, families, and Boston area schools.
Over the past three decades, I have gotten to know many wonderful kids and their families and, like a godfather for hire, I have been part of the maturing process for hundreds of youngsters who have eventually met their challenges and moved on to college and professional life. My energy as a tutor and education consultant flows from these relationships and the artistry of helping to shape and mentor young people. Without the intimate bond that results from the shared struggles that young students face, I might be no different than someone selling a more mundane service since, on a daily basis, I must also run an office, deal with typical human resource concerns, and address all the issues of a small business practice.
My career in education, as a tutor and consultant, has proved more rewarding and interesting than I ever could have imagined back in 1988 and has given me vast exposure to the workings of student life, families, and schools. Yet, even as my business and power has expanded in range over the years, my goals for my students remain the same, reflecting such virtues as independence, confidence, curiosity, and competence. If my service comes close to delivering on these goals, hour-by-hour and week-by-week, then I will remain satisfied with the career I have chosen and the service I provide.
Josh received his Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and B.A. from Amherst College
Whether the student requires subject tutoring and/or skills training, we offer a careful balance of support and accountability in the service of these goals.
Comprehensive tutoring services, elementary school through college.
Expert education consultation for students, families, and schools.
Standardized test prep, for secondary school and college applications.
Private school and college placement consultation.
"Any time" check-ins by phone or email.
Written feedback after a designated set of meetings.
An intake process to insure an appropriate match between student and tutor, by phone or in person.
Three decades of experience helping students, families, and schools.
"Let me start out by saying that Josh Berlin is outstanding. Our family first met Josh when we hired him as a writing tutor for my daughter (who is now 24) when she was in 8th grade. Besides being smart and terrific at what he does, Josh goes that extra mile to connect with students on a personal level. He was a wonderful teacher, resource, and mentor. The one-on-one instruction Josh provided made the difference between my daughter being a good writer, to becoming an excellent writer with greater confidence in her writing skills. He instills a healthy work ethic in students, not wanting tutoring to be seen as just a crutch, but rather a strong foundation to build upon. Over the years, Josh's role in my daughter's academic life expanded beyond writing to include guidance around managing school related stress, supervising the college application process and on-line writing support while in college. Josh was versatile and flexible in meeting my daughter's needs. Additionally, for math tutoring, my daughter worked with one of Josh's math associates. Without hesitation, both my daughter and I would highly recommend Josh Berlin and his company to any family who is looking for an educational consultant they can trust and have complete confidence in"
"As a client, I feel the intensity of Josh's professional commitment to the greater well being of our sons, and our family. His integrity is immediately evident. Josh's style is always professional, energetic, practical, "can do", efficient, and direct. He is brilliantly analytic in his approach to a problem. He is a "quick study"; he is psychologically intuitive; he listens, asks probing questions, seizes the core of the matter, reflects it back to the student, or parent, and then helps elicit the resolution that is right for them. Josh does not pretend to be a counselor, or therapist. (If he sees a problem that is not being attended to, he alerts the parents, and the school.) If he feels he cannot be of any more use to a student, or family, he tells them, and moves on. He prides himself in his efficiency; he does not want to spend client's money unless he believes he can be of help. He does not "suffer fools," and he" tells it like he sees it." Cleariy, Josh Berlin is more than the "sum of his hats". He IS uniquely skilled in providing a myriad of individually tailored "solutions" to meet the needs of the students, and parents who are lucky enough to discover him. You would be lucky if you, or any member of your family, had the opportunity to Work with Josh Berlin."
"Josh is nothing short of superb in his work with students and his communications with parents and teachers, and his hiring and supervision of staff. Josh is expert in recognizing and addressing learning difficulties-- the results of neuro-psychological testing often confirm his "read" of a student--and a master at providing practical, productive strategies for students to achieve greater success. In addition to his distinguished academic background and depth of experience, Josh's personality contributes to his unique effectiveness. He is frank, even outspoken, particularly in advocating for students. His humor and energy appeal to students who have become discouraged about their academic abilities. Josh and his team work closely with teachers and advisors, making sure they understand course expectations and have a full picture of what else is going on in a student's life. Josh and his staff work in a variety of school settings, and respect the distinct cultures of each school. Josh's understanding of a student's learning style and his familiarity with our courses and faculty enable him to provide us with very helpful counsel at these meetings and in informal exchanges as well."
"Josh is the ideal tutor, both from the student's and parent's perspective. Kids find him to be approachable, respectful, supportive, and attentive to their concerns."
"Josh helps us with all of our constituencies in a variety of capacities. First and foremost Josh has been an outstanding tutor for students with learning differences in language based and organizational areas. He has worked well with those students and helped them learn to take advantage of their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses. He has helped them develop strategies for learning that serve them well at St. Mark's and beyond."
"Josh Berlin has played a key role in the academic lives of our two sons, P (18) and J (16) over the last four years. Josh tutors P; and helped our family make the decision of whether he should change schools. As part of J's Homeschooling program, Josh provided him with an American History Tutor/teacher. Because Josh approaches a student's academic needs in the context of the whole picture of a student's life, he has played a key role in the life of our entire family over the last four years."
Check out some of Josh's papers.