Mission & Philosophy – Empathy, Integrity & Service

Mission & Philosophy

My mission is to help students become confident, capable lifelong learners.

That begins before any academic content is covered. It begins with connection.

A child who feels judged, rushed, or misunderstood cannot do their best thinking. But a child who feels seen can begin to take risks again. They can ask questions. They can tolerate mistakes. They can learn how to learn.

My work has three layers:

Relationship
I build trust first, because trust is what allows a child to become teachable again.

Executive Function
We work on organization, planning, attention, task approach, and follow-through — the skills that make academic progress sustainable.

Academic Growth
Reading, writing, math, test preparation, and schoolwork become the vehicle. The deeper goal is a student who knows they are capable of growth.

Allen Kushinsky

Academic Mentor and Founder of Tutors of Marin 

I provide individualized, focused tutoring for students in elementary, middle, and high school. My approach is heart-centered and relationship-based, combining academic support, executive-function coaching, and empathy.

I earned my Master’s in Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College and have over 20 years of experience teaching in classrooms and one-on-one settings. I taught in New York City, Thailand, Italy, and San Francisco before opening Tutors of Marin in 2018. My work is influenced by the International Baccalaureate and Reggio Emilia frameworks, but always centers on helping each child feel seen, capable, and empowered to learn.