I recently had the pleasure of connecting with Ben Keller, the Director of Operations at Student Nest, and I was absolutely blown away by their thoughtful and effective approach to tutoring. My conversation with Ben revealed a deep commitment to not just academic achievement, but to building student confidence and creating truly personalized learning journeys. It’s clear that Student Nest is run by passionate educators who understand what it takes to help students thrive.
Led by Educators, Not Just Business People
What immediately stood out to me is that Student Nest is driven by a team of experienced educators. Ben himself has over two decades of experience in education as a teacher and administrator, with a special focus on helping English language learners and students who need extra support. This background shapes the entire philosophy of the company. They reject the rigid, “cookie-cutter” models that so many large tutoring corporations use.
“If you’re really, if you’re not just a business, but if you’re actually educators… educators should understand the art of teaching and understand, you know, the art and the possibility, you know, how you can customize the instruction to the instructional needs of the kids.”
This educator-led approach means they see tutoring as an art. They understand that real learning happens when you can adapt and tailor your methods to each unique child, rather than forcing a student to fit into a pre-made system. This vision was born from the founders’ own search for a better tutoring option for their children, leading them to build the company they wished existed.
Radical Customization for Every Learner
Student Nest truly excels at creating highly customized programs. Ben emphasized that the most effective intervention is one that is tailored to the individual. They collaborate with families to determine the best format, whether it’s in-person, fully virtual, or a hybrid model. They shared a fantastic example from Fresno, where a hybrid program with an on-site liaison helped over 200 at-risk students get back on track to graduate.
The customization goes beyond logistics. They can provide simple homework help, targeted instruction to fill specific learning gaps identified through assessments, or even a blend that includes social-emotional learning (SEL) support. This flexibility allows them to meet a student exactly where they are and build a program that addresses their complete needs—academic, emotional, and motivational.
Quality Tutors and Meaningful Coaching
A tutoring service is only as good as its tutors, and Student Nest places a huge emphasis on finding and developing top talent. They start with a minimum requirement of an associate’s degree and often hire credentialed teachers. Many of their tutors are also certified through the National Tutoring Association, ensuring a high standard of practice.
However, what’s truly impressive is their internal process for growth. Drawing on his experience as a school principal, Ben has cultivated a culture of continuous coaching and mentorship. Management regularly checks in, provides feedback, and helps tutors refine their skills. This investment in their people ensures that students aren’t just getting a tutor; they’re getting a well-supported and skilled educator who is dedicated to their success.
“I was a really good identifier of teaching talent. And I was a really good mentoring coach… I’ve basically trained some of our other management team members to basically do the same thing.”
A Collaborative and Data-Informed Process
How do you know if tutoring is working? At Student Nest, it’s a collaborative and transparent process. For programs focused on filling learning gaps, they use pre-assessments to identify exactly where a student needs help. They then create an Individual Learning Plan, which is shared with parents for feedback. Progress isn’t just measured by grades but by observing a student’s confidence and classroom engagement.
“We are passionate about collaboration in every contract we have in every relationship. I love it when we get a chance to talk to parents. When we get a chance to talk to teachers, when we work with administrators, when we fine tune, we tweak, we adjust.”
They use post-assessments (and mid-term assessments for longer programs) to demonstrate concrete growth. This data-informed approach is always combined with open communication. They welcome data and feedback from parents and teachers to ensure the learning plan is always perfectly aligned with the student’s needs, creating a true partnership for success.
Connect with Student Nest!
I am so excited about the work Student Nest is doing for families. If you’re looking for a tutoring partner that is flexible, effective, and truly cares about your child’s growth, I highly encourage you to reach out to them.
You can also check out their full profile on Learn Grid.
All the best,
Corey Engstrom
Founder, Learn Grid
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