David
David received his Bachelor of Arts in Theater Studies from Yale University, where he also extensively studied history and English. While in college, he developed his passion for writing and historical research, combining his love for storytelling with academic rigor. As a Hayutin educator, David supports students from elementary through high school with a focus on humanities subjects, including English through the AP level, US History, World History, and European History. David is also an experienced Executive Functioning coach who helps students improve study skills, time management, organization, and planning. His experience coaching competitive tennis has honed his ability to work effectively with young people and help them achieve their goals. David is also pursuing a career as a writer and is currently developing several film, TV, and podcast projects. In addition to writing, David has directed multiple plays and musicals in both New Haven and New York. In his free time, David is an avid tennis player, movie enthusiast, and Ina Garten enthusiast
We Asked, David Answered
What is one of your fundamental beliefs about education?
One of my fundamental beliefs about education is that, for too many students, school becomes an exercise in plugging holes on a sinking ship: rushing from gap to gap, haphazardly taping them up, only to have them break open again as the boat continues to take on water. I believe a good teacher’s job is to take the boat out of the water, put it in dry dock, and help the student learn not just how to plug the holes, but how to fix them. I also believe that metaphors help to explain things.
As an educator, I encourage my students to actively engage with the material rather than simply rushing through assignments to get them done. While grades and deadlines certainly matter, I’ve found that students learn more and perform better when they slow down enough to understand what they’re doing. This understanding ultimately builds confidence and, when a student feels like something’s “clicked,” they become more excited about learning and more willing to put in the work.
What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
My favorite subjects to teach are history and English because they’re my favorite subjects to learn!
Stories, characters, and the worlds they inhabit have always been exciting to me, and I’ve found that no matter how distant a time period or how different a setting might seem, students can usually find something they recognize in the characters, events, or themes (and if they don't, that's something interesting to talk about too!).
Share an anecdote about a time your student hit a wall and how the student overcame it.
I once worked with a student who was struggling after making the transition from high school to college. The increased course load and responsibility quickly became overwhelming, and instead of tackling the work directly, the student began avoiding assignments altogether.
We started by slowing things down and approaching the problem step by step. Together, we looked at all of their assignments and responsibilities and worked on simple organizational strategies to make the workload feel less chaotic. Instead of trying to handle everything at once, we focused on prioritizing tasks, breaking larger assignments into smaller pieces, and creating a realistic plan for what could be accomplished each week.
Over time, the student began to feel more in control of their schedule and their workload. As their confidence grew, they started taking more ownership over their planning and time management. By the end of the semester, not only had they significantly improved their grades, but they were also much less stressed and more confident in their ability to manage their own academic life.
What makes Hayutin different?
What makes Hayutin different is that it has all the dynamism and resources of a large company but the feel of a true mom-and-pop shop (or, to be more accurate, a bro-and-sis shop… sorry, had to).
Amy, Matthew, and the entire Hayutin team create a warm, approachable atmosphere that makes everyone feel welcome and supported. They also genuinely care about their students. The staff regularly checks in with me about how the students I’m working with are doing, asking thoughtful questions and offering support when needed.
What is the favorite thing you've learned from a student?
That crows can recognize human faces.
I always knew I hated birds.
Other than education, what is something you are passionate about?
The NBA!
What’s something you learned about yourself after high school that you wish you knew back then?
I learned that it is better to chunk my bigger assignments and work on them little by little every day.
What is a stretch you experienced growing up?
As a kid, I often struggled to stay organized. I still struggle with this and, until I can afford an assistant, I’ve found that to-do lists help a lot.
If you could tutor any historical figure, who would it be and what would your focus be?
If I could tutor any historical figure, I’d pick Luka Doncic. My approach would focus heavily on enthusiastic praise, flattery, and positioning myself for free Lakers tickets.What’s the book on your nightstand you are dying to read?
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
