The Tutor geek
Meet Ned Johnson
Ned Johnson is an author, speaker, and the founder of PrepMatters, an educational company providing academic tutoring, educational planning and standardized test prep.
A professional “tutor-geek” since 1993, Ned has spent more than 40,000 one-on-one hours helping students conquer an alphabet of standardized tests and honing his insights on communicating with students and parents. A battle-tested veteran in the fields of test preparation, anxiety management, and student performance, Ned coaches kids how to manage their stress while simultaneously motivating and empowering them to reach their full potential.
Ned has written for the New York Times, The Telegraph, U.S. News & World Report & The Washington Post and co-authored three books, including the national best-seller The Self-Driven Child. Stop by his Twitter page to say hi!
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“We’re told we should be controlling our child’s eating…to control their child’s weight” @AnnaLutzRD.… https://t.co/IjqAmaWH3i
Ned as Speaker
Speaking Topics
A Sense of Control
An exploration of why teens today increasingly struggle with stress-related disorders and motivational challenges, from obsessive drives to seeming indifference. Ned discusses the science behind fostering a sense of control in kids to develop resilience and inner drive. The talk incorporates the most important insights and advice from his National Best-Seller co-written with Dr. William Stixrud.
Test and Performance Anxiety
A brain-based understanding of stress, its causes and effects, and why it impacts people differently. Often, anxiety can prevent students with solid understanding from demonstrating their mastery in testing contexts. Ned discusses the latest science along with practical advice gained over decades helping kids perform their best when it matters most.
Fostering Intrinsic Motivation in Teens
A neurological and emotional understanding of intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation. What helps, what hurts, and how parents, teachers, and other professionals can enable kids to develop the drive to pursue their own success in school and life.
Sleep and Performance
How does insufficient sleep affect learning, mood, and performance? A look at what science tells us about the importance of, and challenges to being well-rested in an increasingly fast-paced, under-rested world. Particular attention is given to the changes in the sleep habits of teens and how parents and schools can help.
For speaking requests, contact Zara Burrell
“Thank you for a brilliant session on Thursday. The feedback from our members was through the roof, perhaps the best we’ve seen so far. The average rating was 9.7, which reflects the remarkable value that you provided to the group.
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“Ned Johnson’s program, How to Connect and Communicate with Children and Teens: What Do You Say?, in our SPARK Kindness Resilient Community Speaker Series was incredible! Not only did he give our audience valuable ideas and language, he helped people feel seen and supported in a powerful, impactful way. ”
Ned as Author
If you’re a parent, you’ve had a moment–maybe many of them–when you’ve thought, “How did that conversation go so badly?” At some point after the sixth grade, the same kid who asked “why” non-stop at age four suddenly stops talking to you. And the conversations that you wish you could have–ones fueled by your desire to see your kid not just safe and healthy, but passionately engaged–suddenly feel nearly impossible to execute. The good news is that effective communication can be cultivated, learned, and taught. And as you get better at this, so will your kids.
The Self-Driven Child offers a combination of cutting-edge brain science, the latest discoveries in behavioral therapy, and case studies drawn from the thousands of kids and teens Bill and Ned have helped over the years to teach you how to set your child on the real road to success. As parents, we can only drive our kids so far. At some point, they will have to take the wheel and map out their own path. But there is a lot you can do before then to help them tackle the road ahead with resilience and imagination.
ned’s books
In addition to numerous bylines online and in print, Ned has co-written two books with Dr. William Stixrud. Ned loves the dynamism of collaborating on writing projects. Ned’s engaging and funny storytelling style, deep lived experience and insightful prose make his books not only packed with practical value but a pleasure to read cover to cover.
Ned as Educator
Teaching Philosophy
Ned works one-on-one with families to offer academic support and a wide range of test prep (ACT, AP Exams, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, PSAT, SAT, SSAT, HSPT & ISEE).
Ned works one-on-one with families to offer academic support and a wide range of test prep (ACT, AP Exams, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, PSAT, SAT, SSAT, HSPT & ISEE).
People often believe standardized tests are IQ tests. They aren’t.
You have to know what’s on the tests. You have to know how to do what’s on them. And, you have to be able to do your best on any given day. All are knowledge and skills that you can develop — that’s what I help you do. Along the way, we might even help you learn more about the ways you study, think and perform that can could be meaningful to you long after you have forgotten what your test scores were.
To Work One-on-One with Ned, contact info@prepmatters.com
Ned as Leader
At PrepMatters
Under Ned's leadership, PrepMatters has provided over $500,000 in pro bono services to low-income students of both Montgomery County and the District of Columbia over the past 25 years. We support these quality organizations and ask you to do the same.
