Seattle · In person and online
I'm Thor Breitbarth. I was educated at Boston University, then spent six years doing research at elite organizations: the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Seattle Children's, and Dyno Therapeutics. I take a small number of students each term and teach the subjects I have excelled in: biology, history, writing, and the AP and SAT exams behind them.
I'm based in Seattle. Sessions can be at a library, café, your home, or online. High school through college.
What I tutor
These are the subjects I scored 5s in and, in the sciences, have done for a living. I'll also teach you how top scorers THINK, not just test-day tricks (although I've got some of those too).
AP Biology · UW BIOL 180/200/220 · Genetics
My bread and butter. I have a competitive degree, plus years working with truly the best scientists in the world.
AP US · AP World · AP European
We'll cover content, how to connect the dots, and how to write a winning thesis or DBQ.
AP Lang & Lit · Essays
Learn to read and write analytically. The books you read in class are your best teachers!
SAT · PSAT · AP exams
Content, strategy, and confidence. Approach the tests like a top scorer.
Also: Algebra · Geometry · Pre-Calc · Chemistry · Physics · Biotech and other sciences
How I teach
I believe every student can get there, and there are many roads to success. So there's no script: I read your last few tests or assignments, we figure out how to play to your strengths, then we'll spend the majority of our time on what is actually costing you points.
We'll work through problems out loud so I can see exactly where the logic breaks. With the right fixes, you can approach any new problem systematically instead of just drilling flashcards.
Every question on the AP Bio exam comes from real science that I've used at the bench. We'll wrap our heads around tricky concepts and understand why they matter, which is what really holds up under pressure on a real exam.
I read your scores the way I read lab results: what changed, what didn't, and what to do differently next week. We double down on our successes, we learn from our mistakes. Step by step, you will improve.
Rates
Every student starts with a free 20-minute intro, so we both know it's a fit before we begin.
| Tutoring, any subjectBiology, science, history, writing, SAT and AP prep | $75per hour |
| Intro sessionWe'll explore fit, goals, and a plan for session one | Free20 minutes |
| College admissions guidanceEssay coaching and application strategy | Inquire |
In-person in the Seattle area and online. Save 10% with a prepaid block of 5 sessions. A sliding scale is available for families who need it.
students a term, on purpose. Quality beats quantity for tailored lessons. When it's full, I'll keep a waitlist.
In their words
Thor was a fantastic teacher and brought his passion to each lesson. His first step was understanding my goals & what I wanted to get out of learning and helped build lesson plans with my goals at the forefront. In my lessons I got to learn at my pace and didn't just get told tasks but had everything behind what I was learning explained. Thor is super patient and encouraging and made the little victories feel huge. I'd recommend him to anyone, beginner or advanced, looking for well structured and fun lessons.
I had the pleasure of working with Thor, and I was consistently impressed by his ability to explain complex concepts clearly and connect with students. He's knowledgeable, patient, and just really loves learning and teaching. He also has a real knack for differentiating his instruction, picking up quickly on how each student learns best and adjusting his approach accordingly, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all method. I would gladly recommend him to any student looking for a thoughtful and effective tutor.
For parents
Sooner is always better for understanding the content. For focused exam prep, eight to ten weeks is ideal: enough time to find the gaps, fix them, and practice under real conditions. Most families call three weeks out. Please don't be them! But if you are, call anyway and we'll make it count.
Bring a recent test or assignment. I'll read it the way I'd read a lab result, we'll figure out where the points are actually going, and we'll leave with a plan for the term. If the free intro feels right, we can get straight to work that same day.
Both! In person around Ballard and greater Seattle, online anywhere. Online works especially well for writing and history. Hands-on science benefits from being in the room, but it's not required.
Yes! Intro biology, genetics, and cell and molecular biology are where I'm most useful, because I've spent six years doing the work those courses are preparing you for. Same rate, same free intro. Online works well for college schedules, and I'm in Ballard if you'd rather meet in person.
Then it's not a fit, and nobody's paid for anything. That's exactly what the free intro is for. I'd rather you find the right tutor than the closest one.
Also offered
Tutoring is the main event. These two are things I love and do well, and I'm happy to offer them alongside it.
From Beethoven to blues, technique to music theory, I love to teach music. Advanced lessons available for intermediate players and adult returners, from a competition-level pianist (Seattle International Piano Festival; KMTA scholarship; WMTA State Honors Recital, Allston Band of the Year). Live lessons, online, or annotated feedback on your recordings all available.
Catch me playing at the Ballard Farmers Market most Sundays!
Need guidance on targeting competitive schools? We can work together on essay coaching and application strategies.
Get started
Tell me what your student is working on and where they want to get. We'll find the right fit, no pressure and no cost.
Tutor Thor
