Let’s talk about your student
Every engagement starts with a free 30-minute consult. No cost, no obligation, and no sales pitch — if I’m not the right fit, I’ll say so and point you toward someone who is.
About me
Katen Gulati· Founder & Tutor
- Based in
- Howard County, Maryland
- Teaches
- Reading & English, Math, Science — K through 12, including AP
- Formats
- In-person and virtual
- Direct line
- 410-350-1528
I’m Katen Gulati, and I run S1 Education out of Howard County.
Being local isn’t a marketing line here — it’s most of the value. I know the HCPSS calendar, I know which teachers assign which projects, and I know what the jump from middle school math to high school math actually does to a kid in this county. When a parent tells me their student is drowning in a particular course, I usually already have a sense of why.
My approach is simple and a little unglamorous: find the real gap, then close it. Most students who are struggling aren’t struggling with this week’s material. They’re struggling with something from two years ago that never got fixed, and every new unit stacks on top of it. Re-explaining tonight’s homework louder doesn’t touch that. So we do both at once — we keep the current grade from sinking while quietly rebuilding what’s underneath.
I only tutor reading, math, and science, and I only tutor one student at a time unless a family specifically asks for a pair. That’s deliberate. I’d rather be genuinely good at three subjects than mediocre at nine, and I’d rather have a small number of students I actually know than a roster I’m cycling through.
You’ll always know what’s happening. A short note after every session, a real check-in every month, and a straight answer if I don’t think tutoring is what your student needs. The goal is for your student to not need me anymore — that’s the whole point.
“The point isn’t to get through the worksheet. It’s to get to the moment the student stops needing one.”
— Katen Gulati
Virtual or in person — your call
Both cost the same and both work. Pick whichever one your family will actually keep doing in week seven, because consistency beats format every time.
In person
Howard County- At your kitchen table, a Howard County Library branch, or a quiet coffee shop — your pick.
- I bring everything: whiteboard, problem sets, and printed practice.
- Free within 15 miles of Columbia, which covers most of the county. Beyond that, $10 per session.
- For in-home sessions I ask that a parent or guardian be home. It's better for everyone.
Virtual
Anywhere in Maryland- Zoom with a shared digital whiteboard you keep a copy of after every session.
- Same rate as in-person — same hour, same prep, no travel.
- Sessions can be recorded on request so the student can rewatch a tricky explanation.
- All you need is a laptop and a stable connection. A tablet with a stylus helps for math, but isn't required.
In-person service area
- Columbia
- Ellicott City
- Clarksville
- Fulton
- Elkridge
- Laurel
- Marriottsville
- Woodstock
- Highland
- Jessup
Not on the list but nearby? Ask — I’ll usually make it work. Anywhere else in Maryland, virtual has you covered.
Typical availability
- Monday – Thursday
- 3:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Friday
- 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday
- 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Daytime slots open up during school breaks and over the summer. Weekend mornings fill first, so ask early if that’s your window.
How scheduling works
- How do I get on the calendar?
- Send the form below, email, or call. I'll reply with two or three consult times within one business day, and we'll go from there.
- How quickly can we start?
- Usually within a week. The consult and diagnostic tend to happen in the same week you reach out, with the first real session the week after.
- Do we meet at the same time each week?
- That's the goal — a recurring slot the student can build a routine around. Standing slots are held for you as long as the engagement is active.
- How do I reschedule?
- Text or email as soon as you know. More than 48 hours out, it's free and we'll find another time that week. Inside 48 hours, the session is billed, though sick kids and real emergencies never are.
- What about school breaks and summer?
- I run through both. Summer is honestly the best time to close a gap — no homework competing for the hour, and the student walks into September ahead instead of behind.
- Will I hear how it's going?
- Yes. A short note after every session covering what we did and what to watch for, plus a longer check-in every month or so. No surprises at report card time.
Still deciding? The pricing page lists every rate with no gatekeeping.