Purpose Tutoring was founded by JD Hopper, a math instructor who, in addition to his tutoring practice, teaches classrooms at Charlotte Latin School.

JD graduated high school with a 4.0 unweighted GPA after completing 15 AP and dual enrollment courses and earning a 5 on every AP exam he took. That academic head start helped him graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill’s rigorous economics program in two years.

JD specializes in math tutoring from early elementary through advanced calculus. His approach is centered on meeting students where they are and helping them understand the “why” behind what they’re doing, so math feels logical and empowering, not like a random set of rules to memorize.

JD works with a large roster of students, but he continues to take on new clients as his schedule allows because his passion and mission is to help students thrive in school and in life.

Barrett holds a Master’s degree in Biostatistics from the University of Toronto, where he gained valuable experience as a teaching assistant for upper-level statistics courses. He also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to his academic background, Barrett scored a 34 on the ACT, giving him firsthand insight into high-level test performance.

With over two years of tutoring experience, Barrett specializes in SAT and ACT Math, Calculus, and Statistics. He has helped students raise their SAT scores from around 1000 to 1400 in just a few months, as well as guided high-performing students from the 1400s into the mid-1500s.

His teaching philosophy centers on creating a space where students are not afraid to say “I don’t know.” He believes that confusion in math often stems from fear of being wrong, so in his sessions, he works slowly and intentionally through problems until each concept fully clicks. Barrett tailors his lessons to each student’s learning style, focusing on strong fundamentals, clear problem-solving strategies, and building lasting confidence.

Sara brings a strong academic background and a thoughtful, student-centered approach to tutoring. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her degree with distinction.

She is a remarkably accomplished tutor, having worked with students across a wide range of ages and learning needs, helping them build confidence, organization, and lasting academic skills. She tutors math, writing, and study skills with an emphasis on clear explanation, encouragement, and helping students truly understand what they are learning.

Sara also supports students with college admissions, SAT and ACT preparation, and language learning in both Spanish and French. Her combination of academic excellence, strong communication skills, and personalized support makes her an excellent fit for families seeking a tutor who is both capable and deeply invested in student growth.

Mikyla is an award-winning English educator with an exceptional blend of classroom experience, academic achievement, and advanced communication training. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Media and Journalism and a minor in American Studies, she is now pursuing her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University.

Since 2022, Mikyla has taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grade English, building a reputation for strong instruction, thoughtful mentorship, and meaningful student growth. Her excellence in the classroom was recognized when she was named Teacher of the Year for the 2025 to 2026 school year.

In addition to teaching, Mikyla also works part time writing secondary English Language Arts curriculum for Fort Worth ISD, giving her deep expertise in both instruction and curriculum design. She is an outstanding choice for students seeking high-level support in writing, reading comprehension, literary analysis, and overall academic communication.

Shawn studied Biology at Davidson College, where he served in multiple peer mentorship and leadership roles. After graduating, he worked as a full-time high school Earth and Environmental Science teacher in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools before later pursuing a career at Atrium Health.

Shawn is especially strong in the natural sciences, including biology, environmental science, and chemistry, and he also works with students preparing for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT. He completed advanced Spanish coursework at Universidad de Cádiz, which further developed his fluency and cultural understanding and helps him serve as a highly capable Spanish tutor in addition to his science and test prep work.

Shawn excels at breaking down complex material and explaining it in a way that feels clear and manageable for students. His goal is not only to help students raise their grades, but also to give them the confidence to participate more in class and approach challenging material with curiosity instead of anxiety.

Thomas trained as a writing tutor at the Sweetland Writing Center at his alma mater, the University of Michigan. Since then, he has tutored student athletes in writing and economics and worked as a literacy tutor for children ages 5 to 7. By day, he runs a software engineering consultancy. Outside of work he writes and delivers speeches and blogs about technology, software, and culture. He believes that good writing is good thinking, and he loves helping students find their voice on the page.

At the heart of his approach is a simple belief: every student has something worth saying. Thomas is passionate about helping students express themselves fully on the page, connect with their own voice, and bring the great ideas they already have inside them to the surface in a way that feels authentic, thoughtful, and compelling.