About Me
"You awoke the knowledge seeker that lay dormant inside me. You reminded me of my own passion and propensity for learning. The paths I am embarking on now and will seek in the future are a direct result of your actions."
-Monica Kim
Greetings! I’m Chris Loper, the owner and sole tutor here at South Cove Tutoring. Here’s a little background on me and my expertise.
I have been a full-time tutor since 2014. I spent seven years working for Northwest Educational Services in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. In 2020, I left Seattle and returned to my hometown, Issaquah, and started this business.
I’m passionate about education because it is a direct way to make the world a better place. I love teaching and helping students improve. I have also witnessed the power of knowledge to improve my own life, so I want to share that knowledge, inspire others to seek it, and empower them to retain it.
I grew up in South Cove, attended Sunset Elementary, Pine Lake Middle, and Issaquah High. I graduated from Issaquah High in 2003 with a 3.8 GPA, over a year’s worth of college credit from AP classes, and an academic achievement award for Physics.
I then attended Montana State University, where I enrolled in the Honors program, majored in Sociology, minored in History, and graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007.
My wife and I live near Sunset Elementary, and my parents still live in the area, between South Cove and Lake Sammamish State Park.
Photo by brook & bryn photography.
I have over 10,000 hours of tutoring experience, and I am well-versed in nearly all high school subjects. I am equally adept at content tutoring, academic coaching, and executive function support. Typically, my work with students is a blend of all three. I also have a great deal of experience and training in the best approaches to standardized tests, such as the SAT and ISEE.
I have extensive experience supporting students with learning differences, such as ADHD, dyslexia, and Autism. I’m comfortable helping students utilize their 504s, IEPs, and testing accommodations. However, I try to go beyond accommodation and actively work with students on remediation because that is the path to long-term growth.
I was trained by Greg Smith, owner of Northwest Educational Services, who has been an educator for over 30 years. Described by some as a “Jedi master of tutoring,” Greg has provided me with invaluable insights into the best practices for connecting with students and supporting their growth. Through Northwest Educational Services, I’ve also received annual training in motivational interviewing, a technique that helps facilitate behavioral change.
I’ve been writing an education blog for Northwest Educational Services since 2014. Topics include effective study techniques, the neuroscience of learning, executive function, brain health, and growth mindsets, plus tips for parents. I also write the self-improvement blog Becoming Better, where I offer habit coaching for adults.
I also have a wide variety of teaching and coaching experience outside of tutoring. I taught ski lessons for five years with Powder Pigs Ski School. I was an assistant teacher for the freshman Honors seminar at MSU, and I taught Big History to gifted 5th graders while living in Bozeman, MT. In 2008, I spent the summer teaching English in Peru. More recently, I spent four years teaching a weekly seminar for adults on science, history, and psychology.
I also co-teach a series of classes called “Parenting for Academic Success (and Parental Sanity).” I have taught tutor training classes for Northwest Educational Services, Learning Professionals, and the University of Washington.
My most recent endeavor is a project called Smart College Habits, which combines academic and habit coaching to help students thrive in college.
In 2021, I published a humorous memoir titled Wood Floats and Other Brilliant Observations.
For fun, I love to ski, hike, kayak, and go bird-watching. I lived at Snoqualmie Pass for five years, and spending time in the mountains remains important to me. In the summer, I’m often out finding secret waterfalls and foraging for wild berries.
I’m also a huge fan of table-top strategy games, such as Dominion, Terraforming Mars, and Concordia, as well as creative games like Dixit and Snake Oil. And don’t get me started on Jenga…
And, when I get the chance, I love goofing around with my nephews.
Photo by brook & bryn photography.
Email is the best way to communicate with me about scheduling or to set up a time to talk over the phone.
Call or Text
425-466-6698
Texting or calling is the best way to reach me for time-sensitive communication.
Mailing Address
4356 W Lake Sammamish Pkwy SE
Apt. 141
Issaquah, WA 98027
I live near Sunset Elementary, but I don't see students at my home. I come to you! (Or we can meet over Zoom.)