More about Rheanna Bates, founder of Luminous Minds
Harvard Grad with Over Twenty Years of Professional Teaching Experience
Harvard College, Class of 2002
I was admitted to Harvard at age 16, graduating cum laude at age 20 with a concentration in English and American Literature. I studied Shakespeare, dramatic literature, and Victorian novels, and also took several courses at the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. While at Harvard, I deepened my passion for teaching as a volunteer tutor for local elementary school students.
Ordained at San Francisco Zen Center in 2009
In 2008, I moved to San Francisco Zen Center for nearly three years, managing the kitchen, completing an apprenticeship in the Green Gulch Bread Bakery, and completing my lay ordination. My Zen study has informed every aspect of my teaching, from my attentiveness to students’ well-being to my compassionate approach to helping students gain confidence in themselves and their abilities.
Professional Tutor since 2002
After graduation, I moved to Los Angeles and began tutoring ESL students in writing in English, expanding into test prep in 2006. Since then, I’ve taught hundreds of students in the U.S. and abroad, both virtually and in person, and have been based in the San Francisco Bay area since 2012.
Five Years of Experience as a Hollywood story editor
I worked as a story editor at Everyman Pictures, based at 20th Century Fox and then at Universal Pictures, on the films “Meet the Fockers,” “Borat,” “50 First Dates,” and “Charlie Bartlett.” I shepherded projects from concept through shooting by discovering stories to adapt and scripts to acquire, finding screenwriters, and then revising and editing script drafts. Five years of work in the film industry taught me how to shape a story, give constructive suggestions and feedback, and help writers sharpen the integrity of their voices.
What People Are Saying
“My daughter was very happy with her work with Rheanna. She found her tutoring style to be organized and clear. She was also inspired by Rheanna’s own success with test-taking. We would recommend Rheanna to anyone who is focused on improving their scores. ”
— Parent, Drew High School
“Both of my children worked with Rheanna—one for SSAT prep and the other for SAT prep. She had a good working relationship with them and me, provided comprehensive, detailed, and pragmatic feedback to them and me, and ultimately helped them improve their performance on their respective tests.”
— Parent, Marin Academy
“Rheanna was great—very patient, smart, and really customized the tutoring to what my daughter needed. A pleasure to work with. ”
— Parent, Convent of the Sacred Heart
“Rheanna is a great tutor and works diligently and methodically to address needs to such caring, specific detail. ”
— Student, San Francisco School of the Arts (SOTA)
“Rheanna was amazing, providing encouraging and supportive tutoring without pressure. She was patient and calm and very hands on. She was able to identify areas my daughter needed help in and she delivered focused attention in those areas. She was a joy to work with. ”
— Parent, Marin Academy
“Rheanna has been a pleasure to work with. She focused on our daughter’s weaker areas and reinforced her strengths. ”
— Parent, Justin-Siena HS
