Meet Joseph Helpern

Mr. Helpern is a veteran science educator and tutor with over 15 years of experience helping students build deep understanding, critical thinking skills, and lasting confidence in science. He has taught in both public and independent schools and has coached cross country and fencing. Mr. Helpern also previously served as a STEM consultant for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, where he designed programs, trained faculty, and built partnerships to support science education across the district.

Currently, Mr. Helpern teaches upper school science at Greenwich Country Day School, where he was part of the founding faculty. Prior to that, he taught at Brunswick School and Friends Academy in New York, offering a wide range of courses including biology, chemistry, environmental science, and algebra-based physics. He works with students in grades 7–12 and specializes in helping students succeed in AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2.

Mr. Helpern approaches teaching and tutoring as a coach and guide. His students are encouraged to make sense of complex scientific ideas on their own terms, with the right support at the right time. He focuses not only on content mastery but also on the development of durable academic skills: problem solving, resilience, and the ability to think clearly under pressure. Known for his engaging, personalized sessions, he meets each student where they are and helps them move forward with clarity and confidence. His work is grounded in a belief that learning science can be joyful and empowering—and that great tutoring builds not just knowledge, but independence.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Helpern is a father of three daughters, an outdoor enthusiast, and an avid collector of mechanical watches. He holds an M.S. from Lehman College and a B.A. from Case Western Reserve University.