Seth A. Stambaugh grew up in Placitas, New Mexico riding his bike, going to school, and with a natural passion for learning.  He always possessed a deep ability to concentrate, which aided him in his creative and educational endeavors.  During his childhood, Seth attended both Montessori and traditional elementary schools before matriculating at Albuquerque Academy in 1998 for middle and high school.  During his time there, he discovered that his passion for education had a deeper root than in simply learning; it extended to helping others learn as well.  

 

In seventh grade, Seth began volunteering as a teacher’s assistant at local elementary schools.  In high school, he tutored students who were inmates at the Camino Nuevo Youth Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  During his senior year, he chose to complete his “Senior Project” by becoming an intern teacher’s assistant at Cottonwood Montessori in Corrales, New Mexico.

 

After graduating from the Academy with a cumulative 4.24 GPA in 2005, Seth decided to move to Portland, Oregon, to continue his educational pursuits at Lewis and Clark College.  He studied English and Sociology before pursuing a graduate degree in education at Lewis and Clark Graduate School of Education and Counseling.  He received his Master’s Degree in Education (M.Ed.) with a 4.0 GPA and returned to New Mexico.  Continuing his education, he enrolled in Montessori Elementary Teacher training at The Montessori Education Center of the Rockies in Boulder, Colorado, receiving his Montessori Teaching Certification from the American Montessori Society.  He gained experience working in both public and private schools as a state certified teacher while also tutoring students one-on-one in his spare time.  

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After ten years working as a schoolteacher, Seth decided to create Piñon Tutoring.  He believes one-on-one tutoring is the most effective way for students to gain knowledge, hone critical thinking skills, identify core values, and develop integrity.  He embraces the idea that learning is not just about developing competence in subject areas, but also about developing confidence, life skills, and identity.

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In his free time, Seth enjoys working on home projects, cooking, writing, and spending time with his dog and two cats.