If learning and testing weren't already challenging enough in and of themselves, success can often depend on the level of congruence between students and teachers. For example, is gender an influential factor in academic success? Amy and Mike invited educator Megan Fitzwater to explore how female students benefit from female educators.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

1. What are the key differences in how girls learn when they work with female mentors?

2. What factors likely contribute to girls feeling like bad test takers?

3. What role do standardized tests play in shaping girls' future opportunities in STEM or other fields?

4. What should educators who want to better support girls in STEM and test prep keep in mind?

5. What kind of female student most benefits from working with female educators?

MEET OUR GUEST

Megan Fitzwater is the founder of All Girls' Prep, a women-led tutoring company dedicated to empowering young women in test preparation and STEM. A graduate of an all-girls high school, she experienced firsthand the confidence and community that thrive in a female-focused environment. It was there that a dedicated physics teacher recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue the subject, inspiring her to enter the University of Colorado Boulder as a declared astrophysics major.

Transitioning from that supportive, all-girls landscape into the male-dominated world of astrophysics, Megan became one of only a few women in her program. She conducted observational research and excelled academically, yet still grappled with imposter syndrome and quietly questioned whether she belonged. Everything changed when she encountered her first (and only) female physics professor in college. For the first time, she saw herself reflected in someone leading the field she aspired to join, and the impact was profound. The shift gave her a deeper confidence in herself and her abilities, one that shaped the course of her career.

Since then, Megan has dedicated her work to creating the kinds of academic environments where girls can see themselves, take risks, and reach their potential. She has developed innovative SAT and ACT curricula, led courses designed to break down barriers in physics and calculus, and built a team of accomplished female tutors, from engineers to film directors, who serve as mentors as much as educators. Through All Girls' Prep, she is committed to ensuring that young women have not only the skills to succeed but also the representation and mentorship to envision themselves in any field they choose.

Megan can be reached at [email protected].

LINKS

Why does teacher gender matter?

The Myth of the "Girl-Friendly" Test

The Impact of Tutor Gender Match on Girls' STEM Interest, Engagement, and Performance

Gender gap in standardized tests: What are we measuring?

Academic performance and single-sex schooling: Evidence from a natural experiment in Switzerland

Student–Teacher Gender Matching and Academic Achievement

Student–teacher gender congruence and student performance: The role of context

RELATED EPISODES

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BAD TEST TAKER?

COMPETITIVE MINDSET IN TESTING

WHY PROFESSIONALISM IN TUTORS MATTERS

ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.