San Francisco educator

Helping students stay curious, confident, and engaged.

BJ Averell is a Harvard graduate, longtime tutor, actor, improviser, Story Time Chess instructor, and Outschool educator.

Email BJView résuméExplore his experience ↓
BJ Averell smiling outdoors
Harvard graduate20+ years of tutoringActor & improviserStory Time ChessOutschool educator
Teaching experience

A creative educator with real range.

BJ brings warmth, adaptability, humor, and more than two decades of experience helping young people learn.

Story Time Chess

BJ teaches young children chess fundamentals through stories, characters, imaginative play, and playful group instruction—building strategic thinking, patience, and confidence along the way.

BATS Improv

As an improv camp counselor, BJ leads collaborative games, classes, and performances that develop listening, creativity, teamwork, and comfort speaking in front of others.

Outschool Courses

BJ created and teaches original classes including Think Like an Amazing Race Winner and Creative Confidence for Kids, combining communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

Private Tutoring

For more than 20 years, BJ has supported elementary through high school students across core subjects, adapting explanations to different learning styles and building lasting relationships with families.

9

He really did win The Amazing Race.

BJ and his teammate crossed the finish line first on Season 9 of the CBS series—after navigating high-pressure challenges around the world with creativity, teamwork, resilience, and a strong sense of humor.

More than a teacher

An actor, improviser, musician—and world traveler.

BJ’s path into education gives him an unusually engaging set of tools for connecting with students.

1
Actor and trained improviserBJ trained at iO Theater, Upright Citizens Brigade, and The Groundlings, and performed with Harvard’s On Thin Ice and Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
2
Calm under pressureHis Amazing Race experience sharpened the same skills schools value: adaptability, fast thinking, collaboration, and composure in unfamiliar situations.
3
Music and creativityA pianist since age eight, BJ plays classical, jazz, and blues and has taught piano to children.
What BJ brings

Prepared to support students across all grade levels.

Group instructionLesson plan executionClear communicationCreative engagementAdaptabilityStudent confidenceCurriculum designOnline and in-person teachingElementary through high school
★★★★★
“BJ has a natural gift for making kids feel safe enough to take risks and be silly. He is patient and knows when to give kids a long leash and when to gently steer them back to the activity.”— Kathleen F., parentOutschool family review

Available in San Francisco

Work with BJ.

BJ is available for tutoring, chess instruction, enrichment programs, creative workshops, and substitute teaching.

bjaverell@gmail.comView BJ’s résumé →