John Burford IV
Founder & President
John is a 2012 graduate of Princeton University and former president of the Princeton Alumni Club of Central Florida.
He scored a 1590 on the SAT and a 35 on the ACT, earning recognition as both a National Merit Scholar and a U.S. Presidential Scholar — one of the top two students from each state honored in 2008 at the White House by President George W. Bush.
John was voted Best Tutor in Orlando in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
John lives in Lake Mary, Florida with his wife Stephanie and their son John. In his spare time, he enjoys lifting weights, reading, and attending the traditional Latin Mass. He tutors both in person at the Orlando office and online.
Adam Blackwell
SAT & ACT Instructor—Orlando
Adam graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. After graduation, he worked as a manufacturing engineer for Lockheed Martin in Texas before returning to Florida to be closer to his family. He scored a 1520 on the SAT (equivalent to a 34 on the ACT) and was a National Merit Scholar.
In his free time, Adam enjoys playing volleyball and pickleball, practicing his Catholic faith, and designing engineering projects ranging from wearable exoskeletons to a portable version of Hawk-Eye, the line-calling system used in professional tennis.
Adam currently tutors in-person at the Orlando office and online.
Devin Rankin
Program Lead, The Maclay School
Devin is a 2023 graduate of the University of Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting with a minor in Statistics. After college, Devin and his wife served for two years as Catholic missionaries with FOCUS at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. Devin scored a 1500 on the SAT (equivalent to a 34 on the ACT). In his spare time, Devin enjoys going on walks with his wife and daughter, playing sports, and reading.
Devin currently teaches and tutors full-time for the SAT in Tallahassee, where he leads Magnolia Prep’s exclusive partnership with his alma mater, the Maclay School.
Matthew Knight
Lead SAT & ACT Instructor—Baton Rouge
Matthew is a 2013 graduate of Louisiana State University, where he majored in Biology and minored in Business. He scored a 32 on the ACT and a 1480 on the SAT. Over the past decade, Matthew has taught hundreds of students and helped raise their scores by an average of 4 points.
In his spare time, he enjoys playing fantasy football, reading, and building computers.
Matthew currently tutors in the Baton Rouge metro area.
matthew.knight@magnoliaprep.com
Susan Driscoll
Secretary
Susan received a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology from St. Joseph’s College, where she graduated summa cum laude. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Sociology from Keene State College.
Susan has served as Director of Mission Programs for Mustard Seed Communities, Director of Mission Engagement for the Sisters of Mary, and Project Manager for Corporate Travel Services-Pilgrimage and Faith Division. She has also served as a secretary for three Catholic pastors.
Susan now serves as the Magnolia Prep secretary, where she does everything from help new students get started to bookkeeping to running payroll.
In her spare time, Susan enjoys attending the traditional Latin Mass, reading, spending time with her husband, and playing with her beloved dog.
Susan currently works in the Orlando office.