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 three 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 Latin Mass. He tutors both in person at the Orlando office and online.
Robert Ramkissoon
Lead SAT & ACT Instructor—Orlando
Robert is currently pursuing an accelerated master’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Central Florida. He scored a 1510 on the SAT (equivalent to a 34 on the ACT) and brings a strong math and science background to his teaching. In addition to his primary focus on the SAT and ACT, Robert currently tutors math through AP Calculus BC and physics through AP Physics C.
In 2024 and 2025, Robert was voted Best Tutor in Orlando. In his spare time, he enjoys practicing calisthenics, playing video games, and watching documentaries.
He currently tutors both in person at the Orlando office and online.
Adam Blackwell
SAT & ACT Instructor—Orlando & Client Services and Outreach Coordinator
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 addition to tutoring, Adam serves as Magnolia Prep’s client services and outreach coordinator. He helps our new families get started—answering questions, building customized tutoring plans, and matching students with the right tutor. He also maintains relationships with our school and IEC partners and leads our outreach efforts in the community.
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
Lead SAT & ACT Instructor—Tallahassee & Maclay Program Coordinator
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