From two NYC tutors to a thriving learning community, Sovereign Minds Academy—founded by Vikas Gupta, a 15+ year Math & Chess educator—delivers personal, high-quality one-on-one home tutoring across New York. Vikas Gupta — Founder & Chess Instructor
Vikas Gupta is the founder of Sovereign Minds Academy, a growing community of dedicated home tutors serving students across New York and surrounding areas. His academic journey at Baylor strengthened his understanding of cognitive development, motivation, and the psychology of learning—principles that he now applies to inspire independent and critical thinking in students through his educational work. With over 15 years of experience in teaching Mathematics and Chess, Vikas has worked with students aged 5 to 18, guiding them from foundational concepts to advanced skills. As a 2100+ rated chess player on Chess.com and a competitor in numerous tournaments, he has helped many of his students achieve success at school, district, county, and national levels. Vikas’s journey as an educator began with a simple realization — that real learning doesn’t happen in crowded classrooms or through screens. As a student himself, he noticed that growth was limited in group settings but accelerated dramatically in personal, one-on-one learning environments. That experience shaped his philosophy and ultimately inspired the creation of Sovereign Minds Academy. Under his leadership, the academy promotes a deep belief in in-person, face-to-face tutoring, where education goes beyond academics. His students not only learn critical subjects like Math and Chess but also gain discipline, focus, and values that stay with them for life. Today, Vikas continues to teach and mentor, while expanding his network of like-minded educators who share his passion for real, human connection in learning. Shikha Jaiswal — Co-Founder & Math Instructor
Shikha Jaiswal is the Co-Founder of Sovereign Minds Academy and an accomplished Mathematics educator with over 10+ years of dedicated teaching experience across New York and its surrounding areas. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego and an Ed.S. in Instructional Technology, bringing together academic excellence and modern pedagogical insight. Shikha has worked extensively with students from early elementary through high school, helping them build a strong foundation and confidence in subjects ranging from basic arithmetic and pre-algebra to advanced topics such as Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Her deep passion for creative, interactive, and specialized instruction shines through in every class she teaches. Whether working as an in-person home tutor or an online instructor for reputed educational platforms, Shikha focuses on combining conceptual clarity with patient, personalized guidance, making even the most complex topics approachable and enjoyable. Her philosophy reflects the core mission of Sovereign Minds Academy — that one-on-one, face-to-face tutoring fosters trust, focus, and genuine understanding, creating lasting academic impact. Known for her methodical approach, strong academic grounding, and compassionate mentorship, Shikha continues to inspire students to not only master mathematics but also to develop the confidence and problem-solving mindset that empowers them far beyond the classroom.
