Hi, I’m Naka!
Long Island’s Local Expert in SAT Test Prep and Real Estate
ABOUT NAKA
Andrew “Naka” Nanayakkara is the Center Director of the Mathnasium of South Huntington
Naka is a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson and REALTOR with NextHome Platinum Properties to help sell, buy, and invest properties all across Long Island.
REAL ESTATE SPECIALIST X NextHome Platinum Properties
Local Expert
Naka embarked on his real estate journey to couple his human and strategic skills with his deeply rooted community spirit. A lifelong Long Islander, he has invested years working in communities across the New York City metropolitan area such as Great Neck, Garden City, Manhasset, Roslyn, Manhattan, Syosset, Jericho, Dix Hills, The Hamptons, Douglaston, Bayside, and Oyster Bay, developing an appreciation of not only the intrinsic values of the people, but the tangible value of local real estate. Having worked in education, Naka has an intimate understanding of the school districts and other factors that families factor into their real estate decisions. Having lived in Garden City, Stony Brook, Rockville Centre, and now Forest Hills, Naka provides a unique link between Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island.
Trusted Advisor
Garden City native and Stony Brook University graduate, Andrew "Naka” Nanayakkara brings his local expertise and deep understanding of Long Island communities to the ICON team. Honed over a dozen years of preparing high school students for college admissions through TestTakers, a premier local test prep company, Naka has developed a unique skill set connecting with thousands of local Long Island families of diverse backgrounds and needs. A decade as a Site Director – managing the logistics, finances, instruction, and communication of over 5,000 students – has equipped him to make the complicated college acceptance journey enjoyable and fulfilling for families, setting them up for lifetimes of successes.
Leader
Within TestTakers, Naka was promoted to Director of Personnel, responsible for the recruiting and training of the next generation of instructors, building on years of leadership stemming from his experience as an Eagle Scout. Naka spends his free time volunteering at North Shore Animal League, running local races, and working on his stand-up comedy. If Naka can make the SAT enjoyable for families, imagine how much you’ll enjoy the home buying and selling experience together.
TESTTAKERS
“The Beyoncé of the SAT World”- North Shore High School ‘19 Student
My obsession with test preparation came from TESTTAKERS, a local premier test prep course, when I was studying for my SATs over a lifetime ago!
I started teaching in 2008 and since then I have personally taught over 2,000 students, helping families navigate the intense and often confusing path to an excellent SAT score and college acceptances (I have even tutored several students to perfect scores).
My passion for teaching led me to take on a more active role within TESTTAKERS, as a Site Director in 2012, after graduating Stony Brook University. Furthering my involvement, I was promoted to Director of Personnel to coordinate the recruiting, hiring, and training of a new generation of instructors.
My influence, expertise, organization, and leadership have helped over 5,000 families locally in Great Neck, Douglaston, Roslyn, Syosset, Jericho, Oyster Bay, Garden City, Albertson, Glen Cove, Greenvale, Dix Hills, Huntington, and all over of Nassau and Suffolk. I have even had the pleasure of tutoring internationally!
The skills running large courses as a Site Director have given me the confidence and experience to handle any situation, team, or client.
Teaching and leadership will always be a central pillar of who I am. Connecting with students and families to help them overcome the challenges they thought were ‘impossible’ is what I do best.