Scott Remer Coaches Elite Spellers at $180 per Hour

Scott Remer is the only full-time professional spelling bee coach in the United States. He charges up to $180 for a one-hour private lesson and receives up to 10 percent of any cash prize won by his students. Remer has coached five national champions. He currently works with 34 spellers and has had at least 29 students in each of the past four Scripps National Spelling Bees.

Remer finished fourth in the 2008 Scripps National Spelling Bee. He began coaching after that event and now describes the work as a passion centered on language study and competition. Dev Shah won the bee in 2023 and Faizan Zaki won in 2025. Both posed for photographs with Remer after their victories.

Zaki paid a negotiated rate of $120 per hour.

After winning the 2025 bee, Remer received 7 percent of the $52,500 prize, or $3,675. Shah said Remer is one of the most influential figures in spelling over the past decade. Zaki said the lessons produced measurable results despite the higher cost.

Walters coached the 2022 champion and charges $75 per hour. Navneeth Murali, a former competitor, charges about $50 per hour and limits the number of students. Sree Vidya Siliveri worked with Remer before placing 60th in 2024. She later switched coaches and finished 10th in 2025. Her father said the family sought lower-cost and more approachable options.