Alexis holds a professional educators license in Illinois with concentrations in English and Social Studies. She grew up in Villa Park, IL and received my Undergraduate Degree at Lewis University. While at Lewis University, Alexis served as a writing tutor in our writing center and assisted undergraduate and graduate students in peer editing writing assignments. Alexis recently graduated in December of 2022!

Alexis has always had a love for children due to being the oldest of four younger brothers. Helping others brings so much joy to her so she is extremely happy to have found a career in doing that both in and out of the classroom . For the past 2 summers, Alexis has worked as the head of the summer camp at Life Time Oak Brook for children ages 4-13. It is a great way to spend the summer helping children grow and pick up healthy lifestyle habits. In her spare time, Alexis enjoy working out, listening to music, and baking! She is very excited to have the opportunity to help all children reach their full academic potential with Prep Academy Tutors!

Allie graduated from Loyola University Chicago in May 2024 with degrees in Secondary Education (BSEd) and English (BA) with an endorsement in English as a Second Language (ESL/ELL) PreK-Grade 12. Allie anticipates starting her masters degree in Education Technology in Spring 2025. In her third year at Loyola, Allie was awarded the Mooney Scholarship from the School of Education, which shows her dedication and commitment to urban education. Allie has been tutoring students since her high school years and has dedicated extra volunteer hours to tutoring during her student teaching experience. Allie’s teaching philosophy centers on creating independent, open-minded, and critical thinkers who are prepared for real-world challenges and careers. In doing so, Allie considers her students holistically and works hard to understand every student’s unique emotional, social, and personal needs as well as their interests, desires, or goals. Allie enjoys taking the time to get to know each student and catering each session to fit their academic and personal needs. In her free time, Allie loves to play tennis and hang out with her dog Kona. Allie is eager to work with your student(s) every step of the way to see them thrive!

Amanda holds a professional educators license in Illinois and has her Master’s in Curriculum &
Instruction with specialized endorsements in Director of Special Education, LBS1, Reading
Specialist, and ESL. She is a certified Wilson Reading System Level 1 Practitioner and has 11
years of experience working with students in grades K-5 in diverse settings.

Born and raised in Downers Grove, Amanda grew up a lover of school and learning with an
extra passion for math. As she started her career in teaching, her passion switched to reading
and teaching reading! Amanda participated in competitive dance and cheer throughout her
collegiate years and continues to be as active as she can lifting, running, and completing her
first marathon in October 2024! Amanda loves working with students of all ages and abilities,
helping them accomplish their goals and move on to the next challenge!

Amira is a college junior at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She is a biology student on the pre-med track and hopes to one day become a pediatrician. Amira discovered her love of working with kids in high school, where she was a tutor for kids in special education. She has worked one-on-one with these kids to gain their trust, form connections, and make the learning experience fun. Amira is currently taking a full courseload at UIC while studying for the MCAT and specializes in STEM courses. She also enjoys reading and writing, being an avid reader in her spare time. In growing up with a music teacher single mother, Amira can also play four instruments (clarinet, guitar, ukulele, and piano). She loves to take on new challenges and continue to find ways to help her students excel. Fun fact: Amira has a Pomeranian named Socks.

Ann Stec grew up teaching.  As the oldest of four children, and the only girl, she would often create a “classroom” for her younger brother, taking them through practice with letters and numbers.  Her mom would buy used workbooks at thrift stores for her to use with her “pupils” each week. Ann loved it–her brothers were decidedly on the fence! 

When it was time to officially choose a career, Ann went to Illinois State and graduated with a B.S. in Education with concentrations in Language Arts and Reading.  Her plan was to teach junior high school students to love reading and learning.  But a few years into teaching, Ann was recruited to teach teachers at the elementary level how to teach reading in their classrooms.  It was a leap–big kids to little–but it turned out to be a game changer!

While working at the elementary level, Ann found that some students continued to struggle to acquire literacy skills, despite receiving intervention.  She realized she needed to learn more about how to help these students and decided to pursue her Wilson Level 1 certification.  She credits that decision as the single best decision of her professional career and she has spent the last nineteen years of her career helping kids who learn differently master how to read.

Ann believes that the best instruction–at any level–empowers students to be reflective learners and goal setters.  She believes that teacher, parent and student comprise the learning team and is an advocate of working with parents and students together in order to help all kids reach their academic potential.

Ann is in her 29th year of teaching and  currently works as a Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach in Naperville 203.  She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching, is ELL certified and is a certified Wilson Level 1 Instructor. In her free time, she volunteers with animal welfare agencies (she has nine pets!), READS, thrifts, travels, and hangs out with her favorite people as much as possible.

Ashley is a certified teacher and currently works as a substitute at an elementary school in Wheaton. This school year she has had the opportunity to sub in all classes at her school grades K-5. She also gained experience subbing for the special education, PE, and Music teachers. Before taking her current job, she taught 4th grade for two years. She graduated from North Central College with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2020. Ashley completed her student teaching in a 3rd grade classroom in Carol Stream. Since starting college Ashley has worked at a summer camp leading the preschool aged camp. Ashley has always loved school and decided she wanted to be a teacher when she was in second grade. She is so glad that she is able to pursue that dream. One way she helps her students learn and grow is by being another positive adult in their life who is there to cheer them on during their successes and help them through their struggles. In her free time she likes to spend time outside walking and kayaking. She enjoys all things arts and crafts and she loves to read.

I’m a passionate educator and tutor with over five years of experience helping students succeed across a range of subjects, including math, reading, writing, and phonics. I have a strong background in supporting English Learners and am known for my warm, culturally responsive teaching style. I’ve worked in both public and private school settings, including as a bilingual assistant and as the owner-principal of a private kindergarten.

I design personalized learning experiences that build confidence and foster a love of learning. Fluent in both English and Spanish, I value strong communication and whole-child development. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, running, watching movies, and spending time in nature with family and friends—and I never miss a chance to celebrate student growth with a little confetti!

Alongside having years of tutoring experience, Beth tutors students where she fosters an engaging, personalized one-on-one interactive lesson. Beth has tutored students aged PreK to middle school, with a focus on reading. She also has led small tutoring groups of elementary-aged learners. Beth earned her BA in History with a Music minor from Elmhurst University. As a mentor, Beth continues to develop strategies for working with children of all ages and finds these experiences enjoying and extremely rewarding! In her spare time, Beth enjoys gardening, playing her flute, and spending time with family and friends.

Breanna is a dedicated educator with a passion for helping young learners. She graduated from Elmhurst University in May of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, an endorsement for teaching Multilingual English Learners, a letter of approval to teach Early Childhood Special Education, and a minor in Music.

Breanna is a first-year Kindergarten teacher excitedly preparing to continue teaching Kindergarten in her second year next fall. With many years of childcare experience behind her, having worked as a babysitter, nanny, and tutor, she brings a warm and patient approach to teaching. She enjoys finding ways to make learning fun and meaningful.

In her free time, Breanna loves to sing, play instruments, crochet, and hike. She loves to spend time with her family. She has a family dog named Riley. She also adopted her first pet in August – an 8 year old cat named Callie!

Chad Berkich recently graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. For three years during his time there, Chad was a Junior Tutor in the math department, where he met with a small group of students twice-weekly to work on introductory calculus problems. While Chad has had a passion for math since a young age, this job is where he found his passion for teaching it. He firmly believes in the beauty and importance of math and wants to impart his passion to his students. He also knows that many students struggle with math and related subjects, which is why his tutoring style centers on breaking down the problem into individual steps that foster student understanding and general problem-solving skills.

In addition to his work as a Junior Tutor, Chad also has experience tutoring the SAT Math and ACT Math and Science sections. In his spare-time, he loves reading comic books and playing video games. He is also currently writing an original fantasy novel.

David is a student at the University of Illinois Chicago majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics. He went to Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn, and during his time there, he dedicated a great deal of time to the orchestra and math team. His other hobbies include volunteering and lifting weights at the gym, to name a couple. If you find out about any particular passions of David’s, be weary of mentioning them, as his mouth will not close for some time after. He is also bilingual in English and Russian, with native-speaker proficiency in both. David has taken advanced classes in math and physics including Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism, Calculus 1-3, and Discrete Mathematics, among others, and has an understanding of all prerequisite topics for each. On the teaching side of things, he believes that intuition and deep understanding are the most effective ways of learning a given topic, not just memorizing the methods needed to solve homework problems. David is very patient and will ensure that a student fully understands the “why?” before moving on to the “what’s next?” without getting bogged down. He does not hand out answers like candy and will challenge a student to guide them to a solution on their own. Being a student himself, David is understanding and still sculpts his teaching methods to each individual.

Faraz holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University, double majoring in Biology and Chemistry, and has completed graduate studies in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. He brings over five years of teaching experience, covering everything from elementary math and science to advanced undergraduate mathematics and standardized test prep. As a former teaching assistant at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Faraz has led classrooms, worked with small groups, delivered lectures, and graded exams.
A Chicagoland native, Faraz discovered his passion for teaching in college while introducing gifted children to LEGO robotics and computer programming. Outside the classroom, he is a dedicated runner—once a cross-country athlete, now a regular jogger—and a grilling enthusiast who insists barbecuing is equal parts science and art. Faraz’s teaching philosophy revolves around creating independent learners. He believes the best classroom isn’t the one where you are taught, but the one where you learn to teach yourself—though his students don’t have to grade their own homework… yet.

Florina is a junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago completing her undergraduate studies in biological sciences. She grew up with natural curiosity making sense of the world around her. Florina has always been eager to learn and explore new information around her. It was during her sophomore year of high school she discovered her passion for chemistry. Her chemistry teacher facilitated the learning of a difficult subject that inspired Florina to teach teenagers and young adults in the same manner.

Florina was a college tutor and TA in her local community college that helped her work closely with students to improve their grades. She knows how it is important for students to feel confident in their work and approach problems from different angles such as using technology to address issues. Florina enjoys figuring out what motivates her students and getting things done which helps her build relationships and achieve results. In addition to her years of experience, she has strong interpersonal and communication skills that allows her to adapt to any challenge and relish the opportunity to improve academic performance, problem-solving solving and love of learning for students of different ability levels. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, boxing, dancing, and going out with friend and family to summer festivals or 5k races.

Gabriela is a bilingual teacher and reading interventionist with 7 years of teaching experience and 10+ years teaching English to children in China on an online platform. Gabriela holds a bachelor degree in bilingual bicultural education as well as a master’s degree as a reading specialist. She likes to personalize instruction to each individual as she understands the importance of building a strong student-teacher relationship to set the foundation for learning. Gabriela enjoys working with all students and families. She enjoys working with students with different abilities as she believes all students can learn given the right amount of care and support.

Grace F. is earning her degree in Elementary Education at North Central College, where she has maintained a high GPA and earned a spot on the Dean’s List for six consecutive semesters. Originally from Elmhurst, she discovered her love of teaching while helping classmates with writing, research, and public speaking. What started as casual tutoring turned into a true passion for supporting students.

Grace has worked with learners from early childhood through middle school, developing creative, student-centered lessons through daycare and summer programs. She believes every child learns differently and thrives on adapting instruction to meet individual needs.

Through her college placements, Grace has taught in 1st through 4th grade classrooms and supported 5th grade accelerated math, gaining experience in literacy, math, and science. She also helps students strengthen executive functioning skills like organization, planning, and time management—because sometimes, learning how to learn is the biggest lesson of all.

Outside the classroom, Grace enjoys birdwatching and exploring the outdoors. Her love of animals and education came together through the Greater Chicago Cage Bird Society, where she taught scout groups about bird care and behavior. She’s been helping students—and birds—take flight ever since.

Hello, I’m Hala! I have a bachelor’s in engineering and my master’s degree is in Mathematics. After working with students for the first time and feeling their success and happiness of grasping the material, I decided to go for my master’s degree so I can be part of that. I have been tutoring for 10 years, teaching in person, virtual, and online college students for 5 years. I became a mentor tutor, participating in training tutors to work with students, and it’s truly been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve helped so many students achieve their academic goals year after year and I know that YOU are more than capable of doing the same with the right help.
With my years of teaching experience in the classroom, I understand the student’s need for personalized guidance and instruction. I’m an experienced tutor, committed to helping each of my students reach their full potential. I’m interactive and supportive, using modern technology and visual aids to make the learning experience enjoyable.

Jamie Shabez is a certified teacher. She grew up in River Grove, Illinois, and received her Associate of Arts degree from Triton College. She then went on to study at Palm Beach Atlantic University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education along with her ESL certification (English as a Second Language). Since graduation, Jamie has taught kindergarten for 3 years, first grade for 2 years, and is currently teaching fifth grade. She has had an interest in teaching ever since she was young, and that love for helping children grow and reach their full potential has continued to develop each year. One of her favorite things about education is knowing she can have a positive influence on kids and help them foster a love for learning. Seeing that “lightbulb” go on when they grasp a new concept and it clicks is a transformative moment that inspires Jamie to continue to strive to be the best teacher and support system she can be for children. In her spare time, she loves to explore new hiking trails and go camping, weightlift, try new recipes in the kitchen, read a good book, or work on puzzles.

Jayden is a college junior at the age of 19 and is studying Electrical Engineering with a passion for STEM education. Jayden specializes his tutoring abilities in math and physics at the high school level and lower. Jayden benefits from hands-on experience gained through lab work, projects, and academic programs and is excellent at simplifying difficult concepts. Jayden seeks to empower students to become more confident, improve problem-solving capabilities, and achieve their potential. From high school algebra to geometry, he creates customized, interactive lessons that are not only enjoyable but also highly effective.

Jean has 12 years of teaching experience, and is passionate about working with students in the early elementary grades. She began her career as a Kindergarten teacher and has experience teaching grades Kindergarten through 3rd, most recently acting as a 3rd grade teacher in Bonita Springs, Florida. Jean feels strongly that students learn best when the teacher develops an impactful student relationship, and the student is motivated by this relationship to learn. She loves to make learning fun in the younger years! When Jean moved to Chicago to be closer to family, she realized she missed connecting with students and loves the flexibility the tutoring position brings to her busy life. She also loves the ability to connect to students one-on-one, and see their academic growth. Jean received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Science from Florida State University, and since then obtained her reading endorsement (PreK-12) as well as a certification of completion in Orton-Gillingham reading instruction.

When not teaching and tutoring, Jean enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys. She loves to explore local parks, trails and all things nature. She is still getting used to “Chicago winters” but is up for the challenge! Jean loves cooking and watching FSU sports. She is looking forward to meeting local students and families and helping students achieve academic success!

Jen N. is a certified teacher, who is currently an assistant principal at a middle school. She holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an endorsement in English as a Second Language as well as a master’s degree in School Leadership. She has taught in the elementary grade school setting for over 10 years. Prior to teaching, she worked in the incentive travel industry and has visited over 25 countries. Jen loves working with children. She created an after school program at an elementary school to assist students in achieving their full potential in the areas of math and reading. She believes that building strong student relationships is critical to success. She holds all students to high standards and does so in an engaging and enjoyable manner. In her free time she enjoys all outdoor activities, including running, hiking, and camping with her children.

Jessica is a passionate Spanish teacher with a diverse range of experiences in both local and international settings. Her journey includes studying Spanish in college, residing in Madrid, Spain for four years, and contributing to the learning community through tutoring and teaching English abroad. At present, Jessica teaches Spanish at the middle school level, having embraced the opportunity to teach students from Spanish 1 to Heritage 3 honors in both middle and high school environments.

Jessica’s approach to language education is rooted in fostering genuine connections with her students. She strives to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, viewing her role not just as a teacher but as a mentor dedicated to understanding her students’ needs and facilitating their growth.

As a language enthusiast fluent in multiple languages, Jessica brings a global perspective to her teaching, influenced by her experiences abroad. Her lessons incorporate an appreciation for cultural diversity. Beyond the classroom, Jessica is recognized for her commitment to students’ success, with a history of tutoring that reflects her dedication. Her one-on-one sessions are tailored to each student’s unique needs, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience.

In her spare time, she finds joy in reading, exercise, sports, travel, and spending time with her family. Jessica’s diverse and fulfilling lifestyle extends beyond the classroom, where she aims not only to teach Spanish but also to inspire a genuine appreciation for language and culture in every student she encounters.

Joe is a certified teacher with five years of high school classroom teaching experience in English, Civics & Government, Economics, Math, and Spanish. He graduated from Mizzou and jumped right into teaching/tutoring while pursuing grad school. Joe now holds master’s degrees in education and economics. He is a lover of sports, primarily soccer and tennis, the outdoors, and traveling. He is also trilingual in English, Spanish, and Albanian, which has made visiting nearly 20 countries a whole lot easier! As a tutor, Joe is passionate about helping students reach their full potential. Having coached youth sports, taught a myriad of subjects, and individually tutored students in after-school programs, he is patient, understanding, and has a knack for explaining complex concepts in a way that students can understand. One of Joe’s favorite things about tutoring is getting to know his students and helping them develop their own unique learning styles. He believes that everyone learns differently, and he tailors his teaching methods to each individual student. Finally, Joe is also a great motivator and big believer in humor as a learning tool to help students stay on track. So, why not see if this “Joe-of-all-trades” is the right fit for you?

Joe is currently a senior at the University of Illinois in Chicago completing his undergraduate degree with a bachelor’s in neuroscience and a minor in chemistry. As a research assistant in UIC’s Human and Sport Performance Laboratory, he has experience in both clinical and bench research, receiving an American Heart Association grant for his work in 2024. Prior to attending UIC Joe owned and operated an escape room company in downtown Chicago but has since found his true passion in healthcare. His love for teaching and working with youth stems from his leadership role at the YMCA of Atlanta where he ran and helped to develop a program focused on fostering servant leadership in high schoolers. In his free time Joe loves playing disc golf, running, and eating his way through Chicago’s best restaurants! (recommendations welcome)
Joe has always been a good student with a love of learning and a creative mind, which is truly what he hopes to pass on to your student! He is well suited to tutor for science courses as he has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while taking advanced classes in chemistry including organic, biochemistry, and inorganic chemistry as well as advanced level biology, psychology and philosophy courses. He is also well suited for test prep tutoring as he scored a perfect score on the science section of the ACT and a thirty-five on the math section. Joe’s passion for science and helping others learn shines through in tutoring, and he’s excited to guide your student to success.

Kate L. is a certified teacher with 20+ years of experience in the elementary classroom. She holds a Masters of Curriculum and Assessment: Trauma and Resilience. She has been an integral part of the development of curriculum design and mapping in her school district. Kate’s recent focus has been helping to implement her schools SEL program, focusing on teaching the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally. She prides herself on the meaningful and long lasting relationships she has made with her students. Kate has five years of experience in private in home tutoring. In Kate’s free time, you can find her gardening, hiking, or watching any sport in person or on TV.

Meet Kayla Hicks, a Speech-Language Pathology graduate student. Kayla grew up in Oklahoma City where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Oklahoma State University. There she taught high school students from Phnom Penh, Cambodia formal grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation of spoken and written English. She also tutored college students in English, Essay writing, and Psychology. Kayla then moved to Illinois to work toward her Graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Midwestern University where she is expected to graduate in May of 2023. Kayla has gained professional experience as a Speech Pathology graduate student who has facilitated evaluation and intervention in neurodegenerative disorders of communication (TBI/ABI, Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Cognition, Aphasia, etc.) and children with unique communication needs (Expressive/Receptive Language Disorder, AAC, Autism, Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Articulation, Language, Social learning, etc.) Through speech and language intervention, she has been able to foster her love of teaching and support students and adults with unique needs across multiple subjects to meet their educational goals. She has been able to make her students feel more confident in the classroom and their personal life by supporting improvement in writing, reading, vocabulary, language, speech, and math.

Kayla’s experience has allowed her to be flexible and adaptable with all students. She offers a calm, yet welcoming demeanor, infectious joy, candor, and positivity. In her spare time, Kayla loves going on walks, playing games, laser tag, and dancing. Kayla also spends her time helping out at a local dance studio, where she gets to share her love of dance. You can catch Kayla with a big smile on her face, helping someone become their best self.

Kristina has been teaching in Downers Groves School District 58 for the past 8 years. Beginning her career in 2nd grade for one year, moving to 3rd grade for six years, and now enjoying her first year teaching 4th grade this school year! She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University, and since then obtained her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Western Governors University. While at Illinois State University, Kristina studied abroad twice, once to Costa Rica and a second time England. In England, she completed half of her student teaching experience in a 4th grade classroom. Her passion is to teach students that have different interests and abilities, and be their biggest cheerleader. Students’ growth is endless, once they realize their potential!

When not teaching, Kristina enjoys cooking for her family, baking m&m cookies, and socializing with friends. She comes from a big family with many younger cousins, and often found herself in the role model position from a young age. She is looking forward to getting to know more local families and aiding in their child’s academic success!

Kyle is a primary English educator and aspiring film professor with more than six years of teaching and tutoring experience across multiple classrooms, workshops, online platforms, and subjects. While he has been pursuing his masters degree in education at National Louis University, he has also been supporting grades 9–12 as a permanent substitute teacher at Hinsdale South High School. Kyle also has led screenwriting, creative writing, and public speaking sessions for Cardinal Filmworks, a student owned and ran film collective at Ball State University (his alma mater). Finally, after his undergrad, he also tutored poetry, Spanish, photography, and videography for learners of all ages with Varsity Tutors as one of their Creative Writing Experts. His style tends to center on building up confidence and problem solving skills through lessons that connect his students’ work to their interests. Creativity is a core tenet of his and because of that he loves to design personalized, engaging sessions that balance creative freedom with structured feedback so that each student grows as both thinker and creator. Because of this more creativity-focused approach, crafting relationships with my students is paramount to me. Learning about their lives and helping them succeed is just as important to me as their academics. Kyle is a lifelong reader, film buff, devoted sci‑fi and fantasy fan, bass guitar player, and avid Chicago & New York sports fan (Cubs/Sox Mets/Jets).

Lacey Schedler graduated from The University of Tampa with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She is currently finishing her Master’s Degree online at Wayne State College in order to become certified as a Reading Specialist. Ms. Schedler also has endorsements in Reading and English Language Learners. She has taught for seven years and has experience teaching Kindergarten- Second Grade. Lacey is passionate and dedicated to helping students learn and grow, especially those who struggle. She can relate to the frustrations your student might be feeling, as she struggled when she was a child. Due to her hard work and perseverance, she has gotten to where she is today and has successfully helped students go from below grade level to on grade level within one school year. Ms. Schedler is confident that she will have a positive impact on your child’s learning and success. She is looking forward to working with your child this summer!

Leah is a second year college student at College of Dupage. Prior to this semester, Leah was majoring in applied mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder, and still very much enjoys math despite stepping away from it as a major. While at Colorado and in high school at Downers Grove North, Leah took Calculus 1-3, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, Statistics, Fourier Series/Boundary Value Problems, and various other engineering and science classes. Leah enjoys helping kids to understand math and learn to enjoy it as they have throughout their academic life. Tutoring allows Leah to keep math in their life as well as help others, two things that make them happy. Leah understands that each student understands things differently, and they are able to cater their teaching style and explanations to meet each student’s needs. As Leah is still a student themselves, they are very understanding and will work to make sure each student feels heard as well as answer any and all questions they might have. Outside of school, Leah likes to read, do puzzles, work out, and discover new music.

Leslie is a dedicated educator with a decade of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Social Science from North Central College. Currently, Leslie serves as a 3rd grade teacher in Villa Park, where her enthusiasm for teaching shines through. She consistently strives to create an engaging and inclusive classroom environment, inspiring her students to excel academically and personally. Her experience has taught her the importance of small group and individualized education. Beyond the classroom, Leslie enjoys time spent with family and her dog, Roscoe, hiking the beautiful U.P., biking, and tennis.

Lisa is a certified teacher with 25 years of experience teaching 4th–8th grade across all subjects. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, a Master’s Degree in Teaching and Leadership, and an additional 30 hours in Curriculum Development. Through her experience, she has expertise in differentiated instruction and building social-emotional skills in the classroom. Lisa believes that strong relationships, a focus on self-efficacy, and a love of learning are key to helping students reach their full potential. She meets each student where they are and creates a supportive environment that fosters both academic success and personal growth.

In her free time, Lisa enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and traveling with her husband, two daughters, and their two dogs.

Lisa is an experienced educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. Her favorite ages to teach are students in early elementary, as they have such a desire to learn. Lisa has a Masters Degree in Special Education and has years of experience working with students that have OT and sensory needs, attention disorders and other special education factors. Her favorite part of teaching is making those special bonds with students. She loves to see how much students grow and gain confidence in their early childhood years. She enjoys travel, cooking, spending time with her husband and three kids and diving into a good novel!

Lucas Jacob has taught and tutored writing, literature, and reading to grades 6-12 for more than 30 years, in private, public, and public-charter schools across the United States and in Budapest, Hungary, where he was a Fulbright Fellow. He holds a B.A. in English and African/African-American Studies from Carleton College (Phi Beta Kappa; magna cum laude) and an M.A. (with highest honors) in writing and literature from Temple University. Luke has published nearly 100 essays, poetry, and works of fiction in trade journals (including Education Week and Independent School Magazine) and literary magazines (including Southwest Review and Chicagoland’s venerable RHINO). His first two full-length collections of poems have come out in the past six years, from Eyewear Publishing (London, UK) and Next Page Press (San Antonio, TX). He currently serves as co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Media Literacy Education and he is working on both his first middle grades novel and his first mystery novel for adult audiences, which goes to show that even when he is not teaching reading and writing he is…well…reading and writing.

Mack has 10 years of teaching experience. Born in 1992, he grew up in Oak Park, playing every sport imaginable. Upon graduation from OPRF he went to Illinois State University. Here, he started as a business major but realized he would rather be in the business of Education and switched his major after freshman year, taking one class over the allowed amount each semester to catch up and graduate in four years. He earned a degree in Middle Level Education (6th to 9th), with a primary endorsement in Mathematics and a secondary endorsement in English. There were many times he told others that he wanted to be a middle school teacher and they couldn’t believe that was the age group he wanted to be in the classroom with. However, he knew that is a very impressionable and important age in a child’s life, and he wanted to contribute to their growth, being a positive role model and helping them mature any way that he could. After graduating ISU, he moved to Arizona and taught Math for 10 years and again, was able to coach every sport imaginable.

Maddie currently works as an administrative assistant in road construction but discovered a passion for helping people as a substitute teacher at Stevenson High School. She grew up in Illinois, but moved to Vancouver, BC, to complete a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in Spanish. Along the way, she discovered that she enjoyed her minor much more than history and completed additional classes in Spanish/English translation with UC San Diego Extension. Nowadays, Maddie is preparing for grad school to switch to a career in Occupational Therapy, but she still enjoys using and learning Spanish as well as teaching it to others. Beyond academic and career pursuits, her favorite activities include reading, art, and skiing. She hopes to start enjoying rock climbing once she’s gone a few more times.

Madison J. is a certified teacher in Life Sciences and ELL. She has been teaching for 10 years. While studying Neuroscience at Vassar College, she discovered a love of teaching as a chemistry teaching assistant. After graduating, she went on to earn a Master’s in teaching through a fellowship with the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. She has taught Biology, Zoology, and Environmental Science at the high school level, as well as science and math at the middle school level. Her true passion is in helping all students not only succeed, but to discover a love of learning and the joy that comes from exploring the world. Outside of the classroom, she is mom to an energetic son and a grumpy tortoise. She loves to knit, sew, and hike.

Manvit recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Neuroscience & Behavior and Global Affairs. During his time in college, he was heavily involved in research and service opportunities, which fostered his love for engaging with new communities and people. This passion is also reflected in his mentorship and tutoring work.

With a strong belief in the importance of education, Manvit focuses on helping students develop critical-thinking skills and confidence, alongside mastering content. He has several years of experience tutoring students in a wide variety of subjects, including chemistry, math, and standardized testing. With a keen awareness of each student’s unique needs, Manvit adapts to their individual learning styles and preferences to help them achieve their goals.

In his free time, he enjoys watching college football, visiting museums, traveling, trivia, and much more.

An experienced and results oriented professional educator of Elementary/High School children with learning disabilities, developmental disability and social/emotional disorders. Consistently achieved or exceeded management goals and objectives; excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels of the organization, with associates, students and parents; a team leader and builder with a motivational style. Technically knowledgeable and experienced in utilizing a variety of learning platforms and strategies. Creative and innovative; a problem solver; achievement and accomplishment oriented; dedicated and reliable.

Certified (K-12) Standard Special Education LBS1, LD/SED, unlimited Certified (K-9) Standard Elementary General Education. Proven ability to accurately assess learning problems; EMBRACE skilled in developing Individual Education Plans effectively monitor progress and collect data for behavior, functional analysis. Developed and implemented pre-vocational curriculum in a high school setting. Participated in Intervention training to develop diverse teaching strategies. Implement a team-oriented approach for working with teachers, psychologists, social workers, speech pathologists. Commended in Performance Evaluations for outstanding

Maricel is a Certified Teacher with PEL ( Professional Educators License ). She has two endorsements, one in Early Childhood Education and Elementary. She grew up in the Philippines. Therefore, she speaks two languages which are Tagalog and English with two dialects ( Pampango and Ilocano ). Maricel has completed her Undergraduate Degree at the College of the Holy Spirit of Tarlac, Philippines with Bachelors in Elementary Education. She was hired by the same institution ( Private Catholic School For Girls ) even before she has graduated. She taught Pre-K and Kindergarten for a decade and has been a Department Head Coordinator for three years. She also taught First Grade on her eleventh year before she came in the US of A. Maricel was also a consistent officer in the school where she worked for more than a decade.
In Spring 2005, Maricel moved in Elgin, IL. She was petitioned by a Daycare as a Kindergarten/ After School teacher and a Director at the same time. The owner of the Daycare was happy as soon as Maricel came to work at the Daycare that she has entrusted her with everything. Maricel then ran the Daycare and was loved by her employer, staffs and as well as the parents. She finds these experiences enjoyable and extremely rewarding. In 2022, Maricel moved in the Public School and taught Pre-K ( Bilingual and English Class ). She really has a passion for teaching and working with children.
Alongside having years of tutoring experience, Maricel also tutors students where she fosters an engaging personalized one -on-one interactive lessons. She truly believes that engaging students using their curiosity and interests is crucial in helping them gain the confidence they require to succeed. In her spare time, Maricel enjoys walking, playing pickle ball, and zumba, as well as spending time with family, friends and church mates.

Meet Martha — a former teacher, mom of four, and proud grandma who’s survived enough homework assignments to earn an honorary Ph.D. in patience. She’s taught elementary school, religious education, and even homeschooled her daughter for most of a year — and yes, everyone still speaks to each other!
When she wasn’t teaching, she was coaching her daughter’s softball team and cheering from the sidelines. After raising her family and building a successful career in the corporate world, Martha is excited to return to her first love: helping children learn and grow. With her mix of experience, humor, and heart — plus a few fun travel stories from Europe and Mexico — she makes learning both effective and enjoyable.

Michael A. Zaucedo graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2021. He grew up in Chicago, IL and attended a boarding High school at Lake Forest Academy in 2011. Michael grew up with a deep love for Science and Mathematics and took a study abroad opportunity in Costa Rica in the summer of 2018 to study an indigenous plant called Jatoba. During the summer of 2019, he discovered his passion for teaching and working with children when completing his teaching internship at High Jump Chicago as a teaching assistant (TA) for Chemistry––through teaching, he fostered his love for Chemistry and Mathematics. In his spare time, Michael works one-on-one with students ranging from middle through High School. He encouraged and supported the improvement of their Chemistry, and Mathematics skills ranging from Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus. As a mentor, Michael continues to develop strategies for working with students and believes that building strong relationships will grow their learning and help guide them to reach their full potential toward being a well rounded student. Michael enjoys playing sports like baseball, basketball and football, watching suspense movies, as well as spending time with his family and friends.

Nathan (goes by Nate) knows math and loves math, inside and out. He spent 15 years earning his doctorate and pursuing primary mathematics research, teaching and tutoring at the high school and college level all along the way. He’s currently serving as Adjunct Faculty at the College of DuPage and Waubonsee Community College tutoring high school students in math. However, he has taught and tutored students in places as far-flung as the University of Michigan, Duke University, UMass Amherst and the University of Miami.

With Nate, you won’t just get a tutor that knows the material in a few high school courses. You’ll get someone who …

… tutors from a place of understanding and with a growth mindset: where mistakes are a normal, and even essential, part of learning something new,

… is familiar with the whole high school curriculum: not just your student’s class, but the classes preceding it, and so can diagnose knowledge gaps and fill them with mini-lessons on the fly,

… can prep for college entrance exams including the SAT and ACT,

… knows the undergraduate mathematics curriculum and can tutor for students enrolled in dual credit or enrichment courses, and welcomes tutoring college students as well.

In his spare time, Nate likes to play table top role playing games, and is an amateur bodybuilder, although he still thinks about research questions in math from time to time too.

With Nate, your student’s math education is in the best hands!

My name is Noelle and I love teaching literacy! I have worked in education for 22 years. My experience includes teaching literacy in grades K-5. I am a certified Reading Specialist. As a Reading Specialist, I analyze student data such as MAP, Aimsweb and Frastbridge. I have experience with several successful curriculums and interventions. After seeing your child’s level and where to start instruction, we will develop a plan. I can also support programs or interventions your child is using in school. I can add additional resources where there are deficits and challenge students in their strengths. It all depends on your goals and what your child needs.

Nora is a third-year graduate student at the College of William & Mary, on track to become a certified school psychologist upon graduating in May 2025. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Marquette University and has several years of experience working with children in both clinical and educational settings. As a future school psychologist, Nora is well-versed in child development, learning differences, and evidence-based instructional strategies. She has extensive training in assessing cognitive and academic strengths, identifying learning barriers, and implementing tailored interventions to support student success. Her expertise allows her to adapt her tutoring methods to each student’s unique needs. She also incorporates interactive and multi-sensory activities to make learning engaging and effective. Nora is passionate about helping students build confidence and develop skills that extend beyond the classroom. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, working out, and making crafts.

Omar is currently a second-year medical student at Rush Medical College. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics and minor in biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He has been tutoring one on one for more than 6 years now, and has experience with elementary through college aged students. Omar has tutored a variety of subjects, including math, economics, science, English, ACT subjects, and Arabic. He has also taught classes of 20+ as a Sunday School instructor for 4 years and is comfortable with all types of students and settings. Omar’s time tutoring and teaching have taught him that everyone has different learning styles, and teaching methods must be adjusted accordingly.

Rebecca is a licensed French teacher with over a decade of experience teaching in McHenry county. Growing up in Dupage county, she graduated from Wheaton North High School before pursuing a French degree from University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. During her studies she lived in the historic heart of Paris where she quickly fell (more) in love with French language, culture, and travel. Upon graduation she returned to school to pursue a Masters in Teaching from National Louis University.

Throughout her tenure as an educator in McHenry county, Rebecca built a thriving French program infusing music, film, and pop-culture into her lessons. She won the Star 105.5 teacher of the month in November of her second year teaching after being nominated by several of her students. She ran a robust French club hosting activities from movie nights to cheese tastings, field trips to French restaurants, and cooking demonstrations. She also organized, planned, and chaperoned overseas travel to France where her students could put their skills to the test in an authentic setting.

As a lifelong learner Rebecca takes pride in the learning process. She loves to watch the light-bulb moment when a new concept clicks for a student. Outside the classroom Rebecca likes to spend time with her family, travel, read, and cook. She looks forward to helping your student get excited about French and the Francophone world!

My name is Robin E. I am retired elementary school teacher and reading assistant. I taught kindergarten and Title One Reading. I worked in Maywood, Downers Grove and Burr Ridge. Since retirement I have been tutoring reading and a little math to elementary students specializing in students 4th grade and under. My expertise is with emergent readers and struggling readers. I have experience with Fundations, Fountas and Pinell and Explode the Code to mention a few. I try to constantly find new and fun ways to teach.

About me…
I graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Education. I have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. I enjoy traveling, yoga and am an avid golfer and walker.

Meet Tamara, a current undergraduate student at North Central College! Tamara is studying German and Secondary Education and is set to graduate in 2027. Besides her main studies, she has a minor in teaching English Learners and has experience teaching in a Spanish-bilingual classroom. Outside of obtaining teaching experience in various schools, Tamara tutors North Central College students in public speaking. Through all of these teaching opportunities, her overall goal is to make learning fun and memorable.

During her personal time she loves to sing and teach little ones at her local church. As well as, taking cooking classes on YouTube and spending time with loved ones.

Mr. Berg has been an educator for over 25 years. He earned both Bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in History from Northeastern Illinois University, and Master’s degree in Education from Lewis University. He is currently receiving his doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has previously taught in private elementary schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, as well as High School. He is a highly qualified tutor, having worked with elementary, middle and high school students. Mr. Berg enjoys spending time with his family. As a tutor, he loves seeing his student’s master a new concept and pushes them to success!

Do you have a child or young adult in College with ADHD that has executive functioning weaknesses? ADHD children are often misunderstood due to their impulsivity or distractibility. Learn how to advocate and guide your child through these formative years, or allow me to directly support your child or young adult by learning their own unique strengths, interests, and what lights up their brains. From there we can develop strategies together to move forward in a positive way. As a mother of an ADHD child, I bring over 15 years of experience which I will apply as a coach modelling compassion and understanding while striving to advocate for those with this unique brain wiring. I am here to listen first without judgement and be supportive and empathetic.