Aisha is a Certified Substitute Teacher with 8 years of classroom experience. She attended private school in Chicago and transferred to West Aurora school district in her sophomore year of high school. She has always had a passion for English grammar and literature but chose to pursue a career in psychology. She completed her Undergraduate Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish from Western Illinois University. Also, she completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology from Grand Canyon University.

Aisha grew up reading about different places and learned about them by traveling around the country with her family which increased her passion for teaching and working with children. When she decided to pursue therapy as a career, the plan was for Aisha to work in school settings to get a feel for what school counseling would include. Life has a funny way of being everything other than what one plans! Instead, Aisha was continuously pulled into teaching roles that fostered in her a greater love for English Language Arts as well as math, science, and supporting children that may learn things a bit differently.

When not tutoring, Aisha works in mental health where she is able to support individuals with their emotional needs, some of which impede academic performance. She has supported the improvement of their educational skills due to helping them manage their emotional needs. Aisha believes that by building a strong relationship with her students she is better able to meet their needs and grow their learning. Aisha continues to develop strategies for working with children. She finds these experiences enjoyable and extremely rewarding.

Alongside having years of tutoring experience, Aisha also has an AQ (additional qualification) in intellectual and developmental disabilities. Aisha truly believes that engaging students using their curiosity and interests is crucial in helping them gain the confidence they require to succeed and reach a level of academic ability that meets their needs.

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!

Alvin L. is an enthusiastic educator who specializes in helping students navigate academic challenges in mathematics, science, and Chinese. With a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and two Master’s degrees in art, Alvin has extensive experience in academia. Alvin believes that every student is gifted and understands that even the slightest misunderstanding can create confusion that leads to demotivation. Therefore, Alvin’s unique strategy for each student aims to cultivate their natural curiosity and make learning a hobby. Alvin would love to assist you on your academic journey as a friend. He is a globe traveler who enjoys hiking, sports, photography, and technology. Having lived in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Australia, Alvin has had the opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds. Alvin is confident that your interaction with him will be a mutually enriching experience

Anudeep D. is a person who has a passion for teaching. Since his childhood, he enjoyed discussing various topics, from science to history, with his peers. While pursuing his undergraduate degree at Benedictine University, he dedicated himself to helping and mentoring many of his fellow students. It was during this time that he earned his Bachelor of Science and Health Sciences degree, with a pre-medicine focus.

Anudeep furthered his education by pursuing a dual master’s degree in public health and business administration, with a concentration in healthcare administration, in 2002. During this period, he also worked at the Jurica Nature Museum under the guidance of his mentor, Theodore Suchy. On weekends, he organized activities for Tiger Scouts, where he taught them about the museum’s various exhibits. His love for teaching extended to his membership with the History Channel.

Subsequently, Anudeep pursued medical school and earned his Medical Doctorate (MD). It was during this time that he discovered his enduring passion for teaching others. He possesses a strong foundation in human anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, test preparation, and English. Nevertheless, his true passion lies in history, and he is proficient in teaching history at different levels. His expertise encompasses ancient, medieval, modern, Indian, and military history.

In addition to his medical education, Anudeep holds postgraduate certificates in infection control from the University of South Florida, Gerontology from the University of Southern California, Six Sigma Champion from the University of Miami, and elder care management from the University of Florida. He has also completed a course in immunology at Oxford University.

Anudeep’s dedication to teaching led him to instruct Biochemistry through distance learning to medical students in the Caribbean for three months. Furthermore, he served as a teaching assistant during his undergraduate years.

In 2017, Anudeep taught test preparation courses at C2 Education in Schaumburg, covering subjects such as English, history, and the sciences. His primary audience comprised high school students preparing for the SAT/ACT exams.

During his leisure time, Anudeep is a football enthusiast. He is particularly devoted to college football, especially supporting his alma mater, the University of Miami. He is also a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks.

What defines Anudeep are his unwavering passion for teaching and his belief in the distinction between teachers and lecturers. Anudeep undoubtedly falls into the former category, as teaching is something he genuinely enjoys and loves.

Meet Arthur Huber, a dedicated educator whose passion for teaching is matched only by his commitment to lifelong learning. With a rich 15-year history in the educational field, Arthur has cultivated young minds from K-12 before branching out to specialize in teaching English to non-native speakers. His journey has been a global one, marked by stints at universities in the United States, South Korea, and Japan. In these diverse settings, Arthur has not only shared his knowledge but has also absorbed the rich tapestry of cultures and pedagogical techniques unique to each locale.

Currently, Arthur is embracing the dual roles of teacher and student, pursuing an MBA at the prestigious University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. This pursuit is a testament to his belief in the power of education for personal and professional growth. Arthur’s teaching style is a blend of encouragement and creativity, aimed at striking the right chord with each learner. He passionately believes that everyone he teaches possesses inherent strengths and boundless potential, irrespective of their background.

Outside the classroom, Arthur’s life is as colorful and varied as his teaching methods. Whether he’s honing his (ever-improving) golf swing, wandering through the serene corridors of museums, globe-trotting in pursuit of new experiences, or crafting the ultimate breakfast sandwich, Arthur approaches each activity with enthusiasm and a keen eye for detail. His unique hobbies include purposeful striding (great for brainstorming), curating a collection of the world’s most interesting (and occasionally bizarre) cheeses, and enjoying coffees that narrate their own flavorful stories.

Arthur’s vast experiences in teaching English, Writing, Language Arts, and ESL make him more than just an educator; he’s a mentor, a guide, and an engaging storyteller who believes that every student is capable of creating their own extraordinary success story.

Educational Background:
MBA (In progress, Graduation 2024), University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

M.A. in English, specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Colorado State University, Fort Collins

B.A. in English with a Minor in Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California, Los Angeles

Dr. Claudia Gates specializes in facilitating student mastery of executive functions such as time management, self-monitoring, and study skills. She has experience teaching literacy skills to elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate students. Dr. Gates became inspired to teach after volunteering to help struggling readers comprehend written texts. This process helped her understand and master the ability to help students engage successfully in literacy and executive functioning skills, use effective methods to establish academic goals, and maintain personal/professional motivation. She is passionate about helping scholars and families achieve academic excellence. Dr. Gates likes to read, sew and listen to music in her spare time.

For over a decade David has taught at various institutions of higher education such as Eastern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Loyola University Chicago, and Morton College. In additions, he has provided academic support through tutoring to all types and levels of students. After receiving his B.S. in mathematics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, David pursued his M.A. in mathematics from Eastern Illinois University where he cemented his passion for teaching and decided to attend Southern Illinois University – Carbondale for his M.S.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. During his career, he has presented at local and national conferences on original STEM curriculum that incorporates problem solving and critical thinking skills to scaffold traditional lessons in mathematics and mathematics education. David has also developed a passion for social justice and hopes to create an inclusive and welcoming education experience. Currently he holds the position of Academic Specialist at Rush University Medical Center.

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.

Elizabeth is currently a kindergarten teacher in Glendale Heights. She graduated from Concordia University-Chicago in 2019 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in English as a Second Language. From there she went on to teach preschool, second grade, and now kindergarten. In the Fall of 2019, she went back to Concordia University-Chicago to earn her Master’s Degree in Special Education. She recently completed that program and now is a certified Learning Behavior Specialist. While teaching through a pandemic, she saw first-hand the toll it took on her student’s learning. This is when becoming a tutor really became her passion, so she could help students close any gaps they may have in their learning. Elizabeth is the oldest of five and grew up encourging her siblings to come to her classroom she created in the basement of her Oak Park home. Being a teacher has always been a dream of hers and she is very happy to be able to live her dream today!

Attending Elmhurst University in pursuit of a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a Writing emphasis, Emily not only possesses exemplary reading, writing, and editing skills but has experience working with students of different educational backgrounds as a tutor at the Elmhurst University Writing Center. Undergoing modules for CLRA (College Reading and Learning Association) certification, Emily has been able to share her passion for writing and reading with her students across subjects, providing students with strategies to improve their writing style, grammar, and overall clarity of their work in any genre of writing. Emily is proficient in editing students’ work in both MLA and APA writing styles, helping students create graphic organizers, and assisting students in generating theses. She can also aid in correcting grammatical issues. As coursework can be difficult, Emily sees the tutoring process as a rewarding experience where the tutor and tutee can learn from each other, dismissing the hierarchical relationship that comes to mind when thinking about the connotations of a typical tutoring session. Establishing a personal connection first and foremost is extremely important to Emily as she believes that collaboration and comfortability are the basis for learning. Outside of preparing herself for a daunting master’s degree in English, she enjoys playing the piano, going to concerts, and spending time with her barn cats on her family farm in Yorkville.

Meet Eric Junco, an accomplished teacher education professor who has an extensive 12-year career in both high school and junior high ELA settings. Eric’s wide range of experience provides him with critical insights on how to develop common core reading and writing skills required to achieve success at each level of the K-12 ELA experience. He has spent the latter half of his high school teaching career instructing College English 101 and 103 courses, preparing students for ACT and CLEP examinations, and affording students college credits. His last school was referenced as the top high school in the Rock Valley College District for CLEP test volume and performance for six consecutive years while he was the only instructor of the course. He also has had immense success facilitating Directed Studies Reading courses to build students’ foundational and metacognitive reading and writing skills.

Eric’s teaching style utilizes a combination of cutting-edge technology, relationship-building, and constructivist-based pedagogies. He takes pride in spending a significant amount of time learning about his students’ interests, goals, and academic strengths to customize a learning experience that empowers students to observe their own metacognitive processes and co-construct their own learning. Eric’s students have nominated him for multiple golden apple nominations and he has been featured in the local news for being an effective teacher. He is also proud of achieving an award at the university level for Exceptional and Creative Online Instruction. Eric Junco is the perfect choice for a dynamic and effective teacher that will help students achieve their full potential.

Born in Ecuador and raised in Chicago, Gissela began her education career at the age of eighteen tutoring middle school math and reading. Deciding to pursue education further, she traveled to her home country where she worked as an ESL Teacher for three years. It was during this trip that she fell in love with teaching and returned to Chicago to graduate with a Bachelor’s in English Literature and Secondary/Middle Ed. with an ELL endorsement. Eight years of classroom experience has taught Gissela that relationship building, goal setting and collaborative learning are essential for a students’ growth. Gissela considers herself a lifelong learner, which is why she is not only continuing a postgraduate degree but she loves to attend local classes to learn new skills such as sewing or health and body mobility. Being an avid reader and a lover of hot cocoa and winter weather – she enjoys reading poetry, manga and biographies of people who inspire her. She loves to host Book Clubs with her friends and travel with her husband – anywhere as long as it has mountains and a body of water!

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.

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?

Mr. Kasman has been a Math Teacher for 12 years and has a passion for teaching math.  He has experience teaching at the elementary, middle school and high school level.  Kasman has a Master’s Degree from Bina Nusantara University and also graduated from the University of Indonesia with a degree in Electrical Engineering.  He grew up in Indonesia, a country with various unique cultures and he loves traveling to see the uniqueness of other countries.  Kasman enjoys teaching Math and looks forward to helping students learn.

Kasman S

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.

Hello! Meet Kelly Marcella, an energetic teacher who values education and making the learning process victorious and something to enjoy! Kel remembers learning how to read in second grade. How magical that experience was, so magical she marched right off to the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and earned a double major in Elementary and Special Education- she decided to add some razzle dazzle of English as a Second language, Specific Learning disabilities, Intellectual disabilities, and Emotional Behavioral Disorder concentration minors. She couldn’t wait to practice this incredible art and began her journey where she taught elementary education for six years. Within those years, she was fortunate enough to earn her Wilson Reading System (Level 1) certificate and earned a Masters’s degree in Educational Psychology; she is currently working on her Master’s specialist degree in School Psychology and couldn’t be more thrilled to understand how our scholars learn. This year, Kel will emerge in a year-long School Psychology internship where she will continue learning how to impact the educational experience for students and school staff positively.

An accomplished educator with a rich background in elementary education, Kristen is excited to bring 19 years of teaching expertise to support and empower primary elementary students. When not engaged in teaching, Kristen can be found spending time with her family and watching her three children play sports.

With a Master’s degree in education, Kristen possesses a strong academic foundation, equipping her with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively guide young learners.

Throughout her career, Kristen has had the privilege of working with students in grades kindergarten through third grades, providing them with a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges encountered by students in these formative years. Kristen’s teaching methods have been finely honed to cater to diverse learning styles and abilities, ensuring education is a tailored and enriching experience for each child.

Passion for nurturing the growth and development of young minds is a cornerstone of Kristen’s teaching philosophy. She focuses on creating a positive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that inspires curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning. Kristen firmly believes that every child has the potential to succeed and she is committed to helping them unlock their full potential.

Kristen’s tutoring approach is highly personalized, taking the time to get to know each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and unique learning preferences. By tailoring her instruction to the individual needs of each child, she can provide targeted support, facilitating academic excellence and building confidence.

Kristen is dedicated to fostering a strong educational foundation that extends beyond the classroom. She works closely with students and their families to set achievable goals, monitor progress, and celebrate accomplishments along the way. Kristen emphasizes the importance of a collaborative effort between the tutor, the student, and their family in a child’s educational journey.

Lauren Santana is a Certified Teacher in the state of Florida and Illinois. She grew up in Tampa, Florida. Lauren completed her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education at Nova Southeastern University. She has an endorsement in reading and ESOL. She is also experienced in Wilson Fundations and the Wilson Reading System. Lauren has been teaching for five years and enjoys building relationships with her students and growing her scholars love for learning. Lauren loves to involve scholars by creating hands on, engaging activities that challenge conceptual understanding and enforce critical thinking skills. When Lauren is not teaching or tutoring during the school year, she travels with her family and get lost in a good book

Leah Haft is currently studying Secondary Education Mathematics, with a minor in K-12 Spanish Teaching at Elmhurst University. Her desire to become a teacher started at a young age. She has experience working with students in various settings, such as through nannying, life coaching a student with special needs, and in a classroom setting. She has been nannying for 2 and a half years, in which she has been able to sit-in on a couple of IEP meetings. Through participating in classrooms, Leah has been able to teach some lessons and help students with their math work. In her free time, she co-leads a Girl Scout troop of 12 girls and has had some leadership experience with the Honors Program at Elmhurst University.

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.

Lillie is a rising Junior student at the University of Illinois in Champaign Urbana! She is majoring in English to be a high school English teacher as well as a drama teacher. Lillie has a wide range of experience working with students of all ages in and out of the classroom. While at school, she tutors at local elementary schools and high schools through America Reads, America Counts, through which she also received tutoring training. She specifically helps students who need additional assistance in elementary mathematics and reading. During her high school years at Downers Grove North, Lillie was able to student teach in a social studies classroom at Herrick Middle School. In the classroom, she taught lessons three times a week, some of which she created. Here, she got experience in collaborating with students in an entire class, in small groups, and one-on-one. Between her Freshman and Sophomore years of college, Lillie worked as a teacher’s assistant at Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development’s Academic Summer Camps. Here, she helped gifted high schoolers find their writing style and excel at creative writing and college writing. Lillie loves to see “ah-ha” moments when she helps students understand tricky concepts and when students find their unique voices as writers and learners. When she is home from school, she loves playing with her two dogs, bird, and pig! Yes, a pig!

Maggie M. holds a M. Ed. and is an accomplished National Educational Consultant with 20+ years in elementary education experience. She has a passion for working with students from a variety of backgrounds. Maggie has been an educator in different capacities; ESL teacher, bilingual teacher, middle school teacher, Title 1 Reading Specialist, and EL Coordinator, then transitioned to work with school districts across the country providing professional development and coaching for educators primarily with effective instructional strategies to accelerate student achievement. She received her master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with several endorsements, ESL, Middle School reading, science and social studies. She is fluent in Spanish as well.

She has a strong dedication in providing a learning environment that is nurturing, employs effective learning strategies that empower students and promote student ownership of their learning and academic growth. Engaging, fun, targeted and cognitive research-based lessons are ways Maggie builds strong relationships with her students and creates a safe, collaborative, and meaningful learning time together.

Maggie has 6 children of her own and is involved in school activities where her children attend. Her hobbies include reading, working out, cooking, traveling, and volunteering at several social service agencies. Maggie also loves dogs and nature.

Maya graduated from Loyola University Chicago with three bachelor’s degrees – in psychology, history, and international studies. She also holds a master’s degree in marketing from DePaul, a master’s in animal sciences from the University of Florida, and is completing her master’s in clinical psychology from Pepperdine. Maya has experience working with students primarily high school level, but welcomes students of all ages! Additionally, she has experience tutoring students at Loyola University in social studies/history, English, Polish language, literature, psychology, and basic biology/animal sciences. Maya has held various leadership positions for over two years which included: a History Honors Society member, animal welfare advocate, event coordinator, and PR specialist. Outside of her studies, she was a professional ballroom dancer, musician, horseback rider, animal shelter volunteer, and published author. She was most recently published in DePaul’s book, Marketing Cases of Chicago Businesses. Full-time, she is a clinical psychology student with hopes of going into school counseling and therapy.

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.

Sean McJunkins II has been a teacher for 8 plus years, working in a variety of roles and managing a litany of responsibilities. He first obtained his English and Africana (an interdisciplinary study of the world from an African perspective) double major from Rutgers University. Currently, he is pursuing his master’s in special education, with only his practicum hours remaining. This allows for Mr. McJunkins to provide a number of services and further apply his years of experience in co taught and other varied environments for diverse learners. Growing up in New Jersey, he long has enjoyed the season and outdoors, promoting his move to the Midwest to further serve students who historically have experienced disenfranchisement systemically. In this productive struggle, he found that the classroom was useful, but many students needed support in a more specific manner. Sean hopes to help close that gap through providing his services to families and believes that all work and progress begins with trust and relationships. He is excited to apply these virtues in his work with families and stakeholders.

A majority of his experience has been focused on high school aged children, but his ability is not limited to only older scholars. In his time as a lead teacher in the Chicagoland area, he has created, proliferated, and redressed in person SAT, ACT, and Core Curriculum standardized mastery assessments. Mr. McJunkins’ deep understanding of standards and scaffolding of skills has served numerous communities well, and he brings that same tenacity to the needs of our scholars and clients. He enjoys playing various instruments like guitar, drums, and piano, as well sharing his deep understanding of all music genres. As a lifetime scholar himself, Sean McJunkins II is excited to learn from and teach those who are seeking guidance towards their best self and highest potential.

Terry is a recently retired elementary school teacher who taught third grade for 13 years and second grade for the past 9 years with Naperville School District 203. After receiving his master’s degree in teaching from National-Louis University in 2001, he received a certificate of advanced studies in reading and literacy from NLU in 2016. Prior to his teaching career, Terry used his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University to work in the retail training and marketing fields for movie theaters and video and music establishments. Terry grew up in nearby La Grange, Illinois, and has lived in Downers Grove with his wife for the last 27 years. Their daughter, Emma, is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University where she followed in her father’s footsteps and is now teaching second grade in suburban Detroit. Terry is currently substituting one day per week at the school where he taught for 22 years. He is passionate about working with students individually or in small groups in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing, as well as with social-emotional and executive functioning skills. Terry’s hobbies include gardening, cooking, writing poetry and songs, and he is currently teaching himself to play the piano. He also enjoys researching his family’s heritage and exploring antique stores and small towns with his wife.

Tricia R. has worked with various community organizations designing and incorporating workshops geared toward music/rhythm, conflict resolution skills, creative expression, and language arts. She was a middle school substitute teacher in Elgin School District U-46. She draws upon 20+ years of experience in classroom teaching, as well as facilitating instructional presentations and educational programming with an emphasis on Experiential Education. Tricia holds a degree in Education, and certifications in Library Science, Team-building, Youth Management Techniques, and Music Education. In addition to teaching and stockpiling curriculum, she enjoys photography, painting barn quilts and playing the fiddle.

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.

Youssof is currently an intern physician at Alexandria University Main Hospital. He received his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Alexandria University after graduating from Hinsdale Central High School at the top of his class. He scored within the 99th percentile in all his standardized exams and took 12 AP classes in high school. He has helped many students prepare for the SAT, ACT, and the SAT Subject tests. He has tutored subjects including calculus, biology, chemistry, French, and physiology. Youssof is passionate about learning and believes his main goal is to help a students reach a conceptual understanding on their own. Youssof is trilingual and is very about soccer. He signed a professional contract in the Egyptian Premiere League before quitting to pursue medicine.

Hi!  My name is Zein, I am currently a Junior in my undergraduate years pursuing a major of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology! I am hoping to continue after my undergraduate years and attend graduate school with work in healthcare.