Professional Tutoring in Westchester County

Adrian is a seasoned executive with more than 18 years experience building, leading and motivating teams in a diversity of industries: Waste Management, Capital Markets, Manufacturing, Interactive Gaming and Equipment Rental Solutions.

His strengths include developing and executing on strategy, growing revenues, fine-tuning operational efficiencies to produce consistently profitable revenue and cross-enterprise collaboration to devise and implement initiatives that impact bottom and top-line results

I am the founder and CEO of Prep Academy Tutors (formerly Write at Home Tutoring ) where we bring qualified teachers into your home and provide thorough weekly reports based on our collaborative goals for your child.

Upon completion of my undergraduate degree at Western, I completed a M.DPE from OISE, U of T and was employed for 3 years at OISE running an infant developmental lab, before embarking on my tutoring business.

SPECIALITIES: CHILD PSYCHOLOGY | EDUCATION | PSYCHOMETRICS | INTERPRETATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL TESTING | EDUCATIONAL GOAL SETTING AND MEASUREMENT |SPECIAL EDUCATION

Our mission at Prep Academy Tutors is to attract and build a network of franchises made up of people who recognize the importance of community, and share a passion for education and business. We strive to deliver the educational tools required for students to not only build self confidence, but achieve higher levels of academic excellence and success.

Aimee Campbell has over sixteen years of elementary and special education teaching experience. Currently based in East Hampton, Aimee has taught on the East End of Long Island, Connecticut and Louisiana. She possesses a Master of Professional Studies in Elementary (PreK-6th) and Special Education (K-12th) along with a TESOL certification. Aimee is highly trained in multisensory and creative teaching strategies such as the Orton-Gillingham method and specializes in teaching struggling and reluctant learners. Interestingly, prior to her teaching career, Aimee earned a Master of Arts degree in Archaeology from Washington State University and worked on Native American archaeological digs in the Pacific Northwest and the African Burial Ground Project in Lower Manhattan. Students love working with Aimee because her lessons are engaging, interactive, and rewarding.

Alexandra has an Undergraduate Degree in Business Management and a Minor in Italian Studies from Roger Williams University.  She has a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Manhattanville College.  She is certified in Early Childhood Education Birth-2nd Grade as well as Childhood Education 1-6th Grade.  Alexandra also is certified in Students with Disabilities Birth-6th Grade.  She is currently enrolled at Molloy College to pursue an additional certification in English to Speakers of Other Languages.  She is currently a Math AIS provider as well as being a teacher in a 3rd grade Inclusion classroom.  Alexandra has a lot of experience tutoring students and working with students from Pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade. She has been an ABA provider for her school district for over 3 years.  She also has a lot of experience in Wilson and Fundations.  She has a passion for teaching and makes sure that she is doing everything possible to meet the needs of her students.  She loves to use a variety of materials, strategies, and resources in order to help each and every student be successful.   Her motto is, “Don’t say you can’t, Say YOU CAN!”

And you will with her help!

world.

Alice taught middle school English and reading remediation for 21 years at a public school in Westchester County, New York. She majored in English and writing as an undergraduate student at SUNY Empire State College. She received her Master of Arts in Elementary Education and her New York State certifications in English 7-12 and Reading K-12 from Manhattanville College.

Drawing on years of teaching experience, Alice incorporates proven reading comprehension strategies, expository writing skills, and grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary skills in a multisensory instructional approach. Furthermore, through the use of interpretive questioning, she encourages her students to think critically about literature and nonfiction texts. Her modeling of this method of questioning also prepares her students to generate their own critical analysis questions and use the process independently.

In addition, Alice has experience assisting students with the writing of admissions essays for entry into private high schools and colleges. She understands the importance of guiding her students to hone in on an interesting, memorable topic, which reveals something meaningful about themselves or their view of the world.

Finally, Alice prides herself on being patient and nurturing and enjoys the respectful rapport she has with her students and their families. Her goal is to help set a path for her students to grow academically and gain confidence in themselves as lifelong learners.

Andrew taught English and social studies for 18 years at John Jay Middle School in Katonah. Before that, he taught social studies and humanities at MS 141 and the Jonas Bronck Academy in the Bronx. He has a BA in history from SUNY New Paltz and a MA in American studies and secondary education from Boston College.

Andrew has a love of history and literature that allows him to provide instruction that’s both meaningful and thought-provoking. He believes in teaching history as a story with fascinating characters rather than a series of dates and facts, and in this way, he seeks to engage students. As an English and humanities teacher, he also uses the writing workshop model to teach note taking, outlining, and essay writing that will help students in their humanities classes and beyond.

He understands that each student has their own individual strengths and needs, and that it’s important to tailor instruction and materials to meet each student’s learning style. He also knows that working in collaboration with parents is essential to helping students achieve their goals and develop the habits that will serve them as lifelong learners.

Ashley C. received her undergraduate degree from Lehman College in Psychology, with a minor in Biology. Ashley recently graduated from Fordham University with an MST in Early Childhood and Special Education, Birth through 2nd grade . After achieving her NYS Level 1 Teacher certification, Ashley obtained employment at Bronxville Elementary School, where she is a first grade assistant teacher. Ashley has extensive experience working with students who have disabilities and challenging behaviors. The disabilities range from ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, speech impairments and non-compliant behavior. Ashley is qualified to teach children ages two through five. In addition, she has taught reading and literacy instruction for kindergarten and first grade. Ashley is skilled in using common technologies like Zoom, Google Classroom, Seesaw, Jamboard and MS Office. She is qualified to tutor in reading, literacy, mathematics and daily skills for K – 2nd.

Through her years of experience, Ashley has learned the value of patience and encouragement between the tutor and student. As an educator, Ashley works closely with each student, providing the individualized support and praise they require!

Dr. Chen has taught AP Physics and Chemistry in high school and college-level Anatomy and Physiology for the past ten years. Dr. Chen started his education career as a private tutor. Dr. Chen’s more than 10-year academic training has provided him with a solid education background in the sciences. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in both Civil Engineering and Biology as well as a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Chen’s organized and concise teaching materials combined with his clear and brief instruction stimulate students’ interest in science. Dr. Chen believes different students have different ways to learn, and he works hard to help each individual find the most effective method to learn.

Ben teaches chemistry and biology at the nationally ranked Westhampton Beach High School on the East End of Long Island where he has been for the past twenty five years. He has taught AP Chemistry for the last 15 years and AP Biology for the past 6 years. Ben wrote and implemented the curriculum for freshman and sophomores to take AP Biology and AP Chemistry in consecutive years. Ben has been a private tutor for almost 30 years. Ben has a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Dowling College and Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts.

Bernard is a master tutor who has been teaching and tutoring for more than thirty years. He graduated from Tufts University and graduated with a Master of Science in Secondary Math at Lehman College. He has worked in White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle and most recently at the Hendrick Hudson school. Bernard taught seventh and eighth grade math in middle school and Algebra, Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2 and Trigonometry, Precalculus and AP Statistics at the high school level. He was the math Honor Society Advisor for six years at Henrick Hudson and an AP Stats reader in 2014 to 2016 and did virtual grading at home in 2020. He was the math department instructional leader from 2010 to 2013 where he worked with administration and other department leaders to make the school run smoothly.

        He has also tutored SAT math and ACT math as a private tutor and for tutoring services. Bernard has just retired from teaching after 33 years. He has vast knowledge in many courses to help students achieve in this unprecedented time. Bernard was an adjunct professor at College of New Rochelle and more recently at Iona College where for two years he taught Business Calculus.

        Bernard is married with three children ages 26, 23 and 19. He plays golf, bowls and has aspirations to become a voiceover artist. He is looking forward to continuing to help students learn and at the same time learn from students as well.

Brigid Phelan is an experienced teacher and tutor who works in the New York City Department of Education who has worked with students of all learning abilities and backgrounds. Brigid has had the pleasure of teaching in the fifth and third grades. She received her undergraduate Degree from Manhattan College in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with concentrations in Mathematics and Psychology. She also received her Master’s Degree from Manhattan College in Special Education.

Brigid has fostered meaningful relationships with the students and families that she’s worked with over the years. She strongly believes in using a variety of instructional strategies to meet the individual needs of each child. In doing so, she provides students the outlets to build the confidence they need be successful learners!

In her free time, Brigid loves to spend time with her family and friends. She especially loves to travel whenever she can!

Caitlin Heppenheimer has been in the education field for several years now. She has worked with students on the autism spectrum and attention deficit disorders. She began her teaching journey when she lived in Plattsburgh, New York where she attended college. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education as well as a Master’s of Science in Counseling Education.  After college she became a paraprofessional in Vermont where she worked in small groups with students in a fifth grade classroom. She realized she enjoyed working one on one with students to help them hone their academic skills. Later in life, she moved back home to the east end of Long Island where she was hired as a teaching assistant at a local elementary school. A few years ago she began teaching full time at that same district as a first grade teacher and now currently teaches fourth grade. Caitlin has worked with age groups from pre-school to seventh grade.

Within her teaching, Caitlin strives to provide hands-on activities to help students learn. Caitlin believes every child has a unique way of learning and works with each of her students to help them learn their very best by providing manipulatives, organization charts, as well as various strategies to help in reading, writing, and math.

Casey graduated from Manhattan College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in special education. While completing her master’s degree, Casey worked as a special education teacher providing small group instruction to students with individual education programs. After finishing school, Casey began to work full time as a third grade teacher for the Department of Education. Casey has since worked with students in kindergarten through fifth grade (in all subject areas) throughout the last five and a half years as a general and special education teacher. She has worked with students of many different learning styles and tailors her instruction to support her student’s individual needs. Having worked with general and special education populations, Casey has developed strong instructional strategies to increase student achievement.

Celia Josephson, B.A., The University of Chicago, MPA, Harvard University, brings a passion to her love of teaching.  Her skills range from essay writing to foreign languages, (Spanish, French and ESL) from mathematics to social studies.  Though trained as an attorney and journalist, Celia discovered that teaching was her vocation.

She taught most recently at her local library in East Hampton, New York, offering courses in ESL, citizenship preparation and high school equivalency.  Celia’s year-long stay in Mexico, after college, prepared her well to teach ESL and to understand the dynamics of teaching Spanish speakers to learn English. Her legal training provided a solid base from which to teach citizenship preparation and her training in quantitative methods as a graduate student at Harvard enabled her to tackle the mathematics portion of the high school equivalency curriculum.

For the past several years, Celia has focused on tutoring.  She has privately taught elementary age students as well as aspiring college students, particularly in English composition and math.  She is equally comfortable teaching in English or Spanish.

As a mother of three, Celia is also aware of the challenges and rewards of nurturing a love of learning in young people, so that they can fully harvest their abilities as adults.

Chaunte has been teaching and tutoring  for more than 12 years. She obtained her Master of Science Degree in Secondary Math Education from St. John’s University in Queens, NY. Chaunte has spent most of her teaching years working with students who struggle and perform below academic grade levels. With her assistance, students have excelled beyond what many thought they could accomplish.  “Struggle breeds opportunity, not failure, therefore giving up isn’t an option” is the slogan Chaunte promotes with all her students. As a teacher, Chaunte designs creative lessons and activities that emphasize conceptual understanding of the math topics and facilitate connections between current lessons and students’ previous knowledge. Chaunte has worked with the New York City, Mount Vernon, and New Rochelle public school systems. She has taught elementary mathematics, pre- Algebra, Algebra I and II, Regents Prep, SAT Prep, and Financial Literacy Courses.

Chelsea Gillespie is a math teacher at Rye Neck High School in Mamaroneck, NY. She graduated from Iona College earning a bachelor’s degree in Adolescent Math Education. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree through the University at Albany in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology. She has taught algebra and algebra II classes where she has designed creative lessons aligned with the common core state standards and has developed learning activities to support a diverse classroom. She has worked as a teaching assistant where she designed and implemented mini-lessons to assist students with specific math skills from pre-algebra to calculus. This fall, Chelsea will be teaching geometry, statistics, and algebra II.

This past spring, Chelsea had to transition from face-to-face learning to remote learning. During this time, she developed skills with technological tools, such as Zoom and Screencastify, where she used these programs for synchronous and asynchronous learning. She also assigned tasks for students using websites, such as Google Classroom, Edpuzzle, Khan Academy, and Delta Math, in order to enhance student learning.

Chelsea is very excited to be a tutor at Prep Academy Tutors and looks forward to working with you!

Christina has recently graduated from Syracuse University with a dual Bachelor of Science in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education with a minor in anthropology and concentration in people, places and societies. She is now attending the University at Albany, completing an online graduate program in Curriculum Design and Instructional Technology. She will be graduating in 2022 with her Master’s degree. During her time at Syracuse University, she participated in many practicum placements, ranging from 1st to 4th grade. Christina has a passion for inclusion, and making sure that every student’s needs are met. She is excited to show her love of teaching through tutoring and supporting students in their learning.

Christina Rizopoulos is an experienced, tenured New York City teacher working for the Department of Education. Christina has worked in various classroom settings, and has taught/tutored children from ages 5 to 12. She received her undergraduate Degree from Manhattan College in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) with concentrations in English and Psychology. She also received her Master’s Degree from Manhattan College in Special Education. Christina has also received training in Social Emotional Learning from Fordham University.

Christina prioritizes clear and open communication with families, and works to create an authentic and strong bond with the children she teaches. She understands the importance of differentiating instruction and materials based on a child’s specific needs to best suit their learning style and strengths.

In her free time, Christina loves to spend time with her family and friends. She is a huge animal lover, and enjoys spending time in nature and exercising. Sometimes she even takes her dog to school!

Danielle, a 27 year veteran of the public school system, has a Master of Science Degree in Special Education with specialization in wide-spectrum learning disabilities.  Over her long tenure in education, Ms. Bucolo has taught in the general education setting, teaching both general education students as well as those with various learning difficulties and styles.  Ms. Bucolo has extensive training with programs that have given each of her students access to and success with rigorous academic standards.  Currently, Ms. Bucolo teaches fifth grade in a general education classroom with five students who have IEPs.  Although the majority of her experience has been with students who either have IEPs or who are at risk, she has a passion for teaching all students in all settings. Outside of school, Ms. Bucolo is busy with three children of her own.  She enjoys her book club, listening to music and tutoring students privately.

Mr. Cheng graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a B.A. in Anthropology and has an M.A. in English (Teaching and Applied Linguistics) and another M.A. in Education (Instructional Design and Technologies). In addition to instructing courses in English language and academic writing and American and European history at various institutes of higher education in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia, he has developed and conducted teacher training workshops as a Fulbright Scholar and English Language Fellow with the U.S. State Department. He has also worked as an instructional technologist developing online courses and instructional materials and as a testing materials developer. His most recent occupations were instructing high school graduates in a university preparatory program at Khalifa University of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., and as a substitute teacher in various subjects in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Mr. Cheng is an amateur astronomer and likes working one on one with students to improve their academic writing skills and coaching them in American and European history and the physical sciences of geology, physics and, especially, astronomy.

Devon’s passion for teaching started at a young age and was inspired by her grandfather who was a retired educator and administrator. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Adolescent Education and English and a minor in Educational Psychology from SUNY Oneonta. She enrolled in LIU Riverhead and completed a Master’s degree in Literacy, B-6. Currently, Devon holds her New York State Teaching Certification in Secondary Education/English, 7-12 and has a pending certification in Childhood Education, 1-6. Devon currently teaches grades 3-6 in a public school on Long Island. She has tutored for the past 4 years, as well. Devon believes all children can learn when provided with a nurturing and supportive space for them to take chances. She strives to instill confidence and perseverance within all her students. In her spare time, Devon enjoys reading, gardening, and spending as much time as she can at the beach.

Dhwani graduated from Pace University with a B.A. in Mathematics and studied Astronomy and Astrophysics at Columbia University before deciding to pursue a M.A. in Statistics. She has been teaching since 2004, including in Hong Kong as a Fulbright Scholar. Her areas of expertise include pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and preparation for the SAT, SHSAT, TACHS, ISEE and other standardized exams. She has taught students from Kindergarten to college level.

Edwin is a licensed School Building Leader (SBL). He obtained a master’s degree in Special Education (MsEd) and bachelor’s degree (BA) in Sociology from Manhattanville College.  Edwin is a NYS certified Special Education Teacher, Generalist (grades 5-9). Edwin has expertise in developing and writing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Edwin has a strong skill set in developing executive functioning skills and specifically designing Instruction to meet the needs of his students. He is well versed in Differentiated Instruction (DI) and has a strong ability to connect with students who struggle in school (academically and behaviorally).

Edwin is currently employed as a NYC Principal providing educational services for Students with Disabilities (SWD).  He has 20 years professional experience working in K-12 educational settings and an expertise in educational development. Edwin enjoys teaching all four major disciplines with a focus in Science, History, Reading, Writing and Regents Prep. Edwin is a local resident of Westchester County.

Elisa Cullaro earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and her Master’s Degree in Special Education (Grades 1-6) from Manhattan College. To further develop her teaching practices and continue her growth as an educator, Elisa has recently completed TESOL graduate courses at The College of Mount Saint Vincent and she is working towards acquiring her TESOL advanced certificate.

Elisa has been a passionate NYC public school teacher for 5 years, where she has had the opportunity to teach kindergarten, second and third grade. Throughout her experience thus far, Elisa has worked with children of various learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds. Each year she strives to develop a strong rapport with her students and families, which she believes is essential in a child’s learning experience. Her passion, patience, and empathy foster a sense of encouragement and motivation in her classroom where her students can experience success and joy while learning.

In her free time, Elisa enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, traveling, and taking long walks with her dogs.

Ellie is a bilingual (Mandarin Chinese/English) tutor who is passionate about education and mentorship. She has extensive teaching experience and has worked with students of all age groups from toddlers to adults, in a variety of subject areas including Mandarin, ESL, mathematics, English, chemistry, biology, test preparation, and swing dancing. She has completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Master of Science in Physiology, and Doctor of Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and partner dancing.

Eminesse Gonzalez has been teaching for 8 years at P94m in Murray Hill in Manhattan, New York. She has worked with students in kindergarten to fifth grade who have varying disabilities such as intellectual disability, autism, speech and language impairment, and attention deficit disorder. Eminesse has been a private tutor for 8 years to a wide range of learners who attend public and private schools in Manhattan, New York. She taught first grade for two years on Saturday mornings through the GO Project, providing extra support to students in public schools in reading, writing and math. Eminesse received both her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in 2013  from Pace University, with a combined focus in Elementary Education and Special Education.

Eminesse exudes a genuine passion for teaching and learning. She has continued her own education by attending updated professional development courses for reading, writing and math. Using her past experiences and new skills, she has continued to reinforce the concepts of collaboration with colleagues and families, differentiation and being a reflective practitioner.  She has provided instruction in an array of different environments, working with students in grades Kindergarten to fifth grade from diverse backgrounds. Her experiences have helped her to fully understand that every child is unique and learns differently

Eric Sigman is a proud “edupreneur” with a strong passion for teaching mathematics with a conceptual approach to allow students to form connections. His motivating style has fostered his success as a teacher, building level administrator and district level K – 12 STEM Coordinator. As a high school math teacher for over 10 years in Bedford, NY, he personally experienced and implemented the paradigm shift in education from teacher-centered to student-centered classrooms. Outside of the classroom, Eric has helped develop materials for the writers of the Common Core Math Standards and College Board’s Pre-AP Algebra 1 to address the unique learning perspectives of the “new math”. In addition to his academic achievements, Eric has been featured in both the CT Post and NPR for his cutting edge approach to social emotional learning in high-need areas.

Eric has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the State University at Albany, and a Master’s degree  in Mathematics Education and Educational Leadership from Hofstra University and Manhattan College. He also holds a Certificate in Instructional Technology from New York Institute of Technology. He is the owner of E to B Concepts, Inc. an Educational Consulting firm based in CT.

When he is not saving the world of education from its archaic views and methodologies, he is spending time with his wonderful wife, Rebecca and four beautiful children.

Frank embarked upon his career in the field of education fourteen years ago, when he stepped in front of his first class.  In that time, he has earned a master’s degree in Education from Mercy College and has been awarded teaching certifications in New York as well as Connecticut in K-12 Special Education as well as 7-12 Social Studies. Frank is equipped with a wide range of experience in the classroom as well as experience as a 1:1 tutor.  He is highly experienced in helping students learn executive functioning skills.  He is similarly adept to working with students in the areas of literacy, essay writing, test prep, social studies, and educational advocacy.  Frank is currently a full time teacher in New York City, and resides in Westchester County, N.Y.

Mr. Lin is ecstatic to be teaching at Prep Academy Tutors. “I look forward to helping out the families in the Westchester and Bronxville areas to take their children’s education to the next level!” Mr. Lin worked for the public schools for over 12 years but wanted a different challenge in his career. “I wanted to do something different that actually makes a difference in students’ lives.” He decided to work for the Archdiocese of New York and work at Sacred Heart School where he taught middle school English and Social Studies. Mr. Lin currently works at Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School in the South Bronx and teaches 11th grade English. In addition, Mr. Lin has also taught College Composition, Literature and Business Writing for close to two decades teaching at Hudson County Community College, The City University of New York, Mandl College and Monroe College in New Rochelle. Besides college, Mr. Lin has taught at private test prep centers teaching a wide array of grades from 3-11. If you are looking for an experienced educator who truly loves to teach, Mr. Lin is the perfect tutor for you. “I am lucky to have found my passion in life. I love teaching and can’t see myself doing anything else.”

George Rahbari has been teaching at the high school and college level for the past 28 years. His background in biochemistry, statistics, and law qualifies him as an expert in a multitude of areas of education and one of a select group of individuals who can guide students in various areas of education.  Additionally, George has worked with a number of college students who are and were seeking admission to medical, law, business, and graduate schools. His greatest attributes aside from subject expertise, include patience and compassion for students of all abilities and aptitudes.

Gretchen holds a permanent certification from NYS in Mathematics. She attended Suffolk College and the State University College at Buffalo, where she received her B.S. in Mathematics Education with a concentration in computational math. Gretchen received a Master’s in Education from Stony Brook. Gretchen has worked for the Westhampton School district for twenty years, working with children in elementary through high school. She has worked with children with a variety of learning differences and strives to meet each child at his or her level and works to support them in all academic skills. Gretchen has worked with children in special education throughout the year. Gretchen enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, needlepoint and watching anything having to do with Sci-Fi and spending time with her eleven nieces and nephews.

Gwen has been teaching and tutoring students for over 15 years. She has a BS in Chemical Engineering, an MS in Environmental Engineering, and an MBA in Finance, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Secondary Education. Gwen is certified to teach mathematics, chemistry and physics, and is presently teaching at Tuckahoe High School in Eastchester, NY.

Holly Bittner is a New York State certified teacher for K-12 ENL and 7-12 English.  She has a Master’s Degree in Education from George Mason University.  Having taught in Florida, New York, Virginia and Washington, D.C, her experience includes Kindergarten, Second, Fifth, Sixth grade, and Reading for both middle and high school.  Maintaining best practices with current technology, she utilizes a variety of online platforms such as Google Classroom, Discovery Education, Kahoot, Newsela, and Quizlet.  Holly is a warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring individual.  She creates a positive learning environment which supports students at any age

Ira brings twenty years of experience teaching literature, writing, and grammar to students at the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, NY. His teaching practice (MA, New York University, English Education) has been informed by his background in theater and writing. He received a BA in Theater Studies from George Washington University and an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Brandeis. He has studied with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company on ways to use rehearsal techniques to engage students’ emotional and kinetic intelligence. Ira’s interest in languages and world cultures drew him to the study of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Teachers College, Columbia University. As an instructor at Westchester Community College, he has taught ESL to students at all levels of English proficiency. He has tutored students in the US and China via Zoom in ESL and TOEFL preparation. Ira brings deep knowledge of his subject areas along with dedication to finding the best mix of techniques to help each student thrive. He knows that students learn best when they feel seen and prized as individuals with interests and skills beyond the work at hand. Ira helps students to see and understand their academic growth so they can develop confidence in their ability to learn independently.

For the past decade, Jan had her own private reading remediation practice in Fairfield County and the Hamptons (summers).  She started as a public high school English teacher of junior English (both advanced and basic levels), before shifting to become a community college lecturer, then becoming a learning center reading specialist using the Orton-Gillingham approach before becoming a private reading specialist.

Jan holds two Ivy League degrees, was credentialed as an award-winning high school English teacher, and trained in Connecticut’s only Orton Gillingham institution where she worked directly under a Fellow, who later sat on the Academy’s Board of Directors.  In addition to learning the OG approach, Jan used the Wilson Reading System, FUNdations, SPIRE, and the Language Tool Kits.

The Orton GIllingham approach has been validated by the test of time– for 75 years, diagnosing educational psychologists have recognized that it is the best means of remediating diagnosed dyslexia.  Dyslexia affects 15% of the population with reading challenges comprising 85% of Special Education referrals.  However, the public schools have not conquered this problem, as the typical SpEd student enters the program reading two grade levels behind his peers, and he exits the program still reading two grade levels behind his peers.  The Orton Gilliingham approach actually closes skill gaps, rather than simply making progress.

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Among the attributes that make the OG approach unique are its emotional sensitivity and its customization.  The Orton Gillingham practitioner creates a lesson for that individual’s specific needs and skill levels in order for him/her to achieve 80% or better accuracy.  During the lesson, the specialist adjusts the lesson’s administration accordingly to realize that result.  Allowing such a curated sense of competency to emerge (albeit in a vacuum) builds a newfound sense of confidence in written-language capability for the dyslexic student.  Also, the Orton Gillingham approach, because it is not a program (pre-scripted) or a one-size fits all curriculum, permits the instructional intensity necessary to closing deficits.  There is no need for covering ground already familiar to the student, and there is the freedom to bear down on those skills eluding the student.

Jane’s education, teaching experience, and ability to compassionately interact with students, prepare her well to continue the teaching she loves.

After living and studying in Montevideo, Uruguay and Madrid, Spain she developed a love for language and literacy.

Jane earned her BA at Tulane University, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2003. In 2013, Jane graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hunter College with an MA in K to 12 education with a specialization in TESOL (Teaching English to Students of Other Languages). Jane taught and became certified in three different states, adhering to each state’s standards.

Jane facilitated and taught seven different curricula on the road with child actors on the national tour of “Annie.” Recently Jane worked with private clients using micro-schooling as schools switched to remote learning due to COVID.

In her last teaching position, she facilitated teacher training on supporting the English language learner in mainstream classes. Jane co-wrote and co-led professional development training to middle school and high school classroom teachers.

This fall, Jane is teaching part time in the Edgemont School District. She is happy to have returned home, closer to her Nyack roots.

Jane is committed to helping those who struggle with language, and develops confidence and independence in her students, while identifying and strengthening the skills these students need to succeed.

Jeremy Weitzman has taught English for twenty-five years. He started his career at Lehman High School in the Bronx. He currently teaches at Edgemont High School in Scarsdale, New York. He possesses permanent New York State certification in English (grades 7-12).

Jeremy attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, during which he placed in the semi-finals of the National Young Playwrights Festival. He attended N.Y.U.’s Tisch School of the Arts before transferring to City College of New York, where he received a B.A. and M.A. in English.

Jeremy has considerable experience helping students to craft their college personal statements. He has also spent a good deal of his career training his pupils in the components of sound persuasive writing, including thesis-building, organization, and the incorporation of fresh but precise word choices. Jeremy also enjoys instructing students on the art of critical reading. He teaches students not to view a text as “set in stone” but, rather, as a series of artistic and narrative choices that the reader should question in order to gain a deeper appreciation for an author’s work.

Jessica is honored to work with your children. Jessica has a Master’s degree in education with certifications in elementary education and special education K-12.  She has been a classroom teacher since 1999 and has taught all grade levels at some point and currently teaches 6th grade ELA and social studies. She is a published writer for various newspapers and magazines. Jessica is looking forward to helping your children achieve their goals. Her philosophy: every child should reach for the stars, and the teacher should be the astronaut who helps them get there. Jessica loves to spend time with her husband and two children. They play tennis, go hiking and can almost always be found at the beach. People tell her she makes an awesome lasagna!

John Caine has been teaching intermediate English for the past ten years at Suffolk County Community College. While here, he has designed and created his own course instruction, testing, and assessment for Grammar, Writing, and Speaking. The coursework is rigorous but also balanced and fair. His tenure experience has enabled him to help newer teachers with their coursework, offering suggestions on specific classroom management techniques. He has had the privilege of teaching students from around the world, providing a broad range of linguistic and cultural experiences. Having an advanced degree has also given him the knowledge and training to incorporate a wide array of teaching styles focusing on each student’s individual needs while maintaining an enjoyable learning environment.

John Caine has taught at Suffolk County Community College as an Adjunct Professor in the TESOL department for many years. Previously, he taught ELA/ESL Teacher grades 9-12, working in conjunction with the ESL department including implementation of the READ 180 program. Every ESL student eligible for a Regents Diploma passed the ELA Regents portion. In addition, he has completed further studies in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. He earned his Master of Science, Education, School Administration and Supervision from C.W. Post, Long Island University. He has a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, Southampton College, Long Island University, Double Major, Elementary Education, and English and Writing.

John Caine is the author of magazine articles and several books: Waldo and the Wackos, The Story of Pig and Giraffe, La Historia de Cerdo y Jirafa, My Name Sir?, In the Time of Big Trains, 4:56) short stories and poetry. He teaches English and writes on Long Island, NY, where he currently lives with his family.

Joseph’s passion for education stems from his time working as a research scientist at Princeton University and Rowan University. Through mentoring students in higher education, he discovered his interest in tutoring. Tutoring, like science, is a dynamic field where great tutors always observe, assess, design, research, and take new approaches to engage their students. Currently, as a high-school teacher, Joseph uses these skills to identify the strengths of each student and incorporates them into addressing their specific needs. He focuses on a relationship-based approach in education, in which he relates the topic to the everyday lives of his students. He has a proven record of success in AP Biology and Regents-level sciences, such as Living Environment and Chemistry.

Josephine Logan is a veteran Italian teacher of over 20 years. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a dual degree in Italian and International Studies and holds a Master’s degree in multicultural education from Iona College. She enjoys sharing her love of the language and culture with others and teaching them all that makes Italian so wonderful! In her spare time she enjoys reading, shopping and spending time with her three kids.

Julie Nunez is a 6th-grade humanities teacher in a local Westchester County independent school. Julie has been a teacher for 12 years. She graduated from Binghamton University with an undergraduate degree in Sociology. She later attended Lehman College where she earned an MA in Childhood Education and Teaching. Julie has taught elementary-aged students in grades K- 4 and has spent her more recent years teaching middle schoolers.

Besides teaching, Julie enjoys kayaking and is learning how to sail. She spends her free time cooking, dancing, reading, and spending time with family.

Katherine received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Manhattan College. While there, she also obtained her certificate in Early Childhood education. After college, Katherine gained valuable ENL experience as she moved to Seoul, South Korea and taught full-day kindergarten as well as tutored older children in the afternoons. After returning from Korea, Katherine obtained a kindergarten position in the New York City Department of Education where she taught in a general education classroom for five years. For the past two years, Katherine has taught in an ICT classroom with her co-teacher while also serving as the grade leader of her team. Katherine has experience teaching students who fall on the autism spectrum as well as students with learning disabilities such as speech impairments, ADD/ADHD, etc.

Katherine believes that all students have the ability to succeed! She is skilled in building relationships with students to foster a growth not only in academic scores, but self-esteem and confidence as well. In her free time, Katherine enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her two young nephews, and relaxing with her dog, Gertie.

Kathryn “Katie” Meyers has been teaching for six years for the New York City Department of Education. Katie holds a master’s degree in Literacy and is certified to work with children in grades 1-6. She is a middle school special education teacher for the 5th and 6th grades and works with students who have mild to severe learning differences, as well as gifted and talented students. Katie works with children to strengthen their reading comprehension and math skills. Katie’s approach to teaching takes into account her own struggles with math as a child, and gives her a unique ability to relate to her students. Katie strives to imbed her lessons with cognitive tools and strategies in order to foster independence and confidence. Katie believes that all children are capable of academic success and just need the extra support and guidance to do so.

Katie is an NYS-certified elementary teacher with a master’s degree in Childhood Education (grades 1-6) and a bachelor’s degree in English Language & Literature from Pace University in New York City. She thrives on finding creative, empathic, and engaging ways to empower students to learn. Honing her craft as a student teacher at P.S. 6 Lillie Devereaux Blake School in Manhattan, Katie designed and delivered differentiated, culturally responsive, standards-aligned instruction in ELA, math, social studies, and science to first- and fourth-grade classes. As a tutor, she has coached pre-K through second-grade students in math and ELA. Additionally, she teaches music to individuals and small groups, aged 5 and up.

In March 2020, like many educators, Katie switched from in-person to distance teaching. As well as developing proficiency in technological tools such as Zoom, she focused on supporting critical thinking and social-emotional learning in virtual settings by engaging in professional development specifically centered around adapting to and enhancing unconventional learning environments.

Katie is thrilled to be a tutor at Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester. She believes in confidence building and delivering personalized instruction to ensure that all students are given equal opportunity to reach their full potentials. 

Originally from Sydney, Australia, Lourdes is an elementary school teacher for grades 1-6 in New York State. Lourdes currently works for The Windward School at the Westchester Lower School which specializes in language-based learning differences. She graduated in 2020 from The City College of the City University of New York with a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education, and a concentration in Languages and Literature. In 2017, Lourdes was the winner of The Stark English Composition Award from the English department of the City College of New York for her winning paper, “Traditional Martial Arts: Timeless in the Modern World.” As a 2nd degree black belt in Taekwon-Do, Lourdes has also worked with children as a Taekwon-Do Instructor for Gotham Martial Arts in NYC. She teaches children from ages 2-13 and continues to instill her martial arts training, particularly socio-emotional learning and physical movement, into her academic instruction. Working with children means never having to “work” another day! As well as teaching children, Lourdes is an avid reader, writer, outdoor enthusiast, and animal lover.

Margaret has been an educator for the past five years, starting out as a Middle School teacher before taking on her current role as Director of Library services at the Chapel School in Bronxville. Her road to the present started at Iona College, where a love for literature and writing helped her get her BA in English which then promptly led to her first Master’s degree in the same field. Building on that passion, Margaret then pursued a second Master’s degree in Library and Information Services at St. John’s University. It’s no surprise to then know her first year as a teacher was spent solely teaching reading, writing, and grammar. Additionally, her expertise includes fifth grade level mathematics, science, and social studies. Margaret’s role as a librarian has helped broaden her skill set, giving her proficiency in instructing research using various technologies and print sources. Margaret also wouldn’t mind having a lively discussion about what books everyone is reading, at school and at home! She has always enjoyed working with students, getting to know each one and figuring out the best way to help them learn. She can’t wait to tutor and meet her new students!

Hola!

Maria Sanahuja was born in Barcelona, Spain. She has a bachelor’s in business administration from the European University in Barcelona and a certificate in marketing from EADA. After 15 years in the fashion industry as a business owner, Maria moved to the United States, in 2013, after her husband got a job offer. Since then, she has been tutoring and teaching Spanish in various schools. She loves her country and has a passion for teaching the language and culture to kids. Maria uses a full immersion teaching method, where 95% of the class is taught in Spanish, using only English when strictly necessary. Maria likes to make learning Spanish fun and interesting, engaging students through various interactive activities.

Maria enjoys reading, listening to music and long walks with her family of 6.

Hasta pronto, amigos!

Marianne is a 24-year veteran teacher, having taught almost every grade from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Her focus in the past 15 years has been in middle school and high school math.  Her teaching philosophy is that she strives to create a safe, inclusive and equitable classroom environment that encourages students to be innovative and creative in their problem solving.

Marianne has taught a range of subjects ranging from math to ELA, special education, algebra, finance and honors math. Marianne has a passion for working with and advocating for students with different learning needs and has experience writing and working with IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). She is currently teaching in a small middle school program geared for students with social emotional issues.

Marianne has numerous teacher certifications.  They include Elementary Education with Math Middle School Extension (Grades N-9), Mathematics 7-12, Students with Disabilities 1-6, Mathematics 7-12 and Generalist 7-12; Reading Teacher (Grades K-2) and School District Administrator. She has earned her B.A. in Elementary Education, Concentration in Math, Minor in Italian (Pace University); MSEd. Concentration in Reading and Literacy Education (Fordham University), MSEd, Supervision and Administration (College of New Rochelle), and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology (Stony Brook University).

Marianne is a lifelong resident of Westchester County, New York.  She has been happily married for 21 years and has two wonderful children, aged 13 and 17.  When not teaching and tutoring, you can find her rooting for her kids on the soccer field and basketball courts.

Matt holds a master’s degree in Special and Childhood Education for Grades 1-6. He has worked with a wide range of students. In fact, Matt has worked with students with severe autism as well as students with moderate learning disabilities. He has worked as an ABA therapist, Teacher’s Assistant, coach, 7th grade ELA teacher/tutor, as well as a Special Education ELA teacher for Grades 1-6. In addition, Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in History Honors from Manhattanville College and served as a two-year captain on his Cross Country and Track Team.

Maura is currently an elementary school teacher for the New York City Department of  Education. She’s a graduate of Manhattan College where she received Bachelor’s degrees in English and Childhood and Special Education, and her Master’s degree in the latter. Throughout her tutoring and teaching experiences, Maura has leveraged her background in both education and English to work effectively with a variety of learners, including special education students and English Language Learners. In her leisure, she enjoys doing anything outdoors with family and friends.

Maureen Darcy was raised in Southern California and moved to New York to attend New York University. As an undergraduate, she majored in French and Linguistics with a minor in Arabic. She then went on to receive her Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Teachers College, Columbia University. Maureen currently teaches French and Spanish at the Professional Children’s School where she is also a Middle School Advisor and a Yearbook advisor. She enjoys sharing her passion for world languages and cultures in her classes while also supporting students in their academic and personal growth. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with her cat Pistachio.

Mbaye is a certified New York teacher for grades 7-12.  He attended University Cheikh Anta Diop Dakar (Senegal) and graduated in 2013 with a B.S in mathematics and physics. He moved to New York in 2014, and pursued a B.S. in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education at Lehman College (CUNY).  He is currently pursuing a PhD in Mathematics Education at Teachers College (Columbia University).  Mbaye is a 7th grade math teacher at South Bronx Early College Academics and an adjunct lecturer at Bronx Community College and Lehman College.  He is qualified to teach all middle & high school math courses as well as college-level mathematics.  Mbaye also teaches high school physics.

With his 7th grade students, Mbaye uses mathematics as a tool to understand and interpret our world. He believes that in an increasingly technological economy, we must strive to understand and apply mathematics to our lives and our future. 

Melanie R. Buchanan received a bachelor’s degree of fine arts in acting from Creighton University and worked as the Youth Director at Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette in Indiana. While working full time, she opted to return to school at Purdue University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and immediately moved to Lima, Peru, where she worked at an English immersion school. In her free time, she enjoyed learning Spanish, eating ceviche, and exploring the Peruvian culture (including Machu Picchu).

In August 2013, Melanie moved back to the US, and applied for the New York City Teaching Fellows program. Once accepted, she participated in the Spring Classroom Apprenticeship and the Blended Learning Institute and started as a full time teacher in the fall of 2014. In June 2016, she completed her Master’s degree from Relay Graduate School of Education.

Melanie taught for 6 years at Bronx Studio School for Writers and Artists in the south Bronx, but, last year, moved to Tuckahoe High School. She currently teaches Regents and AP Chemistry after having taught Algebra 2, Regents Earth Science, Forensics, and Everyday Engineering. Ms.Buchanan is married to an English professor, and they have one dog, Camote, a cat, Khione, and a fiery, red-headed six year old. When she isn’t teaching, grading, or traveling with her family, you can find her completing 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles, reading, or tending to her plants.

Melissa is a middle and high school math teacher and has over 11 years of experience working with students for the New York City Department of Education. She has worked with students of all learning abilities and backgrounds.  Melissa has a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education (grades 7-12) and a Bachelor of Science from Lehman College.  She has tutored and mentored students for consecutive years and has also mentored other teachers through teaching programs.  Melissa has also created and implemented curriculums in her years in math education and has experience with Go Math, NTN Math, iReady, McGraw Hill for Math, and Desmos.

Michael possesses a Master of Childhood Education and Literacy from Pace University, along with an extension in Middle School Social Studies. He graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Hartford. He has been working as a teacher for the past seven years and has experience teaching elementary and middle school.

A recent retiree, Monica Gerken spent the last twenty-five years teaching second and then first grade at the Horace Mann School in Riverdale, Bronx, New York. Prior to that, she taught pre-K for several years. A firm believer in continual growth and professional development, she has had complete training in the Fountas and Pinnell Reading System, Teachers’ College Writing Workshop, Handwriting Without Tears, Singapore Math, the Yale Institute for Emotional Intelligence RULER initiative, and Zoom for online teaching. While at Horace Mann, Monica was chairperson of the Language Arts Department and the Yearbook, and was a mentor for new teachers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercy College and has done graduate work at The College of New Rochelle and Manhattanville College. A recipient of the Bellett Award for Teaching Excellence at Horace Mann, Monica’s work ethic and warm, nurturing, and creative approach to teaching was recognized. The mother of four and the grandmother of twelve, she counts time with her family as her most precious gift. In addition, in her spare time, she enjoys reading, theater, and days on the beach. Monica resides with her husband in the Bronxville area.

Nasr is a NYS certified teacher.  He has sixteen years of experience teaching in the NYC school system. Nasr has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and two master’s degrees, one in Education and the other in Educational Supervision. Nasr loves teaching math and science to students who are eager to learn. Nasr uses the child’s strengths to help his students. Nasr follows the curriculum and the common core to help students achieve the necessary skills to succeed. Nasr loves to travel and has visited 20 countries, he takes traveling seriously because it allows him to understand and learn about different cultures.

Nick Patel is a math and science teacher. Nick began on his teaching path in the winter of 2002 when he began working with the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education at New York University.  He earned his BA and MS degrees from New York University with a concentration in biology, chemistry, economics, and general science, and obtained his teaching credentials in science education from Fordham University and City College of New York.  In Nick’s words, “To me, teaching fulfills a higher purpose.  Knowing that the future leaders of this world will face many coming challenges, teenagers and young adults must immediately be guided in such a way that will prepare them for the coming challenges that humanity faces.”  Nick has been actively involved in the education sector for almost fifteen years, teaching in private and public schools, and providing services to educational institutions in the greater New York City area.

Nicole has been teaching for the New York City Department of Education for the last three years. Nicole received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Iona College. While completing her master’s degree in Special Education, she was a building substitute teacher for the Mamaroneck School District for two years. Nicole holds a certificate in students with disabilities 1-6 and is currently completing her degree in students with disabilities 7-12. Throughout the last 10 years, Nicole has worked closely with a variety of different age categories from as young as Kindergarten to high school level. In addition, Nicole has provided instructional support for individuals with diverse impairments. Her pedagogical approach is individual-based and focuses on strengths and deficits. She incorporates visual aids and sensory approaches to heighten engagement. Nicole uses various techniques to stimulate motivation and foster independence.

Patricia was trained as a fashion designer, holding degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, as well as Université de La Sorbonne and Esmod in Paris, France.

Patricia has held various roles in the fashion industry, with expertise in fabric development, coupled with design and illustration. She was amongst the original three-member team that started Women’s Black Label at Ralph Lauren and other New York brands. During her career in the fashion industry, Patricia was communicating daily with France and Italy.

Currently Patricia teaches art to children and adults as well as French and Italian conversation servicing Westchester communities.

Traveling and family captivate her the most! She is inspired by people and everything that “makes them tick,” as she would say. Originally from upstate New York, Patricia really enjoyed living for years in Paris and Italy. This fed her passion for languages.

Patricia was trained as a fashion designer, holding degrees from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, as well as Université de La Sorbonne and Esmod in Paris, France.

Rachel is a New York State Certified Teacher who possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. She is certified to teach Elementary School Students and Students with IEPs in Grades 1 to 6, in the classroom, and in after-school programs. Additionally, she has experience working as a private tutor with students throughout the New York City area.

Rachel’s diversity of teaching experience has reaffirmed her educational philosophy, that each student possesses an individualized manner of learning best and that educators must strive to pinpoint these pathways to lead students in the direction of personal academic success.

Rachel is a firm believer that working one-on-one with students radically changes their educational experience. Having had the opportunity to work with students at various academic levels, she can create benchmark assessments to determine a student’s areas of strengths and weaknesses and tailor her instructions based on their needs. Also, having been a proctor and scorer for the NYS ELA and Math exams, she is familiar with the content and rubrics and can also offer instructions to help students prepare for standardized tests.

She is very passionate about helping children build a love for learning. Her biggest goal as an educator is to help students improve their proficiency levels and become independent learners.

Richard has taught high school English for 13 years at three different independent schools. After graduating from Davidson College, with a BA in English (and a minor in economics), Richard taught at Worcester Academy (MA) for two years. He then earned his MA in Teaching of English from Teachers College at Columbia University. For the next four years, Richard worked at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., where he earned the Hall-Hoffman Award, given to the faculty member “who taught us in the classroom and on the athletic field that, through maximum effort, we can excel with honor in all that we do.” He most recently spent seven years at St. Sebastian’s School, outside Boston. Richard is also a dedicated and accomplished coach. He has coached soccer, hockey, and baseball at the varsity level, while also leading teams at several sub-varsity levels. Richard believes that teaching and coaching are the same, and that a sound mind in a sound body is a solid foundation for success.

Richard is pursuing a graduate certificate in Sport Management from the University of New Haven, and he spent the summer of 2020 coaching the 17u Connecticut Bombers baseball team. When not teaching or coaching, Richard enjoys running around with his two kids, riding the Peloton bike, golfing, and reading.

A fun and energetic tutor, Richard loves learning and sharing knowledge with others. He earned a BA in History at SUNY New Paltz. Richard went on to receive an MS in Elementary Education for grades 1-6. After finishing his studies, Richard began his career teaching in the special education program in the Lakeland Central School district  and tutored both privately and for a learning center. Richard spent some time teaching 7th and 8th grade math and science at a private school in Westchester, and is currently teaching 3rd and 4th grade math and science. Richard has tutored math and phonics to elementary school children as well as SAT test prep for high school students looking to increase their overall score for college. “I focus on getting to know my students and creating a fun and safe learning environment. Many times students lack the confidence in themselves and I strive to help them believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.” Richard has always excelled in math and believes “mistakes allow thinking to happen.” He has loved sports, movies and animals since he was a child. Richard is the owner of two kittens, Millie and Mittens.

Rolando earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Mercy College and a M.A. in Pure Mathematics from Hunter College. Math has always come easy to him, allowing him to help his classmates throughout his school years. He started working as a math tutor for Mercy College at the start of his sophomore year. He graduated with honors (Summa Cum Laude) from Mercy College in 2017. He has a wealth of experience in teaching and tutoring, in-person and online for middle, high school, and test prep math. He currently works as a supplemental math instructor at SUNY Maritime College. His goal as an instructor is to provide his students with the necessary tools to transform their weaknesses into strengths. Rolando’s favorite motivational quote is, “The five P’s: Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” Rolando enjoys sudoku, anime and movies in his spare time.

Sandra’s passion for teaching came after she left the United States Marine Corps in 1998. After leaving the Marine Corps, she enrolled in a bachelor’s program at Long island University (CW Post) and received her degree in elementary education.  After graduation, she enrolled in a master’s Program at Dowling College where she received her master’s degree in special education.   Sandra currently holds 4 New York State Teaching Certifications (Birth-6th grade, General Education and Special Education). Sandra has a passion for teaching and motivating children to become independent and lifelong learners.   Sandra currently teaches grades 3-6 in a public school on Long Island.  Sandra has tutored for the past 14 years.  In Sandra’s spare time, she loves to be out on the water boating with her husband and 6-year-old son.

Shannon Kelly is an experienced special education teacher in the New York City Department of Education. In her time in the DOE, Shannon has taught Kindergarten, first, and second grade. As a special education teacher, Shannon has experience modifying curriculum to meet the specific, individual needs of each student. She prioritizes developing strong relationships with each child.

Shannon received her undergraduate Degree from Manhattan College in Early Childhood and Childhood Education (birth through grade 6) with concentrations in Mathematics and Psychology. She also received her Master’s Degree from Manhattan College in Special Education. Currently, Shannon is working on a second Master’s Degree in Literacy Education.

In her free time, Shannon loves to spend time with family and friends. She loves to read and exercise, but her favorite thing of all is to relax on the beach!

Sophie has a wide scope of professional experience in French language education and the arts. After receiving a MA from the Institute of French Studies at NYU, Sophie worked with refugee and immigrant youth populations in NYC through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the French Heritage Language Program teaching French AP courses and helping to produce a bilingual musical, Amidou et Toya. Sophie currently works as a multimedia artist in puppetry, theatre, and creative and non-fiction writing, and lives between Colorado and Paris (France) as a touring educator and guest artist.

Tara has been teaching special education for five years. She currently teaches both 5th and 6th grade at PS/MS 20 in The Bronx. Tara is a tenured teacher and is certified to teach English language arts, math, science and social studies in kindergarten through sixth grade. Tara attended Adelphi University and Mercy College where she received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in early childhood education with additional certification in childhood and special education. Tara’s favorite subject to teach is English language arts. She loves reading and getting students excited about reading. Tara believes in a balanced literacy approach, using various models of literacy instruction to guide students towards proficient and lifelong reading. Tara has tutored students since she was in college. She loves teaching one on one or in small groups so that students have more opportunities to participate and show their strengths. She is very excited to continue her career as a tutor with Prep Academy Tutors!

Theresa completed her undergraduate degree at SUNY Cortland, and is certified to teach in grades 1-6.  She received a Master’s degree in Special Education from Pace University.  She also has a certification in TESOL (grades 1-12) and middle school Social Studies (grades 5-9). Theresa is in her seventh year of teaching and teaches third grade, general education, in Westchester.  In her free time, she enjoys being outside and playing and watching sports!

Toni’s passion for education began after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Physics from the honors college at Arizona State University. She then served for two years as a Corps Member with Teach For America where she taught pre-AP physics at the high school level. Concurrently, Toni completed her teaching certification in secondary science through Johns Hopkins University. Toni is now completing a Masters in Climate Sciences at Columbia University while continuing to exercise her love for education through tutoring. Toni covers all math subjects from pre-algebra to calculus in addition to biology, environmental sciences, and physics.

Tracy Penning is a math teacher who has been teaching for 22 years. She graduated from the University of Louisville earning a BS in education with an emphasis in mathematics.  She also earned her Master’s degree in Education.  Tracy taught middle school mathematics until relocating to NY.  Most recently, she taught 2nd-5th grade math at a project based learning school in Hastings.  Tracy loves adventure.  She travelled to China and Thailand to teach English at a summer camp.  She also studied abroad for two summers in Kenya and Namibia with the University of Miami.  Tracy, although a great math teacher, loves science and history.  Tracy is energetic, outgoing, kind and funny.  She loves nature, being active and hanging out with her husband and their dog, Abby.  She is very excited to be working with students and can’t wait to meet you and your children.