Ruth C-S.

Ruth is an elementary school teacher with over 10 years of experience, including learning support. Passionate about finding innovative ways to unlock concepts for learners, she focuses on celebrating and building upon each student’s unique strengths.

Ruth is originally from New Zealand, and now calls Squamish home, drawn to its stunning geography and of course, the donuts. In her spare time, you can find Ruth in or on the water, hiking with her family dog, or drinking great coffee.

Skylar S.

Skylar graduated from Lakehead University with a Bachelor of Education, following her undergraduate degree in Arts and Sciences. She has gained valuable experience through teaching placements with both the Simcoe County District School Board and the Durham District School Board (DDSB). Currently, she is working toward securing a permanent teaching position with the DDSB, focusing on the primary and junior grade levels.
In addition to her classroom experience, Skylar has worked with children in various settings, including daycare centers and as a ski instructor during the winter season. She is passionate about helping students learn and grow, and she strives to build their confidence and understanding, especially when they face challenges.
Skylar is also pursuing a specialization in Special Education, aiming to support diverse learners by adapting her teaching to meet individual needs and learning styles. She is excited to meet new students, discover their interests, and design lessons that are both engaging and personalized.

Esmie O.

Esmie is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Neural Engineering at the University of Miami where she is also a teaching assistant for the College of Engineering. She possesses a strong background in Calculus and Physics and is available to tutor Calc I/II and Physics I/II as well as Precalculus. She has a strong passion for teaching and is planning on pursuing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering with the goal of becoming a professor. Apart from her teaching assistant role, she has previously tutored elementary, middle, and high school students in a variety of subjects. When she is not engaged in engineering, Esmie spends her free time reading, listening to music, and going on walks with her dog. Before college, she was a competitive figure skater and still enjoys going to the rink from time to time.

Amanda H.

Amanda is a certified Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) with a strong passion for reading, writing, and all things phonics. Currently a dedicated Kindergarten teacher, she thrives on the creativity, imagination, and rapid growth that young learners bring to the classroom. With a deep belief in play-based learning and differentiated instruction, she is committed to meeting each student’s unique needs and fostering a love of learning from the very start.

Amanda holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from Ontario Tech University. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief—reflected in the Ontario curriculum—that every student is a capable learner. She integrates this belief into every tutoring session, creating developmentally appropriate, inclusive, and engaging learning experiences tailored to each child.
Amanda’s warm, personalized approach helps children build strong foundational skills, confidence, and a genuine love of learning.
When she’s not teaching or tutoring, Amanda enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Wyatt H.

Wyatt Holt is a certified elementary teacher with a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University. He currently teaches first grade and is passionate about helping young learners build a strong academic foundation through whole and small group instruction and targeted support. By identifying where students need extra help, he creates personalized learning experiences that foster growth and confidence. He believes strong relationships are key to student success and works to ensure every child feels supported and valued. Before becoming a teacher, Wyatt played two years of college basketball, an experience that shaped his dedication, teamwork, and leadership—qualities he brings into both the classroom and his role as a basketball coach. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, staying active, and continuously learning about new research in teaching.

Colleen R.

Hi! I’m Colleen, a Sarasota native, proud mom of three, and happily married for eight years. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the State College of Florida and will complete my master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Reading in December 2025 from Florida Gulf Coast University.

This is my third year teaching in Sarasota County, and I bring over 10 years of experience in early childhood education including time as the director of my own program. I’m certified to teach PreK–3rd grade, hold both a Reading and ESOL endorsement, and have worked in classrooms across all elementary grade levels.

I’m passionate about helping children develop a lifelong love for reading and writing. I specialize in building strong foundational literacy skills and preparing scholars for structured writing tasks such as opinion and expository writing. Outside the classroom, I enjoy boating, crafting, and curling up with a good book. My goal is always to nurture confident, curious learners through engaging and supportive instruction.

Marsha W.

Marsha is a dedicated and certified veteran elementary school educator with over two decades of service in the field of education. Born and raised in New York, she graduated with a Bachelor degree in Psychology with a concentration in Elementary and Special Education and obtained a Masters of Science in Elementary Education.

Passionate about student growth and academic excellence, she has taught a diverse range of learners and grade levels, consistently fostering inclusive, engaging, and high-achieving learning environments. Known for her kind nature, ensuring engaging interactive hands-on learning experiences, and commitment to lifelong learning, Marsha excels at fostering both academic growth and social-emotional development in young learners.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and watching sporting events.

Nilesh S.

Nilesh holds a NJ DOE Certificate of Eligibility to teach high school mathematics across New Jersey, underpinned by a rich academic foundation and a deep commitment to student success.

Educational Accomplishments:
– Completed two Master’s degrees at the University of Illinois at Chicago—Chemical Engineering and Mathematics & Computer Science
– Earned an MBA from Fordham University in New York City
– Earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from ICT Mumbai, India’s top-ranked chemical engineering institute

Teaching Highlights:
– Transitioned from a 30-year career in information technology to education, bringing analytical rigor and real-world perspective to the classroom
– Provides one-on-one academic support through in-home tutoring, specializing in SAT prep and high school math
– Worked with established math tutoring firms to expand access to personalized instruction
– Taught mathematics at Great Oaks Legacy Charter School in Newark following certification
– Currently serves as a substitute teacher for K–12 in Morris County and continues weekend math tutoring, helping students build strong quantitative foundations

Patricia S.

For over three decades, Patricia A. Sullivan has dedicated her professional life to advancing literacy and supporting diverse learners in both public school and university settings. Her career reflects a deep commitment to student success, teacher development, and inclusive education.

Patricia began her journey in education in 1990 as a Teacher of the Handicapped in the Passaic Public School system. Over the next 14 years, she worked closely with students with a wide range of learning needs, developing individualized instructional materials, conducting ongoing assessments, and reinforcing critical learning goals. Her compassionate, student-centered approach helped ensure that all learners received the attention and support needed to thrive academically and socially.

Recognizing her leadership potential, the Passaic school district appointed Patricia as a Literacy Coach in 2011. In this supervisory position, she played a key role in implementing New Jersey’s Reading First initiatives under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Patricia led professional development sessions, coached educators on research-based instructional strategies, and worked to elevate reading instruction across multiple grade levels.

Since 2012, Patricia has served as a Reading Tutor at William Paterson University, where she applies Orton-Gillingham techniques to build phonemic awareness and blending skills among struggling readers. She conducts detailed assessments, designs customized interventions, and communicates regularly with parents to share student progress. Her university role showcases her enduring passion for literacy and her talent for working with learners at all levels.

Patricia’s educational background includes a Master of Education in Special Education and a Reading Specialist Certification from William Paterson University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education from Seton Hall University. These credentials reflect a lifelong dedication to learning and a firm foundation in both the theory and practice of education.

Throughout her career, Patricia Sullivan has exemplified professionalism, compassion, and excellence. Her extensive experience, combined with her specialized training in literacy and special education, make her a valuable asset to any educational team.

Carissa Y.

Carissa is a dedicated and passionate certified teacher with over 23 years of experience in elementary education. She earned her Master’s Degree in Reading from California State University, Fullerton, where she deepened her expertise in literacy instruction.

Throughout her teaching career, Carissa creates a classroom environment where learning is both fun and meaningful. She brings lessons to life with creative, hands-on activities that spark curiosity and make academic concepts accessible to all learners. Her commitment to building strong relationships with students and their families is at the heart of her teaching philosophy, helping foster trust, confidence, and a love for learning in every child she teaches.

Outside the classroom, Carissa enjoys spending time with her family camping, cheering on their favorite sports teams, and relaxing at the lake.