Samantha H.

Samantha is a graduate of Georgetown University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish. She is currently completing her Master of Science in Education Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. Before starting graduate school, Samantha was a third-grade teacher in Brooklyn, New York, where she primarily focused on phonics and small-group intervention.

Samantha is truly enjoying her time in Philadelphia (although she is still biased to her hometown, Chicago). She enjoys trying new restaurants and cafes, exploring all of Philly’s unique neighborhoods, and going on long runs along the Schuylkill.

Samantha is excited to continue her career in education as a tutor because she believes in the power of one-on-one instruction. By meeting a child’s unique and individual needs, she feels she will be able to make a lasting impact that will allow them to thrive in the classroom and beyond.

JOSEF S.

Josef Stetter is an Ontario educator and Assistant Curriculum Leader for Business and Co-op at Georges Vanier Secondary School, known for inclusive, real-world teaching that meets learners where they are. He holds a B.Ed. from Lakehead University and a B.A. in Economics from York University, along with wide-ranging Additional Qualifications that equip him to teach most subjects across Grades 1 through 12, including Math, Science, all Business strands, Social Sciences (world religions, philosophy, psychology), Humanities, Geography, History, English and ESL, Life and Learning Skills, Public Speaking and Debate, and French. He has taught and tutored broadly across these areas and continues to coach learners of all ages. In his current role, Josef expanded Business SHSM participation and led a large DECA cohort to regional and provincial success and had one student win the world Championship in her category beating out 25,000 students, while supervising diverse co-op placements that help students connect class to careers. Josef has lived in five countries and speaks English, French, Hebrew, and Spanish, and he makes learning lively by linking lessons to student interests such as video games, sports, photography, and travel.

Wendy F.

Wendy is a dedicated practitioner of education. When she was in high school, she began her education journey as a summer camp counselor at the Franklin Institute Discovery Camp, and flourished into camp counseling at Flourtown Summer Day Camp. She is currently in her second year of teaching 8th grade math at a public school district. Wendy graduated from Saint Joseph’s University in May of 2024 with a bachelor’s in middle school education concentrated in math. She is currently enrolled at SJU in pursuing her master’s in school counseling. She just can’t get away from the Hawks! As an educator, Wendy enjoys learning and engaging with the student’s mindset through discussions. This way, she understands how to best adjust her teaching style to her students. Her students understand that, while math is a difficult subject, it can be learned in various ways with time and effort. They will walk away from her lessons knowing that math can help them navigate life through critical thinking, logic, and problem-solving. Alongside her teaching passion in math, she loves to teach emotional intelligence and Mandarin!

Danicka C.

Danicka has a Master’s degree in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto. She majored in French Studies with a minor in Sociology from York University’s Glendon Campus. Danicka has taught in international school settings across Canada, England, Portugal, and France, and brings over 5 years of teaching experience. She is familiar with the IB curriculum, UK National Curriculum, French National Curriculum, and the Ontario Curriculum. She has a specialization in teaching French as a Second Language and enjoys working with learners of all abilities and backgrounds. She is also fluent in four languages; English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Aside from teaching, Danicka enjoys travelling, fitness classes, photography, and web design.

Jack M.

Jack M. is a dedicated educator who currently teaches 7th grade for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A graduate of Salem State University in Massachusetts, Jack brings a passion for learning and a commitment to helping students reach their fullest potential. His teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive, engaging environment where students feel confident tackling challenges and developing lifelong skills. Outside the classroom, Jack’s caring nature shines through his lifelong love of rescuing dogs, and his competitive spirit comes from years spent playing sports—a balance of compassion and teamwork that he brings to his teaching every day.

Martha T.

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

Faraz K.

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

Kyle H.

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

Jayden D.

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

Maricel A.

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