Heather M.

Heather loves meeting students where they are. She approaches teaching by first asking what is it the student understands and where are the gaps in knowledge that block success. Then, with sensitivity to how the student learns best, she works with the young person to fill in those gaps. She enjoys learning along with the student if it is new subject matter or if there is a new way of learning the subject matter. When she was in the classroom, in three years, Heather taught three different Geometry curriculums as directed by the Math Chair because of her ability to implement new ideas quickly. Heather is an educator, a writer, an encourager, and one who makes learning fun. Heather asked a student “Isn’t it fun to learn about these things?” And the student looked at her and said, “It is fun with you.”
Heather looks forward to making learning fun again for your child.

 

 

 

Colleen S.

Colleen Simmons realized as a child she wanted to become a teacher. She loved learning how to read and do basic math from her mother, Donna, who she says was still her best teacher ever! Growing up in Illinois, she started helping her peers and younger children with reading and math homework when she was in 6th grade. Like the acting bug that some folks get, teaching became her passion. Graduating in 1981 from Millikin University with a B.S. in Biology, she pursued further training and completed a teacher certification program at the U of I Springfield soon after. She began teaching and continued to add certifications and degrees to her resume. She obtained a middle school concept endorsement on her standard certificate, a second B.S. in Special Education from EIU, and two M.S. degrees in Educational Administration from EIU and Teacher Leadership from U of I Springfield, respectively. Throughout her career, she has not only worked in the classroom, but she also has privately tutored students after school. Her reputation as a caring and supportive teacher is something she cherishes. In 2019, Colleen and her husband retired to Texas. Retirement didn’t last long, since she found herself missing the enjoyment she got from working with students. In 2021, she began working once again as support staff, tutor, and ultimately, teacher in a science classroom. This year, she is working on a new challenge. She, along with a couple of friends, began developing a home-school pod service to help families who want another option for educating their children. Along with tutoring, Colleen enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and learning something new, like painting a watercolor, playing a new strategy game, or reading a mystery novel.

Henry H.

Henry H. is a certified educator with a deep commitment to helping students thrive academically and personally. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master’s in Business Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Henry grew up participating in basketball, soccer, track, and cross country, and he remains an avid runner to this day. It was during his time at UTSA that he discovered his passion for teaching and mentoring young people, which led him to a rewarding career in education.

Henry began his career sharing his love for mathematics and sports, coaching a variety of indoor and outdoor sports at the middle school level and mentoring high school athletes in distance running. He has a particular interest in helping young athletes balance academics and sports to achieve their full potential.

In addition to coaching, Henry spent several summers working with the Pre-Freshmen Engineering Program (PREP), which introduces middle and high school students to STEM fields through hands-on experiences. This role further fueled his passion for teaching, and he has since dedicated time to tutoring and mentoring students one-on-one, primarily focusing on math, but also supporting broader academic growth.

Henry believes that building strong, trusting relationships with his students is key to fostering their success. He continues to refine his teaching and mentoring strategies, finding the process deeply rewarding as he helps students overcome challenges and reach their goals.

“I believe that every student has the potential to excel, and my role is to guide them toward realizing their own abilities. Education isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about building confidence and curiosity. By creating a supportive, engaging environment, I help students unlock their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.”

Michael N.

Michael is a patient and knowledgeable teacher, tutor for English, History, reading, writing, and test prep classes, with experience working with students of all levels of aptitude and academic interest. Born and raised in New York City, Michael is a product of its public schools system, and the later recipient of two Ivy League degrees, one from Cornell and the other from Columbia University. He’s worked for many years in both public and charter schools, teaching a diverse group of young learners, helping them to become stronger readers, writers, and critical thinkers. As a tutor, Michael has over ten years of experience working one-on-one with a vast array of clients, with ages ranging from pre-K to graduate school students and adult professionals. Michael likes to say that he works with “big kids, little kids and medium sized kids” and this has been the case throughout his extensive career.

 

Juan F.

Juan F. is a highly experienced tutor with over seven years of expertise in guiding students through Mathematics, English, and Reading. With a M.S. in Data Science and a B.S. in Operations Research, he helps students develop strategic problem-solving skills, ensuring they approach the Test/Exam with confidence and efficiency.

His proficiency in mathematics, data analysis, and reading comprehension allows him to craft tailored lesson plans that emphasize critical thinking, time management, and test-taking strategies. Juan understands the challenges students face and focuses on ensuring students maximize their scores by understanding question patterns rather than just memorizing formulas. Juan also makes learning engaging, whether through interactive problem-solving or real-world applications of test concepts. His ability to connect with students and his expertise makes him a dedicated and highly effective tutor who helps students unlock their full potential.

SOPHIE W.

Hi! My name is Sophie and I am currently in the first year of the BEd at York. I have over five years of experience in personalized, high-quality tutoring. My primary focus is on math, and I am very passionate about helping students develop their mathematical intuition, thinking, proficiency, and (importantly!) confidence. I also tutor other subjects, especially writing-based courses, and I find it very meaningful to work with students on the crucial skills of on argumentation, articulation, and research. In my free time I love to paint for relaxation and creativity, even though I have never had any formal training/great skill. I mention this because I feel strongly that everyone should feel comfortable and confident to pursue their interests even if they don’t feel like they have the “natural skill”, and I bring that philosophy to my teaching.

 

 

Sai N.

Sai is a motivated graduate student at the University of Texas at San Antonio where he is pursuing a Master’s degree in biomedical engineering with the ultimate goal of applying to medical school and becoming a physician. He is hoping to work at the intersection of patient care and cutting edge medical technology. Sai graduated high school with 37 transferable AP credits; this in conjunction with his Biology undergraduate background and Engineering graduate background makes Sai a strong candidate for STEM subjects with a solid understanding of Math up to Calculus 2/BC, Chemistry from high school to Organic Chemistry 2 at the collegiate level, AP Physics, and PSAT/SAT and ACT Prep.
Alongside his academic pursuits, Sai has copious experience volunteering and working with special needs children over multiple summers between academic seasons as well volunteering experience at multiple free clinics in San Antonio that provide medical care to those in need completely free of charge to the patient. Through these activities, Sai has developed a deep affinity for working with people of all kinds of people and sharing a love for learning through companionship. In his free time, Sai enjoys training in boxing/muay thai and singing.

Shenell D.

Shenell is a certified educator and accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience supporting students with diverse abilities. She holds two Master’s degrees in Education and is in the final stages of her doctoral studies. As an educational leader, Shenell excels at fostering a culture of collaboration and driving academic success, demonstrated by notable improvements in student growth and school performance scores. As a teacher, she is celebrated for her ability to customize engaging lessons that meet the unique needs of her students. Her expertise spans working with students with intellectual disabilities and those identified as gifted and talented. Outside of her professional pursuits, Shenell loves spoiling her fur babies, Bella and Bacchus, cooking hearty meals, and exploring new culinary creations.

 

Brendan G.

Brendan Gorman is committed to empowering students to advance achievement. With over 16 years of experience in education, specializing in grades 6th to 12th English Language Arts, Brendan has extensive experience working with gifted and talented populations. He partners with families to create engaging and effective instructional experiences. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. Francis College and a Master of Arts in School Building Leadership from St. John’s University.

In his spare time, Brendan works with a nonprofit that teaches public speaking skills to students around the country. Brendan has specific experience teaching writing in both AP courses and college credit courses. He has run review classes for college entrance exams and AP exams. He has also worked with students to craft college essays and supplements. He believes in the revolutionary impact of education and equipping students with the tools necessary to create a lasting impact in their academic careers. He also believes that bios can only tell you so much. Schedule a session to see if he is the right fit for your family!

 

Fernanda V.

Fernanda V. graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science and is currently enrolled in a post-graduate Medical Laboratory Science program in hopes of being a professor. Experienced in teaching students from middle school to undergraduate levels, Fernanda hopes to instill a deeper understanding and confidence in the material to empower students to reach their goals and find a love of learning using an individualized approach. When she’s not in the lab or teaching, Fernanda enjoys hiking, reading, and winning trivia competitions.