Ahmed A-B
EN: Ahmed is a PhD student in Neuroscience at McGill University, where he also completed his master’s degree after earning a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Ottawa. Throughout his academic career, he has published research, mentored undergraduate students, and tutored at both the secondary and post-secondary levels, specializing in biology, physiology, biochemistry, psychology, and research methods.
Ahmed is passionate about making complex concepts clear, engaging, and approachable. His student-centered approach focuses on building critical thinking, confidence, and a deep understanding of the material. He believes that every student can succeed when given the right tools, guidance, and learning strategies.
Outside of academics, Ahmed enjoys playing soccer, training in kickboxing, reading, and spending time with his cats.
FR: Ahmed est doctorant en neurosciences à l’Université McGill, où il a également complété sa maîtrise après avoir obtenu un baccalauréat en sciences biomédicales à l’Université d’Ottawa. Au cours de son parcours universitaire, il a publié des travaux de recherche, encadré des étudiants de premier cycle et offert du tutorat aux niveaux secondaire et postsecondaire. Il se spécialise en biologie, physiologie, biochimie, psychologie et méthodologie de la recherche.
Ahmed est passionné par l’idée de rendre les concepts complexes clairs, accessibles et stimulants. Son approche centrée sur l’élève vise à développer la pensée critique, la confiance en soi et une compréhension approfondie de la matière. Il croit que chaque élève peut réussir lorsqu’il dispose des bons outils, du bon accompagnement et de stratégies d’apprentissage adaptées.
En dehors du milieu universitaire, Ahmed aime jouer au soccer, pratiquer le kickboxing, lire et passer du temps avec ses chats.
Ariel L.
Ariel is a highly accomplished STEM educator with an advanced academic background and a passion for helping students succeed in challenging subjects. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science and is currently completing her Ph.D. in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where her research focuses on cutting-edge topics in cancer immunology and cellular biology.
Ariel specializes in middle school, high school, and early college-level math and science, bringing both academic depth and real-world scientific experience to every session. Her areas of expertise include:
- Mathematics: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Middle School Math, Trigonometry, Statistics, and foundational math skills
- Science: Biology (including AP Biology), Chemistry (including AP and Organic Chemistry), Anatomy, Cell Biology, Genetics, Pathophysiology, Physical Science, and Nutrition
- College-Level Coursework: BIOL 111, BIOL 112, BIOL 213, BICH 1, CHEM 119, CHEM 120, and OCHEM 1
- Academic Support & Skills: Study strategies, Regents and exam prep, data interpretation, and tools such as Excel, Google Docs/Slides, and Microsoft Office
Her background also includes clinical and laboratory experience as a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist and Medical Assistant, giving her a unique ability to connect academic concepts to real-world applications in medicine and research.
In addition to her research, Ariel has experience teaching, tutoring, and mentoring students through one-on-one instruction, classroom support, and STEM outreach programs. She is especially skilled at helping students who feel overwhelmed by math and science by breaking complex material into clear, manageable steps.
Ariel believes that every student can succeed with the right structure, encouragement, and approach. She creates a supportive, judgment-free learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, building problem-solving skills, and gaining confidence. Her focus is not only on improving grades and test performance, but also on developing lasting academic habits and independent learning skills.
Families value Ariel’s rare combination of PhD-level expertise, real research experience, and a patient, approachable teaching style that makes even the most difficult STEM concepts accessible and engaging.
Monika S.
Monika is an experienced educator and former high school Spanish teacher with more than 15 years of experience helping students build confidence and achieve academic success. She has also served as a College Readiness Coach, guiding students as they develop the skills and strategies needed to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
Spanish was Monika’s first language, a result of growing up in a military family and experiencing a wide range of cultures from an early age. This background gives her not only strong language fluency but also meaningful cultural insight that she brings to every lesson, helping students connect more deeply with the language and its real-world context.
Monika is passionate about helping students experience those powerful “aha” moments when a concept finally clicks. She tailors each tutoring session to the individual student’s strengths and learning style, creating a supportive, engaging environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and grow in confidence.
Outside of education, Monika enjoys traveling, gardening, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and spending time outdoors with her husband, friends, and her dog.
“We love working with Monika! She is incredibly patient, knowledgeable and has a remarkable ability to keep my child engaged throughout each session. She explains concepts in a way that is easy to understand and creates a positive, encouraging learning environment that builds both confidence and skills.”
Benjamin N.
Benjamin N. is a highly experienced educator, healthcare professional, and retired United States Army veteran with more than 30 years of experience teaching health sciences and medical technology. His career has combined military service, higher education leadership, clinical laboratory science, and student mentorship, giving him a unique ability to connect academic concepts to real-world applications in healthcare and science.
Benjamin began his teaching career while serving in the United States Army, where he was selected as an instructor for an Advanced Medical Laboratory Program. He served in that role for six years before continuing his career in both healthcare and higher education leadership following his military retirement. Throughout his career, he has remained deeply passionate about teaching, mentoring, and helping students build confidence in challenging subjects.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, a Master of Arts in Health Services Management, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. In addition to his teaching background, Benjamin has served in numerous leadership roles within higher education and healthcare, including Department Chair for Allied Health programs at San Jacinto College, where he oversaw multiple healthcare training programs and helped significantly improve student success, enrollment, and certification pass rates.
Benjamin specializes in science and health-related subjects including Anatomy, Biology, Genetics, Pathophysiology, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Geography, and Health. He also supports students in middle school mathematics, STAAR math preparation, elementary education, and academic writing. His broad educational and professional background allows him to adapt his instruction to students with a variety of learning styles and academic goals.
Known for his structured, supportive teaching style, Benjamin focuses on helping students truly understand concepts rather than simply memorize information. Families appreciate his patience, professionalism, and ability to encourage students to believe in their abilities while developing stronger study habits and academic confidence.
Benjamin is excited to continue sharing his knowledge and experience with students and helping them achieve long-term academic success.
Estrella H.
Estrella is an engineering student through the Alamo Colleges District and plans to continue her studies at UTSA. Her psychology degree from Wayland Baptist University has given her a strong foundation in understanding how students learn, think, and process information.
Because she has worked closely with many neurodivergent learners, Estrella is especially skilled at adapting explanations to fit different learning styles. She loves problem-solving and brings that same curiosity into her tutoring by finding clear, engaging, and flexible ways to explain concepts. Through creative problem-solving and adaptive teaching, she uses her understanding that every brain works differently to make sessions inclusive, encouraging, and confidence-building.
A kid at heart, Estrella is an avid Pokémon fan, a collector of sensory toys, and a board game enthusiast. When she isn’t studying or tutoring, she enjoys binging psychological thrillers and listening to music. Her goal is to make learning feel less like a chore and more like a puzzle to be solved.
“We could not thank Prep Academy Tutors enough! From the initial contact to the last tutoring session, Taira made us feel comfortable and confident for choosing them as a tutor for my daughter. Taira matched us up with Estrella and the match was absolutely perfect! Estrella was efficient, on time and kind to my daughter. The connection was there and we appreciate her! She worked well with my daughter, adjusted to her personality and learning style, gave feedback and encouraged her the entire time. We miss her and were sad to have completed tutoring sessions haha! I’m sure we will be reaching out again to Prep Academy Tutors in the future. We highly recommend them! Signed, a happy mom.”
– Parent Review
Garrett C.
Garrett is an Acadia University graduate in Kinesiology and an aspiring medical student with a strong foundation in the sciences. Garrett offers clear, student-focused tutoring in first-year chemistry as well as anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. His goal is to break down complex concepts into understandable, practical explanations while helping students build confidence and effective study strategies.
Allison A.
Allison A., known as “Dr. Ali” by her students, earned a PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from UTHSCSA, an MBA from UTSA, and a BA in Microbiology from the University of Kansas. When not studying, Dr. Ali was a Teaching Assistant for medical and dental students. After overachieving in school, Dr. Ali became a military contractor (Scientist) and spent many years researching things she can’t tell you about. When the pandemic hit, Dr. Ali began homeschooling her own children. Inspired by this experience, she launched a STEM enrichment business that offers hands-on classes for San Antonio homeschoolers. Dr. Ali is committed to building a meaningful connection with each of her students to make learning more enjoyable and engaging. Learning comes in many forms, including playing games and building projects. It doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore. Dr. Ali is the kind of person who took Calculus 3 in college for funsies. With the right instructor, Science and Math can be fun, interactive, and spark curiosity.
Muskaan T.
Hi, I’m Muskaan, a graduate student in Bioengineering at Rice University with a strong interdisciplinary foundation in bioinformatics, biology, chemistry, and mathematics. With over five years of tutoring experience, I’ve had the opportunity to guide high school, undergraduate, and graduate students through subjects such as organic chemistry, biology, genetics, calculus, biostatistics etc. My teaching philosophy centers on turning complex topics into clear, engaging lessons that connect theory to real-world applications. Beyond tutoring, my professional experience spans both academic research and clinical practice from analyzing genetic risk factors for cardiovascular disease as a Graduate Researcher at UTHealth Houston, to assisting with pain management and pediatric clinics. These experiences have strengthened my ability to bridge scientific knowledge with practical understanding, which I strive to bring into every session. I’m passionate about helping students not only master challenging material but also build lasting confidence, curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for learning.
Lisa P.
Lisa has a bachelor’s degree from The University of Pittsburgh majoring in Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Lisa began her teaching experience very early as a tutor then an adjunct professor at a community college. After moving to Florida in 2019, Lisa obtained her teaching certification through the Florida Department of Education in Mathematics 6-12, Exceptional Student Education, Physical Education 6-12, Elementary Education and ESOL. Lisa has been employed with the Sarasota County School District since 2022 and has experience working on staff in the classroom as an ESE and mathematics teacher both in middle and high school. She currently teaches high school Mathematics at a charter school in Manatee county full time. Lisa has three children and enjoys time at the beach, tennis, skiing and reading in her spare time.
Ben H.
Benjamin Hughes, PHD is an instructor of Biomedical Sciences at NYU. Benjamin’s long history of research experience includes signal transduction and mechanisms of receptor activation. As a researcher at Case Western Reserve University, he was involved in many studies regarding mechanisms of progressive kidney diseases and renal regulation/involvement of systemic hypertension.