Giani C.
Giani is a highly experienced literacy specialist, Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), Educational Diagnostician, and educator with more than 20 years of teaching, coaching, and tutoring experience. Throughout her career, Giani has been guided by one fundamental belief: every student learns differently, and effective instruction begins with understanding how an individual child thinks, processes information, and connects with learning.
Giani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington. She continued her advanced training through Midwestern State University to become an Educational Diagnostician, developing specialized expertise in evaluating how students learn and understanding how learning differences can affect academic performance.
Her credentials in literacy instruction are particularly extensive. Giani is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and holds Texas certifications as a Reading Specialist, Master Reading Teacher, Educational Diagnostician, and Elementary Generalist, along with additional endorsements in English as a Second Language and Gifted and Talented education. She has also received specialized training in structured literacy programs including Reading by Design, Basic Language Skills, and JET, as well as Orton-Gillingham-based instruction.
This combination of classroom experience, diagnostic expertise, and specialized literacy training makes Giani particularly effective with students who struggle with dyslexia, decoding, phonics, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, and written language. Rather than simply helping students compensate for areas of difficulty, Giani works systematically to strengthen the underlying skills necessary to become more capable and confident readers and writers.
At the same time, Giani’s expertise extends far beyond reading intervention. She works with students across the academic spectrum, from elementary learners developing foundational literacy skills to middle and high school students tackling sophisticated reading and writing assignments. Her tutoring areas include elementary academics, middle school Language Arts, AP English, writing, spelling, college essay writing, and English preparation for the SAT and ACT, as well as comprehensive STAAR preparation.
One of Giani’s greatest strengths is her ability to understand why a student may be struggling. Her background as an Educational Diagnostician gives her a valuable perspective when working with students who have learning differences or complicated academic histories. She can identify patterns in how students approach reading and writing and then adapt instruction to address individual needs while building on existing strengths.
For advanced students, Giani applies that same analytical approach to higher-level literacy skills. Whether a student is learning to evaluate an author’s argument, develop a thesis, analyze rhetoric, organize an essay, or refine a college application essay, she helps students break complex language tasks into understandable components and then put those pieces together effectively.
Families appreciate Giani’s ability to combine deep professional expertise with patient, individualized instruction. She understands that students who have struggled academically may arrive at tutoring already believing they are “bad at reading” or “not good at English.” Giani works to change that experience by providing instruction at the appropriate level, recognizing progress, and giving students concrete strategies that allow them to experience success for themselves.
Above all, Giani is passionate about helping students discover the power—and ideally even the enjoyment—of reading. Whether she is teaching phonics to a beginning reader, providing structured literacy intervention for a student with dyslexia, strengthening a middle schooler’s writing, or helping an advanced high school student master rhetorical analysis, her goal is to build a strong and lasting foundation for how students read, write, communicate, and think.
Outside of education, Giani is an enthusiastic reader herself, with a particular fondness for urban fantasy novels. She enjoys sharing her love of books with students—while fully recognizing that convincing every student to share her enthusiasm for urban fantasy may be one teaching challenge even she can’t solve.
Lena H.
Lena is a certified Texas educator with a creative, student-centered approach to helping learners build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and discover how they learn best. She holds a Texas EC–12 teaching certification and brings several years of classroom experience working with students from early elementary through middle school, along with experience supporting learners with a wide variety of academic abilities, learning styles, and individual needs.
Lena graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Art, earning a 3.81 GPA. Her university studies also reflected her broad interest in the humanities and social sciences, with coursework exploring literature, culture, history, and the ways art and storytelling reflect society. This interdisciplinary background has helped shape her ability to make subjects such as English, writing, history, geography, and social studies more engaging and relatable for students.
As a classroom educator, Lena has taught hundreds of students across elementary and middle school settings and has designed more than 75 standards-aligned lessons. Her experience includes developing curriculum, differentiating instruction, incorporating educational technology, assessing student progress, and finding creative ways to present information so students can better understand and retain it.
Lena is particularly passionate about working with students who benefit from a more individualized approach to learning. She has managed and implemented IEP accommodations for special education students and has completed additional professional training in dyslexia awareness, mental-health response, and Capturing Kids’ Hearts. She has developed a strong connection with neurodivergent students, including learners with ADHD and autism, and strives to create an environment where students feel understood, supported, and comfortable asking for help.
Lena specializes in English, English Language Arts, reading, writing, spelling, and middle school Language Arts, along with a broad range of humanities and social sciences, including U.S. History, World History, Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy. She also supports students in AP English, AP Human Geography, AP World History, college essay writing, and introductory college-level English and Psychology.
In addition, Lena works with students on executive functioning, test-taking skills, and standardized test preparation, including English preparation for the SAT and ACT, as well as STAAR Reading and Social Studies. Her experience with organization, differentiated instruction, and individual accommodations makes her especially well suited for students who understand the material but struggle with planning, organization, task completion, or demonstrating what they know on assignments and tests.
One of Lena’s greatest strengths is her ability to approach academic material creatively. Her background in art and visual storytelling allows her to incorporate visual explanations, step-by-step modeling, and alternative ways of presenting information when traditional instruction isn’t connecting with a student. Rather than expecting every learner to process information in the same way, Lena works to discover what makes a concept “click” for each individual student.
Families appreciate Lena’s patience, creativity, and ability to build genuine connections with students. She believes students are more willing to challenge themselves when they feel safe making mistakes and know their teacher genuinely understands them. Her goal is to help students recognize their own strengths while developing the academic skills, strategies, and independence necessary for continued success.
Outside of teaching, Lena is an artist and storyteller who has had a lifelong love of comics and animation. She enjoys creating her own stories and artwork exploring underrepresented communities and themes of justice and representation. She brings that same curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for different perspectives into her work with students.
Ali S.
Ali is an accomplished medical student, neuroscience researcher, and educator who is passionate about helping students build confidence while mastering challenging academic subjects. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Medicine degree at UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine with plans to specialize in neurology. Her medical education has reinforced her belief that the ability to teach complex ideas clearly is one of the most valuable skills an educator—or physician—can possess.
Ali graduated with honors from Michigan State University, earning bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience, Genomics & Molecular Genetics, and Spanish, while also completing the university’s Honors College program. Before beginning medical school, she spent two years as a full-time research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studying neurodegenerative diseases. Her research experience also includes work at Stanford University, Michigan State University, and UT Health San Antonio, where she continues to contribute to neuroscience and stroke research. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and has presented her research at national scientific conferences.
Throughout college, her research career, and medical school, Ali has consistently served as a mentor and educator for fellow students. She enjoys breaking difficult concepts into manageable pieces and believes every student can succeed when material is presented in a way that matches their learning style. Her patient, encouraging approach creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, working through mistakes, and developing lasting confidence.
Ali provides tutoring across a wide range of subjects from elementary school through college, making her an excellent choice for families seeking support in multiple areas. Her specialties include:
- Mathematics: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and AP Statistics
- Science: Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pathophysiology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Health Sciences
- English & Humanities: Reading, English Language Arts, Writing, Technical Writing, College Essay Coaching, AP English, U.S. History, World History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Studies
- Test Preparation: ACT, PSAT/SAT, STAAR, GED, TEAS, MCAT, and advanced study and test-taking strategies
Ali is particularly passionate about helping students develop the critical thinking, study habits, and problem-solving skills that lead to long-term academic success. Whether she’s preparing a middle school student for STAAR exams, helping a high school student succeed in AP Biology, guiding a college applicant through personal statement revisions, or mentoring a future healthcare professional preparing for the MCAT, she tailors every lesson to the individual student’s goals and learning style.
Families especially appreciate Ali’s ability to connect ideas across disciplines. She can explain biology through chemistry, strengthen scientific writing while teaching critical thinking, or connect mathematics to real-world medical applications. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to help students build a deeper understanding rather than simply memorizing information.
Ali believes great tutoring should do more than improve grades—it should help students become confident, independent learners who enjoy tackling new challenges. Her goal is to equip every student with the knowledge, study strategies, and self-confidence they need to succeed well beyond the classroom.
Outside of academics, Ali enjoys reading, traveling, golfing, paddle boarding, spending time with her family and cats, and returning home to Wyoming whenever she has the opportunity.
Bryana T.
Bryana is a dedicated STEM educator, graduate researcher, and teaching assistant with a passion for helping students discover the excitement of science. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas at San Antonio through the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, where her research focuses on developing innovative bacteriophage therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Bryana earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a minor in Biochemistry from Baylor University. Her strong academic foundation, combined with extensive laboratory research experience, allows her to connect classroom concepts to real-world scientific discovery in ways that inspire curiosity and deepen understanding.
As a Teaching Assistant at UTSA, Bryana teaches introductory biology laboratory courses, leading her own classroom of college students while developing engaging lessons, evaluating student work, and helping students master foundational biological concepts. She has also worked as a STEM camp counselor, introducing younger students to geology and the natural sciences through hands-on activities that make learning both fun and memorable.
Bryana specializes in biology, chemistry, genetics, cell biology, and health sciences, while also tutoring elementary and middle school mathematics, English Language Arts, reading, writing, and social studies. She supports students preparing for AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English, AP World History, STAAR exams, GED testing, and college-level biology and chemistry courses. Her broad academic background enables her to work effectively with students ranging from elementary school through college.
Students and families appreciate Bryana’s patient, encouraging teaching style and her ability to explain difficult STEM concepts in a clear, approachable way. She believes the best learning happens when students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and discovering how concepts apply to the world around them. Her goal is not only to improve grades and test scores, but also to help students become confident, independent learners.
Outside of academics, Bryana enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, creative writing, and exploring great films. Whether she’s researching new medical treatments or discovering a new story through literature or cinema, she is driven by a lifelong curiosity and a genuine love of learning that she enjoys sharing with her students.
Joel K.
EN: Motivated, passionate, innovative secondary teacher with the ability to engage diverse students through culturally responsive pedagogy, project-based learning, outdoor education, gamification, and technology integration. Strong communication, collaboration, and organisation fosters positive and respectful learning environments. Advocate for student-centred, youth-led, success-oriented learning while actively leading revolutionary changes to education experiences with AI.
FR: Enseignant au secondaire motivé, passionné et innovant, capable de mobiliser une clientèle étudiante diversifiée grâce à une pédagogie culturellement inclusive, à l’apprentissage par projets, à l’éducation en plein air, à la ludification et à l’intégration des technologies. Doté d’excellentes compétences en communication, en collaboration et en organisation, il favorise des environnements d’apprentissage positifs, inclusifs et respectueux. Défenseur d’un apprentissage centré sur l’élève, guidé par les jeunes et axé sur la réussite, il contribue activement à transformer les expériences éducatives grâce à l’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle.
Nour
FR: Nour a complété toutes ses études à Montréal et est très familière avec le système d’éducation québécois. Elle a gradué première de son école au primaire et au secondaire, et a été championne de son école trois années d’affilée au concours de mathématiques de l’Université de Waterloo. Lauréate de la bourse d’excellence Desjardins en Sciences de la nature au Cégep Bois-de-Boulogne ainsi que de la Médaille académique du Gouverneur général (bronze), elle a obtenu la cote R la plus élevée de sa cohorte. Nour étudie actuellement en médecine à l’McGill University.
EN: Nour completed all of her studies in Montreal and is very familiar with the Quebec education system. She graduated first in her class in both elementary and high school and was her school’s champion in the University of Waterloo Mathematics Competition for three consecutive years. A recipient of the Desjardins Excellence Scholarship in Natural Sciences at CEGEP Bois-de-Boulogne and the Governor General’s Special Bronze Academic Medal, she achieved the highest R-score in her cohort. Nour is currently studying medicine at McGill University.
Ihsan
EN: Ihsan holds a Licence en Droit from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and is currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and International Business at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, where she has received both the McGill and Desautels Faculty Awards.
She specializes in French baccalauréat preparation, French literature, elementary school support, SAT preparation, and TEFAQ/TEF exam coaching. As a French language facilitator, Ihsan has helped students prepare for the TEFAQ and TEF exams and has led French language workshops for corporate clients across Montreal.
A native speaker of both French and Arabic and fully fluent in English, Ihsan supports students from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds, whether they are building foundational language skills or preparing for high-stakes examinations. She brings the analytical rigour of her legal and business studies, along with a genuine passion for language and literature, to every session.
Outside of tutoring, Ihsan is passionate about cooking and pastry arts and holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies in Cuisine. She also teaches piano and enjoys spending her free time reading French literature.
FR: Ihsan est titulaire d’une Licence en Droit de l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne et poursuit actuellement un baccalauréat en commerce, avec une spécialisation en finance et commerce international, à la Faculté de gestion Desautels de l’Université McGill, où elle a reçu des bourses d’excellence de l’Université McGill et de la Faculté Desautels.
Elle se spécialise dans la préparation au baccalauréat français, la littérature française, le soutien scolaire au primaire, la préparation au SAT ainsi que l’accompagnement aux examens TEFAQ et TEF. En tant qu’animatrice en langue française, Ihsan a accompagné de nombreux étudiants dans leur préparation aux examens TEFAQ et TEF et a également animé des ateliers de français pour des clients corporatifs à travers Montréal.
De langue maternelle française et arabe, et parfaitement bilingue en anglais, Ihsan accompagne des élèves issus de divers horizons linguistiques, qu’ils soient en train d’acquérir les bases de la langue ou de se préparer à des examens importants. Elle apporte à chaque séance la rigueur analytique de sa formation en droit et en commerce, ainsi qu’une véritable passion pour la langue et la littérature.
En dehors du tutorat, Ihsan est passionnée par la cuisine et la pâtisserie et détient un diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en cuisine. Elle enseigne également le piano et aime consacrer son temps libre à la lecture de la littérature française
TheCarey L.
TheCarey is an experienced English educator and instructional leader with a proven track record of helping students strengthen their reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. He currently teaches 9th Grade English at IDEA Public Schools in San Antonio, where he helps students build strong reading comprehension, literary analysis, and writing skills while preparing them for STAAR End-of-Course exams. Since stepping into his current classroom mid-year, his students have already shown strong academic growth, including impressive gains on interim STAAR assessments.
Prior to returning to the classroom, TheCarey served in multiple school leadership roles, including Assistant Principal and Regional ELA Content Coach, where he supported teachers across multiple campuses, improved instructional systems, and helped raise student achievement. Earlier in his career, he taught in Harlem and the Bronx, where he built a reputation for making English Language Arts engaging, culturally relevant, and meaningful for students. His students have earned national recognition, including winning Best High School Podcast and Best East Coast Podcast through the StudySync curriculum.
TheCarey holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and has extensive experience supporting students with diverse learning needs, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, and students on the autism spectrum. He specializes in English Language Arts, writing, college essay support, ACT preparation, STAAR and Regents test prep, social studies, technical writing, and helping students develop stronger test-taking and study skills.
He also brings a unique creative perspective to tutoring through his dual bachelor’s degrees in Film & Video and Africana Studies, often helping students connect literature, writing, and history to real-world issues, media, and storytelling in ways that make learning more engaging.
Families appreciate TheCarey’s ability to challenge students academically while building their confidence and making learning feel relevant and enjoyable. His goal is to help students become stronger readers, writers, and thinkers both inside and outside the classroom.
Outside of education, TheCarey enjoys spending time with his wife and infant daughter, exploring San Antonio’s parks and restaurants, watching films, and cheering on his hometown Chicago sports teams.
Sara
With over 4 years of experience working as a university Writing Tutor, Student Success Coach and Teaching Assistant for research methods, Sara is dedicated to providing high quality personalized tutoring to students. She has a passion for working with students and helping them achieve their academic goals. Sara aims to offer an encouraging learning environment for her students while helping them build a strong academic toolkit, including organization, time management and critical thinking skills.
Sara completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology from the University of Winnipeg while maintaining the highest GPA in the Faculty. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Education and Society at McGill.
Shauna K.
Helping students succeed is Shauna K.’s true passion.
Shauna has been teaching, tutoring, and helping students achieve academic success for more than a decade.
A California native, Shauna has a graduate and undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from UCSD. She also has a TESOL certificate to teach English as a foreign language, and many years of in-person and online SAT and ACT coaching — which is her specialty.
Shauna is highly skilled in helping students excel in a wide range of subjects from science and math to language arts and Spanish.
She is an expert at helping all students learn (and master) executive functioning skills such as planning, time management, study habits, and effective study techniques (how to study). She believes that the confidence gained through these skills propel students forward and lay the groundwork for lifelong success.
When Shauna is not teaching or tutoring, you will find her hiking, biking, or camping the Rockies.