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.

Rich T.

This summer, Rich and his labradoodle, Bernie, drove 6,800 kilometers from Maine in the US to BC. His family joined him in Squamish as he pursues a Master of Education in Social Studies Education from UBC. Before becoming a teacher, Rich worked as a trial lawyer arguing cases in criminal court. He traded closing arguments for something far more rewarding: the moment a student finally “gets it”.

With over 16 years of teaching experience in both private and public schools, Rich has helped thousands of young people of all abilities overcome obstacles and improve as students. Succeeding in school is neither simple nor easy. But being a “good student” requires skills and a change in mindset that can be learned. It starts with a deep breath and continues with a fresh approach to learning. That new approach could be as basic as creating a system for tracking assignments or as complex as learning new ways to synthesize information into an essay. Everyone can improve. All students can learn hard things. Complicated subjects can be broken down into simpler pieces. Step-by-step, learning happens. Rich is dedicated to helping students believe in themselves and reach for results they can be proud of.

When not in the classroom himself, you’ll find Rich training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, playing the guitar, or watching movies with his family.

Marlee S.

Marlee S. has a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in English Literature and Creative Writing from Susquehanna University. Wanting to be an author, she has been writing from the time she was young. This passion caused her to pursue literature and writing both in higher education. During and after college, she has tutored both high school students and college students in essay-writing, even helping college applicants to write their admissions essay. Currently, she is substitute teaching in Manatee County while pursuing a career in teaching English. In her free time, Marlee likes to read, work on her novel, watch anime with her brother, and beat her parents at pickleball.

Melissa D.

Melissa has more than 15 years of experience working for major media organizations as a journalist and in educational standardized testing and assessment. She has also worked with English Language Learners, gifted/twice-exceptional students, and served as a parent and academic coach. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she enjoys mentoring students in research, writing, analysis, and visual storytelling.

She believes a successful writing partnership begins with the development of a shared visual calendar of goals that helps students break down tasks into manageable steps. She enjoys helping students develop a system of visual organization, color coding, and time management paired with technology to encourage accountability and help manage the writing process.

Technology today offers emerging tools for gathering information and feedback. Melissa believes it is essential that a student develop a unique voice along with research and executive function skills that build confidence across all means of communication, independent of technology. The positive habits that a student develops working with a writing coach pay off in high school, college, and professionally.

Outside of mentoring and serving as a writing coach, Melissa also helps students develop data analysis, presentation, and visual storytelling skills that yield impact beyond the classroom. Her goal is to foster a student’s love of communication and analysis.

Her most rewarding role has been guiding her sons through their academic journeys with diligence, transparency, and humor. She remains passionate about helping students of all backgrounds build confidence and succeed.

Corinne B.

Throughout her 25+ years of classroom teaching, Corinne B. relied upon several core principles to ensure successful student learning. First, students are participants in the learning process; they bring themselves and their experiences to it. They are not empty vessels for expert instructors to fill with information. Whether the student is 5 years of age, or 50, each holds a wealth of ideas, memories, skills and feelings – and these form the ground of all learning. Second, she values questions and answers equally; a student’s evolving intellectual confidence means demonstrating both ways of knowing. Finally, a student should be able to apply what they are studying to the everyday world; to make the abstract into something observable or measurable. Corinne’s instructional approach has been validated by the academic success of hundreds of her students, and by twice being granted the DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Award (2007 & 2024). Corinne holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago, and has designed multi-disciplinary teaching curricula and lessons for many years. Her work in single-student education is marked by an individualized approach emphasizing the interests and talents of the pupil. Learning goals and metrics for successful evaluation are shared with students and parents/guardians at the outset of the tutoring relationship, and updated as the pupil’s educational experience unfolds.

Carrie F.

Carrie is a highly experienced educator with more than 15 years of experience supporting students from diverse academic, cultural, and language backgrounds. She holds a Master of Arts in Multicultural Education from California State University, Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication from Bob Jones University. Carrie is also a certified Texas educator with certifications in EC–6 ESL, ELAR (4–8), and Speech (4–12).

Carrie’s teaching career has spanned multiple states, beginning after graduate school in California and continuing in Texas, where she has served in a variety of roles including ELAR classroom teacher, emergent bilingual tutor, adult ESL instructor, and private academic tutor. She has extensive experience working with elementary students (K–5), as well as supporting reading, writing, and language development at all levels. She also specializes in college essay writing and helping students clearly express their ideas with confidence.

Throughout her career, Carrie has demonstrated a strong ability to develop personalized learning plans, implement effective instructional strategies, and support students with a wide range of learning needs, including English language learners. She is known for her strong communication skills and her ability to build meaningful relationships with students and families, creating a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to grow and succeed.

Carrie believes that engaging students through their natural curiosity and individual interests is key to building both confidence and academic success. She is passionate about helping students strengthen their skills, develop effective study habits, and take ownership of their learning.

Outside of education, Carrie enjoys teaching yoga, thrifting, traveling, and spending time exploring new experiences.

Julien M.

Born and raised in France, Julien M. is a passionate educator with over 20 years of experience teaching English in France and French in the United States. Helping students build confidence and feel at ease speaking a foreign language is at the heart of his teaching. With a background as a trained actor, Julien uses expression techniques to make learning natural, interactive, and engaging. A lifelong language lover, he speaks Spanish and Italian—and wishes he remembered more of the German he studied at university. He believes that learning a new language is not only a way to explore other cultures, but also a powerful tool for better understanding your own culture—and yourself. Every tutoring session is designed to be fun, supportive, and motivating—and yes, you’re already curious to meet him!

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.

Sandra P.

Sandra has her Masters in Education, Single Subject History Teaching, Technology, AI, Orton Gillingham Trained. She has a passion for helping students create & activate learning plans that support positive outcomes.

Raven E.

Raven is a graduate student at Southern Methodist University (2026), pursuing a Master’s in Education with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concentration. She is also a proud graduate of the University of Richmond (2023), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication Studies with a minor in Business Administration and Dance. While completing her masters program, she received her teaching certification and committed to becoming a SAISD educator for 2 years. In this short timeframe, she was moved by her students’ stories, their passions and interests, and found purpose in helping younger minds flourish. She prioritizes tailoring instruction to meet individual student needs and incorporates practices that inspire curiosity and empower thinkers.  In her spare time, Raven enjoys exercising, creating art, baking, and reading. She loves the San Antonio Spurs, and has fond memories of her youth as their #1 fan. She listens to music of all genres, but 80s alternative, dark wave, and electronic are her favorites (a sucker for synths, obviously).