Travis McG.

Travis McGinnis has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Regis University, with endorsements in both Gifted and Talented Education and Social Studies. With 15 years of classroom experience in the Adams 12 and Jeffco School Districts, Travis is an expert at guiding students through Reading, Writing, and Math using goal-setting and arts-integrated methods.

In 2017, Travis was awarded the Talented Teacher Award by the Jeffco School District, and recognized for “100% student achievement,” as all his students met or exceeded their goals in Reading, Writing, and Math. In 2016, he also contributed to Devinney Elementary School winning the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Outside the classroom, Travis enjoys playing soccer, boardgames, baking sourdough bread, and writing fantasy and science fiction novels. When he’s not writing, gaming, or baking masterpieces in the kitchen, he enjoys quality time with his wife, four children, and their mini-goldendoodle puppy.

Travis’s experience as an educator, his enthusiasm for learning, and zest for life make him an ideal “smart friend” for elementary and middle-school students who could use a little inspiration to overcome challenges and master the learning process.

Dr. W. Pannapacker

Dr. Pannapacker (MA, PhD, Harvard University), a professor emeritus of English, has counseled thousands of students on test preparation, study skills, curriculum-based learning, enrichment programs, and general academic coaching. Dr. Pannapacker’s coaching specialties include complex written assignments, research papers, and admissions essays and applications for elite colleges, universities, internships, and employers. With a master’s in rhetoric and composition, a second M.A. in English, a doctorate in American studies, and three decades of teaching and tutoring experience, Dr. Pannapacker’s content expertise includes literature, creative writing, history, philosophy, and art history, with extensive publications in those areas. His work as an educator has been recognized in The New York Times, The Economist, The Nation, The Atlantic, Slate, Wired, U.S. News, CNN, NBC, and NPR, and he has received $2.3M in funding for educational innovation from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Students describe him as a kind and supportive mentor who encourages their creativity and rigor at developmentally appropriate levels. The father of three daughters, he lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

Zach L.

Zachery Lundgren received his Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Writing, and Composition from East Carolina University. He also has an MFA from the University of South Florida, and a BA from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Zach has taught at the college level for seven years, and has tutored students from middle school to graduate school in a variety of subjects. His primary areas of expertise are English, Essay Writing, and Science.

When he isn’t teaching or tutoring, Zach loves hiking, camping, and backpacking in the Colorado backcountry. He is also an avid reader and has published a book of poetry: Turkey Vulture, published by Meadowlark Press.

Jacob C.

EN: Jacob is a current student in McGill University’s Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (English Language) program. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism and brings nearly 10 years of experience in traditional media and corporate communications, where clear, effective language was central to his work.
Jacob specializes in reading, writing, and communication skills. He has a particular strength in helping students build confidence in their abilities. His background allows him to break down complex ideas across multiple subjects into clear, accessible concepts while adapting his approach to each student’s learning style.
Positive and encouraging, Jacob aims to create a personalized learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and progressing at their own pace.

FR: Jacob est actuellement étudiant dans le programme de maîtrise arts en enseignement et apprentissage (langue anglaise) de l’Université McGill. Détenant un baccalauréat en journalisme, il possède près de 10 ans d’expérience dans les médias traditionnels et les communications d’entreprise, où l’utilisation de langage clair et efficace était au cœur de son travail.

Jacob est spécialisé dans la lecture, l’écriture et la communication. Il excelle particulièrement dans l’aide apportée aux élèves pour qu’ils prennent confiance en leurs capacités. Son expérience lui permet de simplifier des idées complexes dans plusieurs sujets en concepts clairs et accessibles, tout en adaptant son approche au style d’apprentissage de chaque élève.

Positif et encourageant, Jacob vise à créer un environnement d’apprentissage personnalisé où les élèves se sentent à l’aise pour poser des questions, faire des erreurs et progresser à leur propre rythme.

Michelle R.

After receiving my Bachelors at the University of Maryland, I went on to earn a Masters degree from the University of South Florida in teaching.
This is my 12th year in education. I have taught in Manatee and Sarasota county public schools, including 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades. I currently work at a school in Sarasota that is a faith-based homeschool co-op. I teach classes of students in grades 4-8, providing instruction and academic support in all core subjects.

Richard S.

Rich is a retired lawyer. In addition to a law degree, he has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in rhetoric. As a tutor, teaching assistant and adjunct faculty, he has taught and tutored students ranging from elementary school to graduate school. He specializes in English literature and composition, business, and social studies.

Gray B.

Gray B. is a recent graduate of the University of Western Ontario, where she completed her Master’s of Arts in English and her Bachelor of Arts in English, Creative Writing, and Arts and Humanities. She made the Dean’s Honour List in each year of her undergraduate studies and received the University of Western Ontario Gold Medal for the highest grade in the Honours Specialization in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature in 2024. As an MA student, Gray TAed and led tutorials for both English 1027F: The Storyteller’s Art I: Introduction to Narrative and English 1028G: The Storyteller’s Art II: Introduction to Narrative: Comedy.

As a former Student Writer-in-Residence at Western and a current communications professional, Gray’s strength lies in her writing and editing skills. She is skilled at helping students develop both academic and creative works in fields such as English, Theatre, Film, Theory and Criticism, Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies, and Creative Writing. A passionate teacher, Gray is always finding new ways to tailor her approaches to each student to ensure the highest level of comprehension and achievement.

Matt T.

Matt Tracy has a B.A. in Economics from Fordham University in New York City and a proven track record of helping students excel in college entrance exams (ACT and SAT) and their English and mathematics courses. With three years of tutoring experience, Matt is an expert at guiding students through K-12 level reading, writing, and English, as well at preparing high-school students for their ACT and SAT exams.

Matt’s teaching experience began in high school when he started an SAT Prep Club to help his classmates do as well if not better than him on the test. His passion for education grew while working at the Writing Lab Center (two years) at Fordham. This experience gave Matt the opportunity to support students from all background and help them reach their full potential.

In addition to his business journalism and tutoring pursuits, Matt enjoys reading up on politics and current events. He also is actively engaged in his local community and loves to frequent locally-owned coffee shops and other businesses.

Erin F.

Erin is an experienced literacy tutor with a Master’s degree in English Education, 10 years of experience in the field of education, and a profound love for stories. Her approach emphasizes patience and flexibility in addressing the needs of each student, helping them build confidence in addition to strong linguistic and academic skills.

Erin specializes in grammar, essay writing, literary analysis, and standardized test prep. When she isn’t helping students learn to love language, she can be found backpacking Florida’s swamps, learning to dance salsa, or devouring the latest fantasy bestseller alongside her elderly cat, Charles.

Hannah G.

As an educator of 7+ years, Hannah (she/her) is eager to help students with social sciences, technical writing skills, reading comprehension, essay outlining, executive skills, and ESL conversation. Outside of tutoring, Hannah is a Ph.D. student in the Social and Cultural Analysis program at Concordia University. Her research, generously funded by the Faculty of Arts and Science Fellowship, explores online communities — specifically LGBTQIA+ and other minority-led spaces — and alternative media creation. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Media Studies from Concordia, which allowed her to develop a web series pilot about positive representation for sapphic women and non-binary folks in online fandoms. She likewise holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English from the University of Regina with a concentration in creative writing. Professionally, she has experience as a researcher, instructor, journalist, and actress in film, theatre, and television. Hannah is passionate about intersectional feminist filmmaking, creative writing, and archival research.
In her spare time, she also enjoys volunteering for Archives gaies du Québec.