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).
Theodore F.
Since 2018, Theodore has been a Communications and Liberal Arts professor at Georgian College. He came into that role with a background in information science, article editing, and years of experience providing remedial and enrichment support as a tutor and learning skills assistant.
Theodore combines subject-matter mastery with sharp diagnostic skill and a personalized teaching approach. He pinpoints hurdles, communicates in a way that best fits the individual learner, and guides progress through clear goals, accountability, and precise, actionable feedback. His easy style has been shaped by years of experience with children and adults alike, and a talent for making difficult material manageable.
Theodore specializes in skills that transfer across subjects, including reading comprehension, structured writing, argumentation, study habits, and test readiness. He helps students address weak organization, unclear expectations, anxiety, inconsistent practice, and gaps in fundamentals. Students learn how to generate and organize ideas, write with clarity and purpose, revise effectively, and approach texts using robust critical reading strategies.
At the post-secondary and adult level, he can support academic writing and professional communications with an emphasis on research and scholarly presentation, including finding and evaluating sources, integrating evidence, and managing references, citations, formatting, and style requirements.
Theodore holds an Honours BA in Classical Studies from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Library and Information Science from Western University, and a Professional Certificate in Web Design from Humber College. As an undergraduate, he received an Essay of the Year award. He has published twice in Quaderni Urbinati di Cultura Classica and worked as an editor for Thomson Reuters, translating legalese into clear English. He has also worked and taught professionally in web design and music.
With his breadth of knowledge and teaching acumen, Theodore is an excellent choice for parents who want to see real progress for their child, or for adults seeking serious academic guidance or assessment preparation.
Violet O.
Violet is a special education teacher with over 10 years of experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. She is also a Structured Literacy tutor trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach. Throughout her career, she has worked with students with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, helping them build confidence and succeed academically.
Violet believes that children learn best through exploration and hands-on experiences. Her lessons are interactive, multi-sensory, and carefully designed to keep students engaged by using movement, tactile materials, and meaningful practice to strengthen learning.
She earned her B.A. in Liberal Studies from Azusa Pacific University and her M.A. in Teaching from Point Loma Nazarene University. Violet is deeply committed to continued professional growth and regularly takes literacy courses to improve her practice and better serve her students. She is always researching new strategies, connecting with other educators, and staying current through professional communities and podcasts.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family at the San Diego Zoo or exploring new coffee shops.
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.
O. Cash
Mr. Cash is from Atlanta, Ga and Virginia. He earned his Bachelors’ Degree in Biology from Morehouse College and his Masters’ Degree in Food and Nutritional Sciences from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. He’s served as an educator for 8+ years, including as a middle school teacher (in-person and virtually), a virtual high school teacher, an adjunct professor, a tutor and a coach. Mr. Cash specializes in science, math, food and nutrition, and a firm gentle approach; as an educator, he enjoys embracing challenges with care and support. When Mr. Cash isn’t tutoring, he’s most likely covered in soil (he’s a farmer) or paint/clay/wood shavings/etc. (he’s an artist), or he’s deeply engaged with ideas and creative expressions (he’s an avid explorer, learner, and thinker).
Elias A.
Elias A. graduated from Columbia University with an MA in Russian & Eastern European Studies in 2025 and from University of Oxford in 2017 with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He worked as an SAT prep teacher and tutor for AP US History, AP World History, and AP Literature in DC and Maryland from 2018 to 2019. Elias served as a Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in Kosovo from 2019-2020 and from 2022-2023, teaching English to K-12 students. In 2020 and 2021 he worked as a tutor in Oregon for elementary and middle school students, tutoring English, reading comprehension, writing, math, and coding. In 2021 Elias taught English and critical thinking skills to students in Kosovo virtually in the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot Program. He currently works as a tutor for middle and high school students. In his free time Elias enjoys playing basketball, ping pong, and tennis.
Sarah I.
Sarah I. is a certified teacher. She grew up in Guelph, Ontario moving to Trinity College at U. of T. to complete an undergraduate degree in French and English. She attended Toronto Teachers College and later completed a Master’s degree in teaching and a specialist in Special Education. Through teaching, Sarah has been able to foster her love of learning in different environments. Today, she works one-on-one with students from 6 years old to university-aged young people preparing for graduation. She supports improvement in reading, writing for different purposes, expansion of vocabulary, organization, and fosters a desire for learning and excellence. Sarah believes that by building a solid relationship with her students, she can best meet their needs and encourage their learning. As a mentor, she continues to develop strategies for working with students of all ages. She finds these experiences rewarding and she often maintains long-term educational relationships as students carry on through the further stages of learning.
Heather C.
Heather C. is a certified, retired teacher with a 30 year history of working in public education. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology (University of Windsor), a Bachelor of Education (University of Ottawa), and a Master of Arts in Education (Concordia University). Heather is certified as a Specialist in Special Education, an experienced teacher of English as a Second Language, Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs, and qualified to teach the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Divisions. Past assignments include teaching all subjects from kindergarten through to post secondary college and university, and private tutoring. Heather enjoys helping students to compose and edit essays and research papers. She specializes in improving communication skills. Heather believes strong written and verbal communication skills are the foundation for success in most academic subjects for all grades. Heather’s proven success with improving students’ confidence and attitudes towards learning was evident in the improvement of their academic grades. In addition to being knowledgeable about the public school system, Heather has firsthand experience in the independent school and Montessori systems. Heather retired early from teaching for school districts to pursue a PhD in Education (University of Western Ontario) and to travel. She returns to do what she finds most rewarding which is helping families with their educational experiences in any school system. In her spare time, Heather kayaks, cycles, swims, and walks her dog on trails.
Alex P.
Alex P. graduated from the University of Western Ontario’s Teachers College in 2017 as part of the first ever two-year STEM cohort. She has spent over five years teaching at the National Ski Academy in Collingwood, Ontario, where she mainly teaches intermediate science and senior biology but has also taught classes in social science, business, and health. Known for her kind, warm, and supportive approach, Alex strives to create engaging learning environments where students feel comfortable taking risks and building confidence.
Alex loves bringing creativity into the classroom and strives to connect lessons to students’ interests and what is happening in the world around them. Her classroom is always stocked with craft supplies so lessons can include hands on and visual learning wherever possible! Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, painting, spending time at the beach, and going for walks in the woods. Above all, Alex’s goal as a teacher is to help students feel confident in themselves and proud of what they can achieve.
Alanna D.
Alanna is an OCT‑certified educator and experienced tutor who brings over eight years of expertise in early childhood and elementary education to Prep Academy Tutors. With a Master of Arts in Child Study & Education (in progress at the University of Toronto) and a strong academic foundation in Early Childhood Studies, Alanna specializes in helping learners build self-confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning.
Alanna has taught and supported students in a wide range of settings that go beyond the classroom. She excels at adapting lessons to meet diverse learning needs—whether supporting language and literacy through phonemic awareness and multimodal learning or guiding individualized math instruction and supporting students to find their voice across areas of curriculum.
Her tutoring approach is warm, relational, and highly individualized. Drawing on her background as both an educator and a former private tutor, Alanna collaborates closely with families to create customized learning plans that honor each child’s strengths, interests, and developmental needs. She uses tools such as anecdotal notes, checklists, photos, and student work samples to track progress and ensure her instruction is responsive and meaningful.
Beyond her classroom and tutoring experience, Alanna has worked extensively in enrichment settings, including STEM‑based programming, creative arts learning, and physical activity programs. She is passionate about fostering confidence, curiosity, and resilience in every learner she works with.
Alanna believes deeply in inclusive, equitable education and strives to create learning environments where every child feels seen, supported, and capable. As both an educator and former English Language Learner herself, she brings empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a strong advocacy mindset to her work.
In her free time Alanna is passionate about fitness, health and wellness. As a personal trainer she aspires to open a children’s gym for typically developing as well as neuro-divergent children in her future. Warm, patient, and deeply committed to student success, Alanna ensures that every learner she works with feels celebrated, supported, and empowered to grow