Barbara H.

Barbara H. is an experienced teacher who has worked with students from different backgrounds for over 35 years. She supports bilingual education and cultural inclusion and uses her teaching and curriculum development skills to create valuable learning experiences. Barbara studied at Montclair State University, earning a degree in Spanish and completing courses in Administrative Sciences. She is certified in Elementary Education, Bilingual Education (English/Spanish), and English as a Second Language (ESL). In 1994, she was named Teacher of the Year in her district.

Throughout her career, Barbara has used new methods in education, such as virtual learning and adult ESL programs. She has helped students prepare for tests, supported struggling students, and guided new teachers in New Jersey’s Alternate Route Program. Outside the classroom, she ran the INCCA Day Camp, helping 500 inner-city children grow academically and socially, and raised money from groups like the NFL to support educational projects. Barbara remains dedicated to teaching and inspiring others with her commitment to inclusivity and excellence.

Kelly H.

Kelly is joining Prep Academy Tutors with a long-standing passion for supporting students and their families in the educational process. Her experience entails teaching children with autism, ADHD, OCD, and other similar diagnoses, as well as managing an inclusion program for children with special needs. With seven years of classroom experience, Kelly is thrilled to be able to work with students in a focused fashion, helping them reach their goals and feel more confident in their academic performance. She believes every child is capable of succeeding in the school environment, and enjoys helping students learn about themselves in order to do so. Kelly specializes in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, as well as English Language Arts.

In her free time, you can find Kelly outdoors, hiking, hanging out with her family and friends (usually around food, board games, or football–Go Bills!!), enjoying her energetic pup, or reading a fantasy book. She also has a penchant for ice cream (mint chocolate chip, any day of the year!). She looks forward to working with your family to support your students’ progress!

Douglas P.

Douglas is a certified teacher, university faculty member, former museum curator, and all-around renaissance man. Few have a professional background like him: Archaeology, Astronomy, History, Paleontology, and Religious Studies are just a few of the subjects Douglas has worked and taught in. After completing a degree in History he went to work for museums in Los Angeles, including the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and Griffith Observatory. During that time he acquired a Master of Arts in Teaching, taught in several school districts, and all while continuing to work in museums. Since moving to Idaho, he has worked in community based mental health, the state prison system, and currently he is at Boise State teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology Labs, (he prefers labs over lectures – they’re more fun!). Douglas’s style is very unique, interactive, and is about inspiring and not just rote knowledge acquisition. From lecturing about Dwarf Planet Pluto at the most visited public observatory in the world, to teaching inmates about fossilization and quantum mechanics, Douglas is available to help you, or your student, find new appreciation for their natural and cultural worlds, create a tomorrow that is better than today, and learn a little along the way!

Some examples of how he works:
Does your student need to work on basic reading and writing? Let’s use dinosaurs to develop those skills!
Does your student need to work on writing proper essays, developing ideas, and forming arguments? Let’s dig up something archaeological and either support or refute it!
Maybe your student needs someone to talk with while learning about the wonders of the past, the mysteries of the cosmos, and other big ideas. Let’s dive in and see where we end up!
From kindergarten to college, Douglas will endeavor to help your student achieve academically – and have fun while doing it!

DARREN W.

Darren has been a classroom teacher 9+ years and a soccer and flag football coach. He has a BEd, BA in History, and additional certification in Special Education.

Alya S.

Alya is a dedicated and compassionate elementary school teacher with over four years of teaching experience. She has her master’s degree in Childhood Education and is licensed to teach students in grades 1-6. She has experience teaching students in a variety of settings, including public, charter, and accelerated curriculum schools.
Alya has extensive experience implementing targeted instructional approaches that meet various students’ academic learning styles and needs, including students with IEPs.

While in graduate school, Alya tutored elementary and middle school students in Reading, Writing, and Math. She also created supplemental curriculum material that aligned with state standards in order to provide differentiated instruction for these students.

In her free time, Alya enjoys practicing yoga, going for walks on the beach, and hiking. Alya believes that in order to best meet the learning styles and academic needs of each student, frequent and open communication with parents/guardians, and differentiated instruction is imperative. She looks forward to the opportunity to work with you!

Micaela M.

Micaela is an experienced educator specializing in reading, math, and ESL. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and her Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Micaela is passionate about teaching and has dedicated her career to helping students excel in English language learning, literacy, and math.

She has worked with students across various grade levels (EC-6), creating engaging and inclusive environments where they can thrive. Micaela develops customized lesson plans that support diverse learners using differentiated instruction and scaffolding. She is also trained in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) methods, which she integrates into her teaching to foster supportive relationships with her students. Additionally, Micaela has received her Texas Teachers License in EC-6, with an additional certification in ESL. She has 4 years of experience as an educator in both traditional classroom settings and non-traditional exploratory and project-based learning programs.

Outside of teaching, Micaela enjoys camping, hiking, drawing, and spending time with her cats, Beaux and Pasha, and her dog, Apple.

Diego C.

Diego is a dedicated educator with extensive experience working with children and youth with diverse needs. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University, Diego is now currently in his second year of his Master of Teaching program at the University of Toronto OISE, where he continues to learn and develop his skills in teaching students in the Primary and Junior Stream. Professionally, Diego has worked as a Long Term Occasional Educational Assistant at Bloorview School Authority for the past 5 years and continues to be an active community member within the school. Here he collaborates with multidisciplinary teams such as teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapist, and speech pathologists that support students’ academic and medical needs and provides Diego with many perspectives to learn from. His experience extends to roles such as Life Skills Assistant at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where he created life skills programs for youth with disabilities. Diego has also worked as an online ESL teacher where he has mastered virtual classroom management skills while also supporting students with their reading and pronunciation. When Diego is not working, you can find him playing tennis or keeping up with the latest trends. His diverse experience in education makes him a well-rounded educator who cares about the students he works with.

LAXSHAA N.

Dr. Laxshaa Nadpurajah is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, data analysis, digital content management, fitness, and nutrition. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration; a Master of Education, specializing in Assessment & Evaluation; and a Master of Management Analytics, both from Queen’s University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology and Criminal Justice & Public Policy from the University of Guelph.

Tim B.

Mr. Berg has been an educator for over 25 years. He earned both Bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in History from Northeastern Illinois University, and Master’s degree in Education from Lewis University. He is currently receiving his doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has previously taught in private elementary schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, as well as High School. He is a highly qualified tutor, having worked with elementary, middle and high school students. Mr. Berg enjoys spending time with his family. As a tutor, he loves seeing his student’s master a new concept and pushes them to success!

Mary R.

Mary has been teaching for the past 15 years, including working 9 years as a special education teacher for grades TK-12, 4 years as a general education high school English teacher, and 2 years as a Creative Writing adjunct professor at the University of California Riverside Extension. She has also worked as a writing tutor for the University of California, Santa Cruz for two years, and as an in-home tutor for students grade K-8 for 3 years (tutoring reading, writing, and math), and as a college admissions essay tutor. She currently works as a special education teacher for a local charter school, teaching reading, writing, and math, as well as supporting students in Social Studies and Science, for students grades TK-8 both virtually and in person at a local learning center.

Mary has a BA in Literature from UC Santa Cruz, where she received College Honors and Honors in the Major. She has also received an MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, and California credentials in Single Subject English and Mild/Moderate Special Education from Brandman University, and is certified to teach Wilson Reading. She has experience teaching and tutoring both online and in person, and worked as a freelance writer, and an editor of books and magazines before she became a teacher and tutor.

Mary has a great love of learning, which she brings to her students when teaching reading and writing. As an avid reader, and experienced writer of fiction, poetry, plays, and articles, she imparts her enthusiasm of reading and writing on her students. She especially loves to help her students improve their writing, and uses tools such as the Wilson Reading program to help struggling readers and spellers learn how to read and spell. As a teacher of students with a variety of ability levels, including students with disabilities, gifted and Honors students, and twice exceptional students, she knows how to tailor instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.