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.

Annie D.

Annie is a current MD/PhD student at UT Health San Antonio. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech and an M.S. in Medical Science from UNT Health Science Center. She has tutored and taught math, science, and engineering courses since 2012. Annie enjoys one-on-one or small group interactions, preferring to personalize her tutoring to the student(s). She also enjoys getting to know students and providing help in tutoring-adjacent skills such as time management, prioritization, and organizational skills. In her spare time, Annie enjoys spending time with her partner and dog, doing barre and yoga, playing the piano, reading, figure skating, and discovering new board games.

Laura N.

Laura is a dedicated educator currently completing her Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto as a second-year candidate. With a background in an Honours Double Major in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University, graduating cum laude, Laura has a passion for the English language and storytelling. Through education and experience, she brings studied knowledge, creativity, and passion to her teaching practice.

In the prestigious JET Programme, Laura spent four years teaching English in Japan, refining her instructional skills and gaining a wealth of experience with students in grades one to six. Laura has taught at Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School and Wedgewood Junior School in her practicums, teaching grades four and one respectively. Both students and teachers can attest that Laura left an indelibly positive mark on her classrooms in these practicums. Beyond teaching, Laura has served countless summers as a counselor and office administrator at summer camps in the GTA and Montreal, working with and creating unforgettable bonds with children and their families.

Laura brings her expertise and passion to students through Prep Academy, offering support in all subjects for grades one to six, particularly in literacy using the Direct Instruction program. She looks forward to embarking on this learning journey with you!

Thad F.

With a bachelor’s degree from the Air Force Academy and a master’s from theUniversity of Dayton, Thad’s credentials and experience run broad and deep. For over 30 years he has taught math, science, and English at the university level–all the way down through first grade. Thad’s passion and joy is helping students and their families overcome academic challenges and grow to thrive at the highest levels of their potential.

In his free time, Thad enjoys his six children and three grandchildren, tennis, hiking, photography, swing dancing, and food with his wife, Beth. He almost never meets a student with whom he does not enjoy working, and he hopes to continue teaching as long as his health allows–at least 50 more years!

Brian N.

Brian N. is a current teacher at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute and Baccalaureate School (IB Program) in Kitchener, Ontario. He currently teaches grade 9, 10 and 12 math at the school, but has tutored and is comfortable with all Ontario mathematics content (JK- Calculus, IB and beyond!). His qualifications are as follows: Primary, Junior, Intermediate Senior Division Teachable, as well as Intermediate Mathematics and History, as well as Senior qualifications in Music. He is eager to come along side the PAT team and help students.

Maggie B.

Mrs. Maggie B. has been a teacher and school administrator for 19 years and she loves to watch students succeed and grow. She has a bachelor’s degree in Literature from The University of North Florida and a Masters degree from The University of Texas San Antonio in Educational leadership and Curriculum & Instruction. She spent much of her own school days in Europe where she formed a love for traveling and other cultures. That love translated into her classroom when she traveled with her students to numerous countries and showed them the world! In the classroom, she taught high school English, writing, drama and acting. She has been a middle and high school administrator and, one of her favorite things, a coach for teachers as they improve their craft. She is very excited and looks forward to working with your student!

Lauren H.

Lauren is a native New Yorker who spent her life steeped in all the art and culture the city has to offer. She is a born educator, lifelong learner, and giant nerd who is obsessed with music, literature, history, technology, and social justice. Lauren spent her formative years dedicated to writing and visual and performing arts, and still had time to get a perfect score on the SAT. She also worked as the Vocal Director and Science Lab Instructor at a camp for gifted and talented children. While studying studio production and composition at the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase she began tutoring students to prepare them for various standardized tests and subjects. Rather than attend law school, Lauren became a full-time tutor, and has been one for over 15 years. Lauren truly loves what she does, and aims for every student to become confident, intellectually curious, and passionate about learning. She believes education is holistic, enthusiasm infectious, and this is what keeps students engaged and excited to pursue their goals as they become better critical thinkers, readers, and problem solvers who are always pushing the boundaries of what is possible. In addition to tutoring and advising, she also teaches a robotics class in which elementary school children build and program their own Lego robots. Lauren’s passions include eating her way across every continent, collecting records, and curling. She has been playing the game, known as chess on ice, for 6 years, is a certified USA Curling instructor, and is also Co-Director of Education at Brooklyn Lakeside Curling Club.

Shannon L.

Shannon is a passionate, caring, and empowering educator certified to teach all subjects from preschool through sixth grade. She completed her BA in Elementary Education at Florida Atlantic University and continued her education at Barry University to obtain a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction with a certification in Montessori Education. Shannon has over 15 years experience teaching, tutoring, and creating individualized, interactive, and engaging lessons. With additional certifications in ESOL, Reading, Gifted, Montessori Education, and Mental Health First Aide, Shannon is well qualified to meet the needs of a diverse student population and focus on supporting the whole child. She is also uniquely qualified to help students fine tune their skills with organization, study strategies, and executive functioning. She welcomes a challenge and has yet to meet a child that she was unable to build some sort of connection with. Shannon truly has a gift for mentoring and educating that could reach even the most resistant student. In her free time Shannon enjoys exploring the outdoors and homeschooling her three year old son, reading fiction novels, and traveling.

Dylan Z.

Dylan Z. is a professional tutor living in New York City. He received his Bachelor degrees in Political Science and English from the University of Florida, and holds a Masters in Fine Arts with a concentration in Creative Writing from the New School. Dylan has tutored for several years at the Princeton Review where he specialized in AP World, European, and US History. Additionally, Dylan has taught Literature courses at the university level and specializes in college essay writing and admissions coaching.

Haley C.

Haley is a former Lead Teacher of five years with experience in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, both in the U.S. and abroad. She grew up in rural Connecticut and graduated cum laude from Boston College in 2017, where she double majored in History and Psychology. Her love of travel and experiencing new cultures then led her to Thailand, where she earned a TEFL certification and taught several different subjects (including Global Studies, English Language Arts, and Elementary Science) over the course of four years. Most recently, she was an ELA teacher, History co-teacher, and tutor at a public charter school in Brooklyn, where she prepared students extensively for the New York Regents exams in ELA and History. Haley loves literature and makes it come alive with her students, and she is extremely effective at helping her students develop strong writing, language, and editing skills. Haley is a multiple-choice and study trick expert who tailors her tutoring instruction to each individual learner, adding a bit of humor along the way. In her spare time she explores her creative side as a freelance photographer, documenting the streets of NYC and wherever else she travels. She is also a mom—to an adorable Thai street cat named Goose!