Joanne F.

With decades of experience, Joanne has a diverse teaching background. Teaching throughout the Sea to Sky corridor using the BC Curriculum, she can support what students are asked to know, understand, and be able to do in their schoolwork.
Joanne’s specialty is teaching and tutoring middle school students in all subject areas: Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Humanities, STEM and Physical Education. She has a wide range of skills; she’s a generalist.
Beyond the middle grades, Joanne can help elementary and high school students with their academic strengths and stretches, study skills, organization, test preparation and confidence.
With a passion for creativity, calm temperament and a caring approach, Joanne helps students to learn at their own pace, from where they are at, and in their own personal style.

 

 

 

Ellie P.

Ellie recently relocated to Squamish from the UK, drawn by its stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures—a perfect match for a geography enthusiast! With four years of experience teaching in UK public schools and a first-class degree in Geographical Sciences, Ellie specializes in tutoring environmental science, social studies, and Spanish—a valuable skill to have when exploring the world!

One of her favorite aspects of teaching is connecting classroom concepts to real-world experiences, particularly in the sciences and social studies. Ellie is dedicated to creating personalized learning plans that foster both understanding and confidence in every student, helping them achieve goals they never thought possible. She strives to help students reach their academic potential while also sparking their curiosity and fostering a genuine love of learning.

Morgan F.

Morgan graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Science Education, with a concentration in Chemistry and a minor in Spanish. She completed her student teaching in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she taught 6th and 8th grade science. After graduating, she was an Au Pair for a year in Bilbao, Spain, where she lived with a family, helping take care of the kids and teaching them English. When she returned to the States, she spent the next year and a half teaching experiential science education at Keystone Science School in Colorado. Morgan loved how her classroom was outside every day, even in the snow, and facilitating hands-on science activities. Most recently, Morgan was able to combine her passion for traveling and teaching by leading a language and cultural immersion program in Costa Rica with a group of high school students. Morgan is dedicated to inspiring the next generation and building meaningful connections with her students along the way. When Morgan isn’t teaching or traveling, you can find her skiing, hiking, or biking in the mountains; kayaking or swimming in a lake; or curled up with a good book!

 

Karina R.

Karina is a retired teacher and administrator with over 38 years of experience teaching and leading communities of learners. She has a love for education and connecting with her students and families.

Karina believes that the key to successful learning is making it fun, engaging and appropriate for each child’s instructional needs. Her specialty is differentiating and individualizing according to each child’s interests, strengths and academic goals. She is also a lifelong learner and enjoys traveling, reading, surfing, birding and hiking. Karina is thrilled to be a Prep Academy Tutor, which allows her to help children develop confidence in their abilities and achieve their full potential.

 

Meg H.

Meg Hardick is a certified middle grades science teacher. She holds a BS in Environmental Science, and a Masters in Elementary Education. She specializes in all areas of science, as well as elementary education, middle school French, and standardized test prep. She greatly enjoys helping students build the emotional and executive functioning skills necessary to excel in all subject areas. As a lover of literature and writing, she is especially excited to help students engage with the written word and expand their creative and expressive abilities. She has had great success supporting students through the stress and pressure of standardized testing season, taking a wholistic approach to test preparation and demystifying test structures.

When not supporting students, she enjoys spending time with her son, Hazel, wandering the Bella Vista streets, and hiking in the Poconos. She is a recent transplant from Austin, Texas, and is very appreciative of her new community.

Mia G.

Hello, my name is Mia G. and I have been tutoring since 2021. I graduated from St. Mary’s University in December 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in psychology. I have experience tutoring all grades from preschool to seniors in college. I specialize in tutoring biology, psychology and English, but I have tutored all subjects. I can also tutor people who are interested in cooking and baking, dance, and college admissions. I have experience working with students who have anxiety, ADHD, Autism and Down Syndrome. I will be starting my master’s degree in personalized molecular medicine in August 2025 from UT Health San Antonio. After that my goal is to go to medical school to become a neonatal geneticist.

 

 

 

Rachel B.

Rachel is a former teacher and nanny with a passion for helping students succeed. With a master’s degree from DePaul University, and a 4.0 GPA, Rachel loves to learn and share her knowledge. She gets to know her students’ background and interests before starting her lessons, as to make the information at hand pertinent to each child. With kindness and enthusiasm, Rachel strives to make learning a fun and comfortable experience for both the student and their families. Communication is her strong suit, as she enjoys sharing milestones and challenges with parents to ensure student success. In her spare time, Rachel travels the world with her husband, Cole. The pair resides in the Northwest suburbs with their two cats, and in her spare time, Rachel runs a successful photography studio out of her home office. Get in touch with Rachel today – she cannot wait to get to know you!

 

 

Dr. Brandy P.

Dr. Brandy S. Pickens is a distinguished biochemist and dedicated educator with extensive experience in scientific research and environmental advocacy. Having earned a BA in Biochemistry from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. from Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Pickens is proficient in making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.

Dr. Pickens has dedicated over 15 years to biomedical research, specializing in biomedical research studies at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This background equips her with a robust understanding of the STEM disciplines, which she brings to the classroom to inspire and educate future scientists and STEM professionals.

Currently, Dr. Pickens serves as a Toxicologist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where she conducts technical analyses and reviews concerning the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Her role at the EPA underscores her commitment to public health and safety, themes she emphasizes in her educational outreach.

Passionate about fostering a love for science and environmental stewardship among young people, Dr. Pickens actively engages with community groups and schools. She organizes and leads educational programs and STEM initiatives, aiming to instill a sense of enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, particularly environmental science, and stewardship in the younger generation.

Dr. Pickens is not only a scientist and advocate but also a mentor who strives to encourage students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM and public service. Her commitment to education, combined with her expertise in biomedical sciences and environmental sustainability, makes her a great match for organizations dedicated to cultivating knowledgeable, responsible, and motivated students.

Jessica B.

Jessica is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education for Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential with an emphasis on Inspired Teaching and Learning. Her goal is to teach Biology/Science to secondary level students (grades 7-12) once she receives her teaching credential.

Jessica’s teaching/tutoring experiences began while she was in school herself. She always helped her classmates when they were having difficulty understanding new concepts and worked as a student aid and student tutor in high school. While she served in the US Navy, she was an instructor for about three years and learned that each student is and learns differently and successfully tailored her lessons and instruction methods to meet the needs of every student.

Jessica loves learning about science and earned a BS in biology which made her even more curious and in awe of the world around her. She likes traveling, going for walks, observing the everyday phenomena she encounters, watching movies and shows, listening to a variety of music, teaching, and learning. As a future biology or science teacher she hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists to stay curious and do great things.

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!