Perla H.

Perla is a bilingual, Texas-certified elementary educator with more than 10 years of experience helping students develop strong academic foundations in both English and Spanish. With extensive experience in bilingual elementary classrooms, tutoring, literacy instruction, and language assessment, Perla brings a patient and highly individualized approach to helping young learners strengthen skills, close learning gaps, and build confidence.

Perla holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood–4th Grade Education with a Bilingual Supplemental Certification and is certified by the State of Texas in both teaching and bilingual education. She is fluent in English and Spanish and has spent much of her career working with students whose academic success depends not only on mastering grade-level content but also on developing stronger language and communication skills.

Perla’s classroom experience includes many years as a bilingual elementary teacher, first at Brewer Elementary and later at Sarah King Elementary. In these roles, she provided bilingual instruction while supporting students’ language development and achievement across core elementary subjects. Her experience has given her a strong understanding of how foundational skills in reading, writing, language, and mathematics develop during the elementary years.

More recently, Perla has provided individualized tutoring to elementary students in reading, literacy, and foundational academic skills. She has also taught literacy and elementary-level academic skills to adult learners, giving her valuable experience working with students who may have gaps in foundational knowledge or need concepts presented in a different way before they begin to click.

Perla currently works with San Antonio ISD as a PRELAS Language Survey Tester, administering language-proficiency assessments used for student placement and ESL services. This experience has further strengthened her ability to evaluate students’ language development, recognize individual areas of need, and understand how language proficiency can affect academic performance across subjects.

Perla specializes in elementary academics across grades K–5, including reading, writing, literacy, mathematics, and other core subjects, as well as ESL and bilingual academic support. Her background makes her particularly well suited for English Language Learners and bilingual students who may need additional support developing academic skills while simultaneously strengthening English-language proficiency.

One of Perla’s greatest strengths is her ability to meet students where they are. She has extensive experience with differentiated instruction, student assessment, small-group teaching, lesson planning, and family communication and understands that children do not all learn at the same pace or in the same way.

Her tutoring style is patient, structured, and encouraging. Perla takes time to understand each student’s individual strengths and areas of difficulty and then adjusts instruction to make learning approachable and achievable. She believes children make their greatest progress when they feel comfortable asking questions, recognize their own improvement, and know that their teacher genuinely believes in their ability to succeed.

Families appreciate Perla’s warmth, bilingual communication skills, and extensive experience with elementary learners. Whether she is helping a child strengthen reading skills, close a gap in foundational math, improve English-language proficiency, or simply regain confidence in school, Perla’s goal is to help each student experience meaningful academic growth while developing stronger and more independent learning skills.

Above all, Perla believes that every child can grow with the right combination of guidance, consistency, individualized instruction, and encouragement. She looks forward to building positive relationships with students and families while helping young learners become more confident and successful in the classroom.

Megan B.

Megan is an experienced science and technical professional with a strong background in environmental science, GIS, teaching, tutoring, and public communication. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Environmental Science, along with a Geographic Information Systems certificate and professional GISP credential. Her academic and professional work has required her to explain complex scientific and regulatory information clearly, review technical materials for accuracy, and communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences. She is also a published author.
Megan brings direct instructional experience from her time as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she managed classes of up to 32 students, taught laboratory material, supported student learning, graded assignments, proctored exams, and helped maintain and improve instructional materials. She also worked as a GIS Program Tutor at Austin Community College, assisting students with GIS concepts and applications and stepping in during scheduled class periods when needed. She has also offered independent tutoring services in science, writing, test prep, and resume skills intermittently since 2010. She has experience working with students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and considers this her specialty.
In her current and previous roles with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Megan has built extensive experience in scientific review, data analysis, technical writing, quality assurance, training materials and exam review, and stakeholder education. This background makes her especially well suited to students who benefit from organized, detail-oriented instruction and real-world connections between classroom concepts and scientific applications.
When she isn’t serving in her day job role as an environmental professional, she volunteers with a non-profit hosting weekly zoom events educating and driving action on social justice issues in environment, education, and other intersectional social issues.
Megan brings a passion for learning and real world engagement. Her wide scope of experience allows her to relate with a variety of students. She will also happily provide pictures of her cats upon request.

Leslie S.

Leslie is the kind of teacher who remembers that behind every assignment is a real kid with their own strengths, challenges, and pace. A certified EC-6 Generalist and EC-12 ESL Supplemental educator, she was born and raised right here in Austin, Texas.

Leslie earned her BA in Spanish Literature from the University of Colorado–Boulder, studied abroad in Seville, Spain, and completed her teaching certification at St. Edward’s University. Since then, she’s taught and tutored just about every age — kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students, plus adults — in ESL, literacy, Language Arts, and Math. She has special training in helping students with dyslexia, autism, and other learning differences, and she’s a TIA-recognized educator.

More than anything, Leslie loves learning and loves helping kids discover that they can do hard things. She teaches with patience, an open mind, and a whole lot of heart — and the relationships she builds with her students are what she treasures most.

Audry N.

Audry is an experienced educator with a passion for helping students build confidence and reach their academic goals. Originally from Sugar Land, Texas, Audry earned her degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas State University. She has three years of classroom teaching experience, including one year teaching kindergarten and two years teaching 7th-grade mathematics. Through her work with students at both the elementary and middle school levels, Audry has developed an understanding of how to adapt instruction to meet individual learning needs and make challenging concepts more approachable. She believes that building positive relationships and creating a supportive learning environment are essential to helping students grow in both their skills and confidence. Audry is excited to bring her teaching experience, patience, and enthusiasm for education to Prep Academy Tutors and looks forward to helping each student reach their full potential.

Sherry H.

With over 14 years of experience in educational services, Sherry Hardt joins our team, bringing her expansive knowledge of individualized, differentiated instruction as a Texas Certified Teacher. Helping children and adolescents ranging from ages 3 to 18, her work with students across a wide range of abilities has reinforced her belief that every child can succeed when provided with clear structure, encouragement, and meaningful learning experiences.

Ms. Hardt is a graduate of Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) and grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. Austin has been her home for nearly 20 years, where she raised her daughter (another AGGIE grad!) and continued working in education. She loves Tex-Mex, cold coffee, and dark chocolate, and also enjoys road trips, cooking, and binge watching mysteries and documentaries. Ms. Hardt misses her doggie who was with her for over 16 years and is ready for a new companion soon!

Her teaching style is a combination of humor, sarcasm and fun intertwined with respect, motivation and perseverance. Ms. Hardt believes that leading by example is one of the most important aspects of teaching children. She strives to meet students where they are academically, recognize their learning gaps, and build a strong base to extend higher growth into more complex topics and skills. Her ultimate goal is to inspire curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning in every student she encounters.

Grace H.

Grace earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a Dual Language focus and a Master’s Degree as an Instructional Specialist with a STEM focus also from The University of Texas at El Paso (Go Miners!!!)
She is passionate about brain-based learning and helping students discover how they learn best. Her mission is to build confident lifelong learners by reducing anxiety, building trust, and teaching students to use their strengths to maximize learning and growth.
She taught elementary and middle school students, specializing in assessment, administration, and student performance analysis. Her belief in student centered instruction allowed her to customize instruction to address specific student learning needs for maximum growth. She is multilingual and experienced in supporting students while they learn both academic content and a new language simultaneously. Grace also has experience working with students on the autism spectrum and is known for her calm and reassuring demeanor. Additionally, she trained educators in targeted instruction, data monitoring, and assessment practices to support student achievement.
Outside of education, Grace enjoys all kinds of music, does her best to avoid mosquitos while gardening, and loves cooking for her family.

Marla B.

Marla, RBT, is a behavioral health professional who combines evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) expertise with the perspective of a parent raising neurodivergent children. She helps children develop communication, social, adaptive, emotional regulation, and independence skills through individualized, goal-focused interventions. With more than three years of experience supporting children with diverse developmental and behavioral needs in school, special education, and in-home ABA settings, Marla works closely with families and caregivers to foster meaningful, measurable progress beyond therapy sessions.

Before transitioning into behavioral health, Marla earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science and spent 12 years as a Radiologic and Mammography Technologist. Her healthcare background strengthened her attention to detail, empathy, leadership, and dedication to exceptional patient care. She also brings experience as a vocal coach and business owner, where she honed her ability to break complex skills into achievable steps and motivate learners toward success.

As the parent of two sons with ADHD, including one with AuDHD (Autism and ADHD), Marla understands the value of individualized support, consistency, and caregiver empowerment. Her personal and professional experiences give her unique insight into developmental and educational challenges, enabling her to support families with compassion, practical strategies, and a collaborative approach that promotes confidence, independence, and long-term success. A big kid at heart with a great sense of humor, Marla connects naturally with children and believes confidence begins with feeling safe, welcomed, and heard.

Petros A.

Petros is a Magna Cum Laude Computer Science graduate from Concordia University Texas with a passion for helping students build confidence in math, science, computer science, and technology. A lifelong learner himself, Petros credits several outstanding teachers with sparking his early interest in STEM—and he now enjoys creating those same “lightbulb moments” for his own students.

With a strong academic foundation spanning algebra, geometry, calculus, numerical analysis, biology, computer science, and advanced technology coursework, Petros brings both subject knowledge and a patient, step-by-step approach to tutoring. He is especially skilled at breaking complex concepts into manageable pieces, helping students understand not just how to solve a problem, but why the solution works.

Petros also has extensive experience with computer programming and software development, including Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL, HTML/CSS, React, TypeScript, Next.js, Express.js, and MongoDB. His background allows him to support students ranging from those exploring coding for the first time to students tackling more advanced computer science concepts.

Above all, Petros wants students to develop confidence, curiosity, and a genuine appreciation for learning. Whether he is explaining an algebra equation, working through calculus, or helping a student understand a piece of code, he meets students where they are and guides them through the process one step at a time.

Outside of academics, Petros enjoys gaming, running Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for friends, experimenting in the kitchen, and embracing all things nerdy. Whether he’s baking pie or teaching students how to find pi, Petros believes learning should be engaging, approachable, and even fun.

Nancy G.

Nancy  is a certified elementary educator with more than 16 years of teaching and tutoring experience helping students build strong academic foundations, greater confidence, and a positive attitude toward learning. Throughout her career, Nancy has taught students across grades K–8 in both public and private school settings, with particular expertise in elementary reading, English Language Arts, writing, and comprehensive elementary academic support.
Nancy earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech Communications from the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Elementary Education teaching certification through the University of Texas at San Antonio, with certification for grades 1–8.Most recently, Nancy spent six years at Cornerstone Christian Schools in San Antonio, first as a long-term substitute teacher and then as a full-time Kindergarten and first-grade classroom teacher. In these roles, she provided instruction across Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Bible while using small-group instruction, hands-on activities, educational technology, and assessment data to meet the needs of individual students.
Reading instruction is a particular passion for Nancy. She is an advocate of the Science of Reading and incorporates evidence-based literacy strategies into her work with developing readers. She understands that strong reading skills are built systematically and uses targeted instruction to help students strengthen the foundational skills, comprehension, vocabulary, and confidence necessary to become more successful readers. Her recent classroom experience specifically included implementing Science of Reading strategies with Kindergarten and first-grade students.
Nancy also brings extensive experience with upper-elementary students. As a third- and fourth-grade teacher in Northside ISD, she taught Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies in both self-contained and collaborative classrooms. She differentiated instruction for students with varying academic needs, incorporated educational technology into daily lessons, supported ESL students, and prepared students for STAAR testing.Her experience working with diverse learners is another important strength. Nancy has served in special-education collaborative settings and has worked alongside teachers, specialists, and families to provide individualized academic support. She understands that students do not all learn at the same pace or in the same way and adapts instruction based on each child’s current skills, learning style, and academic needs.
Nancy provides tutoring across all elementary subjects, including Reading, English Language Arts, writing, handwriting, Math, Science, and Social Studies. She can also support middle school Language Arts, Physical Science, and Space Science and provides targeted preparation for 3rd–5th grade STAAR Reading.
Her teaching style is warm, encouraging, and hands-on. Nancy believes students learn best when they are actively involved rather than simply listening to an explanation. She uses guided practice, discussion, visual supports, and interactive activities to make lessons more meaningful while adjusting instruction to the individual student.
Families appreciate Nancy’s combination of experience, patience, and versatility. Because she has spent so much of her career in self-contained elementary classrooms, she understands how skills across subjects are interconnected. A reading difficulty can affect science and social studies; weak writing skills can make it difficult for a student to demonstrate what they know; and a loss of confidence in one subject can begin affecting a child’s entire school experience.

Nancy works to identify those connections and provide support that strengthens the whole learner.

Whether she is helping a beginning reader develop stronger foundational skills, preparing an elementary student for STAAR, strengthening writing and comprehension, or providing ongoing support across several subjects, Nancy’s goal is to help each student experience meaningful progress while becoming a more confident and independent learner.

Carol S.

Carol, graduate of Marquette University, has extensive background in private school education. She spent 15 years teaching middle school math. She transitioned into the public school sector where her concentration was 7/8 grade reading and special education. Carol spent 25 years in public education, retiring in 2011. Post retirement, Carol took on a position with the Ohio Department of Education. Her role was to visit local schools and provide training in how to grade for mastery. After she left the ODE she took on several long term guest teacher roles for Toledo Public Schools. Most of these roles required Carol to use expertise in special education. Now living in Florida, Carol has held roles as a private tutor most recently for Sylvan Learning Center.