Dr. Monique M.

Dr. Monique is a nationally recognized educational leader and former professional basketball player with over two decades of experience transforming K–12, higher education, prison education, and workforce pathways across the United States. She is known for designing innovative learning and instructional models, leading large-scale organizational change, and building cross-sector partnerships that expand opportunity for students and communities. Blending the discipline of athletics with deep expertise in instruction and equity-centered leadership, Dr. Martin continues to teach, coach, mentor, and champion future-ready learning nationwide. She holds a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Education, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Innovation.

Lea A.

ENG: Lea Abdo is a student at McGill University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical, Biological and Life Sciences, majoring in Anatomy and Cell Biology. She is recognized for her academic achievements, graduating from Saint Joseph High School in Saskatoon, on Principal’s Honor Roll with distinction, and a Bilingual Diploma. Lea also achieved first place provincially in the Concours d’art oratoire (Advanced French category) for both grades 11 and 12.
In addition to her academic success, Lea brings extensive experience working with children through babysitting and volunteer roles at community organizations, churches, and multicultural events such as Folkfest Saskatoon.
Lea is also active in student leadership, serving as Vice President of Sponsorship & Fundraising for McGill Hemoglobal, and a Student Ambassador for the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology.
Fluent in English, French, and Arabic, she brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to every educational setting she is part of.

FR: Léa Abdo est une étudiante à l’Université McGill, inscrite au baccalauréat en sciences biomédicales, biologiques et de la vie, avec une majeure en anatomie et biologie cellulaire. Elle se distingue par ses accomplissements académiques, ayant obtenu un diplôme d’études secondaires à l’École secondaire Saint Joseph à Saskatoon avec une mention d’honneur du directeur et un diplôme bilingue. Elle est gagnante provinciale du Concours d’art oratoire (catégorie avancée) pour les niveaux 11 et 12.
En plus de ses études, Léa possède une solide expérience auprès des enfants grâce à son travail en babysitting et à ses activités bénévoles dans des organismes communautaires, des églises et des événements culturels comme le Folkfest de Saskatoon.
À l’Université McGill, elle s’implique activement en tant que vice-présidente du parrainage et du financement pour McGill Hemoglobal, et ambassadrice étudiante du département d’anatomie et de biologie cellulaire.
Parfaitement trilingue en anglais, français et arabe, Léa se distingue par son sens des responsabilités, sa créativité et sa passion pour l’éducation, qu’elle transmet avec enthousiasme et professionnalisme.

Amanda D.

Amanda is a dedicated teacher with a diverse background in education, counseling, and criminal justice. Amanda grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Phoenix. She spent five years working for a family law firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, gaining valuable experience in legal advocacy and client support.

Amanda’s passion for education led her to teach English as a Second Language online to children ages 4–12 in China while pursuing her Master’s in Early Elementary Education from Cabrini University.

In the fall of 2024, she returned to graduate school and is currently working toward a Master’s in Clinical Counseling and Psychology (LPC) at Chestnut Hill College.

Her professional experience includes serving as an emotional support teacher for grades 6–8 and currently as a Student Support Liaison in Montgomery County, where she assists students in developing social, emotional, and executive functioning skills to achieve their highest academic potential.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda is an avid reader, a passionate supporter of all Philadelphia sports teams, and enjoys baking sourdough bread.

Dr. Rob R.

Dr. Rob R. brings 44 years of experience in education to his work with students and families at Prep Academy Tutors.

Having grown up in Yugoslavia, Austria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Germany, Rob learned early on how to adapt to new cultures, languages, and expectations. This experience shaped his ability to support students who may be facing transitions, language challenges, or unfamiliar learning environments.

Rob holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Lehigh University, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Vermont, and a B.A. from Middlebury College. For 20 years, he taught all subjects in grades 1 – 6 in Vermont public schools, also serving as a teaching-principal.

He then spent 23 years in international education, teaching and leading schools in Spain, Pakistan, Jordan, Switzerland, Japan, and Serbia. Working with students from more than 50 nationalities gave him a deep appreciation for how children learn across cultures and backgrounds. He understands that every student brings curiosity, potential, and a need for encouragement – and he excels at creating supportive, individualized learning experiences.

Since moving to Superior, Colorado, Rob taught as a substitute in the Boulder Valley School District and is excited to continue working 1:1 with students. Families who work with Rob benefit from his global perspective, decades of teaching expertise, and a compassionate approach that helps students build confidence, adapt to challenges, and discover joy in learning.

Victoria D.

Victoria is a certified teacher with over 30 years of classroom experience. She currently teaches Grade 7 and has devoted most of her career to working with intermediate students in Grades 7 and 8. Throughout her teaching journey, she has also taught across all divisions from Kindergarten through Intermediate, as well as music on rotary.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor. With her broad teaching background, Victoria has developed a particular passion for helping students succeed in math and language. She is dedicated to supporting learners in strengthening foundational skills, building confidence, and developing strategies to achieve lasting academic success.

As a tutor, Victoria creates a positive and encouraging environment where each child feels supported to learn and grow. She is passionate about helping students reach their goals and fostering a genuine love of learning that extends beyond the classroom.

Outside of teaching, Victoria enjoys golfing, music, and learning pickleball. She treasures time spent with her husband, their three adult children, and their golden retriever, Bentley.

Ann B.

Ann B. is an accomplished educator and consultant with over 25 years of experience in teaching, school leadership, and student support. She holds dual Master’s Degrees in Education and Administration from New York University and has successfully led schools, developed curriculum, and supported countless students in reaching their full potential. Ann knows what works in education—and she makes learning engaging. Her sessions are hands-on and always connected to real-world application, so students understand why learning matters. Known for her creativity, energy, and ability to connect with students of all ages, she brings a fresh perspective to her sessions, blending academic rigor with innovative approaches. Outside of her professional work, Ann enjoys cooking, fitness, and exploring new ideas to make education both inspiring and dynamic.

 

 

Aparna V.

Aparna V. is a deeply caring and accomplished Special Education teacher with over 20 years of experience helping students reach their full potential—academically, socially, and emotionally. Based in Austin, Texas, Aparna holds a Master of Arts in Childhood Education & Special Education from New York University and a Master of Science in Child Psychology from Bangalore University. Her expertise spans grades K–8, with a special focus on students requiring individualized support in reading, math, and behavior.

Currently serving as a Special Education teacher at Laura Welch Bush Elementary School in Leander ISD, Aparna provides both resource and inclusion support across K–5 classrooms. Her teaching approach combines structured literacy strategies, visual supports, behavior reinforcement, and deep empathy to ensure every child is met where they are and guided forward with confidence.

Aparna has worked in diverse school districts across Texas, California, Washington, Illinois, and internationally in India. From teaching functional academics and communication skills to children on the autism spectrum, to leading behavior intervention plans for emotionally challenged learners, she brings unmatched experience, patience, and cultural awareness to every session. Her students regularly show marked growth in reading fluency, comprehension, and social-emotional development under her guidance.

A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Aparna is trained in SAMA (Satori Alternatives for Managing Aggression), certified through Texas Reading Academies, and experienced in instructional design. She’s also a classically trained Indian dancer and multilingual, speaking Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada.

Parents trust Aparna not only for her deep expertise and professionalism, but also for the compassion, clarity, and consistency she brings to her teaching. Whether your child needs academic support or personalized special education strategies, Aparna is committed to helping them flourish in a nurturing, inclusive environment.

Clara M.

ENG: Meet Clara, a passionate and experienced tutor with five years of expertise in helping students reach their full potential! Currently enrolled in the science program at John Abbott College, she is set to graduate soon. Her dedication to academic excellence has earned her the prestigious Lieutenant Governor’s Award, a testament to her hard work and commitment.

Clara is deeply invested in her students’ success, providing not only subject-specific support but also equipping them with valuable skills they can apply beyond the classroom. With a patient and engaging teaching style, she tailors her approach to each student’s needs, ensuring they gain confidence and a strong understanding of their coursework.

Whether it’s mastering complex scientific concepts or developing effective study strategies, Clara goes above and beyond to foster both academic achievement and a love for learning.

FR: Rencontrez Clara, une tutrice passionnée et expérimentée avec cinq ans d’expertise dans l’accompagnement des élèves vers la réussite ! Actuellement inscrite au programme de sciences au Collège John Abbott, elle est sur le point d’obtenir son diplôme. Son engagement envers l’excellence académique lui a valu le prestigieux Prix du Lieutenant-Gouverneur, une reconnaissance de son travail acharné et de sa détermination.

Clara se consacre pleinement à la réussite de ses élèves, en leur offrant non seulement un soutien ciblé dans leurs matières, mais aussi en leur transmettant des compétences précieuses qu’ils pourront appliquer bien au-delà de la salle de classe. Grâce à sa pédagogie patiente et engageante, elle adapte son approche aux besoins de chaque élève, leur permettant ainsi de gagner en confiance et de mieux assimiler leurs cours.

Que ce soit pour maîtriser des concepts scientifiques complexes ou pour développer des stratégies d’apprentissage efficaces, Clara met tout en œuvre pour encourager la réussite scolaire et éveiller un véritable plaisir d’apprendre.

Colleen S.

Colleen Simmons realized as a child she wanted to become a teacher. She loved learning how to read and do basic math from her mother, Donna, who she says was still her best teacher ever! Growing up in Illinois, she started helping her peers and younger children with reading and math homework when she was in 6th grade. Like the acting bug that some folks get, teaching became her passion. Graduating in 1981 from Millikin University with a B.S. in Biology, she pursued further training and completed a teacher certification program at the U of I Springfield soon after. She began teaching and continued to add certifications and degrees to her resume. She obtained a middle school concept endorsement on her standard certificate, a second B.S. in Special Education from EIU, and two M.S. degrees in Educational Administration from EIU and Teacher Leadership from U of I Springfield, respectively. Throughout her career, she has not only worked in the classroom, but she also has privately tutored students after school. Her reputation as a caring and supportive teacher is something she cherishes. In 2019, Colleen and her husband retired to Texas. Retirement didn’t last long, since she found herself missing the enjoyment she got from working with students. In 2021, she began working once again as support staff, tutor, and ultimately, teacher in a science classroom. This year, she is working on a new challenge. She, along with a couple of friends, began developing a home-school pod service to help families who want another option for educating their children. Along with tutoring, Colleen enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and learning something new, like painting a watercolor, playing a new strategy game, or reading a mystery novel.

Steve D.

Steve is a highly experienced and certified teacher who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally from Saskatchewan, he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Double-Honours) in Political Science and Religious Studies from the University of Saskatchewan in 2008. Steve then decided to move abroad to Korea to try his hand at teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Despite only planning to teach abroad for a year or two to travel and pay off his student loans, it was during his time in Korea that he obtained his TESOL certification, got married, became a father, and decided to pursue teaching as a long-term profession.

After nine years of teaching experience in Korea, Steve decided to move back to Canada in the summer of 2017 with his wife and daughter. He completed his Bachelor of Education Degree in Elementary Education (with a specialization in teaching English language learners) at the University of British Columbia in 2018. Shortly after, Steve was hired by the Burnaby School District where he currently works as a Grade 6/7 teacher.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys watching his favourite English Premier League soccer team, Arsenal, playing badminton, reading, playing guitar, singing, songwriting, and spending time with his family and friends. Steve also moonlights as the lead singer and guitarist of his rock band, Pen Pal Aloha! Steve’s guiding philosophy as an educator can be summed up by Aristotle’s quote: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Steve always makes it a point to infuse “heart” and “head” knowledge in the minds of his students, believing that both are equally important in the development of fully educated citizens.