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.

Michael B.

Michael graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a Masters of Science in Mathematics, a Bachelors of Science in Mathematics, and a Bachelors of Science in Physics. He is currently finishing up a Masters in Philosophy.

Before joining Prep Academy Tutors, Michael had 4 years of experience as a Teaching Assistant and Tutor in both Mathematics and Philosophy. He also has served as a guest lecturer in philosophy courses. Michael’s commitment to his students is strong, and he cares deeply about teaching and helping people learn.

Shelley R.

Shelley R. is a certified English and German Teacher, grades 8-12. She grew up in Casper, Wyoming and completed an Undergraduate Degree in Secondary Education at University of Wyoming in 1994. She grew up with a deep love of travel and took the opportunity to be an exchange student in Germany in 1992-3. After returning and graduating, Shelley then wanted to use her passion for teaching and working with children. Starting in 1997, she taught English Language Arts in many states being a former military wife. She also taught German for 1 year in Kansas. As well, she completed a Postgraduate Degree in Secondary Education: Classroom Technology in 2003 at Kansas State University.
She has supported and invested in improving students’ academic skills using her passion for writing and reading. She believes that by building a solid relationship with her students, she can better meet their needs and grow their learning. As a former teacher of 18 years and a tutor, she continues to develop strategies for working with children. She finds working with children to be rewarding and fulfilling.

Nicole D.

Nicole graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with two Bachelor’s degrees, one in History and one in Elementary Education, with a minor in Bilingual Education. Nicole taught for eleven years, over the course of which she excelled at math and reading instruction. In addition to math and reading intervention, Nicole was a bilingual educator (Spanish) and a dyslexia interventionist. However, her real passion lies in Robotics and Computer Science.

Nicole has written Robotics/Computer Science curriculum for two districts. She has also taken several teams to competition with VEX and FIRST(tm) who have successfully won awards over the years.

In her spare time, Nicole enjoys visiting her daughter, who attends LSU, and spending time with her two dogs.

Courtney P.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy at the same institution, having successfully completed three out of four years of the program. Last year, I took a break from my studies to teach mathematics and science to 4th and 5th graders at Prairie Lea ISD. In addition to my teaching role, I provided after-school tutoring for students ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade in subjects tested by the STAAR exam.

I possess considerable experience in delivering small-group and individualized interventions for students in need of remedial support, as well as those who are bilingual emergent or have special educational needs. While my formal educational experience is less extensive, I have a rich and varied background in tutoring that dates back to my freshman year in high school. Over the years, I have assisted students in navigating challenging Advanced Placement courses, including Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, U.S. History, and World History.

In my leisure time, I enjoy managing the 35-acre farm where I reside, engaging in kickboxing, playing with my two dogs, and sketching. I consider myself a skilled cook and a passionate baker. Additionally, I have developed a strong knowledge base in war and military collectibles, antique firearms, sports card trading, and coin collecting, largely influenced by my fiancée’s business in these areas.

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.

Cameron W.

Cameron is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, garnering a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. At the beginning of his undergraduate education in Psychology, Cameron rose to the roles of Research Assistant and Lab Manager in the Team on Acculturation, Risk, and the Development of Identity and Self (TARDIS) Lab. These roles involved not only data collection and management of local administrative operations but also the social awareness necessary to engage with topics such as identity-based marginalization and foster interdependent relationships with team members at all levels. As Lab Manager, he worked to centralize information and redesign organizational systems that improved collective understanding within the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Department of Psychology. Cameron continued these roles throughout their bachelor’s degree, adding positions as a Tutor and Student Administrative Assistant in UTSA’s Department of Biology, Health, and the Environment. In these roles, they utilized their in-depth knowledge of biological sciences and artistic skills to help peers achieve academic success. Throughout his undergraduate education, Cameron received awards and recognition from UTSA’s School of Art, contributing to efforts and exhibitions featured in the main gallery. As an aspiring educator, Cameron establishes the foundations of his teaching framework and practices upon his values of creativity, compassion, and communication. In serving his peers and community as a teaching assistant, tutor, research lab manager, and community worker, Cameron has exemplified the power within each of these values.

Victoria W.

Cian L.

Cian is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator with a passion for helping young learners build confidence and excel in their studies. With four years of experience working with elementary students, he specializes in creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences that make complex concepts easy to understand. His ability to break down challenging topics into manageable, relatable lessons ensures that students feel supported and motivated every step of the way.

With a patient, encouraging, and student-centered approach, Cian tailors his teaching to accommodate a wide range of learning styles and abilities. Whether working with struggling learners who need extra reinforcement or advanced students seeking new challenges, he adapts lessons to meet each child’s unique needs. His focus on strengthening reading, writing, and math skills is complemented by an emphasis on building positive study habits and critical thinking skills, equipping students with the tools they need for long-term success.

Beyond academics, Cian believes that fostering a growth mindset and a love for learning is just as important as mastering core subjects. By creating a warm, supportive environment where students feel safe to take risks and ask questions, he helps them develop resilience, curiosity, and confidence in their abilities. His goal is not just to help students succeed in school, but to inspire a lifelong passion for learning that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.

Maria Z.

With over 29 years of dedicated experience as a classroom teacher, Maria has cultivated a strong foundation in teaching and leadership in private schools in San Antonio, Texas. As a versatile educator for grades 3-8, Maria led various extracurricular activities, including chess and math clubs, while serving as a mentor for new staff and a coordinator for multiple programs. Being a tutor allows Maria to teach with differentiated learning techniques which is invaluable for addressing the diverse needs of students at varying levels of ability and learning styles. By tailoring instruction to meet individual strengths and challenges, she creates a more inclusive and engaging learning environment which not only accommodates different learning preferences but also fosters a sense of ownership over the student’s education. Being nominated for Teacher of the Year twice in her career, exemplifies the respect Maria has from her peers not only as an educator, but also as a person of character.
Holding a B.A. in International Relations from St. Mary’s University and a K-8 Texas Teacher Certificate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Maria is passionate about leveraging her initiative and strong work ethic to make a meaningful impact in education. Coming from a military family with roots in New York, her wanderlust to travel America comes naturally. She brings concepts from her travels into her teaching to give her students a wider depth of knowledge and connections to material.