Melissa D.
Melissa has more than 15 years of experience working for major media organizations as a journalist and in educational standardized testing and assessment. She has also worked with English Language Learners, gifted/twice-exceptional students, and served as a parent and academic coach. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, she enjoys mentoring students in research, writing, analysis, and visual storytelling.
She believes a successful writing partnership begins with the development of a shared visual calendar of goals that helps students break down tasks into manageable steps. She enjoys helping students develop a system of visual organization, color coding, and time management paired with technology to encourage accountability and help manage the writing process.
Technology today offers emerging tools for gathering information and feedback. Melissa believes it is essential that a student develop a unique voice along with research and executive function skills that build confidence across all means of communication, independent of technology. The positive habits that a student develops working with a writing coach pay off in high school, college, and professionally.
Outside of mentoring and serving as a writing coach, Melissa also helps students develop data analysis, presentation, and visual storytelling skills that yield impact beyond the classroom. Her goal is to foster a student’s love of communication and analysis.
Her most rewarding role has been guiding her sons through their academic journeys with diligence, transparency, and humor. She remains passionate about helping students of all backgrounds build confidence and succeed.
Corinne B.
Throughout her 25+ years of classroom teaching, Corinne B. relied upon several core principles to ensure successful student learning. First, students are participants in the learning process; they bring themselves and their experiences to it. They are not empty vessels for expert instructors to fill with information. Whether the student is 5 years of age, or 50, each holds a wealth of ideas, memories, skills and feelings – and these form the ground of all learning. Second, she values questions and answers equally; a student’s evolving intellectual confidence means demonstrating both ways of knowing. Finally, a student should be able to apply what they are studying to the everyday world; to make the abstract into something observable or measurable. Corinne’s instructional approach has been validated by the academic success of hundreds of her students, and by twice being granted the DePaul University Excellence in Teaching Award (2007 & 2024). Corinne holds a doctorate in sociology from the University of Chicago, and has designed multi-disciplinary teaching curricula and lessons for many years. Her work in single-student education is marked by an individualized approach emphasizing the interests and talents of the pupil. Learning goals and metrics for successful evaluation are shared with students and parents/guardians at the outset of the tutoring relationship, and updated as the pupil’s educational experience unfolds.
Kristen B.
EN: Kristen is a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student in Psychology at Concordia University with a strong interest in learning, cognition, and student success. Drawing on her studies in developmental psychology and research methods, she helps students understand challenging concepts by adapting her approach to different learning styles and breaking complex material into manageable steps.
In addition to her academic background, Kristen has developed strong problem-solving and communication skills through experience in the construction industry, student mentoring, and working with foreign exchange learners. These experiences have strengthened her ability to connect with students, adapt to individual needs, and create a supportive learning environment.
Tutoring across both the humanities and sciences, Kristen brings a patient, analytical, and encouraging approach to every session. She is passionate about helping students build skills, confidence, and independence while fostering curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning.
FR: Kristen is a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student in Psychology at Concordia University with a strong interest in learning, cognition, and student success. Drawing on her studies in developmental psychology and research methods, she helps students understand challenging concepts by adapting her approach to different learning styles and breaking complex material into manageable steps.
In addition to her academic background, Kristen has developed strong problem-solving and communication skills through experience in the construction industry, student mentoring, and working with foreign exchange learners. These experiences have strengthened her ability to connect with students, adapt to individual needs, and create a supportive learning environment.
Tutoring across both the humanities and sciences, Kristen brings a patient, analytical, and encouraging approach to every session. She is passionate about helping students build skills, confidence, and independence while fostering curiosity and a positive attitude toward learning.
Brook L.
Brook L. is a certified teacher with a Master’s degree in Teaching and Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Humanities. She is a certified TESOL instructor, and accredited by the American Tap Dance Society.
She has 15 years of experience teaching English Language Arts (ELA). Six of those years were spent teaching middle-school English. In addition, she has worked as a technology instructor, theater director, International Baccalaureate Primary and Diploma instructor, an academic advisor, and an ESL tutor.
Brook’s strengths include grammar and punctuation, language proficiency, SAT and ACT test prep, and helping students embrace new reading-comprehension strategies rooted in the Science of Reading.
She also created a Girl, Awake! Project: a mentorship program that advocates for girls’ education.
When Brook is not teaching, tutoring, or writing YA and dystopian fiction, you’ll find her crocheting, reading, or walking her Golden Retriever pup: Salvador Doggie
Monika S.
Monika is an experienced educator and former high school Spanish teacher with more than 15 years of experience helping students build confidence and achieve academic success. She has also served as a College Readiness Coach, guiding students as they develop the skills and strategies needed to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
Spanish was Monika’s first language, a result of growing up in a military family and experiencing a wide range of cultures from an early age. This background gives her not only strong language fluency but also meaningful cultural insight that she brings to every lesson, helping students connect more deeply with the language and its real-world context.
Monika is passionate about helping students experience those powerful “aha” moments when a concept finally clicks. She tailors each tutoring session to the individual student’s strengths and learning style, creating a supportive, engaging environment where students feel encouraged to ask questions, take risks, and grow in confidence.
Outside of education, Monika enjoys traveling, gardening, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and spending time outdoors with her husband, friends, and her dog.
Tessa H.
Tessa H. is a lifelong learner who became a teacher so she could grow personally and professionally. She loves meeting new people and sharing her interests with students while they solve problems together.
Tessa has taught everything from swim lessons for young children to college-level Geology labs to reading and math to elementary students with learning disabilities.
As an undergraduate at the University of Binghamton in New York, Tessa discovered her passion for science and the environment, which led to two bachelor’s degrees: one in Geology and one in Environmental Studies.
After graduating, her first “real job” was teaching reading and math to children with autism and other learning disabilities. Tessa enjoyed seeing her students grow so much that she stayed in that job for more than 7 years.
“Pairing with each student and learning how to integrate their interests into my lesson plans has helped me become a better teacher and made learning more fun for everyone.”
Tessa recently moved from New York to Colorado to pursue a career in science. Tutoring gives her the opportunity to continue her love of teaching and her passion for giving back to the community.
When she’s not teaching or tutoring, Tessa loves getting out into nature, going for a hike, or going on a picnic. I also love learning new skills — anything from knitting to breadmaking.
THOMAS W.
Thomas earned his Master of Education (Ed.M.) in Early Childhood and Childhood Education (Birth–Grade 6) from SUNY University at Buffalo, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA. He holds New York State Initial Certification in Early Childhood and Childhood Education. Before his career in education, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentrating in Financial Analysis and International Business. Currently, Thomas teaches 5th grade at a charter school in the Bronx, specializing in both English Language Arts and Mathematics. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience working with a diverse range of students from 1st through 8th grade. He uses student performance data to design lessons that meet each learner’s unique needs and fill specific gaps. His tutoring approach focuses on strengthening reading comprehension and writing skills while building equal mastery in mathematical problem-solving and logical reasoning. Thomas excels at breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps to create a supportive and trusting learning environment. Working closely with families, he ensures students stay on track toward academic fulfillment. By providing structured practice and clear modeling in both literacy and math, he helps students develop the independence and positive mindset they need to reach their full potential.
Raven E.
Raven is a graduate student at Southern Methodist University (2026), pursuing a Master’s in Education with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concentration. She is also a proud graduate of the University of Richmond (2023), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communication Studies with a minor in Business Administration and Dance. While completing her masters program, she received her teaching certification and committed to becoming a SAISD educator for 2 years. In this short timeframe, she was moved by her students’ stories, their passions and interests, and found purpose in helping younger minds flourish. She prioritizes tailoring instruction to meet individual student needs and incorporates practices that inspire curiosity and empower thinkers. In her spare time, Raven enjoys exercising, creating art, baking, and reading. She loves the San Antonio Spurs, and has fond memories of her youth as their #1 fan. She listens to music of all genres, but 80s alternative, dark wave, and electronic are her favorites (a sucker for synths, obviously).
Meghan P.
EN: Meghan has an MA in History and a BA (double major) in Classics and International Development from McGill University. She is in the final stages of completing her PhD in History and Classics at Yale University. Meghan has published a number of articles in academic publications and presented her research at conferences around the world. She speaks three languages fluently (English, French, and Romanian) and works in several others (Italian, German, Latin, and Ancient Greek).
Meghan is a passionate teacher who believes that every student is capable of excellence. Her approach is characterized by empathy, patience, and kindness. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Meghan is sympathetic to the pressures modern students face: difficulties in focus, wavering confidence, and the temptation of unethical AI use among others. Meghan has had particular success in motivating students who were especially shy, withdrawn, or otherwise on the margins of the classroom. Strategies for how to bring such a student back into the fold differ on an individual basis but are always couched in mutual respect and understanding. Frequently, students who may have been struggling the most at the beginning of the term—be it with meeting deadlines, quality of work, or something else—became some of Meghan’s strongest and most self-motivated students by the end of the academic year.
Areas of Expertise: Reading, Writing, and Critical Analysis (all levels); History (all levels); Latin; Ancient Greek; Biology (K-12); Homework Help (English: K-12; French: K-6).
FR: Meghan est titulaire d’une maîtrise en histoire ainsi que d’un baccalauréat à double spécialisation en études classiques et en développement international de l’Université McGill. Elle est actuellement aux dernières étapes de son doctorat en histoire et en études classiques à l’Université Yale. Meghan a publié plusieurs articles dans des revues universitaires et a présenté ses recherches lors de conférences à travers le monde. Elle parle couramment trois langues (anglais, français et roumain) et possède également des connaissances en italien, en allemand, en latin et en grec ancien.
Meghan est une enseignante passionnée qui croit que chaque élève est capable d’exceller. Son approche se caractérise par l’empathie, la patience et la bienveillance. Forte de plus de 15 ans d’expérience dans le milieu de l’enseignement supérieur, elle comprend bien les défis auxquels les étudiants d’aujourd’hui sont confrontés, notamment les difficultés de concentration, le manque de confiance en soi et la tentation d’utiliser l’intelligence artificielle de manière inappropriée.
Meghan a connu un succès particulier auprès des élèves plus timides, réservés ou en retrait dans la salle de classe. Les stratégies qu’elle met en place pour aider ces élèves à s’épanouir sont adaptées à chaque individu et reposent toujours sur le respect mutuel et la compréhension. Bien souvent, les élèves qui éprouvaient le plus de difficultés au début de l’année — qu’il s’agisse du respect des échéances, de la qualité du travail ou d’autres défis — deviennent parmi ses élèves les plus autonomes, motivés et performants à la fin de l’année scolaire.
Domaines d’expertise : lecture, rédaction et analyse critique (tous niveaux); histoire (tous niveaux); latin; grec ancien; biologie (maternelle à secondaire 5); aide aux devoirs (anglais : maternelle à secondaire 5; français : maternelle à 6e année du primaire).
Dr. Katina W.
Dr. Katina Walton views her enthusiasm for teaching as a calling and a responsibility that is driven by her commitment to student growth, equity, and excellence. Her desire to be a better teacher is fueled by the her personal experience of how effective instruction transforms lives and unlocks the potential in every learner.
She holds a Ph.D. in Literacy, Reading, Assessment, and Evaluation from Walden University, and has taught in a variety of classrooms from elementary schools to universities since 2001.
Outside of teaching, Dr. Walton finds joy in her faith, family, and community. She also enjoys encouraging others and engaging in activities that renew her spirit and strengthen her passion for education.