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.

NADER A.

Nader is an experienced educator with a strong academic background in mathematics, education, and applied linguistics. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics overseas, followed by a Bachelor of Education from York University. He also completed a Master’s degree in Mathematics for Teachers and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics.

Since 2010, Nader has taught Mathematics and Science at the high school level throughout York Region. In addition to his classroom experience, he has taught SAT and SSAT preparation as well as English, giving him a broad range of experience supporting students with different academic needs and learning styles.
Nader has received training in a variety of effective teaching strategies, including Direct Instruction, Differentiated Instruction, and Design Down. He uses these approaches to adapt his teaching to individual students, build their confidence and strengthen their understanding.

With his extensive teaching experience, strong subject knowledge, and ability to connect with students, Nader is dedicated to helping students reach their academic potential.

Jose P.

Jose. “Alex” P. is a linguistics student, tutor, and educator with a passion for language, the humanities, and helping students become more confident and engaged learners. Alex is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics in Global and Local Communities at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), with particular interest in the educational applications of linguistics and bilingual and ESL instruction.

Alex has gained experience working with students in several different educational settings, including private tutoring, in-class academic support, and K–12 substitute teaching. As a freelance tutor, Alex works directly with students and families to improve grades, strengthen content retention, assist with homework, and provide additional learning resources students can use outside of tutoring sessions.

Alex also worked as an in-class tutor with Woodlawn Academy in San Antonio ISD, supporting students both individually and in small groups while collaborating with classroom teachers and providing instruction aligned with Texas educational standards. Previous experience as a K–12 substitute teacher provided additional exposure to students across a wide range of ages, subjects, abilities, and classroom environments.

Language and communication are particular strengths for Alex. Their study of linguistics provides a valuable foundation for understanding how language works and how students acquire reading, writing, and second-language skills. Alex communicates comfortably with both Spanish- and French-speaking individuals and provides tutoring in conversational Spanish, middle and high school Spanish, and middle and high school French, as well as English and ESL.

Alex particularly enjoys the humanities and works with students in English, English Language Arts, reading, writing, social studies, U.S. History, World History, and AP World History. Their interest in language, culture, and history allows Alex to help students make connections between subjects rather than treating each course as an isolated collection of facts.

Alex also offers broad academic support for elementary students across core subjects and works with middle and high school students in Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Biology, and Environmental Science. This versatility can make Alex an especially good fit for families looking for one tutor who can help a student manage assignments and strengthen skills across several subjects.

In addition to subject-specific instruction, Alex supports students with ADHD-related academic skills, handwriting, study and organizational strategies, and STAAR preparation. Their approach emphasizes building a comfortable tutoring relationship where students feel free to ask questions, work through mistakes, and develop greater ownership of their learning.

Alex believes that effective tutoring should do more than help a student finish tonight’s homework. By using creative activities, targeted practice, and individualized explanations, they strive to improve both immediate academic performance and long-term understanding. Their goal is to help students recognize that challenging material becomes much more manageable when it is presented in a way that connects with how they learn.

Outside of academics, Alex has a strong interest in theater and currently participates in UTSA Student Theater, following earlier involvement with the International Thespian Society. This background complements their interests in language and communication and brings creativity and an engaging personality to their work with students.

Above all, Alex strives to champion a genuine love of learning while giving students the individualized academic support they need to become more confident, capable, and independent learners.

Josh B.

Josh Bicknell is a licensed educator for English Language Arts, which he earned shortly after completing a BA in English at the University of Missouri with a minor in creative writing. He has taught and tutored at the secondary level (7-12) throughout the Houston, Texas area where he grew up. He has also worked as a professional writing tutor for college composition and rhetoric, in addition to TOEFL prep, ISEE prep, SAT/ACT, and both GED and some GRE completion.

In 2024, Bicknell decided to continue his education with a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction, while also studying a topic he had always felt passionately about: Holocaust and Genocide studies. He graduated in 2025.

His current work includes developing curriculum for his project (Ten Stages of Change) which focuses primarily on textual and source analysis, media literacy skills, and social emotional learning. His work has been published by Consider the Source New York Archives, Learner Education’s EdTech blog series, and three pieces of poetry selected for the Glendale Literary Archives.

He currently livens in downtown Glendale, California with a Boston terrier/pug named Dexter.

Jennifer P.

Jennifer has over 20 years teaching experience in sunny San Diego, California. Her current area of expertise is in the science of reading for primary grades. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from San Diego State University. She possesses a CLAD credential which prepares her to work effectively with English Language Learners. She is also a language learner and is bilingual in Spanish.

Jennifer is passionate about making learning to read fun! She uses visuals, games, and tricks to engage her students. She also selects intriguing stories that match the student’s needs. She understands that every student is unique and learns at their own pace. She recognizes that it’s important to tailor instruction and materials to meet each student’s learning style. She also knows that working in collaboration with parents is essential to helping students achieve their goals and develop habits that will serve them as lifelong learners.

Téa C.

Téa brings a distinctive interdisciplinary academic background to her teaching, with three degrees and a post-baccalaureate certification across multiple fields, including the sciences, Spanish linguistics, and classical music! She is currently pursuing a PhD with a focus on neuroscientific research. Her academic path reflects her belief that different fields of knowledge are deeply interconnected, and that understanding those connections can lead to a richer and more intuitive approach to learning and to life overall.

She has had the opportunity to teach and support learners across a wide range of ages, from young children and adolescents to teens, adults, and senior adults. Her experience as a behavioral therapist and interventionist with younger learners taught her the importance of meeting each student as an individual—understanding how they communicate, what interests them, and what helps them engage with new ideas. She has also helped adults develop practical skills, from basic computer competency in an increasingly digital world to teaching them how to shred on guitar!

In her spare time, she can usually be found curating the perfect song playlist, cooking something spicy, or enjoying the great outdoors.

Lynette S.

Lynette earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education from Longwood University and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (ESL/Multilingual/Multicultural Ed) from George Mason University. Her love for language pedagogy and teaching did not stop there, as she is credentialed to teach AP Spanish, Spanish immersion, and college-level (dual enrollment) courses, as well. Lynette is a teacher with Virginia Public Schools and is an adjunct professor with Virginia Community Colleges. Lynette has over 20 years of language-teaching experience to include, teaching students from PK to college in various settings in Virginia and experiences teaching and living abroad in Latin America. Lynette enjoys watching students grow and become confident in their Spanish-language skills and seeing students learn about another culture, which often leads to finding out how much we all have in common. When she is not teaching, Lynette is spending time with her family, traveling, and gardening.

Alissa C.

Alissa has her master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Saint Francis University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in General Education PreK–5 and Special Education PreK–12, along with a minor in Psychology and an Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement.

Alissa brings 4.5 years of experience as an Educational Specialist, working primarily with 2nd- and 3rd-grade students. Her academic focus has included math, writing, and structured reading instruction. She also has experience supporting students with a variety of learning differences, including dyslexia, and is experienced in working with students with disabilities and IEPs.

When Alissa is not working, she enjoys being outdoors, gardening, and spending time with her two children. She looks forward to building strong relationships with her students and their families and is committed to helping each student grow in confidence and achieve academic success.

Rafael T.

Rafael has been teaching for more than 6 years. He has taught students across a range of ages and learning levels. With experience teaching, he helps learners develop confidence in communication, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural understanding. He has taught foreign students to learng English as a second language and has helped American students learn Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian. He has additional experience in the sciences notably in chemistry and biology. This additional strength helps allows him to explain complex scientific concepts clearly and in an engaging way. Combining patience, adaptability, and a student-centered approach. Rafael strives to make learning accessible, practical, and enjoyable.

Some of Rafael’s personal interests are reading, traveling, learning new languages and about cultures.

CHRISTIANA K.

Christy has enjoyed teaching children, youth, & adults in a variety of contexts. Prior to entering Teacher’s College she gained experience teaching horsemanship & voltige at Circle Square Ranch and Bible lessons at her church. She gained experience in Early Childhood Education and cared for children at several After School Care programs while obtaining her Humanities undergraduate degree. Following graduation she worked with ESL students at St Mary’s University. This led to her pursuing work as an ESL teacher in Korea. After an incredible 3 years of learning about the Korean language & culture she returned to Canada to obtain her Teacher’s Certificate. Her first teaching assignment was to teach ESL and FSL. Subsequently in between raising three children, Christy has enjoyed teaching French at various private schools using the AIM methodology. Her favourite part of teaching is providing students with strategies to help them enjoy learning subjects that were previously laborious for them. She loves learning about her unique students and providing activities and exercises that are tailored to them. When she is not teaching, Christy enjoys being active outside: skiing, swimming, gardening, adventuring with her children and training her family’s puppy.