Anna S.
Anna S. earned a BA from CUNY Brooklyn College and an MFA from Columbia University. She is a dedicated, adaptable educator who has been successfully providing academic support to students of various grade levels since 2013. While finishing her novel manuscript at Columbia, Anna served as the first Lead Teaching Fellow for her department and completed the Advanced Track of the Teaching Development Program; these experiences solidified her belief that collaboration is essential to effective pedagogy and that guidance is always best offered through a spirit of mutual exploration. She believes that a balance of structure and flexibility is essential to helping students excel. As a writer, she has a special passion for teaching all things related to the English language. She also loves to create tailor-made strategies for test prep— especially the math sections. When she is not teaching or writing, she enjoys playing the flute and making mosaics.
Samantha T.
A true New Yorker, Samantha started her educational journey at the Nightingale Bamford School in NYC before pursuing a degree in Communications at Syracuse University, where she graduated cum laude. Following graduation, Samantha spent over a decade working in Public Relations, where she honed her communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
Now, she has set her sights on a new path, and is attending Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education, where she is working towards her goal of becoming a School Counselor. Fueled by a strong passion for working with children and helping them unlock their full potential, Samantha takes great pride in her ability to simplify complex concepts into easily digestible formats for kids of all ages. As a tutor, her expertise lies in reading comprehension, writing, and executive function skill building. In her spare time, she enjoys going to museums, taking long walks in Central Park, and exploring all that NYC has to offer.
Arthur H.
Meet Arthur Huber, a dedicated educator whose passion for teaching is matched only by his commitment to lifelong learning. With a rich 15-year history in the educational field, Arthur has cultivated young minds from K-12 before branching out to specialize in teaching English to non-native speakers. His journey has been a global one, marked by stints at universities in the United States, South Korea, and Japan. In these diverse settings, Arthur has not only shared his knowledge but has also absorbed the rich tapestry of cultures and pedagogical techniques unique to each locale.
Currently, Arthur is embracing the dual roles of teacher and student, pursuing an MBA at the prestigious University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. This pursuit is a testament to his belief in the power of education for personal and professional growth. Arthur’s teaching style is a blend of encouragement and creativity, aimed at striking the right chord with each learner. He passionately believes that everyone he teaches possesses inherent strengths and boundless potential, irrespective of their background.
Outside the classroom, Arthur’s life is as colorful and varied as his teaching methods. Whether he’s honing his (ever-improving) golf swing, wandering through the serene corridors of museums, globe-trotting in pursuit of new experiences, or crafting the ultimate breakfast sandwich, Arthur approaches each activity with enthusiasm and a keen eye for detail. His unique hobbies include purposeful striding (great for brainstorming), curating a collection of the world’s most interesting (and occasionally bizarre) cheeses, and enjoying coffees that narrate their own flavorful stories.
Arthur’s vast experiences in teaching English, Writing, Language Arts, and ESL make him more than just an educator; he’s a mentor, a guide, and an engaging storyteller who believes that every student is capable of creating their own extraordinary success story.
Educational Background:
MBA (In progress, Graduation 2024), University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
M.A. in English, specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
B.A. in English with a Minor in Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Sylvia D.
Sylvia D. is a dedicated individual with a passion for tutoring students of all ages and abilities, aiming to help them reach their maximum psychosocial and academic potential. While serving as a full-time certified teacher in Chicago, Illinois, Sylvia taught all levels of mathematics. Leveraging her clinical background in Psychology, she implemented strategies to enhance self-esteem and foster confidence among her students.
As a trained behavioral specialist, Sylvia has valuable experience working with students with special needs. Beyond her commitment to education, she is also an avid animal lover, using her knowledge to care for them. Sylvia looks forward to the opportunity to serve and make a positive impact on the academic and emotional growth of those she works with.
Kerline L.
Kerline L. is a dedicated and certified Pre-K through 3rd-grade teacher with a genuine passion for education. Kerline graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Administration at Barry University in Miami, Florida. Her journey in education began long before her formal teaching career. For two decades, Kerline served as a Sunday school teacher in her church, nurturing the hearts and minds of children. It was during this time that she discovered her love for teaching and the profound impact it could have on young lives. Driven by her desire to make a positive difference in the lives of children, Kerline transitioned to a formal teaching role.
Kerline’s educational experience includes three years as a classroom teacher and one year as an ESL teacher teaching English as a Second Language online to students in China. Kerline firmly believes in the uniqueness of every child, understanding that each one learns in their own way. Her teaching philosophy revolves around creating an inclusive and supportive environment where every student can thrive. Whether in person or online Kerline makes learning very engaging so students will enjoy the experience. Kerline believes students are able to grasp the concepts better when learning is fun and engaging. With her love for books, Kerline is on a mission to ignite the same passion for reading in her students, believing that literacy is not just a skill but a gateway to endless possibilities.
Family holds a special place in Kerline’s heart, and she cherishes the moments spent with her three beautiful children. As a mother and an educator, she understands the significance of fostering a strong support system for children both at home and in the classroom.
Gissela V.
Born in Ecuador and raised in Chicago, Gissela began her education career at the age of eighteen tutoring middle school math and reading. Deciding to pursue education further, she traveled to her home country where she worked as an ESL Teacher for three years. It was during this trip that she fell in love with teaching and returned to Chicago to graduate with a Bachelor’s in English Literature and Secondary/Middle Ed. with an ELL endorsement. Eight years of classroom experience has taught Gissela that relationship building, goal setting and collaborative learning are essential for a students’ growth. Gissela considers herself a lifelong learner, which is why she is not only continuing a postgraduate degree but she loves to attend local classes to learn new skills such as sewing or health and body mobility. Being an avid reader and a lover of hot cocoa and winter weather – she enjoys reading poetry, manga and biographies of people who inspire her. She loves to host Book Clubs with her friends and travel with her husband – anywhere as long as it has mountains and a body of water!
Terry K.
Terry is a recently retired elementary school teacher who taught third grade for 13 years and second grade for the past 9 years with Naperville School District 203. After receiving his master’s degree in teaching from National-Louis University in 2001, he received a certificate of advanced studies in reading and literacy from NLU in 2016. Prior to his teaching career, Terry used his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University to work in the retail training and marketing fields for movie theaters and video and music establishments. Terry grew up in nearby La Grange, Illinois, and has lived in Downers Grove with his wife for the last 27 years. Their daughter, Emma, is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University where she followed in her father’s footsteps and is now teaching second grade in suburban Detroit. Terry is currently substituting one day per week at the school where he taught for 22 years. He is passionate about working with students individually or in small groups in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing, as well as with social-emotional and executive functioning skills. Terry’s hobbies include gardening, cooking, writing poetry and songs, and he is currently teaching himself to play the piano. He also enjoys researching his family’s heritage and exploring antique stores and small towns with his wife.
COLLEEN S.
Colleen Slattery has a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in History and also has a Master’s degree in Literacy Education. She has been teaching social studies and tutoring students across all grade levels and subject areas for the past ten years. She currently teaches at a public school in Westchester, NY. Colleen’s passion for Literacy fuses with her passion of incorporating reading and writing strategies that help students comprehend various levels of texts, apply new vocabulary words in discussions, and enhance their educational experience. In addition, she is also the facilitator in a ‘Steps to Success’ Program for middle school students. This program helps students transition into middle school with the primary focus on homework help, reviewing for upcoming tests and projects, learning the best study strategies, and executive functioning. Colleen is a lifelong learner who is caring, patient and who strives to build trusting and productive relationships with her students and to motivate them to accomplish their goals.
Claudia G
Dr. Claudia Gates specializes in facilitating student mastery of executive functions such as time management, self-monitoring, and study skills. She has experience teaching literacy skills to elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate students. Dr. Gates became inspired to teach after volunteering to help struggling readers comprehend written texts. This process helped her understand and master the ability to help students engage successfully in literacy and executive functioning skills, use effective methods to establish academic goals, and maintain personal/professional motivation. She is passionate about helping scholars and families achieve academic excellence. Dr. Gates likes to read, sew and listen to music in her spare time.
Dr. Ingrid U.
Ingrid Ulbrich is a passionate and tenacious educator who believes in the unlimited potential of all students to enjoy and succeed in STEM. In addition to helping students learn math and science, she helps them take ownership of their learning and strengthen their learning skills. Ingrid’s enthusiasm for STEM and learning shines through in all of her interactions with students.
Ingrid is a graduate of Niwot High School, MIT (B.S., Environmental Engineering) and the University of Colorado – Boulder (Ph.D., Atmospheric and Analytical Chemistry). She has 20 years of experience tutoring in STEM subjects, including 10+ years of teaching college chemistry.
When she’s not working with students, Ingrid probably has a spatula, musical score, book, or knitting needles in her hands. And maybe a cat in her lap, too!