CLAIRE Z.
Claire Z. holds a Master’s degree in Education from Touro University. She has experience working across multiple grades, having served as a fourth-grade Special Education teacher and a first-grade teacher in the city. Currently, she is a fifth-grade Special Education teacher in Westchester, where she continues to support diverse learners. Additionally, Claire has contributed her expertise outside the classroom as a Writing Intensive Tutor at Wagner College’s Writing Center. Her background combines a strong academic foundation with practical teaching experience, enabling her to effectively support students across various grades and learning needs. Claire is dedicated to fostering academic growth and confidence in her students through personalized instruction and a compassionate approach.
Phillip M.
Phillip “Flip” M. was born in Chicago and raised in Texas, earning his Bachelor of Science from Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls) and Masters of Arts in Teaching with Emphasis on Special Education from National Louis University. This is his tenth year of teaching, currently as an 8th grade Special Education ELA teacher. Phillip is passionate about special education and believes that students with intellectual or behavioral disabilities bring unique strengths that are often overlooked. In addition to ELA, he enjoys working with students on executive function and social skills, designing lessons that build academic ability alongside self-management and interpersonal strengths. Phillip is committed to continuing his education to better support students and pursue leadership roles in order to make a broader positive impact in school systems and student’s academic lives. Outside of his teaching career, he enjoys cooking, camping, flag football, beach and indoor volleyball.
Kelly B-R.
I am a 26-year veteran K–12 Reading and Language Arts teacher with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a specialization in Language and Literacy from the University of Miami.
Over the course of my career, I have worked as both a classroom teacher and a private reading coach, supporting neurotypical and neurodivergent learners who need targeted support to become confident, fluent readers and writers.
As an accomplished Youth Literacy & Learning Specialist, I provide one-on-one and small-group coaching to strengthen foundational reading skills—including phonemic and phonological awareness, decoding automaticity, vocabulary development, and text comprehension. My approach is structured, supportive, and rooted in evidence-based practices.
My goal extends beyond improving reading proficiency: I aim to help students enhance their executive functioning, organizational, and social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. These tools support focus, reduce anxiety, and build the academic confidence and competence students need to thrive.
Dr. Kevin G.
Dr. Kevin G. has over ten years of experience in the Philadelphia area teaching and supporting students with study skills and executive functioning. He is currently the Director of Learning Services at Saint Joseph’s Prep which oversees the school’s academic support programs. He has a PhD in Educational Psychology, teaches a doctoral level course on the psychology of teaching, and writes and presents on how to help teens and young adults develop their executive functioning capacity.
Kady P.
Kady is a certified Junior/Intermediate Math and Science teacher, Intermediate/Senior History and Geography teacher, and a Special Education Specialist. With a rich and diverse teaching background, she is deeply committed to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments where every student feels seen, capable, and empowered.
Currently serving as the Head of Special Education at a highschool, Kady leads with compassion and expertise. She works closely with students, families, and educators to ensure meaningful accommodations, targeted interventions, and individualized learning pathways. Her work places a strong emphasis on ADHD coaching, executive functioning and learning-skills development, and both math and literacy remediation.
Kady is especially passionate about helping students build confidence in their abilities. She believes that with the right tools, encouragement, and strategic support, all learners can reach—and exceed—their potential. Her approach blends patience, high expectations, and a deep understanding of diverse learning needs, making her a powerful advocate and mentor for the students she supports.
Michelle S.
Michelle is a respected educational leader who brings authenticity, warmth, and over 33 years of experience to her work. With an MA in Urban Education and Supervision from NJCU and training as a Board Certified Coach, she blends deep expertise with a genuine commitment to helping students and families thrive.
As a longtime Support Services Supervisor, Michelle is known for creating meaningful “lightbulb moments” for students, teachers, and parents. A proud Jersey City native, she began her career supporting young learners in hospital-based programs, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to education.
After the tragic loss of her 13-year-old son, Michelle channeled her grief into founding a successful nonprofit focused on youth Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) awareness. Her efforts—training community members in CPR/AED, donating life-saving equipment, and organizing 5Ks and screenings—reflect her resilience and compassion.
Today, Michelle offers specialized, one-on-one services as a P–3 Learning Coach, helping children build strong academic, social-emotional, and executive functioning skills. She also supports students ages 10–16 in developing effective goal-setting and executive functioning strategies. Whether guiding growth in language arts, early reading, math, or mindset, she brings encouragement and clarity to every session.
Michelle Spencer is a dedicated advocate for families, providing the experience, heart, and guidance children need to become confident, capable learners.
Olivier B-L
EN: Olivier holds a PhD in Classics from Columbia University and has over four years of teaching experience at the college level, along with extensive experience tutoring and mentoring students from elementary school through graduate studies.
Passionate about education, Olivier specializes in French, English, and the humanities. He believes that academic success comes less from innate talent than from developing the right mindset and effective study habits, and he is committed to helping students build the skills and confidence needed to reach their goals.
Outside of teaching, Olivier enjoys travelling, fencing, and creative writing. His strong communication skills and academic background allow him to make complex concepts accessible and engaging for learners of all ages.
FR: Olivier est titulaire d’un doctorat en études classiques de l’Columbia University et possède plus de quatre années d’expérience en enseignement au niveau collégial, en plus d’une vaste expérience en tutorat et en mentorat auprès d’élèves du primaire jusqu’aux études supérieures.
Passionné par l’éducation, Olivier se spécialise en français, en anglais et dans les sciences humaines. Il est convaincu que la réussite scolaire repose moins sur le talent inné que sur le développement d’un bon état d’esprit et de méthodes de travail efficaces. Il s’engage à aider ses élèves à acquérir les compétences et la confiance nécessaires pour atteindre leurs objectifs.
En dehors de l’enseignement, Olivier aime voyager, pratiquer l’escrime et écrire. Grâce à ses solides compétences en communication et à son parcours universitaire, il sait rendre les concepts complexes accessibles et stimulants pour des apprenants de tous âges.
Kathleen B.
Kathleen B. is an experienced instructional support tutor and executive functioning coach with more than 35 years of experience working with children in both school settings and private practice. Kathi has served as a teacher, school counselor and school psychologist in the Philadelphia School District. She holds a Ph.D in Psychoeducational Processes and a M.Ed. In Counseling Psychology from Temple University, as well as a B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University.
Her educational philosophy focuses on nurturing the whole child by integrating intellectual, emotional and social development. Kathi’s psychology background enables her to identify possible cognitive or social-emotional factors that may contribute to a student’s learning challenges and allows her to tailor instruction to each learner’s unique needs. Dr. Bucci is committed to motivating reluctant learners while maintaining high expectations and fostering confidence and growth.
Kathi offers homework support in reading and writing for elementary through high school students. As an executive functioning coach, Kathi helps students develop study skills, time management strategies, emotional regulation, and metacognitive awareness. Kathi also provides reading tutoring for ISEE and SSAT test prep, providing targeted instruction that strengthens core academic skills while fostering higher-order thinking and reasoning for optima learning outcomes. She has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent learners and is a proud mother of three successful neurodivergent adult children. Her personal journey advocating for her own children has profoundly deepened her understanding of adaptable teaching methods and her appreciation for diverse learning styles.
Dr. Hazel R.
“Dr. Hazel”, a talented & vivacious educator, is excited about Teaching & Training you to be at “Your Best”. She teaches all subjects by infusing the Arts and Music, keeping you engaged while retaining the content. Her certifications include: Science, Physical Education, Adapted PE & Spanish for K-12 grades and adults.
Her professional teaching experience started in 2008. Her professional career as an actor, which includes print campaigns, Musicals, Television, and commercials, started at the age of 12. She has taught and worked in Chicago, California, and now Louisiana. Dr. Hazel holds an AA in Mortuary Science, a BAS in Criminal Justice, an MEd in Educational Leadership, and an EdS in Educational Administration.
Alexander M.
The first of his family to attend college, Alex M. graduated summa cum laude with his Bachelors in English from Rowan University in 2020 and his Masters in Teaching (Grades 7-12 English) in 2025. He was humbled to have been asked to serve as research assistant to the department’s senior English professor Dr. Cindy Vitto in his final semester of undergrad.
Alex is passionate about educating others, serving as a tutor/success coach at the nonprofit Hopeworks Camden; he constructed and managed various academic games in the dorm referred to as “The CRIB” and tutored young adults struggling with writing papers. Further, he tutored students at Villanova University’s Writing Center with regards to college essays, and student taught at both the Philadelphia Performing Arts School and Mastery Charter Lenfest.
Outside of academia, Alex is a huge fan of science fiction literature/films and video games. You may catch him exploring his beautiful neighborhood of West Philly’s coffee shops or going “psst-pssst-pssst” to a random stray cat before realizing that you’re watching him.