Patricia T.

Patricia Tibesar graduated from Colby College with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science and Environmental Science and a minor in English Literature. She grew up in Caldwell, Idaho, and moved to Maine to complete her degree, though she has also lived in Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica. At Colby College, Patricia worked closely with the Center for Teaching and Learning. As a learning assistant, Patricia worked with students to engage them with their learning and encourage asking questions, and she worked with professors and staff to rework course designs to improve student learning. She enjoys tutoring and helping students understand their learning because of the reward of a student feeling their own confidence grow. In her free time, Patricia loves reading, watching movies and reviewing them on Letterboxd, and traveling, both domestically and internationally.

MARIA H.

Maria is a passionate and driven person who recently graduated from McGill University with a degree in Psychology. She completed her degree in only three years while maintaining a competitive GPA, which speaks to her strong work ethic and deep commitment to learning. Her academic journey reflects the same energy and dedication she brings to every tutoring session. Currently applying to medical school, Maria has a deep love for the sciences and is excited to share her knowledge in biology, chemistry, psychology, and earth sciences.
Maria’s teaching experience began with the Youth Empowering Youth non-profit organization, where she taught young adults and discovered just how rewarding it is to see students light up when they understand a new concept. That spark is what motivates her every day.
Maria’s love for languages shines through in her ability to connect with students in both Spanish and French. With a Brazilian background and a minor in Hispanic Studies, she feels confident teaching Spanish at various levels.

After living in Montreal for the past three years, Maria immersed herself in a French-speaking environment. She earned a French language certificate from Laval University’s Explore Program and worked in customer service in French, making her equally confident in supporting students in French.

Maria creates a warm, encouraging space where students feel confident, supported, and excited to learn. She believes that with the right guidance and a little kindness, every student can thrive.

She can’t wait to cheer your child on as they grow and succeed both in school and beyond.

Maddie B.

Maddie currently works as an administrative assistant in road construction but discovered a passion for helping people as a substitute teacher at Stevenson High School. She grew up in Illinois, but moved to Vancouver, BC, to complete a Bachelor of Arts in history with a minor in Spanish. Along the way, she discovered that she enjoyed her minor much more than history and completed additional classes in Spanish/English translation with UC San Diego Extension. Nowadays, Maddie is preparing for grad school to switch to a career in Occupational Therapy, but she still enjoys using and learning Spanish as well as teaching it to others. Beyond academic and career pursuits, her favorite activities include reading, art, and skiing. She hopes to start enjoying rock climbing once she’s gone a few more times.

Ky G.

Ky Gay, an accomplished educator with a Master’s in Psychology and an Education Specialist degree, brings a deep and multifaceted understanding of cognitive development, learning sciences, and instructional strategies tailored to diverse student needs. Her professional journey is distinguished by a consistent record of excellence in teaching, where she has not only elevated academic achievement but also cultivated intellectual curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning in her students.
Guided by two foundational philosophies, Ky believes that education must be an integral part of the present to prepare students for the world of tomorrow and that within every child lies a unique spark of potential, waiting to be ignited. These principles, combined with her unwavering enthusiasm, expertise, and commitment to student success, make her an exceptional choice for any learner in need of academic support.

Why Choose Dr. Ky Gay as Your Tutor?
• Dynamic and Engaging Instruction: With a high-energy, student-centered approach, she transforms learning into an interactive and enjoyable experience.
• Innovative Teaching Methods: By integrating hands-on, real-world applications, she ensures students develop both creative and critical thinking skills.
• Personalized Learning Strategies: She expertly tailors instruction to each student’s unique learning style, fostering confidence and academic growth.

With a dedication to making learning accessible, meaningful, and exciting, Kenyana Gay is confident in her ability to make a lasting impact on students and contribute meaningfully to any educational mission. After all, education isn’t just about memorizing facts—it’s about unlocking doors, inspiring possibilities, and sometimes, proving that algebra really does have a place outside the classroom.

Expert Educator & Learning Specialist:
*Orton-Gillingham Literacy Specialist
*Executive Functioning & ADHD Homework Coach
*Specialist in Learning Differences & Remedial Instruction
*Expertise in ADHD, Specific Learning Disabilities, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Targeted Academic Interventions

Sara B.

My name is Sara. I am a lover of learning, an English teacher, and a mother of 4 little ones. As a classically trained educator, I have taught for the last 10 years in public and private schools. I have taught in every educational environment, and to students from grades pre-k through freshman in college. I am certified in Reading K-12, and in English 6-12. I have taught every level of English; grammar level math; and foundational Spanish and French.

In addition to speaking and reading Spanish academically, I have taught introductory Spanish and French to young children. I consider myself a lover of languages, and am always looking to personally further my linguistic knowledge. I also consider myself a bit of an anthropologist; I love studying various cultures! Combining my love for teaching with my understanding of languages and cultures allows me to reach my students at a deep learning level and make meaningful connections, both personally and intellectually.

SARA E. M.

Sara is an engaging educator who believes that language opens doors—not only to academic success, but to confidence, curiosity, and connection. With over nine years of experience teaching French Immersion, Spanish Bilingual and FSL in both Canada and Europe, Sara brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for helping students find their voice.

Fluent in French, Spanish, English, and Arabic, Sara holds three master’s degrees, including Educational Psychology and Intercultural Communication. She currently teaches within the French Immersion Program and is known for creating inclusive, student-centered environments where learners feel safe to take risks and grow.

Sara understands that every child learns differently, and she takes the time to truly connect—building trust, adapting to individual needs, and celebrating progress along the way. Her calm, encouraging presence helps even the most hesitant students gain confidence and joy in language learning.

Outside the classroom, Sara has coordinated youth programs for newcomers and volunteered at children’s camps, reinforcing her commitment to community and whole-child development. Parents appreciate her professionalism, dedication, and the lasting impact she has on their child’s growth—not just as a learner, but as a person.

Rene G.

Rene G. is an educator dedicated to optimizing student learning through personalized and effective teaching strategies. Hailing from Ecuador, he has 17 years of experience teaching Mathematics, Design, and Technology at an International Baccalaureate School. Rene holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral and is passionate about fostering student success. He relocated to San Antonio to pursue a Master’s Degree in Applied Mathematics for Industry. During his graduate studies, Rene served as a university instructor, teaching Quantitative Reasoning to freshman. Additionally, he applied his skills at Knowledge and Training through an internship focused on assessing and refining instructional methods, demonstrating a commitment to differentiated instruction and diverse learning styles. Rene’s experience includes implementing individualized learning plans, exploring innovative pedagogical approaches such as peer learning and flipped classrooms, and utilizing student feedback to enhance teaching practices. Rene believes that building strong student relationships is crucial for meeting their individual needs and promoting their academic growth. As a mentor, he continuously develops strategies to support student development, finding these interactions both enjoyable and highly rewarding.

NATAN S.

Hi, I’m Natan! I have a degree in Neuroscience and years of experience working with children in both educational and recreational settings. I bring a positive attitude and a lot of patience to my work, always aiming to make learning engaging and tailored to each student. I firmly believe that smarts only get you so far, everyone eventually reaches a point where intuition alone isn’t enough. That’s where effort, strategy, and personalization make all the difference. I’m here to help students build confidence, develop effective study habits, and push past those limits.

Adriana M-R.

Adriana is a trained bioengineering scientist with a passion for STEM education. She has over six years of tutoring experience, working with students from Pre-K through high school in subjects including biology, chemistry, algebra, and pre-calculus. As a native Spanish speaker, she also has experience tutoring and supporting students with Spanish speaking and writing assignments. Adriana brings a positive attitude, patience, and a personal approach to each tutoring session, always striving to connect with her students to maximize learning and engagement.

Tamara O.

Mrs. Tamara is a seasoned K–12 teacher based in North County San Diego, with a focus on Language Arts, Reading and Writing, as well as Spanish and German. She has experience teaching AP English and History, and her students have successfully earned college credits through her instruction. Before shifting to one-on-one and small group tutoring, she taught 5th grade and Kindergarten at a private school in San Diego.

Tamara is also a homeschool teacher and has led small group classes with a creative and student-centered approach. She designs engaging lessons that incorporate her students’ interests, helping them build both skills and confidence. In addition to academic support, she has successfully worked with students on executive functioning, motivation, Dyslexia, and ADD/ADHD.