Adriana S.
Adriana S. is a dedicated educator with a strong foundation in special education and a passion for helping students succeed across various grade levels. Holding a Master of Education in Special Education with a Reading Endorsement from the University of West Georgia, along with an Education Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from Piedmont College, Adriana brings a wealth of knowledge in applying effective learning strategies tailored to each student’s unique needs. With experience in both general and special education settings, Adriana excels at working with diverse learners, adapting teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles, and ensuring students build confidence and academic skills. Adriana is committed to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential.
Outside the classroom, Adriana enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and dancing.
Cynthia G. M.
Cynthia holds bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Honors Mathematics, and Geology from the University of South Florida, graduating cum laude. She completed a Master’s in Astronomy at the University of Florida and pursued advanced doctoral research (ABD) in Astronomy, specializing in low-mass star formation. Her career as an educator began early when she was appointed the youngest teaching assistant in her department while still an undergraduate, later securing a full-time faculty position at the University of the Virgin Islands before completing her PhD.
With over 20 years of teaching experience at institutions like the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, Miami Country Day School, and the Community School of Naples, Cynthia has taught a diverse range of students, including those with learning differences, in subjects such as physics, math, astronomy, and Spanish. She is committed to making complex material approachable and employs a structured approach to problem-solving. Cynthia guides students through a 5-step process that helps them tackle any problem with confidence, from understanding the concept to evaluating the solution. This method not only enhances problem-solving skills but also empowers students to become independent, lifelong learners.
By working individually with students, Cynthia is able to quickly identify gaps in their understanding and tailor her lessons to address those specific areas. Her teaching methodology encourages critical thinking, fosters active participation, and builds both academic skills and self-confidence.
Beyond the classroom, Cynthia has been a passionate advocate for outreach, working with students of all ages (from elementary school through adult learners) especially in minority and underrepresented communities. She has also worked closely with students who have special needs, guiding them to success in challenging coursework. As a mother of two middle schoolers, Cynthia understands the personal challenges students face, which strengthens her approach to tutoring.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Cynthia also offers Spanish tutoring and enjoys incorporating cultural perspectives into her teaching. A former professional dance instructor, she believes that creativity and movement can be powerful tools in the learning process, and she integrates these elements into her dynamic teaching style to connect with students in meaningful ways.
Ryan E.
A Collier County native, Ryan holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Sociology from the University of Florida, along with minors in Disabilities in Society and Education Studies. His passion for education was sparked by the inspiring teachers in his own life, and he’s now dedicated to creating that same positive impact for his students. Ryan brings a patient, empathetic, and student-centered approach to every session. He believes in building mutual respect and making learning engaging, so that each student feels confident, supported, and excited to learn. At Prep Academy Tutors, Ryan is further developing his teaching skills with plans to transition into a full-time teaching role. In his free time, he enjoys reading, going to the beach, playing video games, and staying active through sports.
Yolanda R.
Yolanda is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) with many years of experience teaching French, Spanish and Italian, languages she is fully fluent in. In addition to teaching mainly at the high school level, Yolanda is also a seasoned tutor. She enjoys working with students of all ages, one on one, as she maintains high curricular learning expectations delivered with positivity and encouragement.
Luis H.
Luis is a devoted and personable bilingual educator who focuses on helping students and parents fully achieve their goals without having to dedicate all their time to academics. Originally from Venezuela, Luis moved to the United States as a young teenager, giving him a unique understanding of language learning and cultural adaptation. His psychology studies at Texas A&M University motivate him to look deeper into the reasons why students may be struggling, like knowing whether students struggle due to school disorganization or from generally misunderstanding a school subject. His specialty and years-long experience in literacy intervention for students of all ages, ESL studies, Spanish, and elementary and middle school tutoring has made him natural at being able to form genuine, authentic and productive relationships with students and their families, who often recommend him to others. Based on his experience working with students as young as 3 years old up to doctorate level students and senior citizens, Luis’ approach to tutoring is based on the presumption that students would rather be doing anything but schoolwork after spending dozens of hours a week doing so, so his lessons are focused on showing students to appreciate what they’re taught in a way that is particularly engaging to them. In his free time, Luis enjoys reading nonfiction, spending time with family, watching movies and going out with friends.
Julia P.
With over a decade of experience tutoring learners of all ages in literacy-based subjects—including English, Geography, History, and Social Studies—and up to Grade 6 in Math and Science, I bring both expertise and enthusiasm to every lesson. As an OCT-certified high school teacher with a Master’s degree in Education, I am passionate about helping students succeed not only academically, but also in building confidence and curiosity. My approach is rooted in kindness, fun, and meaningful relationships, because I believe learning flourishes when students feel supported and inspired. Alongside academics, I also bring a love for teaching yoga, encouraging balance, focus, and wellbeing as part of the learning journey.
Samantha S.
Samantha is a bilingual educator with more than 20 years of experience helping students of all ages discover their strengths and enjoy learning. She has taught everything from core subjects in Elementary to Social Studies and English in Middle School to English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults and is known for turning challenges into confidence-building wins through social-emotional learning (SEL). With a Master’s in Positive Education and certifications in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and Family Coaching, Samantha combines expertise with a warm, encouraging approach that brings out the best in every learner. Samantha combines strong academic expertise with a supportive, student-focused approach. She partners with families to ensure students not only improve their grades but also grow in confidence, motivation, and prevailing learning skills. A lifelong student herself, she’s always taking new courses to keep life (and learning) exciting. When she’s not teaching, you’ll probably find her traveling with her family to eco-destinations where she can connect with nature, reading a thrilling novel, or singing her heart out—sometimes all at once!
Walker J.
Walker is an Idaho native, born and raised in Idaho Falls. He moved to Boise in 2023 and is currently a full-time Junior at Boise State University, majoring in Construction Management with a minor in Spanish. A high achiever in high school, Walker served as Senior Class President before graduating summa cum laude with a 4.2 GPA. During that time he worked as a tutor for his twin sister who struggled with information retention. By using real-world scenarios and hands-on examples, he made learning more engaging, and discovered a genuine passion for teaching in the process. Instead of lecturing, Walker continues to use a conversational, student-centered approach, encouraging dialogue and active thinking. He looks forward to building meaningful connections with each of his students and supporting their growth through patience and collaboration.
David R.
“Salud, pesetas, amor, y tiempo para gozarlos” — Health, wealth, love, and time to enjoy them. This motto guides David’s approach to both life and education.
David is a certified educator with a strong academic foundation in history, political science, economics, and Spanish. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History, with a minor in Spanish, from Susquehanna University. His additional studies include comparative politics at Rutgers University and coursework in macroeconomics, political science, and geography at Union County College. This broad academic background enables him to support students in U.S. History, World History, Government, Civics, Economics, Geography, and related subjects.
After relocating to Florida, David worked in both public and charter schools and earned his professional certification through the Teacher Immersion Program at Florida Gulf Coast University. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated adaptability and leadership, serving as both a guest and long-term teacher in elementary, middle and high school settings across multiple subject areas.
David tutors K–12 students in reading, writing, study skills, foundational math, and core academic subjects. He is committed to building confident, thoughtful learners who think critically and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
He lives in Naples with his fiancée and two children, and enjoys science fiction, classic literature, anime, and playing guitar.
Barbara T.
Barbara’s educational journey began with a passion for teaching Special Education, a field she dedicated herself to in the early years of her teaching career. After earning her master’s degree in Foreign Language, she showed her adaptability and versatility by transitioning to Spanish, a language she had spoken and grown to love. This change enabled her to inspire many students by teaching Spanish at all levels in both public and private schools. She also taught homeschool students to help them meet their high school language requirements.
Barbara actively contributes her free time by volunteering for various organizations, fostering a sense of community, while also prioritizing quality time with her family and friends.