Trupti P.

Trupti’s background is unique, and it reflects in her teaching approach. She completed the math program at Kumon Learning Center by the 8th grade, after which she immediately began working as an Assistant Grader. Since then, Trupti has been teaching a diverse range of students, from elementary level to higher education. Her teaching philosophy is understanding students and creating a safe space to meet each other halfway. She finds joy in motivating students and being a stepping stone in their academic journey.

Trupti holds an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Illinois Chicago and in Biology from the University of West Florida. She received her B.S. in Environmental Science with a minor in Spanish at Benedictine University. She has studied abroad in Spain and the Bahamas.

Currently, Trupti is a new adjunct instructor teaching Introduction to Biology at Harold Washington College. Outside the classroom, Trupti is an artist at heart. She loves dancing, yoga, music, and venturing to museums and plays. In her free time, she volunteers at the Blind Services Association, reading to the visually impaired.

In all, Trupti is a dedicated, empathetic, and passionate educator. She applauds students who show up, even when it seems impossible. Everyone is welcome in this classroom!

Deborah B.

Debbie has dedicated her life to teaching and can’t imagine it any other way. Currently a reading specialist, her long career has included a wide variety of educational experiences and learning opportunities. To begin her career, she earned a B.S.Ed. in Special Education from NIU and taught for six years in instructional classrooms in which elementary and middle school students had a variety of special needs. Given the unique struggles that the students in her classes had learning to read and write, Debbie returned to NIU and achieved her M.S.Ed. in Reading Education. She then taught reading and writing in a middle school general education classroom for two years.

As a teacher of both special education and general education, Debbie yearned to work with students who would benefit from individual or specialized instruction in order to thrive. Her decision to become a middle school reading specialist allows her to do this. An additional part of her role is to provide professional learning for other educators in how to embed best literacy practices into their classrooms.

Debbie has two daughters – one who is grown and the other in college. Both girls were diagnosed with anxiety disorders while in school. So Debbie knows, from the perspective of a parent, the complexities of meeting the needs of a child who struggles. Debbie believes in the importance of forming positive relationships with students, which is dependent on seeing each student as a whole person. Each student brings unique experiences, strengths, and fears to every learning situation. It is through recognizing a child’s strengths and interests that they learn that it is safe to make mistakes. That is how we learn. It’s how we learn to master skills and enjoy learning.

Debbie lives with her family, dogs, and cats, in Elburn. She loves playing with her pets, walking in the woods, watching baseball, and working with children.

Ihsan

EN: Ihsan holds a Licence en Droit from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and is currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and International Business at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, where she has received both the McGill and Desautels Faculty Awards.
She specializes in French baccalauréat preparation, French literature, elementary school support, SAT preparation, and TEFAQ/TEF exam coaching. As a French language facilitator, Ihsan has helped students prepare for the TEFAQ and TEF exams and has led French language workshops for corporate clients across Montreal.
A native speaker of both French and Arabic and fully fluent in English, Ihsan supports students from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds, whether they are building foundational language skills or preparing for high-stakes examinations. She brings the analytical rigour of her legal and business studies, along with a genuine passion for language and literature, to every session.
Outside of tutoring, Ihsan is passionate about cooking and pastry arts and holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies in Cuisine. She also teaches piano and enjoys spending her free time reading French literature.

FR: Ihsan est titulaire d’une Licence en Droit de l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne et poursuit actuellement un baccalauréat en commerce, avec une spécialisation en finance et commerce international, à la Faculté de gestion Desautels de l’Université McGill, où elle a reçu des bourses d’excellence de l’Université McGill et de la Faculté Desautels.
Elle se spécialise dans la préparation au baccalauréat français, la littérature française, le soutien scolaire au primaire, la préparation au SAT ainsi que l’accompagnement aux examens TEFAQ et TEF. En tant qu’animatrice en langue française, Ihsan a accompagné de nombreux étudiants dans leur préparation aux examens TEFAQ et TEF et a également animé des ateliers de français pour des clients corporatifs à travers Montréal.
De langue maternelle française et arabe, et parfaitement bilingue en anglais, Ihsan accompagne des élèves issus de divers horizons linguistiques, qu’ils soient en train d’acquérir les bases de la langue ou de se préparer à des examens importants. Elle apporte à chaque séance la rigueur analytique de sa formation en droit et en commerce, ainsi qu’une véritable passion pour la langue et la littérature.
En dehors du tutorat, Ihsan est passionnée par la cuisine et la pâtisserie et détient un diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en cuisine. Elle enseigne également le piano et aime consacrer son temps libre à la lecture de la littérature française

Shannon S.

Shannon S. has a decade of teaching experience along with over nine years of tutoring children ages 3–14. She currently works as an Autistic Support Early Intervention Teacher for children ages 3–4. Throughout her career, Shannon also taught Kindergarten, 3rd, and 4th grades, gaining a strong understanding of how children learn and grow across different stages.

Shannon has extensive experience supporting children in developing early literacy skills, including pre-reading skills, building confidence in learning to read, and strengthening math skills. She enjoys helping children grow academically and gain confidence in their abilities, tailoring her approach to each child’s unique needs.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Allied Health from Widener University, where she also completed a Master of Education and obtained teaching certifications in Preschool–8th Grade for both Regular and Special Education. Shannon is currently pursuing a second Master’s degree in Early Intervention at West Chester University.

Shannon lives in Old City, and in her free time, she enjoys reading a good book, going for a run, and spending time with friends. She is looking forward to the opportunity to work with you and support your child’s growth and success!

Shauna K.

Helping students succeed is Shauna K.’s true passion.

Shauna has been teaching, tutoring, and helping students achieve academic success for more than a decade.

A California native, Shauna has a graduate and undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from UCSD. She also has a TESOL certificate to teach English as a foreign language, and many years of in-person and online SAT and ACT coaching — which is her specialty.

Shauna is highly skilled in helping students excel in a wide range of subjects from science and math to language arts and Spanish.

She is an expert at helping all students learn (and master) executive functioning skills such as planning, time management, study habits, and effective study techniques (how to study). She believes that the confidence gained through these skills propel students forward and lay the groundwork for lifelong success.

When Shauna is not teaching or tutoring, you will find her hiking, biking, or camping the Rockies.

Fallon B.

Fallon is a Certified Teacher. She grew up in Massachusetts, moving to Pennsylvania to complete an Undergraduate Degree in Elementary Education (K-4) and Special Education (K-12) at Saint Joseph’s University. Fallon discovered her passion for teaching and working with children early on as a Camp Counselor and After-School Program Leader. She continued to foster this passion through Independent Childcare, Independent Tutoring, and Substitute Teaching. She also gained valuable experience supporting and serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support.

Fallon is now a Special Education Teacher for the School District of Philadelphia, developing and implementing a successful curriculum for diverse student populations Grade K-4, as well as 6th Grade. Fallon finds joy in creating and maintaining a safe learning environment while maintaining positive relationships with students and parents.

For leisure, Fallon loves spending time with friends and family and considers herself an avid “foodie!” She loves finding hidden gems around Philly and playing a bit of tourist herself! She is currently on a mission to cultivate an extensive vinyl collection and is likely following a Philly sports team!

Joan F.

Joan F. is a third-grade teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, recognized for her lifelong dedication to education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Temple University and obtained her Pennsylvania Level 1 teaching certification in 2023. Joan has taught kindergarten, third, and fourth grades, demonstrating enthusiasm and attentiveness in each classroom. In addition to her time teaching in Philadelphia, Joan taught third and fourth grades in the Bahamas for four years. This international experience broadened her perspective and enhanced her ability to support students from diverse backgrounds. Joan also has five years of experience as a nanny for children from infancy to age seven, which enhanced her understanding of early childhood development and her capacity to engage young learners.

With over 15 years of experience in diverse educational settings, Joan is dedicated to fostering both the academic and personal growth of her students. Her ongoing commitment to education consistently yields positive outcomes for her students.

Gregory N.

Gregory is an experienced Math and Science tutor with a long-standing passion for helping students grow in confidence, skill, and academic performance. With decades of instructional experience across K–12 and adult education, Gregory brings deep expertise in algebra, geometry, high school math, SAT/ACT math and science prep, and foundational skills for younger learners.

Gregory has served as an instructor and tutor at Huntington Learning Center, where he prepared high school students for success on the SAT and ACT—particularly in the math and science sections—and supported K–12 students through extended learning programs. He has also taught algebra at Austin Community College as part of their college prep program and has extensive experience working with students who have learning differences.

Known for his patience, warmth, and relationship-focused approach, Gregory creates a positive, no-pressure learning atmosphere that helps students engage, take risks, and believe in their abilities. He uses encouragement, play-based learning when appropriate, and thoughtful questioning to strengthen comprehension and build lasting confidence.

Gregory’s career also includes work as a substitute teacher, GED instructor, small-business owner, and corporate manager—experiences that enrich his ability to connect learning with real-world applications.

Faraz K.

Faraz holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University, double majoring in Biology and Chemistry, and has completed graduate studies in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. He brings over five years of teaching experience, covering everything from elementary math and science to advanced undergraduate mathematics and standardized test prep. As a former teaching assistant at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Faraz has led classrooms, worked with small groups, delivered lectures, and graded exams.
A Chicagoland native, Faraz discovered his passion for teaching in college while introducing gifted children to LEGO robotics and computer programming. Outside the classroom, he is a dedicated runner—once a cross-country athlete, now a regular jogger—and a grilling enthusiast who insists barbecuing is equal parts science and art. Faraz’s teaching philosophy revolves around creating independent learners. He believes the best classroom isn’t the one where you are taught, but the one where you learn to teach yourself—though his students don’t have to grade their own homework… yet.

Kyle H.

Kyle is a primary English educator and aspiring film professor with more than six years of teaching and tutoring experience across multiple classrooms, workshops, online platforms, and subjects. While he has been pursuing his masters degree in education at National Louis University, he has also been supporting grades 9–12 as a permanent substitute teacher at Hinsdale South High School. Kyle also has led screenwriting, creative writing, and public speaking sessions for Cardinal Filmworks, a student owned and ran film collective at Ball State University (his alma mater). Finally, after his undergrad, he also tutored poetry, Spanish, photography, and videography for learners of all ages with Varsity Tutors as one of their Creative Writing Experts. His style tends to center on building up confidence and problem solving skills through lessons that connect his students’ work to their interests. Creativity is a core tenet of his and because of that he loves to design personalized, engaging sessions that balance creative freedom with structured feedback so that each student grows as both thinker and creator. Because of this more creativity-focused approach, crafting relationships with my students is paramount to me. Learning about their lives and helping them succeed is just as important to me as their academics. Kyle is a lifelong reader, film buff, devoted sci‑fi and fantasy fan, bass guitar player, and avid Chicago & New York sports fan (Cubs/Sox Mets/Jets).