Ali S.
Ali is an accomplished medical student, neuroscience researcher, and educator who is passionate about helping students build confidence while mastering challenging academic subjects. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Medicine degree at UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine with plans to specialize in neurology. Her medical education has reinforced her belief that the ability to teach complex ideas clearly is one of the most valuable skills an educator—or physician—can possess.
Ali graduated with honors from Michigan State University, earning bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience, Genomics & Molecular Genetics, and Spanish, while also completing the university’s Honors College program. Before beginning medical school, she spent two years as a full-time research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studying neurodegenerative diseases. Her research experience also includes work at Stanford University, Michigan State University, and UT Health San Antonio, where she continues to contribute to neuroscience and stroke research. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and has presented her research at national scientific conferences.
Throughout college, her research career, and medical school, Ali has consistently served as a mentor and educator for fellow students. She enjoys breaking difficult concepts into manageable pieces and believes every student can succeed when material is presented in a way that matches their learning style. Her patient, encouraging approach creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, working through mistakes, and developing lasting confidence.
Ali provides tutoring across a wide range of subjects from elementary school through college, making her an excellent choice for families seeking support in multiple areas. Her specialties include:
- Mathematics: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and AP Statistics
- Science: Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pathophysiology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Health Sciences
- English & Humanities: Reading, English Language Arts, Writing, Technical Writing, College Essay Coaching, AP English, U.S. History, World History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Studies
- Test Preparation: ACT, PSAT/SAT, STAAR, GED, TEAS, MCAT, and advanced study and test-taking strategies
Ali is particularly passionate about helping students develop the critical thinking, study habits, and problem-solving skills that lead to long-term academic success. Whether she’s preparing a middle school student for STAAR exams, helping a high school student succeed in AP Biology, guiding a college applicant through personal statement revisions, or mentoring a future healthcare professional preparing for the MCAT, she tailors every lesson to the individual student’s goals and learning style.
Families especially appreciate Ali’s ability to connect ideas across disciplines. She can explain biology through chemistry, strengthen scientific writing while teaching critical thinking, or connect mathematics to real-world medical applications. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to help students build a deeper understanding rather than simply memorizing information.
Ali believes great tutoring should do more than improve grades—it should help students become confident, independent learners who enjoy tackling new challenges. Her goal is to equip every student with the knowledge, study strategies, and self-confidence they need to succeed well beyond the classroom.
Outside of academics, Ali enjoys reading, traveling, golfing, paddle boarding, spending time with her family and cats, and returning home to Wyoming whenever she has the opportunity.
Bryana T.
Bryana is a dedicated STEM educator, graduate researcher, and teaching assistant with a passion for helping students discover the excitement of science. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Texas at San Antonio through the South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, where her research focuses on developing innovative bacteriophage therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
Bryana earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a minor in Biochemistry from Baylor University. Her strong academic foundation, combined with extensive laboratory research experience, allows her to connect classroom concepts to real-world scientific discovery in ways that inspire curiosity and deepen understanding.
As a Teaching Assistant at UTSA, Bryana teaches introductory biology laboratory courses, leading her own classroom of college students while developing engaging lessons, evaluating student work, and helping students master foundational biological concepts. She has also worked as a STEM camp counselor, introducing younger students to geology and the natural sciences through hands-on activities that make learning both fun and memorable.
Bryana specializes in biology, chemistry, genetics, cell biology, and health sciences, while also tutoring elementary and middle school mathematics, English Language Arts, reading, writing, and social studies. She supports students preparing for AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP English, AP World History, STAAR exams, GED testing, and college-level biology and chemistry courses. Her broad academic background enables her to work effectively with students ranging from elementary school through college.
Students and families appreciate Bryana’s patient, encouraging teaching style and her ability to explain difficult STEM concepts in a clear, approachable way. She believes the best learning happens when students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and discovering how concepts apply to the world around them. Her goal is not only to improve grades and test scores, but also to help students become confident, independent learners.
Outside of academics, Bryana enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, creative writing, and exploring great films. Whether she’s researching new medical treatments or discovering a new story through literature or cinema, she is driven by a lifelong curiosity and a genuine love of learning that she enjoys sharing with her students.
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.
Dr. Rob R.
Dr. Rob R. brings 44 years of experience in education to his work with students and families at Prep Academy Tutors.
Having grown up in Yugoslavia, Austria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Germany, Rob learned early on how to adapt to new cultures, languages, and expectations. This experience shaped his ability to support students who may be facing transitions, language challenges, or unfamiliar learning environments.
Rob holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) from Lehigh University, a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Vermont, and a B.A. from Middlebury College. For 20 years, he taught all subjects in grades 1 – 6 in Vermont public schools, also serving as a teaching-principal.
He then spent 23 years in international education, teaching and leading schools in Spain, Pakistan, Jordan, Switzerland, Japan, and Serbia. Working with students from more than 50 nationalities gave him a deep appreciation for how children learn across cultures and backgrounds. He understands that every student brings curiosity, potential, and a need for encouragement – and he excels at creating supportive, individualized learning experiences.
Since moving to Superior, Colorado, Rob taught as a substitute in the Boulder Valley School District and is excited to continue working 1:1 with students. Families who work with Rob benefit from his global perspective, decades of teaching expertise, and a compassionate approach that helps students build confidence, adapt to challenges, and discover joy in learning.
Alexander C.
EN: Alexander is a graduate of Phillips Academy, an elite boarding school in Massachusetts, and currently studies at McGill University. He specializes in admissions consulting for boarding schools and colleges and standardized testing such as the SAT, ACT, and SSAT. After successfully guiding applicants to gain acceptance at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Tulane, and UNC, he began developing proprietary testing materials, as well as specialized courses in essay writing, interview preparation, and extracurricular activities. Alexander has published research in STEM and History.
FR: Alexander est diplômé de la Phillips Academy, un prestigieux pensionnat du Massachusetts, et poursuit actuellement ses études à l’Université McGill. Il se spécialise dans l’accompagnement des élèves dans leurs candidatures aux pensionnats et aux universités.
Après avoir aidé avec succès des candidats à obtenir leur admission dans des établissements renommés tels que Yale, Tulane et l’Université de la Caroline du Nord (UNC), il a développé ses propres outils de préparation ainsi que des programmes spécialisés en rédaction de dissertations, préparation aux entrevues et développement du dossier parascolaire.
Alexander a également publié des travaux de recherche dans les domaines des sciences et de l’histoire.
Paul C.
Paul C. is located in Kitsilano where he is currently in the last semester of his postgraduate program for a Bachelor of Education through Vancouver Island University. Paul first attended the University of Victoria, where he obtained a BSc in Biopsychology, a derivative of neuroscience. After finishing his first degree and travelling, Paul realized his passion for education and helping others is what he valued most. His combined degree has provided the opportunity to understand a wide range of topics. He is able to tutor in Chemistry, Physics, Math, Biology, Socials and English. During university, Paul also wrote for his school’s newspaper, where he developed his writing style and grammatical skills. For the past three years, Paul has been tutoring for individuals and groups, covering a wide range of subjects and ages. From his experience, he has found his teaching philosophy isn’t static, believing every student has their own learning needs and it is the responsibility of the teacher to cater to the student’s learning styles. He notes that a combination of enactive and vicarious learning has proven most effective for a student to build confidence and understanding. A foundation of his tutoring is based on developing the transferable studying and learning skills, so the students will be able to implement their skills to other subjects and outside of the classroom. When he is not working, you can find Paul walking his dog, Frankie, playing golf with his friends, or reading a great book.
SHADMAN H.
Shadman holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from the City College of New York (CCNY). As a graduate of NYC’s top public specialized high school, Stuyvesant, and Valedictorian of his engineering university at the Grove School of Engineering at CCNY, Shadman has demonstrated extraordinary success in his educational endeavors. Shadman has taught students (elementary, middle, high school, and college) 1-on-1, in small groups, and in larger classrooms (both online and in-person) for 10+ years. His experience includes teaching all mathematics subjects through high school and early college (pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, statistics), standardized test preparation (SHSAT/PSAT/SAT/ACT), and various other STEM subjects. Shadman is extremely passionate about assessing each student’s specific needs and tailoring a custom plan for them to not only succeed in the classroom, but develop a similar love for learning that they can take with them for the rest of their lives.
MINA L.
Additionally, Mina has spent years tutoring a range of subjects, from math to English to history. Mina speaks Spanish proficiently and Korean conversationally.
KRISTINA B.
Shivani J.
Shivani Jain is passionate about helping students excel in math and science. She has 13 years of experience working with middle-school, high-school, and college students.
Shivani has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in math, physics, and chemistry — as well as a master’s degree in International Business.
She is an ideal math tutor for students in algebra 1 and 2, geometry, trigonometry, calculus (1, 2, AP, AB, and BC), physics, and chemistry. In addition, Shivani thrives on helping middle- and high-school students prepare for Mathcounts and AMC 8/10 competitions.
The belief that everyone has the potential to excel in math and science is what drives Shivani’s dedication to helping her students reach their full potential.
In her spare time, Shivani likes to go out on walks, hikes, enjoy nature, dance, and cook.