Grace F.

Grace F. is earning her degree in Elementary Education at North Central College, where she has maintained a high GPA and earned a spot on the Dean’s List for six consecutive semesters. Originally from Elmhurst, she discovered her love of teaching while helping classmates with writing, research, and public speaking. What started as casual tutoring turned into a true passion for supporting students.

Grace has worked with learners from early childhood through middle school, developing creative, student-centered lessons through daycare and summer programs. She believes every child learns differently and thrives on adapting instruction to meet individual needs.

Through her college placements, Grace has taught in 1st through 4th grade classrooms and supported 5th grade accelerated math, gaining experience in literacy, math, and science. She also helps students strengthen executive functioning skills like organization, planning, and time management—because sometimes, learning how to learn is the biggest lesson of all.

Outside the classroom, Grace enjoys birdwatching and exploring the outdoors. Her love of animals and education came together through the Greater Chicago Cage Bird Society, where she taught scout groups about bird care and behavior. She’s been helping students—and birds—take flight ever since.

Rebecca C.

Rebecca is a compassionate and experienced educator with an undergraduate degree in International Development and Gender Studies from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Education from the University of British Columbia’s WKTEP program. With over five years of teaching experience in both public and private schools, she has supported students of all ages, helping elementary and middle school learners strengthen their reading and math skills, while guiding high school students in English, Social Studies, Physical and health education, outdoor education and the Arts. Most recently, Rebecca taught at The Climbing Academy, an innovative private high school that combines academics, athletics, international travel, and cultural immersion with the sport of climbing. She has a deep passion for designing engaging curriculum and creating inclusive learning environments, especially for students with diverse learning needs. Rebecca believes that curiosity, play, and strong connections to community and culture are at the heart of meaningful, lifelong learning. After traveling to 12 countries in the past two years 8 of which were with her students, she is excited to be back home in Squamish and take advantage of the wonderful community and environment.

Maria P.

Maria Peavy holds an undergraduate degree from Smith College and a Master’s in Education. Certified to teach Social Studies for grades 7-12, she has taught and tutored students from first through twelfth grade in reading, language arts, social studies, essay writing, SAT prep and AP history. Maria is dedicated to helping children succeed and gain confidence in their learning skills. She takes pride in developing a strong rapport with her students, enjoying the process of getting to know them and supporting their growth. Outside of teaching, Maria loves reading, traveling, hiking, and exploring local history. As a fun fact, Maria was a figure skating professional for over 25 years, teaching children as young as age three through adults, and brings that same patient, encouraging approach to her tutoring.

Sherry P.

Sherry is a dedicated teacher and reading intervention specialist with an extensive background, experience, and training in educational settings. Her expertise includes Wilson Language Training Fundations, developing and implementing literacy, based programs for early childhood, elementary, teens and adults.

Sherry is an experienced Connecticut state certified teacher and certified Child Life Specialist. She is a graduate of Wheelock (a teacher’s college) in Boston, MA. with both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education. In addition, her dual majors include training in pediatric hospital settings where she worked as a teacher and play therapist. Sherry has worked with children from newborn-young adults in urban and suburban communities. For over 25 years she has taught numerous grades including pre-k., kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school students in public, private school classrooms and health care settings.

Sherry is conversant in Spanish and has been a mentor to others. In her caring, patient, organized, dedicated manner, her ability to apply practical, best-practice solutions with available resources will ensure each student has the skills necessary to succeed. She believes that every child is capable of learning. Sherry goes the extra mile to support them in a positive manner to help them reach their full potential and develop self-confidence as learners. Her experience with students includes: the general education population, autism, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, ADD, ADHD, medically homebound, social emotional behavior difficulties, physically challenged, executive functioning skills and English language learners.

In her spare time Sherry can be found baking banana bread, singing Soprano in her choir, and playing with her rescue cats, Louie and Sugar.

Lawrence T.

Larry Topazio has taught in both public and private schools for the past thirty-five years. During this time, he has utilized his elementary and secondary teaching skills effectively, always striving for increased student achievement. He also fostered vocational and work experiences through curriculum development at the high school level.. Having a son with a disability himself is the basis for his unrelenting pursuit of excellent educational assessments and instruction. He gets things accomplished by his adamant desire to see that all students can learn. Larry graduated from Western Ct State University and from Southern Ct State University.. This has given him a broad knowledge of students in both general and special education . In his spare time, Larry enjoys walking, hiking and creating poetry. Larry has one poetry book that he has written and creates poems for weddings, parties, and family events. Larry likes to incorporate poetry in both literature
and language arts instruction.

Jamari G.

Jamari is a dedicated educator and certified instructional coach with diverse backgrounds in special education, elementary instruction, academic tutoring, educational research, and scholarship application review. In the past, he was an ABA and worked closely with students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He is currently an instructional coach, where he supports new teachers in developing effective classroom practices; alongside this role, he is a classroom teacher. Jamari has taught a range of subjects, including special education, elementary core academics, middle school, and high school Algebra I, US History, and English. He has even earned recognition as a Teacher of the Year nominee for his impact on student growth in math and ELA.

Since 2018, Jamari has worked as a private tutor for students in grades 3–11, helping many improve by two grade levels or more and achieve top scores on state assessments. He holds a Master’s in Forensic Psychology from the University of Louisiana–Monroe and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. It is during this time he made the conscious effort to study insects—mosquitoes in particular; these mosquitoes were reared in a controlled environment within a science lab. He’s clearly a lifelong learner and was called to teach. In his calling as an educator, he possesses a Level 3 teaching certification with a Special Education endorsement.
He is currently working toward receiving an add-on certification as an Educational Diagnostician. He possesses certifications in elementary computer science education through LSU and supports learning with technology. With a strong foundation in data-driven instruction and individualized learning, Jamari empowers students to reach their full potential.

Haley H.

Haley is currently pursuing a certification in Secondary Education with an endorsement in English. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, certified by George Mason University. Haley is a Virginia native, but also found her way to the Boise area for family. She is an avid reader and can always be found with a book in hand, which was a core motivator in her degree choice. Her love for teaching and tutoring stems from her passion for learning, and she feels fulfilled when helping others discover that same joy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, reading, and cooking!

LeKesha R.

LeKesha is a dedicated and passionate educator with over eighteen years of experience working with youth. A native of Houma, Louisiana, she graduated in the top 20% of her class from Ellender Memorial High School. Driven by a love for history and civic engagement, she pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of New Orleans, earning a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in Political Science in 2002. LeKesha’s journey into education was not a traditional one. After facing life-changing personal experiences, including the tragic loss of her brother, she found a deeper calling in working with young people. In 2008, she began substitute teaching at the high school level. Her natural connection with students quickly led her to a full- time teaching role, where she discovered a profound passion for education and mentorship. Over the years, LeKesha has worn many hat —teacher, cheerleading sponsor, student council advisor, girls’ flag football coach, after-school mentor, and tutor. She believes that building strong, trusting relationships with students is the key to unlocking their full potential. Her holistic approach to education focuses on meeting students where they are and guiding them to where they can go. In addition to her classroom work, LeKesha holds a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from Walden University. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that every day is a gift: “Do what you love today because tomorrow is not promised.” LeKesha continues to be a powerful advocate for youth, inspiring her students not only to learn but to lead, grow, and thrive.

Alexis R.

Alexis Rowe is a dynamic educator and in-school tutor whose infectious enthusiasm turns learning into an adventure. Originally from Georgia and seasoned by years as a military spouse, Alexis has taught and tutored in classrooms from coast to coast, adapting to diverse curricula and cultures along the way. She pairs a Bachelor’s in Business Leadership, an Associate’s in Organizational Management, and a Certification in Early Childhood Education with more than 15 years of hands-on experience guiding children from pre-K through middle school. Whether she’s jump-starting early literacy for a four-year-old new reader or boosting a fifth-grader’s confidence in math, Alexis blends research-based strategies with imaginative games, storytelling, and real-world problem-solving that keep students eager for the next session.

Passionate about unlocking the brain’s full potential, Alexis draws inspiration from Dr. Joe Dispenza’s neuroscience-backed approach in Becoming Supernatural to cultivate focus, resilience, and a growth mindset in every learner. Families praise her for creating warm, high-energy sessions that feel less like tutoring and more like discovery, where academic skills explode alongside curiosity and self-belief. From individualized reading plans and multisensory phonics drills to hands-on STEM challenges and mindfulness breaks, Alexis custom-tailors each lesson so students not only meet their goals but surpass them with a smile. When she isn’t crafting engaging lesson plans, you’ll find her exploring holistic wellness, cheering on her two daughters, or planning her next learning adventure, always ready to bring fresh ideas and boundless positivity to Prep Academy Tutors of Forsyth County.

Jean Carlo M.

Jean Carlo is an accomplished teacher with seven years of teaching experience. He grew up in Hudson County, NJ and went to Rutgers University where he graduated with a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in History and a concentration in Education. He got his start in Jersey City as a 9th grade English I intern teacher then moved on to Hackensack where he taught mostly 12th grade English IV for five years. Currently, he teaches SAT/ACT courses to help students score higher in their exams and has helped students with college essays as well as getting into enrichment programs for scholarships and course prep.

He has spent years inspiring students and fostering a love of literature. In addition, he’s expanded what literature means to his students while improving their vocabulary, writing, and reading skills. He enjoys using pop culture and music to enrich students’ understanding of a text. Because who doesn’t enjoy exploring a theme like materialism by analyzing songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “How Much a Dollar Cost?”