Judy Z.

Judy is a certified Education Specialist with over a decade of experience, passionate about helping students reach their fullest potential—especially those who need a little extra support to shine. She specializes in working with students with special needs, English language learners, and students who are struggling academically. Judy believes that with the right strategies, encouragement, and a personalized approach, every student can succeed.

Throughout her career, she has built strong relationships with students and families by creating nurturing, structured environments where confidence grows and skills thrive. She tailors her instruction to meet each learner’s unique needs, using research-based interventions and a positive, strengths-based philosophy.

With a background in both general and special education settings, and a deep commitment to patience, creativity, and clear communication, Judy is excited to partner with families and schools to make learning a successful and joyful journey. Outside of education, she nurtures her own love of learning and creativity through music, and she actively sings in a choir.

Jaden A.

Jaden graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in French. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work on research in a chemistry lab during a five-month study abroad in Strasbourg, France. Jaden has worked in teaching roles for children all her life, and she’s spent the last year teaching middle school science (6th-8th grade) at a K-12 school. She helped further develop the curricula and increased the emphasis on laboratory experiments each class, convicted to teach through hands-on experience. Whether she is teaching horseback riding or forces and work, Jaden believes that allowing students to forge their own way to understanding Nature’s laws helps them develop confidence and fires their curiosity.

Fatima J.

Hi! I’m a licensed attorney with over five years of legal experience and a strong passion for teaching. With 15 years of experience reviewing and editing essays, I specialize in helping students strengthen their reading comprehension and essay writing skills. Whether you’re a middle schooler working on sentence structure or a college student refining a research paper, I can help you develop clear, organized, and compelling writing.

I hold a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctorate with a certification in Health Law. During law school, I served as a journal editor, where I honed my ability to analyze complex writing, ensure logical flow, and provide constructive feedback—skills I now bring into my tutoring.

I work with students from middle school through college, focusing on:
• Reading comprehension
• Essay structure and flow
• Argument development
• Grammar and clarity
• Critical thinking in writing
• History

Terri M.

A dedicated education professional with a passion for fostering student growth and development, Mrs. Myers brings her diverse professional background and small business and current position as a licensed teacher of English Language Learners to offer strategic intervention for reading, executive functions, and tutoring. Mrs. Myers holds a master’s degree in Applied Psychology and Religion from Liberty University and is currently pursuing her doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a leadership focus.

Trained through the Orton Gillingham Academy, Mrs. Myers delivers highly effective, structured, and multisensory methods designed to teach literacy skills, particularly for individuals with dyslexia. This approach is characterized by its direct, explicit, sequential, and cumulative instruction, which breaks down reading and spelling into smaller, manageable skills. It emphasizes the use of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic pathways to enhance learning. This method is not only beneficial for one-on-one tutoring but also adaptable for small group and classroom settings, making it a versatile tool for educators aiming to improve literacy outcomes for all students.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Myers enjoys a variety of hobbies that enrich her life and provide a well-rounded perspective. Gardening is a favorite pastime, offering a peaceful retreat and a chance to connect with nature. She loves to pair fresh garden ingredients with her love for cooking. An avid reader, she enjoys exploring new genres and authors, always eager to dive into a good book.

Spending time with her husband and beloved dogs is another cherished activity, bringing joy and companionship to her daily routine. Whenever possible, Mrs. Myers loves to travel, seeking out new adventures and experiences that broaden her horizons and inspire her teaching.

With a commitment to education and a love for life’s simple pleasures, Mrs. Myers strives to make a positive impact both in and out of the classroom.

M. Galal

Mr. Galal is not your average educator—he’s a dynamic force in the classroom, blending the discipline and focus of a black belt martial artist with the passion and dedication of an experienced educator. With a distinguished background in teaching English as a second language (ESOL), standardized test preparation such as SAT, GMAT & GRE, and Advanced Placement (AP) exams, Mr. Galal holds a Master’s of Arts degree with honors in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and is certified as a PREK-12/ESOL teacher in both Washington, D.C. and the State of Maryland.

With over two decades of experience in education, Mr. Galal has taught and trained students across a wide array of settings—from K-12 schools to community colleges and universities. He is currently a full-time multilingual educator who teaches English as a second language, AP US History, and SAT preparation at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Washington, D.C. and he is a test preparation instructor at the American University. In addition, he serves as an AP test reader for ETS (Educational Testing Service) while managing a couple of test preparation centers he founded in Cairo, Egypt. He has also been recognized with multiple honors, including the United Nations Honor Medals for his service during peacekeeping missions. Besides his witty personality, Mr. Galal has also been known as “the teacher you don’t want to mess with!” since he once was a black belt, internationally ranked Karate player!

Caleb W.

Caleb is from Billings, Montana and was the first Native American Valedictorian at West High School. He has mentored and tutored high school students for nearly a decade to help them prepare for and apply to college. A few of the elite universities his students have been accepted to are: Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, and Amherst College. Caleb has a M.A in Native Food Systems from Montana State University and a B.A in Environmental Studies from Amherst College. His relevant professional career experience has ranged from being a college prep coach to working as a graduate research and teaching assistant. Having recently graduated, he is young enough to relate to your child while being old enough to have the lived experience to share. Caleb believes that academic success comes from a holistic understanding of one’s personal goals and playing off of one’s strengths. Outside of work he enjoys camping, trivia, and getting friends together to play board games.

Matthew R.

Matthew’s journey into education was an unexpected yet deeply rewarding path. After earning a BA in Television, Film, and New Media, he initially pursued a career in the film industry. However, in 2013, while teaching a film course at the Digital Media Academy summer tech camp, he discovered a passion for guiding young scholars toward academic, creative, and professional success. This experience inspired him to pursue a single-subject teaching credential, leading him to a fulfilling career in education.

Since 2018, Matthew has been an educator at The Preuss School, UC San Diego, where he has honed his teaching philosophy and instructional methods. Initially stepping in to fill a vacancy in the Drama department, he transformed the curriculum into a film-based program that integrates Art, English, and History. His courses reinforce grade-level ELA comprehension and writing skills through in-depth units on story structure, plot development, character analysis, and thematic content. Students apply these skills to writing their own screenplays, while Film I students explore film theory and cinema history. In his advanced Film II/Honors Film course, students engage in collaborative, hands-on projects that guide them through all stages of video production, from pre-production to post-production.

Matthew’s adaptability and innovation were especially evident during the pandemic when The Preuss School transitioned to remote learning for two years. While many educators faced challenges, he embraced the format, finding new ways to engage students and enhance learning through strategic virtual instruction. He firmly believes that, when thoughtfully designed, virtual learning can be just as impactful—if not more—than in-person instruction.

His passion lies in inviting students into the vibrant world of poetry, literature, and history and watching them engage with enthusiasm. Through teaching, he hopes to foster a deep sense of global awareness, empathy, and compassion in his students, empowering them to express themselves through both written and visual storytelling.

Matthew is eager to begin the tutoring process for students in need of support in English, reading, writing, history, social studies, college essay writing, and test prep. Additionally, with his background in Film, he is thrilled to assist students seeking help with video production, editing, or acting. His expertise also extends to Public Speaking and Debate courses, providing students with valuable skills to enhance their speaking abilities.

Matthew is excited to bring his expertise and passion for education to Prep Academy Tutors, where he continues to support students in their academic journeys.

Richard M.

Richard Maloon has a proven track record in education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Elementary Education and later his Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) with a focus in Curriculum & Instruction. He has taught all grades 1 through 9, spending most of his time with grades 4 through 8. He taught for 14 years and served as a private school principal for 23 years. Mr. Maloon also had a career as a national certified consultant for MicroSociety, Inc., a successful, real-world school reform model. He was the consultant for many public schools in the southeast United States. He is very adept at teaching math, social studies, science, and English, and has been recognized for his creative approaches to teaching concepts and skills. He is considered by many to be a master teacher. He also was a school-wide program coordinator for implementing MicroSociety; his school was featured in many periodicals and on prime-time television. He has had an article published for a professional journal and has been a presenter at teacher conventions as well. Besides this, after school he has coached soccer, sponsored a chess club, and started a robotics tech club in many of his schools, taking teams to the finals in Lego Robotics. Mr. Maloon also enjoys traveling, being in nature, and learning more about neuroscience.

Lynda E.

Lynda is a Math and Physics teacher with 20 years of experience spanning classroom teaching, private tutoring, and Gifted and Talented programs. She has a Master’s in Physics with a concentration in Education from University of Virginia, certificate in Leaders of Learning from Harvard University, and holds teaching certificates in Math, Physics, Elementary Education, Students with Disabilities, and Middle School Science.

Lynda specializes in demystifying challenging math and physics concepts by (1) explaining concepts as clearly as possible, (2) performing examples in order to model the problem-solving process, and (3) providing several practice problems to work up to mastery. While she is a professional, Lynda enjoys conversing in a casual tone (think more Penny, less Sheldon), as math and science are often culprits for producing anxiety in students. Whether you are aiming for that 800 on the Math SAT, or simply trying to make it through your physics course unscathed, please think of Lynda as someone who can help you attain your goal!

Emily B.

Emily B. is a passionate and dedicated tutor currently pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana State University. She combines her analytical skills with a deep commitment to helping students succeed. Growing up as a student-athlete, she learned the value of discipline, time management, and perseverance, qualities she now instills in her students.

As a proud member of Zeta Tau Alpha, she has developed strong leadership and teamwork skills, which she brings into her tutoring sessions. She believes that every student has the potential to excel with the right guidance and encouragement. Her tutoring approach focuses on creating an engaging and supportive learning environment, tailoring lessons to fit each student’s unique needs.

With experience mentoring peers and younger students, she specializes in breaking down complex subjects into easy-to-understand concepts. Whether working with students on academic challenges or helping them build confidence in their abilities, she is committed to fostering a love of learning.