Harini B.

Harini B. (Lily) is a dedicated science tutor with a strong academic background in microbiology, biotechnology, and public health. She holds double master’s degrees—a Master of Science in Biotechnology and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology. Currently a data analyst at Yale University, she also trains graduate fellows in managing and analyzing healthcare data using tools like SAS and SQL. Harini has helped students at all levels gain confidence across a range of science subjects—from life sciences to data-driven research methods—by breaking down complex concepts and making them more approachable. She adapts to each student’s learning style and brings real-world experience into her teaching. Fun fact: Harini played national-level tennis in high school, an experience that taught her how to balance focus and flexibility—skills she now uses to help students succeed in both science and study habits.

Benjamin B.

Benjamin B. is a veteran educator with over 15 years of experience in both special education and general education, supporting students across diverse K–8 settings. Based in Cheshire, Connecticut, Benjamin holds multiple certifications, including Professional Teacher (K–6), Special Education (PreK–12), and School Administrator (092). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master’s in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Saint Joseph, and an Initial Principal Certificate from the University of Bridgeport.

Benjamin is known for his ability to create learner-centered environments that foster academic growth, confidence, and inclusion. He is highly skilled in adapting curriculum, delivering differentiated instruction, and using progress monitoring to guide student achievement. He has taught in school districts throughout Connecticut—including Windsor, Ansonia, Hartford, Waterbury, and Bridgeport—and brings deep expertise in IEP development, behavioral interventions, and collaborative educational planning.

Outside the classroom, Benjamin is a dedicated father to two daughters, ages 8 and 10, and actively coaches their baseball team. He also enjoys hiking and weightlifting as part of his active lifestyle. Passionate about helping every child thrive, Benjamin looks forward to supporting students in reaching their full potential and achieving their academic goals.

Sara L.

Sara has been a dedicated educator and tutor for over seventeen years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Eastern Connecticut State University, a Master’s in Education from Sacred Heart University, and is currently pursuing an EdD in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. With fifteen years of experience teaching elementary education, Sara currently teaches first grade and serves as a lead literacy teacher for her district, where she has also contributed to district-wide curriculum development. Sara specializes in tailoring individualized tutoring plans to meet each student’s unique needs. She has worked with learners ranging from preschoolers to high school seniors, covering foundational skills such as phonics and number recognition, as well as advanced concepts including test preparation and academic writing. Her mission is to foster confidence and ignite a lifelong love of learning in every student she supports. Outside the classroom, Sara enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her three children. Her warmth, experience, and ability to build lasting connections with students and families make her a trusted and passionate advocate for academic success.

Rebecca L.

Rebecca L. is a passionate and devoted Language Arts teacher, who prioritizes students’ personal growth and focuses on complex metacognition. She focuses on student engagement and confidence in taking chances and thinking for themselves (and outside of the box). By incorporating a plethora of reading and writing strategies, higher level thinking is not only achieved but mastered.

She received her BA from the University of Connecticut majoring in English Literature and then earned her MS in Remedial Reading from Southern Connecticut State University while teaching middle school full time. Rebecca is certified to teach K-12, however her expertise in in grades 6-12. She is in her 23rd year of teaching and has seen drastic educational changes throughout her career.

Versed in classroom management, SEL strategies, organization and detail, and district curriculum and differentiation, Rebecca is a well-rounded and experienced educator. Throughout her career, Rebecca has served as a team leader, guiding colleagues and contributing to a collaborative, student-centered learning environment.

Her purpose lies in helping students discover their voice through reading and writing, and she is especially committed to supporting struggling readers and fostering a lifelong love of literature. Rebecca’s broad experience across grade levels has equipped her with a flexible, responsive teaching style and a strong belief in the power of language to transform lives.

Emily M.

Emily M. is a dedicated Special Education teacher with experience in supporting diverse learners. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, giving her a strong foundation in both the science of reading and social-emotional learning. Through her studies, Emily developed a deep passion for fostering literacy growth. She is trained in both the Orton-Gillingham approach and the Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing Program. During the school year, Emily case manages a Social-Emotional Learning program focused on building executive functioning skills and confidence in her students. Outside of the classroom, Emily extends her education on how to integrate art into learning. She actively seeks meaningful ways to incorporate creative expression into her lessons. Emily brings warmth, structure, and consistency to every session, using her deep understanding of behavior and literacy to build strong, supportive relationships with her students. She truly believes that every child deserves to feel successful in and out of the classroom.

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.

Allyson W.

Allyson Wuerth is a veteran English teacher who has been guiding students through the college essay writing process since 2004. She has a BA in English/ Creative Writing from SCSU and an MFA in Writing from The University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate, she was the recipient of the 1998 Leslie Leeds Poetry Prize and was chosen as Bucknell University’s Stadler Semester Poet of 1998. In 2005, Allyson was chosen as the New England Association of Teachers of English (NEATE) Poet of the Year. After raising her two children, Allyson returned to the writing community publishing poetry and personal essays in numerous journals. She is currently finishing a Poet Author Fellowship at the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. Both a creative writer and thinker, Allyson brings fresh insight and unique ideas to the competitive world of college personal statements. Indeed, with thousands of applicants sharing GPAs, test scores, and extracurriculars, the narrative essay is often the only way for students to distinguish themselves from their peers. We all have a story to tell, and Allyson’s creative writing background and unique outlook are sure to, in the words of Prince Hamlet, “pluck out the heart of [your child’s] mystery” (III.ii 395-6). In addition to tutoring high school students in the art of college essay writing, Allyson offers tutoring in poetry reading and writing. In her free time, Allyson enjoys writing poetry and personal essays, gardening, reading, and rescuing all the stray cats.