Gregory N.

Gregory is a passionate English Language Arts and Reading educator who brings a love of stories, writing, and exploration into every session. With a Master’s degree in Literature from Florida Gulf Coast University, he has taught English at every level—from middle and high school classrooms to university composition courses.

Currently serving as both a department head and high school teacher in Collier County, Gregory works daily with freshman and sophomore students, helping them build strong foundations in literature, analytical writing, and intensive reading. His approach blends clear instruction, supportive feedback, and engaging discussion to help students grow in confidence and skill.

In addition to his K–12 expertise, Gregory has taught English Composition II as an adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, specializing in argumentative writing and college-level composition. His experience on both sides of secondary and higher education gives him unique insight into what students need to thrive academically.

Whether your student is strengthening reading comprehension, crafting essays, preparing for standardized tests, or aiming to excel in advanced English courses, Gregory provides knowledgeable, patient, and personalized guidance to help them succeed.

Shelley H.

Shelley is an experienced mathematics tutor with more than 25 years of intermittent tutoring expertise, supporting students from kindergarten through grade 12 as well as those preparing for the SAT, ACT, and advanced math courses including Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics. She holds four academic degrees—Mathematics, Physics, Information Technology, and Opticianry—and spent over a decade as a computer programmer and systems analyst before becoming a Licensed Optician in Florida. Shelley’s lifelong passion for analytical thinking has shaped every chapter of her life, from excelling academically and earning induction into the National Honor Society to her success as a competitive athlete. A decorated golfer, she has won numerous championships, including titles at Pinehurst Country Club, and has achieved an impressive eight hole-in-ones.

Shelley’s background is equally defined by her dedication to children and learning. As a mother of five, she gained deep insight into supporting students with learning differences, including her own children who faced unique educational challenges. Her
experiences fueled her desire to help other families navigate academic struggles with empathy, structure, and high expectations. Over the years, Shelley has tutored with
several agencies and independently, helping many students achieve remarkable progress—including four students who earned perfect standardized-test scores under her guidance. She brings to her work a blend of humor, warmth, and discipline, drawing
from a lifetime of teaching skills developed through athletics, equestrian training, parenting, and her STEM-driven career.

In her tutoring practice, Shelley emphasizes the logic and clarity that make mathematics both approachable and empowering. She believes that math is only complicated when the steps are unclear—and she excels at breaking those steps into understandable and
repeatable processes. She expects students to arrive prepared, focused, and ready to work, encouraging habits that mirror the discipline required for college, careers, and personal achievement. Shelley is excited to bring her passion for teaching, her analytical expertise, and her unwavering commitment to student success to Prep Academy Tutors, where she strives to help every learner build confidence, master essential skills, and realize their full potential.

Katherine F.

Katherine is a passionate and dedicated educator who finds true joy in helping young learners grow in confidence and ability. From a young age, she was drawn to teaching — spending summers in her mother’s classroom and discovering the fulfillment that comes from inspiring children to learn. That early spark grew into a lifelong commitment to supporting students of all learning styles and needs.

Katherine holds a Master’s degree in Literacy (B–6) and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Mount Saint Mary College. She is a certified teacher in both Florida and New York, with professional experience across preschool, elementary, and special education settings. Her teaching background includes work with students in grades Pre-K through 5, where she creates engaging, hands-on lessons that connect to real-world experiences.

Katherine believes every child is capable of success when given the right tools, encouragement, and individualized support. She takes pride in creating learning environments that nurture curiosity, build confidence, and celebrate each student’s unique strengths. Whether helping a child strengthen foundational literacy and math skills or guiding students with special needs to achieve their goals, Katherine approaches every session with patience, creativity, and genuine care.
Katherine is well versed in Singapore Math, Literacy Essentials, and other literacy programs.

James H.

Upon graduating from college, James began teaching at the St. Ann’s School in Brooklyn, and has taught in the humanities for over 20 years. While he has taught middle schoolers and adults in a variety of settings, Mr. Hamilton has mostly worked in private secondary schools, offering classes in World History, U.S. History, and other subjects. He earned his B.A. at Harvard College in European History, and later, two Masters Degrees (Arts, Philosophy) in Medieval European History with a minor in Renaissance Humanism from Columbia University. In the course of his historical studies, Mr. Hamilton also studied Art History and European languages including German, French, Spanish, and Latin.
Mr. Hamilton remains an enthusiastic student and teacher of history, a challenging, beautiful, and constantly evolving discipline which embraces every aspect of human endeavor.
In his spare time, Mr. Hamilton cooks, reads novels, plays chess, and folds paper, with particular admiration for the beautiful origami models of Hideo Komatsu.

Fanwei (Mary) Z.

Fanwei (Mary) is a dedicated Mandarin tutor and former university professor with over 20 years of teaching and academic leadership experience. Before moving to the US, she served as a Professor and Director of the Engineering Management Department at Shandong Technology and Business University in China, where she taught courses in both Mandarin and English and led major academic research programs. For the past five years, Fanwei has been teaching Mandarin in the U.S., working with students of all ages—from kindergarten through college, as well as adults. She specializes in teaching Mandarin for beginners to advanced learners, helping students develop confidence in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding Chinese. Her teaching style is interactive, engaging, and highly adaptable to each learner’s goals. Fanwei integrates authentic materials and multimedia tools—including videos, audio clips, PowerPoint, and textbooks such as Easy Steps to Chinese, HSK, and YCT—to make lessons dynamic and effective. She focuses on three key strategies to help students succeed. 1. Connecting learning to daily life. 2. Starting with interesting and relatable topics 3. Using multimedia to deepen understanding and retention. She also supports students preparing for AP Chinese, HSK, and YCT exams. As a bilingual educator fluent in Mandarin and English, Fanwei ensures her students feel comfortable and supported as they navigate the language and culture. Her background as a lead author of a nationally recognized textbook and provincial-level research award recipient reflects her dedication to excellence in education. Fanwei brings warmth, structure, and enthusiasm to every session—helping each student discover the joy of learning Mandarin and the beauty of Chinese culture.

Nicholas B.

Nicholas is a passionate and highly experienced math instructor with a Master’s Degree in Education from Sacred Heart University. Over the past several years, he has worked with students across all grade levels—from elementary through high school—helping them build confidence and mastery in mathematics.

Nicholas teaches remotely in the mornings through a one-on-one independent school in Connecticut and works in the afternoons at two learning centers in Florida. He works with students on all high school math subjects, including Algebra I & II, Geometry, Precalculus, AP Calculus AB, and AP Statistics. No matter the level, Nicholas focuses on helping students strengthen their understanding and build confidence in their math skills.

With extensive experience in both classroom and tutoring settings, Nicholas has successfully guided students through rigorous math curricula and standardized test preparation for the SAT and ACT math sections, often leading to significant improvements in performance and self-assurance.

Known for his patient, structured, and encouraging approach, Nicholas tailors every session to meet each student’s unique learning style. His strong mathematical foundation—highlighted by a perfect 800 on the SAT Math section—and his commitment to student growth make him a trusted and effective mentor for learners at every stage of their academic journey.

Bruce M.

Bruce is an experienced educator with over 30 years of teaching and tutoring across academic subjects including math, science, writing, history, and geography. He’s helped students at all levels improve understanding, raise grades, and boost scores on standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, GED, AP exams, Regents, ASVAB, and Civil Service tests. He’s served as an Adjunct Professor for over 30 years at several colleges, and also taught with The Princeton Review and Kaplan, bringing proven test-prep strategies to his students. In addition to 20 years of private tutoring, he spent 5 years with Science Adventures, running after-school science programs and summer camps plus 6 years at Treasure Island Day Camp in charge of all Nature programs.
His professional background includes more than two decades at Brookhaven National Lab, as well as technical and management roles at Grumman Aerospace, Robotic Vision Systems, Megadata, and American Science, working in scientific research, engineering, software development, management, and consulting. He’s also developed training programs and educational curricula for both academic and professional settings.
Beyond teaching and tech, he is a published writer with thousands of pages in print, as well as a journal editor. Students appreciate his ability to explain complex concepts clearly, build confidence, and adapt to their unique learning style.

Michael E.

Michael is a certified mathematics teacher in the state of Florida and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Florida Gulf Coast University. His strong academic foundation is enhanced by comprehensive teacher training, including extensive coursework in education and teaching placement.

With experience working with students from 4th grade through high school, as well as at the college level, Michael brings both deep content knowledge and a flexible, student-centered approach to instruction. His teaching is grounded in rigorous mathematical understanding and evidence-based strategies that help students deepen their understanding in math concepts, strengthen critical thinking, and prepare for future academic success.
Michael is a firm believer in the value of individualized instruction. He finds one-on-one tutoring is especially effective in math, as it allows him to tailor lessons to each student’s individual needs and build their confidence. Michael hopes to share his love for math with his students. His goal is not only to improve students’ performance in math but also to foster a lasting appreciation for the subject.

Cynthia G. M.

Cynthia holds bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Honors Mathematics, and Geology from the University of South Florida, graduating cum laude. She completed a Master’s in Astronomy at the University of Florida and pursued advanced doctoral research (ABD) in Astronomy, specializing in low-mass star formation. Her career as an educator began early when she was appointed the youngest teaching assistant in her department while still an undergraduate, later securing a full-time faculty position at the University of the Virgin Islands before completing her PhD.

With over 20 years of teaching experience at institutions like the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, Miami Country Day School, and the Community School of Naples, Cynthia has taught a diverse range of students, including those with learning differences, in subjects such as physics, math, astronomy, and Spanish. She is committed to making complex material approachable and employs a structured approach to problem-solving. Cynthia guides students through a 5-step process that helps them tackle any problem with confidence, from understanding the concept to evaluating the solution. This method not only enhances problem-solving skills but also empowers students to become independent, lifelong learners.

By working individually with students, Cynthia is able to quickly identify gaps in their understanding and tailor her lessons to address those specific areas. Her teaching methodology encourages critical thinking, fosters active participation, and builds both academic skills and self-confidence.

Beyond the classroom, Cynthia has been a passionate advocate for outreach, working with students of all ages (from elementary school through adult learners) especially in minority and underrepresented communities. She has also worked closely with students who have special needs, guiding them to success in challenging coursework. As a mother of two middle schoolers, Cynthia understands the personal challenges students face, which strengthens her approach to tutoring.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Cynthia also offers Spanish tutoring and enjoys incorporating cultural perspectives into her teaching. A former professional dance instructor, she believes that creativity and movement can be powerful tools in the learning process, and she integrates these elements into her dynamic teaching style to connect with students in meaningful ways.

Ryan E.

A Collier County native, Ryan holds a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Sociology from the University of Florida, along with minors in Disabilities in Society and Education Studies. His passion for education was sparked by the inspiring teachers in his own life, and he’s now dedicated to creating that same positive impact for his students. Ryan brings a patient, empathetic, and student-centered approach to every session. He believes in building mutual respect and making learning engaging, so that each student feels confident, supported, and excited to learn. At Prep Academy Tutors, Ryan is further developing his teaching skills with plans to transition into a full-time teaching role. In his free time, he enjoys reading, going to the beach, playing video games, and staying active through sports.