Ann S.
Ann Stec grew up teaching. As the oldest of four children, and the only girl, she would often create a “classroom” for her younger brother, taking them through practice with letters and numbers. Her mom would buy used workbooks at thrift stores for her to use with her “pupils” each week. Ann loved it–her brothers were decidedly on the fence!
When it was time to officially choose a career, Ann went to Illinois State and graduated with a B.S. in Education with concentrations in Language Arts and Reading. Her plan was to teach junior high school students to love reading and learning. But a few years into teaching, Ann was recruited to teach teachers at the elementary level how to teach reading in their classrooms. It was a leap–big kids to little–but it turned out to be a game changer!
While working at the elementary level, Ann found that some students continued to struggle to acquire literacy skills, despite receiving intervention. She realized she needed to learn more about how to help these students and decided to pursue her Wilson Level 1 certification. She credits that decision as the single best decision of her professional career and she has spent the last nineteen years of her career helping kids who learn differently master how to read.
Ann believes that the best instruction–at any level–empowers students to be reflective learners and goal setters. She believes that teacher, parent and student comprise the learning team and is an advocate of working with parents and students together in order to help all kids reach their academic potential.
Ann is in her 29th year of teaching and currently works as a Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach in Naperville 203. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching, is ELL certified and is a certified Wilson Level 1 Instructor. In her free time, she volunteers with animal welfare agencies (she has nine pets!), READS, thrifts, travels, and hangs out with her favorite people as much as possible.
Lauren D.
Lauren D. is a certified elementary educator with a passion for teaching and helping students thrive! Lauren earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology from North Central College in 2020, with minors in Leadership and Conflict Resolution. After beginning her teaching career at Lincoln Elementary in Wheaton, IL as a 1st-grade teacher, Lauren discovered a deep interest in math instruction and curriculum development.In 2024, she furthered her expertise by earning a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Aurora University, with endorsements in English as a Second Language (ELL) and Learning Behavior Specialist (LBS1).
Now in her fifth year at Lincoln Elementary, Lauren continues to teach 1st grade, where she finds great fulfillment in fostering growth and confidence in her students! Lauren’s experience extends beyond the classroom. Lauren has extensive expertise in teaching religious education for grades 4-6, serving as a before-school counselor with the YMCA, and working as a daycare teacher at Lighthouse Academy. Lauren has also tutored students in both reading and math. Outside of work, Lauren enjoys tennis, traveling with friends, and spending summer days at Wrigley Field cheering for the Chicago Cubs!
Michael Z.
Michael A. Zaucedo graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2021. He grew up in Chicago, IL and attended a boarding High school at Lake Forest Academy in 2011. Michael grew up with a deep love for Science and Mathematics and took a study abroad opportunity in Costa Rica in the summer of 2018 to study an indigenous plant called Jatoba. During the summer of 2019, he discovered his passion for teaching and working with children when completing his teaching internship at High Jump Chicago as a teaching assistant (TA) for Chemistry––through teaching, he fostered his love for Chemistry and Mathematics. In his spare time, Michael works one-on-one with students ranging from middle through High School. He encouraged and supported the improvement of their Chemistry, and Mathematics skills ranging from Algebra, Trigonometry and Calculus. As a mentor, Michael continues to develop strategies for working with students and believes that building strong relationships will grow their learning and help guide them to reach their full potential toward being a well rounded student. Michael enjoys playing sports like baseball, basketball and football, watching suspense movies, as well as spending time with his family and friends.
Carol K.
Carol Kato graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, with a double major in Psychology and Diversity Studies. During her time in school, she worked as a tutor and mentor to grade school children aged 4 to 13. Carol has a passion for understanding how the human brain develops, which has sparked her interest in how children retain information through play and storytelling. She has worked with children from diverse backgrounds and cultures and speaks three languages: English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Carol knows that many children struggle with certain subjects not because they are incapable of understanding the information, but because that information sometimes needs to be broken down step by step, in a playful manner, to improve memory retention and understanding.
In addition to her work with children, Carol loves shopping, traveling, eating, drinking tea, and spending time with her friends and family. Her family consists of her husband, their 3-year-old son, and their beloved dogs, Tina and Brady.
Jean G.
Jean has 12 years of teaching experience, and is passionate about working with students in the early elementary grades. She began her career as a Kindergarten teacher and has experience teaching grades Kindergarten through 3rd, most recently acting as a 3rd grade teacher in Bonita Springs, Florida. Jean feels strongly that students learn best when the teacher develops an impactful student relationship, and the student is motivated by this relationship to learn. She loves to make learning fun in the younger years! When Jean moved to Chicago to be closer to family, she realized she missed connecting with students and loves the flexibility the tutoring position brings to her busy life. She also loves the ability to connect to students one-on-one, and see their academic growth. Jean received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Child Science from Florida State University, and since then obtained her reading endorsement (PreK-12) as well as a certification of completion in Orton-Gillingham reading instruction.
When not teaching and tutoring, Jean enjoys spending time with her husband and two young boys. She loves to explore local parks, trails and all things nature. She is still getting used to “Chicago winters” but is up for the challenge! Jean loves cooking and watching FSU sports. She is looking forward to meeting local students and families and helping students achieve academic success!
Manvit A.
Manvit recently graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied Neuroscience & Behavior and Global Affairs. During his time in college, he was heavily involved in research and service opportunities, which fostered his love for engaging with new communities and people. This passion is also reflected in his mentorship and tutoring work.
With a strong belief in the importance of education, Manvit focuses on helping students develop critical-thinking skills and confidence, alongside mastering content. He has several years of experience tutoring students in a wide variety of subjects, including chemistry, math, and standardized testing. With a keen awareness of each student’s unique needs, Manvit adapts to their individual learning styles and preferences to help them achieve their goals.
In his free time, he enjoys watching college football, visiting museums, traveling, trivia, and much more.
Jen S.
For 15 years Jen has taught 1st and 3rd grade at various suburban and urban school districts in the Chicagoland area. She loves being a teacher and tutor and has a passion for education; especially when working with students in a tutoring setting! While at the University of Chicago she graduated with her degree in English Literature while also being a student-athlete and captain of the softball team. She went on to complete her Masters of Elementary Education with her LBS1 endorsement. During her career she has hosted 9 student teachers in her classroom and has loved to coach them and watch them grow as educators. In her spare time she coaches her daughters in softball, basketball, and golf as well as fosters dogs for a local dog rescue.
Angelica S.
Beth P.
Alongside having years of tutoring experience, Beth tutors students where she fosters an engaging, personalized one-on-one interactive lesson. Beth earned her BA in History with a Music minor from Elmhurst University. As a mentor, Beth continues to develop strategies for working with children of all ages and finds these experiences enjoying and extremely rewarding! In here spare time, Beth enjoys gardening, playing her flute, and spending time with Family and friends.
Mack O.
Mack has 10 years of teaching experience. Born in 1992, he grew up in Oak Park, playing every sport imaginable. Upon graduation from OPRF he went to Illinois State University. Here, he started as a business major but realized he would rather be in the business of Education and switched his major after freshman year, taking one class over the allowed amount each semester to catch up and graduate in four years. He earned a degree in Middle Level Education (6th to 9th), with a primary endorsement in Mathematics and a secondary endorsement in English. There were many times he told others that he wanted to be a middle school teacher and they couldn’t believe that was the age group he wanted to be in the classroom with. However, he knew that is a very impressionable and important age in a child’s life, and he wanted to contribute to their growth, being a positive role model and helping them mature any way that he could. After graduating ISU, he moved to Arizona and taught Math for 10 years and again, was able to coach every sport imaginable.