Olivia B.

Olivia B. is a Certified Teacher who has been working in Jefferson Parish School District for the last four years. Olivia grew up in Harvey, Louisiana. She graduated from Mount Carmel Academy in 2009 and received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Louisiana State University. Prior to teaching, Olivia was a stay-at-home mother to her two daughters. Her youngest daughter’s “terrible twos” led her to apply for a middle school teaching position. Since then, she has not looked back! Olivia was selected in 2023 to complete her Alternative Education Certification through Jefferson Parish’s Embark Program. Olivia grew up in a large family whose parents were both educators. Olivia has always been a natural-born mentor, leader, and role model. Understanding students’ needs and how they learn best is what drives Olivia in the classroom each and every day. Olivia evaluates students on an individual basis and plans lessons accordingly. No one student learns the same. The success of each student is truly important to her. Olivia loves building relationships with her students because it helps build a positive community in the classroom. Teamwork is key to the positive environment Olivia strives for in the classroom. Working together to solve problems and investigate questions leads to growth not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom.

 

 

Theresa R.

Throughout her many years at school, Theresa R. worked to create a learning environment where ideas can flow freely and expanding knowledge is the name of the game. She learned to share her values and teaching experiences with others all the way back in high school, when her English teachers allowed her to begin tutoring other students in the ways of reading and writing. Following this, she graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a degree in English, alongside a minor in History. From there, she went on to get her Master’s in Literature at the University of Texas at Dallas, where she not only focused on writing, literature, and grammar, but also took several classes in history, from Native Americans in the U.S. to women’s place in Europe during war times. Though her focus these days has been on her job in generative A.I. for Google’s Gemini, helping and tutoring others has been a passion that she wants to pursue once more. She plans to bring her excitement for learning, as well as her skills in American Sign Language (ASL) that she picked up while in Lafayette, to help young people in today’s educational environment. She provides a hands-on learning experience for those who may be struggling and brings a passion for literature and history that is infectious, all while fostering a safe and fun environment for children of all ages.

 

Jenna C.

Jenna C. is a certified teacher with a strong academic background and a passion for helping students succeed. She grew up in a suburb of Dallas before moving to New Orleans to pursue her undergraduate studies at Loyola University New Orleans, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in 2017. Following graduation, Jenna began her career as a full-time tutor, specializing in ACT/SAT preparation as well as a wide range of secondary-level subjects. During this time, she developed a deep understanding of individualized instruction and the strategies students need to build confidence and improve performance. Her success as a tutor inspired her to further her commitment to education by completing a teaching certification program in 2022. Since becoming a full-time classroom teacher, Jenna has gained diverse experience teaching everything from middle school English to advanced high school math. This versatility allows her to adapt her teaching methods to meet the needs of learners at different levels and across subject areas. Jenna thrives on building meaningful relationships with her students and believes that understanding each student’s unique learning style is key to mastering new material. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel empowered to ask questions, take risks, and achieve their academic goals.

 

 

Linda M.

For the past almost-five years, Linda Monacelli has been a certified teacher of middle school Spanish at Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy. Prior to teaching Spanish, she taught high school ESL/ELL for four years and high school English Language Arts (ELA) for two years. Linda was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to New Orleans to begin her teaching journey in May of 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Northeastern Illinois University and will be completing her Master’s degree in Spanish Language Teaching this summer in Guanajuato, Mexico. Linda has been working on this degree for the past two years through Southern Oregon University’s Summer Language Institute, and she has loved every minute of it, especially being able to study and speak Spanish in Mexico! She has also taken classes in Cadiz, Spain. Spanish is Linda’s third language, with Italian being her second, and English her first. Linda comes from a big Italian family who initially immigrated to the United States from the forested and mountainous regions of Abruzzo and Molise. When she is not teaching or working on her Master’s thesis, Linda loves to travel and immerse herself in other cultures, including language, food, music, dance, traditions, art, site-seeing, and making new friends. She also enjoys reading, spending quality time with her family, cooking, and playing PC games.

Hannah G-C.

Hannah is certified in English- Secondary Education and Mild to Moderate- Special Education and has been working in education for over eight years. She has taught and supported students at every level, from pre-k, elementary, middle, and high school, and currently works as the Instructional Specialist over the Humanities Department at a local high school. Born and raised in New Orleans, Hannah earned her degree in English Literature from LSU before completing a dual M.A.T in Secondary Education and Special Education at Xavier University of Louisiana. She believes that every student learns differently and is passionate about meeting students where they are, building confidence, consistency, and the skills they need to reach their goals, including preparation for state and standardized tests such as LEAP. Outside of the classroom, Hannah loves spending time with her dogs at the park, trying new restaurants, traveling, and indulging her passions for fashion and antiquing.

 

Kathryn H.

Kathryn H. is an experienced educator, learning specialist, and former intelligence professional who brings exceptional depth, structure, and insight to her work with students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Mary Washington, and is currently completing her MBA at Harvard Business School.

Kathryn is an Orton-Gillingham Associate (dyslexia specialist) and holds a TEFL certification from Cambridge University, England. She spent over 10 years as an SAT and SAT II tutor and has taught students across all grade levels, now specializing in reading, writing, and executive functioning—particularly for neurodivergent learners with Dyslexia, ADHD, or Autism.

Prior to her career in education, Kathryn served for 20 years with the USMC and CIA, working at the Pentagon and spending several years in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Combat Operations Planner, an experience that deeply informs her calm, strategic, and highly individualized approach to learning. Known for building strong relationships and confidence in her students, Kathryn blends evidence-based instruction with real-world problem-solving.

Outside the classroom, she is a Le Cordon Bleu alumna who enjoys cooking, playing soccer, and horseback riding—proof that discipline, curiosity, and creativity can thrive side by side.

 

Christian R.

Christian R. is a dedicated educator to both neurotypical and neurodiverse children. She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University, earning a bachelor’s degree in history. Throughout the pandemic, she supported early childhood students, guiding them swiftly through a critical time. Christian has experience working with students on the autism spectrum, utilizing adaptive tools to ensure the quality of their education. Christian has taught multiple subjects, all tailored to each child’s needs, including elementary math, ELA, social studies, and even handwriting. She loves to implement the creative arts in her lessons and encourages students to express themselves through their work.

 

Torre M.

Torre’ M. is a dedicated educator and professional dancer based in New Orleans. With four years of teaching experience, Torre’ began her career in education as a substitute teacher and has since evolved into a passionate elective and physical education teacher. A native of New Orleans, Torre’ holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Prairie View A&M University in Texas. Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her role as an educator.

Torre’s commitment to her students is evident in her diverse teaching roles, where she instructs kindergarten through eighth grade. As a current elective teacher for dance and a PE teacher, Torre’ brings a blend of creativity and physical education to her classroom, inspiring students to explore and express themselves.In addition to teaching, Torre’ is on the cusp of earning a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, furthering her dedication to New Orleans youth. She is passionate about empowering students with essential skills in reading, writing, and STEM programs. Outside the classroom, Torre’ is a professional dancer, channeling her passion for movement and expression into her free time. Torre’ is excited to continue her journey of growth and contribution, both as an educator and a mentor.

Jared D.

Jared D. is a certified science educator and academic tutor with a degree in Animal Science and over eight years of experience teaching students in grades 6–12. Known for his ability to make complex scientific concepts clear, engaging, and approachable, Jared has helped countless students build confidence in subjects ranging from general science to advanced biology and chemistry. He specializes in tailoring instruction to each learner’s needs, creating supportive, structured sessions that foster both understanding and enthusiasm for learning. Jared’s students appreciate his patience, consistency, and knack for breaking big ideas into manageable steps.

 

 

Clifton S.

Clifton is a certified teacher. He grew up in Metairie and has lived in Orleans Parish for over 40 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in second language education as well as two master’s degrees, one in Spanish and a second in French, all at the University of New Orleans. Clifton has taught Spanish at Br. Martin, UNO, and Holy Cross High School, and French at Br. Martin, UNO, and Loyola.
In addition to teaching in the classroom setting, Clifton has conducted face-to-face tutoring sessions at coffee shops or at students’ homes and, when necessary, sessions on Zoom. Clifton has worked with elementary, junior high, high school, and college-level students.
Students have frequently written reviews of Clifton’s teaching, saying that his explanations are clear and easy to understand. Students also say that he is funny and very understanding of their difficulties.
In addition to French and Spanish, Clifton has tutored students in Italian and Latin. He has working knowledge of Romanian and Swedish.
Clifton has travelled extensively in Central America and has been to Brazil, France, and Italy. He feels that it is essential to share cultural experiences along with the vocabulary and grammar rules involved in learning a new language.