Michael S.

After working with hundreds of students, Michael understands that struggles with math and science are incredibly common—and that students are not alone. Often, classroom teachers don’t have the time to adapt to every student’s unique learning style. That’s where Michael steps in: he works closely with each student to find the approach that makes the most sense for them. His past students have gone from being frustrated by a single problem all day to breezing through it with just a small shift in perspective.

Michael’s teaching experience spans a wide range of settings, from one-on-one tutoring in high school to leading review sessions for hundreds of college students. He was even selected as the pedagogy fellow in his graduate program, responsible for preparing incoming graduate students to teach—an honor that reflects both deep content knowledge and outstanding instructional skill. This high-level perspective on effective teaching methods enables Michael to bring exceptional flexibility and responsiveness to his tutoring sessions.

In terms of subject expertise, Michael brings thousands of hours of experience, including 11 years of tutoring, 7 years as a teaching assistant, 2 years of instructing college courses, and both a PhD and a BS in Physics, along with an undergraduate minor in Mathematics. With this foundation, he is confident in his ability to work through any course material alongside his students.

Michael’s tutoring journey began in high school, when he noticed that many of his peers didn’t know where to turn for academic support. This inspired him to explore Universal Design for Learning—an approach that emphasizes presenting content in multiple formats to meet different learning styles. Since then, he has supported college students in tutoring centers, led supplementary instruction sessions, and taught lecture and lab courses at the university level. Michael creates a learning environment where students feel safe to ask questions, engage deeply in discussions, and leave sessions empowered to apply their learning in the real world. He brings this wealth of experience to every tutoring session to help students get exactly what they need from their education.

Tamara O.

Mrs. Tamara is a seasoned K–12 teacher based in North County San Diego, with a focus on Language Arts, Reading and Writing, as well as Spanish and German. She has experience teaching AP English and History, and her students have successfully earned college credits through her instruction. Before shifting to one-on-one and small group tutoring, she taught 5th grade and Kindergarten at a private school in San Diego.

Tamara is also a homeschool teacher and has led small group classes with a creative and student-centered approach. She designs engaging lessons that incorporate her students’ interests, helping them build both skills and confidence. In addition to academic support, she has successfully worked with students on executive functioning, motivation, Dyslexia, and ADD/ADHD.

Daniel R.

Daniel is a well-rounded Educator with over ten years of classroom experience. He specializes in creating curriculum that is personalized for and relevant to each of his students. He is capable of creating structured support for a variety of subjects including ESL, Math, Science, and Computer Science. You’ll also find him an empathetic, patient, and passionate tutor. Set your goals, and Daniel will help you reach them.

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.

Kimberly O.

Kimberly taught English and ESL for 14 years at South Side High School. Before that, she taught ESL and English at Northwood Middle School for 10 years. Both schools are located in Fort Wayne Community Schools in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She has a BA in English with a minor in French from Indiana University. She also has an MA in Education from Indiana Wesleyan. In addition, she holds a Professionalized Teaching license in the state of Indiana.
Kimberly has taught a diverse population of students including students from over 20 different countries. She has taught students with IEP’s as well as students with high ability. Kimberly’s passion is to see academic growth in students. She enjoys helping students achieve benchmarks in their learning to achieve their goals. She values getting to know the student as well as communicating with parents on a regular basis. She is very excited to be part of Prep Academy Tutors and she looks forward to meeting you!

“Teaching is only demonstrating that it is possible. Learning is making it possible for yourself.”
– Paulo Coelho

Melissa F.

Melissa is a passionate educator and mentor with over five years of teaching experience, dedicated to empowering the next generation in STEM. She earned her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Miami, where she taught university students cell biology, neuroscience, and research techniques through both lectures and hands-on lab instruction. She also mentored high school students on independent scientific projects, fostering curiosity and critical thinking at an early stage.

Prior to UM, Melissa completed her Master’s at Drexel University, where she taught materials science and led engaging engineering activities for middle school students from diverse backgrounds. She earned her BS in Biomedical Engineering from University of Florida.

Melissa has worked with students ranging from middle school to college and understands that learning is never one-size-fits-all. She meets each student where they are, helping to build confidence and deepen understanding at a pace that supports their individual growth. She thrives on problem-solving and loves the creativity students bring when learning to apply new math and science concepts. Knowing that complex assignments and tests can be challenging, she is committed to making learning approachable by breaking down tough topics into real-world, relatable examples.

Outside of research and teaching, Melissa enjoys hiking, kayaking, live concerts, and belting karaoke with loved ones. She’s excited to join Prep Academy Tutors and looks forward to making a meaningful impact on each student’s academic journey!

Cella D.

Cella has been an educator for over a decade, with experience spanning Kindergarten–5th Grade and Special Education in both Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe settings. Her passion lies in literacy and supporting diverse learners, especially those with language-based learning differences.

In 2022, she was honored to be named Reading Teacher of the Year, a milestone that reflects her commitment to effective, evidence-based reading instruction. She holds a Dyslexia Interventionist Certificate from the University of Florida and is currently pursuing advanced training in Educational Therapy to deepen her ability to support students with complex learning needs.

For the past three years, she has served as a professional learning facilitator, leading Science of Reading-aligned professional development sessions for schools across the country. She is passionate about helping educators bring research into practice through practical, engaging, and impactful training.

At the heart of her work is a belief in literacy equity and a commitment to equipping all students with the tools they need to thrive.

Sun C.

Sun graduated from UC San Diego with an MBA and holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry. She has taught a range of subjects at UC San Diego, from General Chemistry to Advanced Organic Chemistry, as well as Algebra, Calculus, and Trigonometry. Sun understands the individual struggles students face and is passionate about guiding them along their educational journey. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball.

Dr. Salma S.

Dr. Salma Siddiqui, a passionate and dynamic Chemistry educator with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, brings over seventeen years of teaching and research experience at the college and university level. Known for turning even the most challenging scientific concepts into engaging, relatable lessons, she offers not only deep subject knowledge but also warmth, clarity, and enthusiasm in every session. With a strong commitment to student success, Dr. Salma is especially skilled at making science approachable and enjoyable for all types of learners.

Over the past six years, she has taught a wide range of Chemistry courses at institutions such as the City University of New York and Touro University, New York. Her research expertise in Chemistry adds depth and real-world perspective to her teaching. What truly sets her apart, however, is her ability to understand her students’ strengths and challenges, and to adapt her teaching style to meet their individual needs.

Now based in San Marcos, California and serving as a Chemistry faculty member at Grossmont College in El Cajon, Dr. Salma is excited to bring her expertise to middle and high school students as a Chemistry tutor—especially those seeking additional support outside the classroom. Whether it’s decoding the periodic table, understanding chemical reactions, or prepping for exams, she helps students build a strong foundation while making science genuinely fun. Students and parents alike value her calm, supportive approach and her knack for making Chemistry feel less intimidating and more like a journey of discovery.

In her free time, you’ll likely find her exploring new places, getting lost in a good book, or listening to her favorite music. With Dr. Salma, science isn’t just about formulas and facts—it’s about curiosity, creativity, and unlocking the wonder behind the world around us.

Joshua W.

Joshua is a Math-Computer Science major at University of California San Diego with a strong passion for helping students succeed. He has several years of experience mentoring and tutoring from elementary to college level. He is also currently a mentor for first year students at UCSD. Joshua specializes in Mathematics and STEM subjects, and is naturally skilled in breaking down questions to an understandable concept. He comes with an approach of patience and encouragement, and understands that every student is different, adapting when needed. His goal is to not only focus on the grade but to build confidence and understanding of the subject. Joshua spends his free time with Church activities and trading card games.