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.

Elizabeth O.

Elizabeth has been an educator for over 20 years, working across public, private, and preschool settings. She holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and is passionate about using a multi-sensory approach to help children learn and thrive. She believes in making learning fun and engaging by incorporating hands-on activities, creativity, and movement to keep students excited and motivated.

A few years ago, Elizabeth stepped away from the classroom to focus on raising her son. However, her passion for teaching never faded. She has continued working with students through tutoring and leading toddler sensory classes, where she fosters early learning through play and exploration.

Outside of teaching, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband, 7-year-old son, and their playful puppy. In her free time, she loves visiting the beach, going on long walks with her dog, and playing sports with her son.

Janet G.

Janet is an experienced math educator who brings over 10 years of classroom experience to her work with students. She believes every child can succeed in math when given the right tools, encouragement, and support. Janet specializes in making math feel engaging and accessible, often using hands-on and project-based approaches to spark curiosity and build confidence. She helped lead her school’s shift to the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, a program designed to help students truly understand math—not just memorize steps.

Katrina G.

Katrina has 5 years of experience teaching and tutoring in STEM. She has taught introductory biology college courses and tutored grades 2-12 in mathematics. Katrina obtained her PhD in Molecular Biosciences from Washington State University. She also has her B.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Sonoma State University of California.

Katrina has a passion for sharing her knowledge of science with others. She loves creating scientific content including visuals which help others better understand various scientific topics. Katrina understands everyone learns differently and personalizing the learning experience to each student is important to bring out their potential. She has experience teaching both groups and individuals in person and virtually.

Ishita B.

Ishita is a passionate, licensed educator with over seven years of experience teaching students of all ages. Holding a Master’s in Elementary Education from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s in Theatre from Loyola University Chicago, she brings warmth, creativity, and engagement to every learning experience.
With a deep belief that learning should be joyful, meaningful, and student-driven, Ishita tailors instruction to each child’s unique strengths and interests. She specializes in play-based learning, social-emotional development, and meditation techniques, creating a nurturing environment where students feel safe, confident, and excited to explore. To Ishita, learning isn’t confined to a classroom—it happens everywhere, in every moment, and she strives to help students recognize and embrace that with their own learning.
Through years of experience in homeschooling, learning pods, and one-on-one tutoring, Ishita has developed a whole-child approach that blends real-world applications with hands-on exploration. Whether leading field trips, designing personalized curriculums, or fostering critical thinking, she is dedicated to cultivating curiosity and resilience in every student. She deeply believes in the power of each child’s unique creativity and “genius.” She also encourages a growth mindset, reminding students that while learning can sometimes be challenging, they are capable of achieving great things.
At the heart of Ishita’s teaching is a genuine love for helping children discover their own potential and build confidence in their abilities. She is dedicated to creating a learning experience where students feel seen, heard, and valued. Above all, she hopes to inspire a lifelong love of learning in every student she works with.

Matthew R.

Matthew’s journey into education was an unexpected yet deeply rewarding path. After earning a BA in Television, Film, and New Media, he initially pursued a career in the film industry. However, in 2013, while teaching a film course at the Digital Media Academy summer tech camp, he discovered a passion for guiding young scholars toward academic, creative, and professional success. This experience inspired him to pursue a single-subject teaching credential, leading him to a fulfilling career in education.

Since 2018, Matthew has been an educator at The Preuss School, UC San Diego, where he has honed his teaching philosophy and instructional methods. Initially stepping in to fill a vacancy in the Drama department, he transformed the curriculum into a film-based program that integrates Art, English, and History. His courses reinforce grade-level ELA comprehension and writing skills through in-depth units on story structure, plot development, character analysis, and thematic content. Students apply these skills to writing their own screenplays, while Film I students explore film theory and cinema history. In his advanced Film II/Honors Film course, students engage in collaborative, hands-on projects that guide them through all stages of video production, from pre-production to post-production.

Matthew’s adaptability and innovation were especially evident during the pandemic when The Preuss School transitioned to remote learning for two years. While many educators faced challenges, he embraced the format, finding new ways to engage students and enhance learning through strategic virtual instruction. He firmly believes that, when thoughtfully designed, virtual learning can be just as impactful—if not more—than in-person instruction.

His passion lies in inviting students into the vibrant world of poetry, literature, and history and watching them engage with enthusiasm. Through teaching, he hopes to foster a deep sense of global awareness, empathy, and compassion in his students, empowering them to express themselves through both written and visual storytelling.

Matthew is eager to begin the tutoring process for students in need of support in English, reading, writing, history, social studies, college essay writing, and test prep. Additionally, with his background in Film, he is thrilled to assist students seeking help with video production, editing, or acting. His expertise also extends to Public Speaking and Debate courses, providing students with valuable skills to enhance their speaking abilities.

Matthew is excited to bring his expertise and passion for education to Prep Academy Tutors, where he continues to support students in their academic journeys.

Guillermina C.

Guille is a compassionate education specialist with 25 plus years of teaching experience. She is certified to teach K-adult students with her multi-subject and special-education credentials.
Guille has experience working with students with dyslexia and our special needs’ population, particularly with the autism community.
During her spare time, she volunteers with Special Olympics and Camps for Sports 4 Exceptional Athletes.

Leila “Sunny” H.

Leila holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and has over 10 years experience teaching in public elementary and middle school settings as well as homeschool classrooms. Currently, Leila uses her passion and expertise for engaging emerging and struggling readers with one on one explicit instruction. Adhering to the philosophy of The Science of Reading, which addresses all components of language (spelling, phonics, writing, and oral communication along with reading) her passion is connecting with the individual student and developing an engaging and personalized curriculum that fosters their desire to learn. Leila utilizes an approach that is centered around games and personal connection. She believes educational success should also include parental involvement and finds creative ways to incorporate learning into family life and uses positive communication to work as a team within the family unit. By closely monitoring progress and careful attention to observable and measurable data, Leila teaches in a method that is specific to each individual’s needs and interests.

Sofia H.

Sofia is a doctoral student in the cell and molecular biology program at SDSU and UCSD. Her project explores the biological mechanisms of ovarian cancer metastasis and drug resistance.
Ms. Howe’s journey in science began at North Dakota State University where she was researching paternal investment in bees under stressful conditions, like cold weather. During her senior year, she shifted her research focus to biomedical sciences where she researched the effects of asthma in smooth muscle cells. While researching these biological topics, she was a goalkeeper for the Division 1 soccer program for 4 years.
Ms. Howe tutors biology, chemistry and math for Prep Academy Tutors of San Diego. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Howe enjoys hot yoga, playing with her two yorkies, and restoring vintage Coach bags.

Erika V.

Erika recently retired after 33 years in elementary education, during which time she held various roles. For 17 years, Erika was a second-grade bilingual teacher and taught primarily in Spanish with a special focus on developing English literacy. She then went on to be a Language Arts Specialist, overseeing all targeted interventions and closely monitoring progress in order to provide tailored support to the students who need it most. After three years, Erika returned to the classroom as a fourth grade teacher and held the position for eleven years. Prior to retiring, she spent the final year of her teaching career in an administrator position (Multi-tiered Systems of Support Coordinator). In addition to providing support to principals and teachers at two different schools, Erika oversaw the collection, analysis, and synthesis of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional data for the purpose of designing and coordinating targeted interventions for individual students.

Erika truly enjoyed her teaching career and took great pleasure in watching students grow and gain confidence in their learning. She believes it’s crucial that a student feel at ease and that they view reading as an enjoyable experience, not a chore. She recognizes that at the early stages, reading needs to be interactive to build confidence and comprehension. She attempts to make learning fun and look for ways to connect with the student’s interests. Since retiring, Erika has missed the kids and looks forward to having the opportunity to work with them again. Erika would love to have the opportunity to work with your family and support your child’s success in school.