Giani C.

Giani is a highly experienced literacy specialist, Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT), Educational Diagnostician, and educator with more than 20 years of teaching, coaching, and tutoring experience. Throughout her career, Giani has been guided by one fundamental belief: every student learns differently, and effective instruction begins with understanding how an individual child thinks, processes information, and connects with learning.

Giani earned her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Arlington. She continued her advanced training through Midwestern State University to become an Educational Diagnostician, developing specialized expertise in evaluating how students learn and understanding how learning differences can affect academic performance.

Her credentials in literacy instruction are particularly extensive. Giani is a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) and holds Texas certifications as a Reading Specialist, Master Reading Teacher, Educational Diagnostician, and Elementary Generalist, along with additional endorsements in English as a Second Language and Gifted and Talented education. She has also received specialized training in structured literacy programs including Reading by Design, Basic Language Skills, and JET, as well as Orton-Gillingham-based instruction.

This combination of classroom experience, diagnostic expertise, and specialized literacy training makes Giani particularly effective with students who struggle with dyslexia, decoding, phonics, spelling, fluency, reading comprehension, and written language. Rather than simply helping students compensate for areas of difficulty, Giani works systematically to strengthen the underlying skills necessary to become more capable and confident readers and writers.

At the same time, Giani’s expertise extends far beyond reading intervention. She works with students across the academic spectrum, from elementary learners developing foundational literacy skills to middle and high school students tackling sophisticated reading and writing assignments. Her tutoring areas include elementary academics, middle school Language Arts, AP English, writing, spelling, college essay writing, and English preparation for the SAT and ACT, as well as comprehensive STAAR preparation.

One of Giani’s greatest strengths is her ability to understand why a student may be struggling. Her background as an Educational Diagnostician gives her a valuable perspective when working with students who have learning differences or complicated academic histories. She can identify patterns in how students approach reading and writing and then adapt instruction to address individual needs while building on existing strengths.

For advanced students, Giani applies that same analytical approach to higher-level literacy skills. Whether a student is learning to evaluate an author’s argument, develop a thesis, analyze rhetoric, organize an essay, or refine a college application essay, she helps students break complex language tasks into understandable components and then put those pieces together effectively.

Families appreciate Giani’s ability to combine deep professional expertise with patient, individualized instruction. She understands that students who have struggled academically may arrive at tutoring already believing they are “bad at reading” or “not good at English.” Giani works to change that experience by providing instruction at the appropriate level, recognizing progress, and giving students concrete strategies that allow them to experience success for themselves.

Above all, Giani is passionate about helping students discover the power—and ideally even the enjoyment—of reading. Whether she is teaching phonics to a beginning reader, providing structured literacy intervention for a student with dyslexia, strengthening a middle schooler’s writing, or helping an advanced high school student master rhetorical analysis, her goal is to build a strong and lasting foundation for how students read, write, communicate, and think.

Outside of education, Giani is an enthusiastic reader herself, with a particular fondness for urban fantasy novels. She enjoys sharing her love of books with students—while fully recognizing that convincing every student to share her enthusiasm for urban fantasy may be one teaching challenge even she can’t solve.

Lena H.

Lena is a certified Texas educator with a creative, student-centered approach to helping learners build confidence, strengthen academic skills, and discover how they learn best. She holds a Texas EC–12 teaching certification and brings several years of classroom experience working with students from early elementary through middle school, along with experience supporting learners with a wide variety of academic abilities, learning styles, and individual needs.

Lena graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Art, earning a 3.81 GPA. Her university studies also reflected her broad interest in the humanities and social sciences, with coursework exploring literature, culture, history, and the ways art and storytelling reflect society. This interdisciplinary background has helped shape her ability to make subjects such as English, writing, history, geography, and social studies more engaging and relatable for students.

As a classroom educator, Lena has taught hundreds of students across elementary and middle school settings and has designed more than 75 standards-aligned lessons. Her experience includes developing curriculum, differentiating instruction, incorporating educational technology, assessing student progress, and finding creative ways to present information so students can better understand and retain it.

Lena is particularly passionate about working with students who benefit from a more individualized approach to learning. She has managed and implemented IEP accommodations for special education students and has completed additional professional training in dyslexia awareness, mental-health response, and Capturing Kids’ Hearts. She has developed a strong connection with neurodivergent students, including learners with ADHD and autism, and strives to create an environment where students feel understood, supported, and comfortable asking for help.

Lena specializes in English, English Language Arts, reading, writing, spelling, and middle school Language Arts, along with a broad range of humanities and social sciences, including U.S. History, World History, Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy. She also supports students in AP English, AP Human Geography, AP World History, college essay writing, and introductory college-level English and Psychology.

In addition, Lena works with students on executive functioning, test-taking skills, and standardized test preparation, including English preparation for the SAT and ACT, as well as STAAR Reading and Social Studies. Her experience with organization, differentiated instruction, and individual accommodations makes her especially well suited for students who understand the material but struggle with planning, organization, task completion, or demonstrating what they know on assignments and tests.

One of Lena’s greatest strengths is her ability to approach academic material creatively. Her background in art and visual storytelling allows her to incorporate visual explanations, step-by-step modeling, and alternative ways of presenting information when traditional instruction isn’t connecting with a student. Rather than expecting every learner to process information in the same way, Lena works to discover what makes a concept “click” for each individual student.

Families appreciate Lena’s patience, creativity, and ability to build genuine connections with students. She believes students are more willing to challenge themselves when they feel safe making mistakes and know their teacher genuinely understands them. Her goal is to help students recognize their own strengths while developing the academic skills, strategies, and independence necessary for continued success.

Outside of teaching, Lena is an artist and storyteller who has had a lifelong love of comics and animation. She enjoys creating her own stories and artwork exploring underrepresented communities and themes of justice and representation. She brings that same curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for different perspectives into her work with students.

Keegan B.

Keegan is an accomplished scientist, university instructor, and STEM educator who is passionate about helping students develop confidence and genuine understanding in challenging math and science courses. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, and Commercialization at Texas State University, where his doctoral research focuses on advanced materials and catalysts used in electrochemical energy technologies.

Keegan also earned both his Master of Science in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Texas State University, along with a minor in Biology. His master’s research focused on the synthesis and characterization of iridium-titanium oxide materials for use as catalysts in water electrolyzers and fuel-cell technologies. His academic accomplishments include being named Outstanding Chemistry Graduate Student in 2024 and earning recognition as an ACS Certified Researcher.

Teaching has become an important part of Keegan’s academic career. For more than three years, he served as a Graduate Instructional Assistant at Texas State, teaching undergraduate chemistry laboratory students the scientific principles behind their experiments, helping them troubleshoot problems, answering questions, and evaluating their laboratory work. He has also mentored undergraduate and master’s students in scientific research, teaching advanced experimental techniques and helping developing scientists become more confident and independent in the laboratory.

Keegan specializes in Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Biology, Algebra I & II, Pre-Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and Statistics. His particularly deep expertise in chemistry makes him an excellent resource for students ranging from those encountering chemistry for the first time to advanced high school and college students tackling increasingly complex coursework.

One of Keegan’s greatest strengths is his ability to connect classroom concepts to real scientific applications. His research involves sophisticated areas of chemistry and materials science, including electrochemistry, catalyst development, spectroscopy, microscopy, and materials characterization. He has presented his research at professional scientific meetings and conferences around the country, giving him firsthand experience applying the concepts students encounter in chemistry, physics, and mathematics to important real-world scientific problems.

Despite his advanced scientific background, Keegan believes effective tutoring begins with meeting students at their current level. He focuses on building strong relationships and creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and admitting when something doesn’t make sense. Rather than encouraging students to memorize formulas or procedures, he helps them understand the underlying principles so they can approach unfamiliar problems with greater confidence.

Families appreciate Keegan’s patient, thoughtful approach and his ability to break complicated STEM concepts into manageable steps. Whether he is helping a student establish a stronger foundation in Algebra, preparing for AP Chemistry, working through Organic Chemistry, or tackling college-level science, his goal is to help students become stronger problem-solvers and increasingly independent learners.

Outside of teaching and research, Keegan enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends. His combination of scientific curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity carries naturally into his teaching and helps him connect with students who may initially find STEM subjects intimidating.

Todd M.

Todd is an experienced science educator, biological scientist, and outdoor educator with more than 15 years of experience helping students understand and appreciate the natural world. With expertise spanning biology, chemistry, environmental science, anatomy, and the earth sciences, Todd is passionate about showing students that science is much more than memorizing vocabulary and formulas—it is a way of understanding how the world around them works.

Todd earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Louisiana and pursued graduate study in Environmental Health Science at the University of Georgia. His scientific background extends well beyond the classroom and includes professional experience in ecological research, environmental science, wildlife biology, and federal environmental programs.

Before focusing primarily on education, Todd worked as a Physical Scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where his work involved environmental policy, air quality, offshore exploration, and federal environmental regulations. He also served as a research associate studying carbon sequestration in southeastern U.S. swamps and wetlands and worked as a biological science technician conducting field surveys of wildlife populations, endangered plant studies, and conservation programs.

Todd brings this extensive real-world scientific experience directly into his teaching. As a science instructor, he has taught Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science while developing curricula that incorporate hands-on experiments, interactive activities, and outdoor educational experiences. His greatest area of expertise is the biological sciences, and he especially enjoys helping students connect concepts from biology and ecology to things they can observe and investigate in everyday life.

His tutoring expertise includes Biology, AP Biology, Cell Biology, , Anatomy, Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physics, Physical Science, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Geology, and Space Science, as well as middle school math. Todd also supports students preparing for 8th-grade Science STAAR, the ACT, and the TEAS exam, along with helping students develop stronger study habits and test-taking strategies.

One of Todd’s greatest strengths is his ability to make science tangible. Rather than relying solely on textbooks, he enjoys using experiments, demonstrations, outdoor exploration, and real-world examples to help students understand why scientific concepts work. His background as both a scientist and outdoor educator allows him to answer the question students so often ask: “When am I ever going to use this?”

Throughout his teaching career, Todd has worked with students representing a wide range of abilities, learning styles, and confidence levels. He believes students learn best when they feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, testing ideas, and discovering answers for themselves. His tutoring style is patient, encouraging, and highly interactive, with an emphasis on building genuine understanding rather than short-term memorization.

As both an educator and the father of three teenage boys, Todd also understands that no two students learn exactly the same way. Sometimes a student simply needs to hear a concept explained differently or see it demonstrated in a new context before everything begins to click. His goal is to identify that connection for each learner and use it to build greater confidence, curiosity, and independence.

Outside of education, Todd enjoys hiking, camping, geocaching, and exploring the natural world with his family. He is also a former drummer—a background that may explain both his appreciation for creativity and his comfort managing the occasional controlled chaos that comes with helping young people learn.

Ultimately, Todd wants students to leave tutoring with more than improved grades. He strives to help them become stronger problem-solvers, more confident learners, and perhaps even discover that science can actually be fun.

Chris H.

Maggie B.

Maggie is an accomplished educator and school leader with more than 19 years of experience helping students and teachers achieve academic success. Her career has included roles as a high school English and Drama teacher, instructional coach, English Department Coordinator, Academic Dean, Assistant Principal, and Principal. This extensive experience gives Maggie a unique understanding of not only how students learn, but also how to identify academic challenges, develop effective strategies, and help students become more confident and independent learners.

Maggie earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Florida and her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She holds Texas credentials in English Language Arts and Reading for grades 8–12 as well as school leadership and instructional evaluation.

Maggie spent many years teaching high school English, including Pre-AP, AP, and College Board curriculum, and has extensive experience preparing students for challenging coursework and standardized assessments. She has developed STAAR preparation strategies for high school English, supported AP students, led English curriculum development, and coached other teachers in research-based instructional practices. Later in her career, as an Academic Dean, she also served as a campus testing coordinator overseeing EOC, SAT, and AP assessments.

Maggie specializes in English, reading and writing, college essay development, and standardized test preparation, including the English and verbal components of the SAT and ACT, as well as PSAT and Regents preparation. Her background in English, literature, drama, and curriculum development makes her particularly effective at helping students strengthen reading comprehension, analytical thinking, essay organization, grammar, and written communication.

Her expertise also extends beyond English and writing. Maggie supports students in Biology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, and World History, making her a versatile option for students who need assistance across multiple academic areas.

One of Maggie’s greatest strengths is her ability to recognize what is preventing an individual student from succeeding and adjust instruction accordingly. Having spent years coaching both students and teachers, she knows there is rarely a single approach that works for everyone. She breaks difficult material into manageable steps, provides clear and constructive feedback, and helps students develop strategies they can eventually use independently.

Families appreciate Maggie’s combination of warmth, professionalism, high expectations, and extensive educational experience. Whether she is helping a student strengthen an essay, prepare for the SAT or ACT, tackle an advanced English course, or regain confidence after struggling academically, Maggie’s goal is to help students recognize their capabilities and develop the skills necessary for lasting success.

Having spent much of her own school years living in Europe, Maggie developed an early appreciation for travel, history, and different cultures. She later shared that passion with her students by leading educational travel experiences to destinations around the world. Outside of education, she continues to enjoy traveling, learning about other cultures, and spending time with her family.

Holly H.

Holly is a certified Texas educator with more than 15 years of experience in education and 10 years as a classroom teacher, helping elementary students build confidence, strengthen foundational skills, and develop a lifelong love of learning. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with high honors from the University of Texas at El Paso and holds an EC–6 Texas teaching certification. Throughout her career, Holly has been passionate about helping every student discover what helps them learn best while creating a positive, encouraging environment where they can thrive. Holly has taught students across grades 3–5 in both Northside ISD and Comal ISD, including self-contained, departmentalized, co-teaching, and inclusive classroom settings. She has extensive experience supporting students with diverse learning needs, including those receiving special education services, students with ADHD, multilingual learners, and gifted students. Prior to becoming a classroom teacher, Holly also served as an instructional assistant in special education, behavior intervention, and elementary math intervention programs, giving her a deep understanding of how to meet students where they are academically and emotionally. She specializes in elementary education (K–5 all subjects), reading, English Language Arts, writing, social studies, STAAR preparation, and elementary math. Holly has also completed the Texas Teacher Reading Academy, receiving specialized training in the Science of Reading, including phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary development, and reading comprehension strategies. This evidence-based training allows her to effectively support struggling readers while helping all students become stronger, more confident learners. One of Holly’s greatest strengths is making learning engaging and meaningful. She enjoys breaking complex concepts into manageable steps and incorporating games, hands-on activities, projects, and real-world connections that help students truly understand the material. She believes that every child learns differently and thrives when they feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and celebrate their progress along the way. Families appreciate Holly’s warm personality, clear communication, and genuine investment in each student’s success. Her collaborative approach, combined with years of classroom experience, helps students not only improve academically but also develop the confidence and independence needed for long-term success. Outside of tutoring, Holly enjoys spending time with her family, exploring and photographing the Texas Hill Country, and creating educational resources that help both teachers and students succeed.

Abigail L.

Abigail is a reading and literacy specialist whose passion is helping students become confident, capable readers and lifelong learners. She combines classroom teaching experience with advanced literacy research to provide highly individualized instruction that helps students strengthen foundational reading skills, improve comprehension, and develop a genuine love of learning. Abigail earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Curriculum & Instruction from Baylor University, graduating with honors and earning her Texas EC–6 teaching certification. She later completed her Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy at Texas A&M University, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She is currently completing herPh.D. in Curriculum & Instruction at Texas A&M, where her dissertation research focuses on the reading comprehension knowledge of literacy and instructional coaches. Her professional experience bridges both research and classroom practice. Abigail has served as a Graduate Research Assistant and Research Specialist with the Texas A&M Literacy Team, partnering with school districts to improve literacy instruction, coach teachers, develop curriculum, analyze student achievement data, and implement evidence-based reading practices. She has also provided private reading intervention, worked with bilingual elementary classrooms, and tutored struggling readers in both in-person and virtual settings. Abigail specializes in reading intervention, English Language Arts, handwriting, and evidence-based literacy instruction. She holds Texas certifications in EC–6 Core Subjects, English as a Second Language (ESL), and the Science of Teaching Reading (STR), giving her extensive preparation in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and effective reading instruction. She also has experience usingEBLI (Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction) to help students develop strong foundational reading skills through research-supported instructional methods. One of Abigail’s greatest strengths is her ability to build meaningful relationships with students. She believes lasting learning begins with trust and encouragement, and she works to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and celebrating their progress. She especially enjoys witnessing those rewarding “lightbulb moments” when a struggling reader begins to experience confidence and success. Beyond her work with students, Abigail has contributed to published educational research focused on reading comprehension and writing instruction, reflecting her commitment to advancing literacy education both inside and outside the classroom. Outside of tutoring and research, Abigail enjoys reading, long-distance running, hiking with her husband around the San Antonio area, spending time with her many nieces and nephews, and enjoying plenty of coffee while working on her dissertation. Growing up on a ranch instilled in her a lifelong appreciation for nature, hard work, and the power of memorable storytelling—values that continue to shape her approach to education today.

Vilma C.

Vilma is a dedicated educator with more than 30 years of classroom experience helping students build strong academic foundations and confidence in their abilities. After retiring from a distinguished career in public education in 2022, she has continued doing what she loves most—working directly with students as an English Language Arts tutor and mathematics interventionist, helping learners strengthen foundational skills and achieve lasting academic success. Vilma earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas Permian Basin with double majors in English and Spanish, along with a concentration in Secondary Education. She holds Texas teaching certifications in Secondary Spanish, English Language Arts (Grades 4–8), and Bilingual Education, providing her with the expertise to support students across multiple grade levels and learning needs. During her 30-year career, Vilma spent 16 years teaching at the high school level and 14 years in elementary education, working with students of every ability level—from those needing additional academic support to gifted learners seeking greater challenges. Her extensive classroom experience has equipped her with the instructional flexibility to meet students where they are and help each one reach their full potential. Vilma specializes in comprehensive elementary academic support, providing individualized instruction in reading, language arts, writing, mathematics, spelling, handwriting, and ESL for students in grades K–5. She also works with middle school students in Language Arts and Math while teaching Spanish at the middle school and high school levels, including conversational Spanish. In addition, she helps students prepare for STAAR Reading and Math assessments by strengthening the foundational skills, confidence, and test-taking strategies they need for success. Families appreciate Vilma’s patient, encouraging teaching style and her unwavering commitment to student success. She believes every child can learn when instruction is personalized, supportive, and engaging. Whether helping a beginning reader develop fluency, strengthening foundational math skills, preparing a student for STAAR testing, or building Spanish language proficiency, Vilma creates a positive learning environment where students feel supported, challenged, and excited to learn. Outside of tutoring, Vilma enjoys life in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, where she spends her time gardening, quilting, crocheting, cooking for her family, and enjoying the slower pace of retirement while continuing to do what she loves most—helping students succeed.

Ali S.

Ali is an accomplished medical student, neuroscience researcher, and educator who is passionate about helping students build confidence while mastering challenging academic subjects. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Medicine degree at UT Health San Antonio’s Long School of Medicine with plans to specialize in neurology. Her medical education has reinforced her belief that the ability to teach complex ideas clearly is one of the most valuable skills an educator—or physician—can possess.

Ali graduated with honors from Michigan State University, earning bachelor’s degrees in Neuroscience, Genomics & Molecular Genetics, and Spanish, while also completing the university’s Honors College program. Before beginning medical school, she spent two years as a full-time research fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studying neurodegenerative diseases. Her research experience also includes work at Stanford University, Michigan State University, and UT Health San Antonio, where she continues to contribute to neuroscience and stroke research. She has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed scientific publications and has presented her research at national scientific conferences.

Throughout college, her research career, and medical school, Ali has consistently served as a mentor and educator for fellow students. She enjoys breaking difficult concepts into manageable pieces and believes every student can succeed when material is presented in a way that matches their learning style. Her patient, encouraging approach creates a supportive environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, working through mistakes, and developing lasting confidence.

Ali provides tutoring across a wide range of subjects from elementary school through college, making her an excellent choice for families seeking support in multiple areas. Her specialties include:

• Mathematics: Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics, and AP Statistics
• Science: Biology, AP Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Pathophysiology, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, and Health Sciences
• English & Humanities: Reading, English Language Arts, Writing, Technical Writing, College Essay Coaching, AP English, U.S. History, World History, Geography, Psychology, Sociology, and Social Studies
• Test Preparation: ACT, PSAT/SAT, STAAR, GED, TEAS, MCAT, and advanced study and test-taking strategies

Ali is particularly passionate about helping students develop the critical thinking, study habits, and problem-solving skills that lead to long-term academic success. Whether she’s preparing a middle school student for STAAR exams, helping a high school student succeed in AP Biology, guiding a college applicant through personal statement revisions, or mentoring a future healthcare professional preparing for the MCAT, she tailors every lesson to the individual student’s goals and learning style.

Families especially appreciate Ali’s ability to connect ideas across disciplines. She can explain biology through chemistry, strengthen scientific writing while teaching critical thinking, or connect mathematics to real-world medical applications. Her interdisciplinary background allows her to help students build a deeper understanding rather than simply memorizing information.

Ali believes great tutoring should do more than improve grades—it should help students become confident, independent learners who enjoy tackling new challenges. Her goal is to equip every student with the knowledge, study strategies, and self-confidence they need to succeed well beyond the classroom.

Outside of academics, Ali enjoys reading, traveling, golfing, paddle boarding, spending time with her family and cats, and returning home to Wyoming whenever she has the opportunity.