Mara Koffmann, Owner and President
Mara graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a bachelors degree in history and middle eastern studies. After spending a year in South America teaching English and developing her fluency in Spanish, she returned to NYU to earn a dual masters degree in Childhood Education and Special Education with a 4.0 GPA.
With experience as a classroom teacher at the Parkside School, New York's preeminent elementary school for speech and language development, and as a learning specialist and director of the elementary literacy program at the Marymount School of New York, Mara started Smarten Up in 2011 to pursue her passion for crafting creative educational materials and resources. Smarten Up integrates child-centered games, visuals, organizational tools, and real-world experiences into one-on-one instruction that takes the "school" out of learning. Mara collaborates with each of the Smarten Up teachers to build this sort of engaging learning experience for every Smarten Up student.
Ben, Director of Teaching and Learning, Grades 6 - College
Ben graduated magna cum laude with highest honors in literature from Harvard University, where he also studied environmental science. He worked as the Annenberg Fellow at Eton College in England, teaching Shakespeare to the Brits, among other things, before joining Smarten Up. He loves teaching and learning in a wide range of subjects, from elementary-age reading to college-level philosophy and linguistics. When he's not teaching, he is a writer and actor, and has strayed far from his native Oregon to live abroad in England, France, and Argentina.
Anne, Director of Teaching and Learning, Grades Pre-K - 5th
Anne graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Voice Performance). Knowing she wanted to go into teaching, she applied to the New York City Teaching Fellows, through which she received a dual M.S.Ed in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from Pace University. She has been teaching in NYC public schools for the last 7 years, with experience working in grades 1-7, in both general and special education classrooms, and small group settings. She currently teaches 3rd grade ICT at an elementary charter school in Long Island City. Her favorite part of teaching 3rd grade is watching her students develop an understanding of sarcasm, which is both hilarious and adorable! In her free time, she loves cooking, singing, reading, and riding her bike.
Olivia, Tutor and Project Coordinator
Olivia graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Filmmaking, while minoring in English Literature and Language. Throughout her studies, Olivia pursued her love of language through activities that extended beyond her coursework. She served as a full-time Spanish tutor for other students, volunteered as a language tutor for refugees in the greater Boston community, and traveled to Spain and Portugal as a research-writer for the Harvard-led guide book, Let’s Go. Now, as an actress and filmmaker, Olivia has continued her life-long passion for both language and the performing arts. She hopes to someday produce a film back home in Costa Rica!
Elizabeth, Teacher
Elizabeth graduated from William Paterson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary and Special Education with a concentration in English Writing. Following graduation, she worked as a special education teacher at the high school level in New Jersey while simultaneously pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from The New School in New York. She is currently working to complete the coursework for the Gifted Education certificate from Rutgers University while also working as a head teacher at The Lang School. While Elizabeth basks in the joy of tutoring across various subjects and grade levels, she especially enjoys helping her students gain confidence while improving their reading comprehension and writing skills. During her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys working out, writing, catching up on reading (or sleep!), and trying new restaurants with friends.
Brendan, Tutor
Brendan studied music at Pomona College before doing Master’s work in education at Teachers College at Columbia University. Given this diverse background, Brendan enjoys teaching a broad spectrum of subjects, including math, science, writing, and music. His favorite part of tutoring is figuring out the missing pieces to finally help a student understand a challenging concept, and creating a learning environment where he or she feels comfortable enough to ask any and every question. In his free time, Brendan loves playing piano, visiting the Met, catching a new play or musical, and, when he can get back to his native Colorado, skiing and hiking in the mountains.
Davon, Teacher
Davon graduated with Bachelors degrees in Childhood Education and Spanish before going on to earn his masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Hunter College. He is also working to earn his additional teaching certification for Teaching Students with Disabilities at NYU. Davon has been teaching a 1st and 2nd grade classroom at a school in the east village for the past four years, and what he loves most about teaching is seeing students have an “Ah-Ha Moment” when something they struggled with finally clicks.
Parker, Teacher
Parker graduated summa cum laude from Connecticut College with a degree in American Studies with a focus on Education. He subsequently received his Master in Eduction in Teaching Urban Adolescents with Disabilities (7-12th Grade). Parker has been teaching in NYC public schools for the past four years. His experience is concentrated in alternative high schools that service overage and under-credited students who are working towards their high school diploma. He currently teaches Living Environment, Regents Prep, and AP Psychology courses in both general and special education settings. Parker's favorite part of teaching is helping students trust in and acknowledge their self-worth as learners so they can continue to practice a love of curiosity and knowledge seeking!
Eric, Tutor
Eric is a writer, educator, and arts administrator. He moved to New York City to become a teacher after graduating from the University of Michigan in 2013 with degrees in English and Theatre. He taught 6th-grade reading and writing at a private middle school on the Lower East Side. Since then, he co-founded a theatre company, interned in Manhattan Theatre Club's Education office, and taught playwriting. He has been tutoring students of all ages and abilities for seven years, and he strives to engender fun and respect in learning. In his free time, Eric enjoys seeing shows and working on projects of his own.
Sophie, Tutor
Sophie studied Modernist Literature at Scripps College and went on to teach English for three delightful years in Houston, TX. Eager to pursue her passion for writing, Sophie moved to New York City in 2011 to earn her Master’s in Poetry from New York University. During her time there, she served as a managing editor of the Washington Square Review, and worked as an adjunct professor in the English Department. Since graduation, Sophie has continued to help middle school, high school, and college students find their voice as writers.
Alexandra, Teacher
Alexandra graduated cum laude from Bates College with departmental honors in English. She coordinated a pro bono law project after college, but she enjoyed tutoring high school students. Tutoring motivated Alexandra to join NYC Teaching Fellows, and she received her Master’s in English Education from Brooklyn College. Alexandra teaches AP Literature and 11th grade ELA at a performing arts public high school in Brooklyn. She also advises the school’s yearbook staff and thinks the best part is getting to know her students outside of class. Above all, Alexandra adores teaching because she loves working with a variety of students – especially those who challenge her to think outside of the box!
Bryce, Teacher
Bryce studied History and English Literature at Skidmore College and began his teaching career through a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship in Austria. After returning to the U.S, Bryce earned his Master’s in English Education from Brooklyn College through the New York City Teaching Fellows. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Educational Leadership at Hunter College. Bryce has taught seventh, ninth, and eleventh grade English to diverse learners over the past seven years in NYC public schools. He enjoys creating a positive learning atmosphere, sometimes through telling corny jokes, and always through celebrating effort and growth. Bryce’s favorite reading spots include the Conservatory Garden in Central Park and any chair on which his one-eyed cat, Captain, decides to curl up.
Raleigh, Tutor
Raleigh studied Chemistry and Multimedia Sculpture at Yale University, earning his B.S. in Chemistry with distinction in the major. He taught Visual Media Arts for three years in Westchester, NY. He loves watching and discussing movies and producing video works of his own. Raleigh models intellectual curiosity and a love of learning. He sees every conversation, YouTube search, and book as an opportunity to gain a new perspective on the world. He loves helping students find the right analogy or metaphor that connects the dots of a topic to the greater goals of the course. He encourages his the kids he works with to ask “why” something works the way it does, as well as “what” and “how.” With his students, he emphasizes small victories and prompts careful reflection on feedback.
Char, Teacher
Char earned her undergraduate degree with a concentration in English and English Education from Westmont College. She received her Master’s in the Arts in Childhood General Education and Special Education at Bank Street College of Education. Char is currently a Support Services Coordinator for a charter school in East Harlem and has worked in education for over 11 years. When she isn’t teaching or tutoring, Char loves to read, spend time with her dog, Rickles, or run in Central Park.
Anthony, Teacher
Anthony is in his 12th year supporting special education students for the NYC DOE. He prides himself in finding ways to captivate students using their interests, learning styles, and prior knowledge in order to foster a sense of joy in academic mastery. Anthony received his MS from Hunter College through the Teaching Fellows program and has a BFA in Drama from New York University. Anthony spent two summers directing productions at French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts, a theater camp in Western Pennsylvania. This past year he directed his school’s first musical production, The Lion Kings-Kids. He is a certified Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner and is the IEP teacher at P. S. 24.
Eliya, Teacher
Eliya is a recent Harvard graduate from Columbus, Ohio, with a joint degree in History & Literature and Theater, Dance, & Media. In college, she served as the Publisher for the Harvard Advocate, the nation’s oldest continuously-published undergraduate literary magazine; edited for the Harvard Crimson; and wrote and performed in a number of theatrical productions. She enjoys tutoring in a range of subjects and particularly loves helping students find joy in the educational process while developing healthy, sustainable strategies for lifelong learning habits. In her free time, she enjoys reading, taking road trips, spending time with friends, and writing.
Jacob, Tutor
Jacob graduated from Harvard University, where he designed a special concentration in Dramatic Theory and Practice. He brings patience and creativity to his work with students in all disciplines, and feels a particular connection to kids with attentional challenges. He is an actor, director, playwright, and musician, and aims to tailor specific, creative learning approaches to each individual student’s needs. Jacob has always loved to learn, and works to spread this love as part of his teaching process.
Michele, Teacher
Michele graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Accounting, and she went on to earn a Masters Degree in Childhood General and Special Education. Michele is going on her 10th year of teaching and currency works in a progressive public school in Manhattan. Her experiences in teaching include 3yr olds, Pre-K, 2nd grade ICT and 2nd Grade. She is also certified in Orton-Gillingham, a lead teacher for Emotionally Responsive Practice and Co-Chair of her school's School Leadership Team. When she isn’t teaching, Michele likes to spend her time dancing, cooking, eating and going to Mets games.
Sam, Tutor
Since 2014, Sam has worked as a teacher and tutor both as a freelancer and with educational organizations. Although he has a strong background in Math and Science, he specializes in Language Arts, Literature, and History. He has supported students from elementary to high school with test prep, specifically for the SHSAT, SSAT, PSAT and SAT as well as many of the NYS Regents exams. Sam believe that enthusiasm, patience, and respect are essential in working with any students. He received his undergraduate education at Adelphi University and his graduate degree from the George Washington University.
Juliana, Tutor
Juliana recently graduated with honors from Harvard University with a degree in Comparative Literature and a minor in Theater, Dance, and Media. She grew up in Brooklyn and has spent time living in Mexico, Spain, and France. While at Harvard, she helped run the First-Year Arts Program and performed in over a dozen plays. She fell in love with literature when she discovered Shakespeare and realized that reading could be a vital and exciting act of imagination. Juliana is passionate about instilling a love of reading and writing in her students through helping them meaningfully engage with texts and find and hone their own voice in response.
Zoë, Tutor
Zoë is a writer and dramaturg from Chicago, Illinois. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University with a Bachelor's degree in English, with distinction, and a minor in Theater and Performance Studies. She is passionate about literature, new plays and musicals, education, and music, and works to ensure that her students have the tools to remain lifelong learners. In her free time, she sings with the Young New Yorkers' Chorus, writes plays, and cooks with her roommate.
David K., Tutor
David graduated magna cum laude with Highest Honors in History & Literature from Harvard University. While there, he served as Music Editor of the Crimson and as the head tour guide of the Harvard Art Museums. His thesis, "Capture the Rapture: A Cultural History of Malt Liquor, 1950-1980," won a Hoopes Prize for Most Distinguished Undergraduate Work and the Edwin Chandler Cumming Award for Thesis of Highest Distinction in History & Literature. David loves bringing humor and theatricality to each learning adventure at Smarten Up. His specialties include teaching 20th-century American political and cultural history, reading comprehension, expository writing skills, organizational strategies, and time management. Outside of tutoring, David is expanding his thesis into a book and working on freelance creative non-fiction pieces about corporate yoga, 1980s New York real estate, and the speculative novels of author Walker Percy.
Alix, Teacher
Alixandra graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Psychology and a dual minor in Philosophy and Sociology. Upon graduating, Alixandra began working for MAB Community services in Boston. She worked to support teens with traumatic brain injuries and related disorders, focusing on activities of daily living. She later moved to NYC where she received her Master’s in Education and Special Education from Touro College. She worked at a non-profit school for children on the Autism Spectrum for 5 years. She now works at a public school in Manhattan teaching 2nd grade in an ICT classroom. In her spare time, Alixandra enjoys reading, drawing, and visiting her family in the Berkshires.
Meghan, Teacher
Meghan graduated from Hunter College with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing with a focus in Poetry. She later went back to Hunter to receive her Master’s in English Adolescent Education through New Visions Teacher Residency. She has taught for the NYC Department of Education for the past four years. She currently teaches 6th and 7th grade ELA at a public middle school in Brooklyn. Meghan believes that learning should be relevant and engaging. She enjoys using escape rooms in class and developing lessons that are relevant to students’ lives and interests. In her spare time, you can find Meghan playing board games, hanging out with her cats, or doodling.
Kelly, Teacher
Kelly graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor's degree in Inclusive Special Education, with a minor in Psychology of the Exceptional Child. She went on to earn her Master's degree in Literacy from Hunter College. She has been teaching for the New York City Department of Education for 7 years, and has taught 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Kelly is passionate about bringing creativity and innovation to education. She's constantly seeking out new ways to engage her students in learning through fun activities and projects. She believes that when children are engaged in purposeful learning activities with clear expectations, there's no limit to their success!
Gadi, Tutor
Gadi graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a double major in Finance and Drama and a minor in Jazz performance. Growing up overseas in London, Jerusalem, and Mexico City, Gadi has gained a global and variegated perspective on teaching - which he applies to each of his students. Gadi’s passion is to prove to the world that everyone can do math. Yes, even his mother. When he isn't tutoring, Gadi works as an actor, producer, and freelance director in NYC.
Dayna, Teacher
Dayna grew up on Long Island, New York, where she attended St. Joseph's College, receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education, Speech Communication and Special Education. Immediately after her undergraduate program, she attended Long Island University to receive her Masters Degree in Literacy. Dayna has been working as a teacher in NYC ever since, and has taught English, science, social studies, and coaches her school’s debate team. When she isn’t teaching, Dayna enjoys reading, trying out new recipes, and taking advantage of all that the city has to offer.
Elyssa, Teacher
Elyssa graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special education (grades 1 - 6), and she went on to earn her Masters degree at Bank Street College of Education, majoring in Literacy and Early Childhood education. Elyssa has been teaching Kindergarten in the East Village for twelve years, and she has tutored children from grades pre-k to fifth in all subject areas. Elyssa’s believes that learning should be fun and enjoys creating hands on games and projects that connect to curriculum. She grew up close to the beach and loves to spend her summer days relaxing in the sun with a good book!
Jaclyn, Tutor
Jaclyn graduated from Drew University with a doctorate in English. She has taught and tutored widely at the community college and university level including courses such as Writing Bootcamp, Research Writing, Research Writing and Service, Creative Writing, and American Literature courses. Jaclyn believes that helping students find personal connections to the text they read is a gateway to generating engaged, persuasive, creative writing. It’s her love and passion as a tutor to help students to find that connection and use it to build confidence as writers and readers. In her free time, Jaclyn is reading. She also co-authors Social-Emotional learning books for children.
Meg, Teacher
Megan Ryan graduated from the University at Albany with a Bachelors Degree in English and Education. After that, she went on to earn her Master’s Degree from Hunter College in Early Childhood Special Education. She is in her third year teaching Kindergarten in an Integrated Co-Teaching classroom. Meg has worked with students of all ages over the past ten years. She loves working with students on developing a strong foundation for learning and helping them learn the strategies and techniques needed to do so. For Meg, there is no greater feeling than watching her students develop confidence and pride in their achievements. In her spare time, you can find Meg reading, shopping, or spending time with family!
Mark, Tutor
Mark graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, having designed his own concentration in Theater Arts & Performance, and then lived in Berlin, Germany to continue his study of contemporary performance. When he's not tutoring, he works as an actor and artist, performing in and creating theater and music experiences. The son of a lifelong elementary school teacher and an experienced educator of all ages, Mark is passionate about helping his students to grow confident and excited about their academic work by creating plans and strategies that fit each person's unique goals, skills, and passions. Mark also listens to a lot of Fleetwood Mac.
Thomas, Teacher
Thomas is a dual-language, special-education teacher fluent in both English and Spanish. He graduated Fordham University with a double major in History and Political Science, and then earned his dual Masters degree in Early Childhood General & Special Education from Bank Street College. Thomas sees tutoring as a powerful intervention tool because it is an opportunity to provide highly-individualized instruction, and he loves the luxury of being able to devote his attention to just one person for an hour, which he could never do when he was in the classroom full-time! When Thomas is not working with and learning from children, he enjoys acting, coaching mock trial, practicing his Spanish and playing with his cat, Charlie.
Lismelia, Tutor
Lismelia graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in the History of Science and a minor degree in Romance Languages and Literatures. A native trilingual speaker, her love of language and her passion for medicine brought her to the University of Bologna, where she embarked on a research project about the early eighteenth century experimental science movement. Her love of learning has taken her around the world and she hopes to pass that passion along to her students. While an undergrad, Lismelia was inspired by the great educators in her life to spend four years as a PBHA Keylatch Afterschool tutor and to work as a computer science teaching fellow for Breakthrough New York. She is passionate about making STEM subjects more accessible to students of all ages. Lismelia is also an advent traveler and a self-proclaimed foodie!
Daniel, Tutor
Daniel graduated from Wesleyan University with High Honors in American Studies. During his time at Wesleyan, he worked as a writing tutor and developed a passion for working with students to refine their skills as writers and researchers. After graduating, Daniel worked as a high school English teacher at a charter school in Brooklyn. He pursued a career in education because he was inspired by the teachers who helped him fall in love with learning. In addition to tutoring, Daniel writes and edits academic texts as a freelancer. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, printmaking, traveling around the globe, and reading novels in the sun.
Marissa, Teacher
Marissa graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Marketing and Psychology. After graduating, Marissa knew she loved working with children but wasn’t set on a career path quite yet. For two years Marissa worked as a private tutor, teaching test prep to children from five to twenty years old. During this time, Marissa enrolled in the Orton-Gillingham Teacher Certification program at Fairleigh Dickinson University. This is an extensive program focusing on multisensory approaches to help teach strategies for reading, spelling and comprehension to students of all ages. Marissa is currently working towards a Doctoral degree in School and Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) and Masters in Education (M.S. Ed.) from Pace University. When she is not in school or tutoring, Marissa is either snuggled up with her new kitten or at the boxing gym.
Christie Ann, Teacher
Christie Ann is a native New Yorker who has lived in seven Brooklyn neighborhoods. She has a BA in English from Hofstra University, an MFA in Poetry from The New School, and a NYS teaching certification from Queens College. Her love of science and nature led her to become a Kerlin STEAM fellow at the Bank Street School of Education and her committment to global education resulted in a new Model United Nations chapter in NYC. She is the author of one full length poetry collection and several chapbooks. She is also the recipient of an Academy of American Poetry Award and a Poets & Writers Amy Award for emerging female writers in New York. Christie Ann has taken part in writing communities around the world including Lithuania, Slovenia, and with Disquiet International in Portugal. She is the 2018 first prize poetry winner of the Fence Magazine/Summer Literary Seminars writing contest and will be a writer in residence with the organization Kwani? in Kenya. Christie Ann currently teaches middle school humanities at The Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn.
Maureen, Teacher
Maureen graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University, earning a degree in Economics with a concentration in Neuroscience. After graduation, she decided to pursue her passion for education by becoming a 5th grade math teacher in addition to tutoring. Maureen likes to make learning fun by tailoring her lessons to her students’ unique learning styles and interests, and loves supporting her students and helping them build confidence in their skills. In her free time, Maureen enjoys spinning, reading about wine economics, and exploring restaurants and museums in New York City.
Dani, Teacher
Dani earned her Bachelor’s degree from Cal State Long Beach in Child Development before going on to earn her Master’s in Childhood Education from the same university. She is a certified educational therapist with experience working in public and private elementary schools in both special education and general education classrooms, and she currently teaches 3rd grade at Friends Seminary. Dani is a recent transplant to New York City, and while she misses sunny Los Angeles where she was born and raised, Dani loves exploring her new home and learning about all it has to offer!
Dan, Tutor
Dan graduated cum laude from Vassar College with degrees in Drama and Hispanic Studies, and a concentration in German Studies. He is an Upstate New York native, coming from the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains where he loves to hike, kayak and go boating. Dan specializes in tutoring Spanish, Reading and Writing, German, World History and the Humanities. He has several years of experience working with young adults, whether it be as a tutor for an after-school program, a summer camp counselor or as a nanny. Dan prefers to engage his students by incorporating games, stories and personal interests into his lessons, because learning should be fun, relatable and exciting. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, and most importantly, his dogs!
Kate, Teacher
Kate graduated from New York University with a degree in Theater before earning her Masters in Drama from Juilliard. Kate worked as a Teaching Artist for Hudson Valley Shakespeare Education and Outreach, where she taught Shakespearean Text and Performance to elementary, middle and high school students. While at Juilliard, Kate traveled to Arusha, Tanzania with Art Powers Arusha, where she taught speech and reading comprehension at Umoja Tanzania, and conducted a week long Shakespeare in Performance course at International School Moshi. Kate works as an actor and acting coach, and enjoys writing, collaborative storytelling, and reading cookbooks for pleasure. She feels happiest when she is learning.
Jessica, Teacher
Jessica graduated from SUNY Cortland with a Bachelor’s decree in Childhood Education. Following graduation, Jessica began working as a public school teacher in New York City. While teaching, she began pursuing a Masters in Special Education from Lehman College. Jessica balanced teaching and going to school and graduating magna cum laude. She is currently teaching special education in an elementary school in the Lower East Side. She is an instructor in a multi-age classroom and enjoys meeting the different needs of all of her students. The best part about educating is seeing the progress made by students and watching their confidence grow.
Matthew, Teacher
Matthew graduated from Temple University with a degree in Film and Media Studies. While in college, Matthew felt the call to teaching and served as an AmeriCorps member in Seattle and New Orleans, working as an English and Math teacher. Matthew moved to New York to pursue teaching as a NYC teaching Fellow and currently teaches math at a high school in Brooklyn. Matthew enjoys helping students feel successful in their academics and organizational skills and is passionate about helping kids access and tackle their challenging school work. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys playing and coaching basketball and spending time with his family.
Kara, Teacher
Kara graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelor's degree in Childhood Education. She then went on to SUNY New Paltz to earn her Masters in Literacy Education. Kara has been in the classroom for five years, and she works as a general education teacher in an ICT 5th-grade classroom. Kara's teaching philosophy is that every student has the ability to learn and succeed given the right time and conditions. She believes classroom libraries and homes should be filled with high-interest books that help foster children's love of reading. In her free time, Kara enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and going to the beach.
Marissa, Teacher
After getting her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Sociology, Marissa went on to get her Master's Degree in Special Education at Vanderbilt University. While at Vanderbilt, Marissa had the opportunity to work on a research grant studying late-emerging reading disorders and also spent time tutoring at Vanderbilt's Reading Clinic. Since graduating, she has had various roles as a Special Education Teacher, an ICT teacher, after-school test prep tutor, and a participant on her school's Curriculum Development Team. This experience has given her the ability to utilize various reading and math interventions, while also differentiating instruction to best meet all of her students' needs. Marissa loves finding ways to make learning fun and accessible for her students. When she is not in the classroom, Marissa also teaches Pure Barre classes in the West Village!
Michael, Teacher
Michael earned his Master of the Arts in Teaching from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 2016 with a 4.0 GPA, and he earned his Bachelor of the Arts in History from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio in 2014. He is a general education teacher in an ICT classroom at a progressive public school in Harlem where he has worked since 2017. Michael is an International Baccalaureate and Orton-Gillingham certified educator who loves to differentiate his teaching and use multi-sensory techniques to help his students grow into confident learners.
Gabriella, Teacher
Gabriella graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Communications and Urban Studies dual major. She then taught math for two years in the Mississippi Delta through Teach for America, falling in love with teaching middle schoolers. She moved to Brooklyn in 2015 to teach and has been teaching middle school math ever since. Since she began her career, she has taught 6, 7, and 8th graders, including sixth grade math through algebra. She earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and is now pursuing a Master of Arts in Special Education from New York University. In her free time she coaches middle school and high school volleyball, swims, reads, travels, and enjoys everything New York City has to offer, especially the free stuff!
Zara, Tutor
Zara graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College in 2017. While there, she wrote for The Crimson, designed sets for theatrical productions, and spent most of her time writing young adult short stories. Her honors thesis, The Snowday Rebellion, received Magna Cum Laude distinctions. Since graduation, Zara has worked with The Bronx Health and Housing Consortium, has furthered her pursuits in set design, and interned at the Poets House Library. She has extensive experience tutoring in college essay writing, expository training, and analytical reading strategies. She has also taught French in a classroom setting.
Daniela, Teacher
Daniela holds a Bachelors in Childhood Education and a Masters in Bilingual Education. She has been teaching in the classroom for 4 years, with experience in both ICT and bilingual classroom settings. Daniela currently works to support English Language Learners in the 5th grade at her school in the Bronx. She believes that as educators we should focus on students success and effort in order to propel them forward. Daniela enjoys exploring New York with friends, and in her free time she enjoys going to yoga.
Caitlin, Teacher
Caitlin graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Childhood Education from SUNY Cortland. She then went on to earn a Master’s in Special Education from Niagara University. Following graduation, Caitlin began her teaching career in NYC. She currently works as an ICT Kindergarten Special Education Teacher in the Bronx, NY. Caitlin’s passion is working with children and her goal is to always help each child find a love for learning. She believes that every child has the ability to learn and succeed if given the correct support and encouragement. In Caitlin’s free time she loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, practice and teach yoga.
Kaitlyn, Teacher
Kaitlyn graduated from Plattsburgh State University with a degree in Childhood Education with a concentration in English. She then went on to SUNY New Paltz to receive her Master’s in Literacy Education. Kaitlyn has been in the classroom for over five years, and in that time she has worked in both urban and suburban schools with students in Grades 1 - 6. She believes that learning should be fun, and her teaching style is a direct reflection of that. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys staying active, and spending time with family and friends!
Randi, Teacher
Randi graduated from The University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health. Following graduation, she received her graduate degree in Childhood Education at Hunter College. Randi is currently a teacher in a fourth grade ICT classroom on the Upper West Side. She enjoys helping students learn helpful study habits, test taking and organizational skills, and building their academic confidence so they can grow into lifelong learners. In her free time, Randi enjoys going on hikes with her golden retriever, traveling and baking!
Melissa, Teacher
Melissa grew up in St. Louis, MO and graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She also holds a Masters degree in Childhood and Special Education from Mercy College. She has seven years of experience in the New York Public Schools. To better engage her students she loves to bring real world experiences and concepts to her lessons. Melissa enjoys venturing out in New York and exploring the city with her family, in her free time she likes to workout, read and travel.
Daniel, Teacher
Daniel graduated from Ohio University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Childhood Education. Daniel was accepted into the Ohio University Teaching Fellowship program where he completed his Master’s Degree in Computer Education and Technology while simultaneously teaching 8th grade mathematics at Miller High School in Corning Ohio. Daniel currently teaches math classes ranging from 4th grade through Algebra 1at The Lang School. Daniel tutors a variety of content areas and has found enjoyment in helping students outside of the classroom as much as inside. In his free time Daniel has enjoyed exploring New York City with his friends and keeping in touch with his family back in Ohio. Sports (Go Browns!), music and exercise are major areas that Daniel focuses on when he is not teaching.
Thomas, Tutor
Thomas graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, with a degree in History & Literature and Theater, Dance & Media. After graduation, he spent a year as a Williams-Lodge Scholar at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris, researching artistic responses to the climate crisis. Thomas has tutored and mentored students ranging in age from seven to twenty, both in English and in French. He believes in the importance of fostering creativity and inquisitiveness while supporting rewarding and effective study habits. He particularly enjoys teaching and learning about history and literature and working with students on reading, writing, public speaking, and organizational skills. Outside of tutoring, Thomas loves directing plays, going to museums, hiking, and playing soccer.
Elena, Tutor
Elena graduated summa cum laude in English with distinction in all subjects from Cornell University, where she also double majored in Psychology. While there, she was involved in various community service organizations, ran a creative writing club, and edited Cornell’s longest running undergraduate literary magazine. From coaching youth soccer to tutoring introductory psychology students to completing professional editorial work, Elena’s philosophy has always been centered on assisting others to feel organized and prepared. She hopes to instill a passion for reading and writing in all her students. When she’s not tutoring, you can find Elena devouring a great novel, a Broadway show, or a slice of New York style pizza.
Marija, Tutor
Since graduating from Reed College with a degree in English, Marija has taught and tutored students preschool aged to adult. She currently works with toddlers at a Montessori preschool in Ridgewood, Queens. A recent graduate of the MFA Program in Creative Writing and Literary Translation at Queens College, Marija spent the past few years teaching undergraduate courses in Composition and Creative Writing. As an educator, she is especially interested in process-based learning, and in empowering learning through community-building and collaboration. Marija is also a writer and literary translator, specializing in literature from her native Serbo-Croatian. Marija loves sharing her passion for all things literary with her students. With a bit of nurturing guidance, she strives to empower her students and help them grow into confident and successful writers.
Olivia, Tutor
Olivia graduated cum laude from Harvard College with a BA in English and a minor in Theater Performance. She just completed her MFA in Acting from Brown University. She has an extensive background in tutoring, focusing in the humanities with English and History, AP courses in US History, World History, and English Language and Composition, and the Reading/Verbal sections of the SAT. A true bookworm, Olivia most enjoys helping students discover a love of reading, storytelling, and personal expression through writing. When she isn't tutoring, Olivia works as an actor and playwright, and as an amateur baker for her roommates.
Jaleesa, Teacher
Jaleesa graduated from SUNY Cortland with an undergraduate degree in Childhood Education, then went on to earn a Master’s from Syracuse University in Inclusive Special Education. She has worked as a full-time teacher with the NYC DOE for the past seven years, working with elementary and middle school students in both Gen Ed and Special Ed classrooms. Jaleesa currently teaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade science, making sure that the content is accessible and meaningful for ALL students of ALL ability levels. In addition to science, she is also a SETSS provider and teaches multiple subjects to small groups of students everyday.
Ariela, Tutor
Ariela is a proud alumna of Wellesley College and graduated cum laude with a degree in English Literature. She has worked with young people in the Boston Public Schools, teaching English to high-school-aged immigrant and refugee youth for three years through the Phillips Brooks House Association at Harvard University and serving in a high-school level Sheltered English Immersion Academy with City Year Boston. Since moving to New York, Ariela has been able to combine her passions for education and acting by teaching theater to elementary school students in the South Bronx through the New York Public School System. At the core of her work with young people is the idea that each student has a sense of “somebody-ness” - that they each have a unique, meaningful voice, and that they realize that their voice matters. When she's not teaching, Ariela is hustling to auditions, catching up on her favorite podcasts, and spending time with friends and family!
Liv, Tutor
Liv graduated with departmental honors from Vassar College, where despite an initial intention of being pre-med, she instead earned a degree in Media Studies (concentrations in Film and Sociology). After graduating, she moved to Brooklyn to pursue a career in entertainment writing. Since then, she’s worked on the writing teams of Off Broadway musicals, large scale films, and television shows. She is a script reader and editor who, when she can, works on writing her own scripts and stories. She has experience working with students of all ages, and has been a life-long lover of learning, organization, and stories. In her free time, Liv loves to cook, watch true crime documentaries, fret about if she’s going to finally adopt a cat or not, and explore the city with friends.
