Our Team

John began his teaching career teaching English in Ukraine. Since then, he has embarked on a fulfilling career teaching high school-aged English language learners and newcomer students on Chicago’s West Side. John holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) from DePaul University and a Secondary Education License. John’s work focuses on helping older English Language Learner students access high-level curriculum through content-based English language instruction. 

In the classroom and in tutoring sessions, John places a strong emphasis on self-advocacy, creativity, and developing students’ academic identity. John’s approach to teaching focuses on building strong relationships with students to encourage risk-taking and confidence. From his background in music performance, to his travels abroad, to his work in nonprofit administration, John’s teaching is greatly informed by his diverse background. 

When he’s not in the classroom, John can be found working on DIY home improvement projects and exploring the Cook County Forest Preserves with his family. John can also be found leading monthly tours at his church–a Chicago historic landmark–in Ukrainian Village. 

Lauren holds a Bachelor’s in Biology from Macalester College and a Master’s in Childhood Education from Relay Graduate School of Education in New York.

With over five years of experience teaching at the elementary level, Lauren taught at North Chicago Community Partners, a nonprofit, where she supported writing instruction, curriculum development, and oversaw program impact. Lauren has leveraged her experience working with a diverse student population to differentiate instruction for all learners, incorporating manipulatives, visuals, and hands-on activities. Lauren is passionate about education and advocating for equity for all students. She firmly believes that every student should have access to the resources they need to succeed, both in and out of school.

In her free time, Lauren enjoys hitting the gym, running, and spending quality time with her husband and daughter.

Meggie is a results-driven, student-centered tutor and teacher. She earned her double undergraduate degree from Lake Forest College in Secondary Education and English Writing, and her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Digital Learning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With her 8th grade teaching experience and years of tutoring experience, she focuses on meeting her students where they’re at and teaching them how to succeed from there in all aspects needed for educational and general success, such as organizational skills, advocacy, executive functioning, study skills, and productive habit-building. She has extensive experience supporting students with learning challenges and differentiating instruction and assignments for her students. Additionally, Meggie is skilled in all things ELA, whether it be essay help, reading comprehension, spelling, editing, and so much more. Meggie has experience working with learners of all types, and she is dedicated to and focused on helping your student grow into a confident, competent, and successful student and part of society.

When Meggie isn’t teaching, she’s busy putting together flower arrangements, taking her dog on runs, or going on adventures with her husband.

Sean has more than 10 years’ experience in the education field. He earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from National Louis University and is a certified Learning Behavior Specialist.

Currently, Sean is an instructional coach in the Barrington School District, supporting students, teachers, and staff at various grade levels. As a member of the multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) team at his building, he collaborates with colleagues to identify, implement, and evaluate accommodations and interventions for students who have academic, executive function, and social-emotional needs. Being a life-long learner, Sean is working on obtaining an ESL endorsement to further support English language learners.

Off-campus, you’ll find Sean riding on a local bike trail, fishing at a nearby lake, cheering on the Blackhawks, or spending time with his wife and two children.

Wick brings 20 years’ experience supporting students with learning challenges. He holds his Master’s Degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Wick taught at the Charles Armstrong School, a K-8 school in San Francisco specializing in teaching students with language-based learning differences and attention challenges.

In 2010, Wick founded Dynamic Tutoring Solutions. Growing up with a learning disability shaped Wick’s ability to connect with students. He also worked as a director of learning services, supporting middle school students, and has extensive experience supporting high school and college students with executive functioning challenges.

Wick works closely with parents to help them understand how to support their children at home. He strives for complete transparency in his work with students and families. From his experience at Charles Armstrong, Wick has expertise in helping students with learning differences transition to, and be successful, in traditional public and private schools.

Wick and his wife live in Lake Bluff with their three children. In his spare time, Wick can often be found on the paddle court or golf course, usually sporting attire from his alma mater, University of Oregon.

Kristi is a 2020 National Board Certified Teacher. She received her BA in psychology from Southern Illinois University and an MA in Special Education from Northeastern Illinois University. She has been teaching in suburban Chicago for over 20 years. She has significant experience working with students starting in kindergarten through middle school in all academic areas with a focus on literacy. Additionally, she enjoys working with students to strengthen their executive functioning skills, as they build productive and valuable routines necessary to be successful in school.

Kristi believes that students learn best when they are doing something they enjoy, so she finds creative and engaging approaches to teaching difficult skills. She appreciates the value in building rapport with students and watching them grow as learners, as they begin to find the confidence in solving their most challenging problems. When not working, Kristi enjoys photography, hiking, and traveling with her own children.

Joseph holds a California Multiple Subject Teacher Credential and earned his Master’s in Education from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute in conjunction with University of the Pacific. He has significant experience implementing Wilson’s multi-sensory Fundations program for teaching reading and spelling, and supporting students with executive functioning challenges.

The joy of learning is a key piece of Joseph’s teaching philosophy. Joseph is familiar with the challenges of learning; he struggled as an elementary student himself and had to overcome those obstacles. This story of perseverance and eventual success and accomplishment inspires Joseph to help students overcome their own learning obstacles.

Christy brings 20+ years of teaching experience. She graduated from Lake Forest College with a double major in Elementary Education and Sociology and Anthropology. She later went on to receive a Master’s in Special Education and an endorsement in English as a second language from National Louis University.

Christy has taught at Holmes Middle School for the past twenty years, currently teaching 7th and 8th grade. She prides herself on getting to know her students, who quickly trust her and build a deep relationships; Christy has many students whom she has kept in touch with for decades. Christy is also well versed in helping students who need executive functioning support.

When Christy isn’t teaching, she is very active in her community. She has led mission trips in Mexico, youth groups, and countless fundraisers.

Ed brings over 30 years experience in special education with a background in learning, emotional/behavioral, and mental disabilities. He is certified as a Registered Behavior Technician for students with autism, and a special needs instructor for Madison Area Technical College. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science, and Special Education Certification from the University of Virginia. Ed is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

He believes that the desire to learn is intricate to the human spirit. He strives to meet these goals by establishing high expectations with students. The value of education is an important vehicle to achieving career goals. Ed enjoys running, weightlifting, hiking, camping, and fishing.

Dr. Jorge holds a Master’s Degree in Education and a Ph.D. in Special Education. He spent thirteen years as an elementary school teacher in Chula Vista, California, and eight years in Eugene, Oregon as a student and research associate at the University of Oregon. He presently serves as an associate professor of education and chair of Special Education at Seattle Pacific University.

Jorge specializes in both teaching and researching how to improve outcomes for students struggling in literacy, including students with English as a second language. Additionally, Jorge has a deep expertise using proactive approaches and positive behaviors to improve outcomes for students with learning challenges.

Jorge believes “Education opens the doors to many possibilities and dreams.” Coincidently, Jorge was Wick’s professor and mentor in college.

Ben has 15 years of experience working with adolescents with learning differences. In 2008, Ben worked at a wilderness therapy program in Utah where he began to understand the importance of executive functioning and learned how to work with education avoidant students. In 2014, he began his own treatment program that incorporated both wilderness and traditional education aspects before leaving to pursue his own education.

Ben helps students with Executive Functioning, organization, and all core subjects in school. Ben has an undergraduate degree from Williams College in Philosophy and History of Science with a specialization in modern physics. He also has a Master’s of Liberal Arts from St. John’s College and has been a tutor for middle and high schoolers across all core subjects for the last five years.

While teaching is his professional passion, the wilderness and travel is where he spends most of his free time. In 2016, he completed a thru-hike of the 3,000km Te-Araroa trail in New Zealand and he always has more adventures planned ahead!

Emma holds a Bachelor’s of Biochemistry from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and a PhD in Life Sciences from Northwestern University. While she has had a successful career in academic sciences, Emma has a passion for education, working as a teacher, tutor, and mentor for over 10 years and earning her Teaching Certificate from the Searle Center for Advanced Learning and Teaching at Northwestern University. Emma has worked as a high school science teacher at Beacon Academy for the last three years sharing her love for science and her commitment to student success in the sciences.

Emma is no stranger to how valuable a good education is, and she strongly believes that every student should be given the resources necessary to feel confident, excited, and included throughout the academic journey. Especially in the sciences, which can often feel overwhelming to students, Emma recognizes and incorporates diverse student learning profiles into her teaching.

When Emma is not teaching, you can find her rock climbing at a local gym, going on puppy playdates with her pup, at orchestra rehearsals with her viola, or hanging out with friends and family.

Bruce graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and received a Special Education endorsement from the University of St. Francis. While at Iowa, he was a student-athlete, managing classes and running cross country and track. Bruce has been in education for nine years, working with students in grades 5-12 in a variety of math courses, as well as ACT/SAT preparation classes. Bruce currently teaches high school math at New Hope Academy, which serves special needs children and their families.

It brings Bruce great joy to see students grasping concepts and improving their confidence. When he’s not teaching, you might find Bruce playing with his dog, cooking, or reading comics.

Carina earned her college counseling certificate from UCLA Extension in 2020 and has an MBA in Finance from the Anderson School at UCLA. She gained her BA in Economics & Mathematics and a MA in Economics from University College Dublin. She has extensive experience with tutoring all sections of the ACT and SAT, having helped high school students with test preparation since 2012. She started as a math tutor for Academic Tutoring Centers in Highland Park and then worked as a test prep specialist for Nurturing Wisdom before tutoring privately. Her goal is to demystify the ACT or SAT for students, reducing the test anxiety of taking these exams.

When not tutoring, Carina is an avid racquet sports enthusiast, playing tennis, platform tennis, beach tennis, and pickleball whenever she can. Carina raised her family in Winnetka.

With over a decade of experience teaching both internationally and in the U.S., Zak is passionate about helping students build strong reasoning and problem-solving skills in mathematics and beyond. As a certified Learning Behavior Specialist and a dedicated educator, Zak focuses on supporting middle and high school students in mathematics and executive functioning, guiding them to approach academic challenges with curiosity and confidence. Zak holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University Chicago and has completed additional coursework in mathematics education at the University of Chicago.

His teaching philosophy centers on fostering critical thinking and inquisitiveness in every student, ensuring they not only succeed academically but also develop essential life skills. Drawing from his diverse background, which includes teaching and tutoring across a range of educational settings, Zak tailors his approach to meet each learner’s unique needs. Whether it’s mastering complex math concepts or improving organization and time management, Zak’s goal is to empower students to become confident, independent learners.

When he’s not in the classroom, Zak enjoys bicycle riding and exploring the outdoors, always finding new ways to challenge both the mind and body. 

Melissa has 10 years of classroom experience as a junior high and high school physics teacher. At Loyola Academy, she taught both regular and honors physics and has experience helping students who struggle to bring mathematical literacy into the science classroom. She earned her Master’s in Science Education from DePaul University.

Melissa fills her weekends with activities with her children and enjoys running along the lake.

Ngoc earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education Mathematics from DePaul University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at American College of Education. She has over seventeen years of experience as a Middle School and High School Math/STEM Teacher. Being a teacher at North Cook Young Adult Academy (Regional Safe School), Ngoc is familiar and experienced with teaching students with learning challenges.

Ngoc has exhibited mastery of her content area of mathematics from Pre-Algebra to Calculus. She uses this knowledge to create engaging lessons that guide students through the process of learning math. Sensitive to various learning styles and the mix of student learning abilities, Ngoc differentiates her instruction and provides students with the support that they need to be successful. She approaches students holistically in a personable and compassionate way. She strongly believes that education is power that can change and shape the future. Food brings people together.

Therefore, Ngoc enjoys cooking for her family of four boys. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, takes long walks, and laughs at her boys’ silly jokes.