Mary F.

A certified teacher in Virginia and New Jersey, Mary is certified in the areas of Pre-K through Grade 3, Early Childhood Special Education, and K-12 Special Education.  She currently works as a Special Education Teacher at an elementary school in Arlington.

Mary has a passion for helping young students become confident, lifelong learners.  She uses her ability to quickly pinpoint each student’s individual strengths and needs in order to help them learn and succeed.  Mary recognizes that each student learns differently, and values the importance of helping students and their families discover their own unique style of learning.

Prior to moving to the DC area, Mary attended University of Delaware for Early Childhood Education and Special Education.  After graduation, Mary worked as a First Grade Teacher in New Jersey, and has taught in Arlington since 2009.  In addition to teaching, Mary enjoys exploring DC, spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, running, and basically anything outdoors!

Sam, Lead Instructor

Certified to teach History and Social Studies in the State of Virginia, Sam approaches education with a firm belief in establishing working relationships based on mutual respect and individualized instruction. His experiences during practicum placements and while student-teaching convinced him that any child can succeed given the proper assistance.

Originally from Bolivia, he moved to the United States in 2001, settling in Arlington, Virginia. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2012, earning a degree in European History and completing a Teacher Education program to become a certified teacher for grades 6-12. With a GPA of 3.77, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While in college, he was also involved with tutoring, editing papers, and cultural exchange clubs.

During his free time, Sam primarily enjoys reading classics, popular books, and graphic novels. A novice in art, he enjoys sketching and doodling in general. Other hobbies include board and card games, geocaching, being outdoors, etc. He also follows international soccer (always looking forward to the World Cup!) and the NBA.

Kelly, Lead Instructor/Operations Specialist

Kelly believes in creating a comfortable learning environment for each individual as a way to motivate students and create excitement in learning. Through developing this excitement, students begin to become confident in both school, as well as in all aspects in life. She is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals and helping them to develop into life long learners.

Originally from Westminster, Maryland, Kelly earned her BS in Psychology from Mount St. Mary's University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During her time at the Mount, she was fortunate to be a part of two separate service trips to Honduras, where she spent time building schools and homes, teaching children English, and playing many games of soccer. Having these experiences and seeing the change one can make in the lives of others led her to becoming a tutor in Philosophy and Psychology while in college.

Currently, Kelly is pursuing her MPH in Global Health from The George Washington University. One day, she hopes to work on designing and monitoring health programs for people, especially children, in developing countries. When not in class or working, Kelly enjoys experiencing new places, whether it’s locally or around the world. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing soccer, hiking, and catching up on her favorite TV shows.

Saba

Saba is passionate about teaching and her philosophy is to connect with each student as a unique learner and customize her tutoring practices to the student’s individual needs and capacities. Saba spent years in academia as a classroom teacher and tutor, with a specialty in foreign languages including German and Persian/Farsi.

Saba comes from a diverse cultural background and has lived and studied in four different countries. She has a Bachelor's Degree in English and Minors in Architecture and German. Saba received her first MA in English in Malaysia. After immigrating to the United States, she did her second MA at University of Florida in German Studies, focusing on immigrants' lives in EU and their representations in recent Western European films. She also taught intensive German and World Literature courses during her MA studies at UF.

Saba then moved to the DC area in 2015 from Florida to pursue a graduate program in German Studies at Georgetown University.  As a life-time learner, who continuously had to overcome the challenges of adapting to various educational systems and learning environments, Saba is very enthusiastic about helping her students overcome their own particular learning challenges, grow, and gain more knowledge to be better prepared for their futures. In her free time, Saba enjoys traveling, hiking, cycling, kayaking, reading, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.

Jessyca Wa.

Jessyca is from Cleveland, OH and comes from a big, loud, singing, Christian family. Jessyca was an Honor Roll student all throughout grade school. She worked as a babysitter, camp counselor and youth choir director throughout. Jessyca did her freshman year at Loyola University Maryland but transferred to The Ohio State University and graduated with a BS in Psychology.

Jessyca took a year off to work and apply to graduate programs. She worked for a year at a before- and after-school care program with kids from Pre-K through 8th grade, putting together fun, yet thought provoking, activities and helping them with homework and getting along with one another. She also worked at a youth residential treatment facility for children with behavioral problems ages 5-18, and was known as "the nurturer." She is currently working on her Masters of Arts in Forensic and Legal Psychology at Marymount University, and hopes to join the FBI to help with child victimization. As Jessyca believes that children are the leaders of tomorrow, she hopes to get those who are wavering in their journey back on the right track.

Jessica Wh.

Jessica comes to Tutoring Club with a long history of teaching and over 15 years of tutoring students of all ages, including adults. She is truly passionate about teaching and loves working with students on an individual level to help them build their self-confidence, learning abilities, and strengths.

Jessica recently moved to Arlington from Dallas, Texas, but she considers North Carolina home. Jessica holds several degrees related to education including a BS in Business Technology Education, a MEd in Curriculum & Instruction, an EdS in Instructional Design & Technology, and a PhD in Educational Leadership. Jessica also taught college for seven years and is skilled in teaching, e-learning, instructional design and curriculum development. Jessica truly believes in the importance of incorporating modern technology in lesson planning.

Jessica holds her NC teacher’s license in several curriculum areas and is currently pursuing her VA teacher’s license to obtain a teaching position for the 2017-2018 school year. During her free time, she loves reading, traveling, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, watching her favorite shows, and eating.

Erin

Erin recently moved to Arlington, Virginia after growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She received her Bachelor's in English at The Pennsylvania State University in 2014, and her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction for Secondary English Education from The Pennsylvania State University in 2015. Before coming to Northern Virginia, Erin taught 11th Grade Advanced English and 11th Grade English at State College Area High School as part of her Masters Program.

Erin is a Certified 7-12 English teacher both in Pennsylvania and in Virginia. Currently, she is an ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) teacher for Fairfax County Public Schools, working with 7th Grade Level 3 ESOL Students as an ESOL English teacher. She also teaches 7th grade English. The majority of Erin’s ESOL students are now fluent English speakers but are working on their reading, writing, and grammar skills.

During her free time, Erin enjoys traveling, reading, running, and watching any and all sports. She will enjoy any game on TV, but her favorite team to watch is the Penn State Nittany Lions. She loves spending time with her family and friends and has been enjoying exploring Northern Virginia and DC since she moved to the area!

Janet

Janet firmly believes that each student is capable of mastering challenging material if they can connect with and find interest in the assignment. As a tutor, Janet's role is to help the student find that interest and provide them with the resources and support to succeed independently. Janet's favorite moment in tutoring is the 'ooohh!' moment; when the (sometimes disparate) pieces of information fit together to make a comprehensive picture, and the student can triumphantly explain the concept so completely that others learn from their explanation. Janet's goal as a tutor is to provide the support, motivation, and encouragement necessary for the student to achieve that moment of excitement, success, and comprehension, making learning a fun and rewarding process.

Born and raised in Southwest Florida, Janet moved to Virginia for college and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in Psychology. Janet is now in the third year of Marymount University's masters in Mental Health Counseling. In addition to classes, she volunteers with Catholic Charities, tutoring refugee students, and works at the Children's Advocacy Center of Arlington for her counseling internship. After graduation, Janet hopes to work with firefighters/first responders and their families using experiential and expressive therapy methods.

In her downtime, Janet enjoys spending time with her housemates on their 'urban homestead' (which includes 9 chickens, 2 bunnies, 6 honeybee hives, an inquisitive collie dog, and too many tomato plants to count), watching cartoons, baking, and Crossfit Rubicon.

Taylor

Taylor is from Rockville, MD and recently graduated from Clemson University with a BS in Chemical Engineering. She is passionate about working hard to achieve goals and believes learning should be fun and empowering.

Taylor attended Rockville High School where she completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma program, was an associate editor for the school newspaper, and captain of the dance team. While in college, Taylor tutored and mentored younger engineering students through a university-sponsored program to help students succeed in science and engineering classes. She has experience tutoring students in a variety of subjects such as Chemistry, Calculus, and test prep.

In her free time, Taylor loves to exercise, read, and travel. She ran the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in Charleston, South Carolina this past spring and wants to train for a half-marathon next. This fall she plans to visit her 4th continent when she travels to South Korea and Japan!

Charlie

Charlie is a passionate teacher who enjoys witnessing academic growth in his students as they progress from uncertainty to confidence. He is an excellent listener, and he aims to connect with his students so he can tailor his teaching in a personalized way. As a former student who sought tutoring help himself, he understands the impact a tutor can have in contributing to a student’s academic success. He continually strives to not only see his students improve but also to grow as a teacher.

Born and raised in the greater DC area, Charlie was a member of the National Honor Society and Varsity tennis player who competed at the national level. He earned his college degree in Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Charlie currently works as a software developer for a large IT company. His long term goal is to eventually start his own company and develop the next big hit for mobile apps. During his free time, Charlie enjoys golf, tennis, volleyball, outdoor activities, hip hop dance, piano and drums.

Mary R.

A seasoned instructor, Mary has been helping students thrive since 2005 (see what we did there? :o)), and has wonderful success stories in helping her students develop strong study skills and test taking strategies.

Mary was born and raised in Northern Virginia and is a graduate of McLean High School. She earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a specialization in Environmental Sciences from the University of Virginia, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Mary also earned her MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and is a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, pursuing a degree in Toxicology and Environmental Health.

In her spare time, Mary enjoys hiking, exploring the outdoors, traveling, baking and experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with friends and family.

Larry

As a tutor, Larry aims to provide an environment that encourages students to be excited and positive about their educations and believe that they can excel, not just succeed, in their classes. Larry helps students feel confident in their abilities as academic scholars and provides them the necessary support so that they are mentally and emotionally ready.

A Baltimore native, Larry now resides in Fairfax and recently graduated from George Mason University while receiving honors from the dean. He graduated with a BA in psychology and is currently conducting research at the university to help prevent eating disorders in students. With experience as a classroom assistant for elementary and middle school students, he also helped tutor students from George Mason University.

Before applying to graduate school, Larry is tutoring to continue to gain experience working with students. His time teaching has led Larry to choose between pursuing a master’s degree in educational programs or school counseling. One of his goals is to receive a teaching certificate so that he can one day teach English in foreign countries such as South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, and Germany to become more educated on different cultures and lifestyles.

During his free time, he loves to write poetry, read scientific journals, as well as play the piano. He enjoys playing sports such as basketball and football while also rooting for the local Redskins and Wizards. As an animal lover, he loves to volunteer for the Lost Dog Rescue Foundation from time to time.