Director
Jennie Tyma
Noelle D
noelle D
I’ve known that teaching was my calling ever since high school, when I had the opportunity to assist in an elementary classroom and absolutely fell in love with education. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing a student’s eyes light up when they finally grasp a concept they’ve been struggling with—that “aha!” moment is what I live for.
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Elmhurst University in Illinois, along with endorsements in ESL, bilingual education (Spanish), and special education. After graduation, I spent nine incredible years living and working in Tijuana, Mexico, where I served as a middle school teacher and later as the Education Coordinator at St. Innocent Orphanage. In that role, I developed and implemented academic and behavioral support programs for students facing a wide range of challenges, including learning disabilities, mental health and behavioral diagnosis, ADHD, dyslexia, and trauma. I also worked with students who had never set foot in a classroom before, helping them build foundational literacy and study skills from the ground up. Watching these students take great strides in their education instilled in me a love for working with students one-on-one and a deep commitment to student success.
I am passionate about supporting students who are struggling to succeed in traditional academic environments by helping them build confidence, find effective strategies, and discover the joy of learning. Through Focus Tutors, I’m excited to offer support in Spanish, general homework help, and organization/study skills.
Joanna F
Joanna F
My love for learning started when I was an elementary school student and has only deepened since then. I have dedicated my career to helping children develop their own love for learning with the intention that passion for knowledge will carry them through high school, college, and beyond.
In 2002, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from the University of Arizona in Elementary Education. In 2006, I completed my Master's in Education and graduated Summa Cum Laude. I specialize in Curriculum & Instruction.
In 2002, I started a career at EDUPRIZE SCHOOLS (the first charter in Arizona) as both an elementary teacher and middle school teacher (grades 4th-8th.) I taught there for 10 wonderful years. Nonetheless, I left with the intention of exploring new ways to impact education and found what I really love... working with students one-on-one. That was the best decision I could have made.
My priority has always been to make learning fun! It is exciting to design a specialized curriculum based on the unique needs of each child. It i’s even more exciting to witness their curiosities pique as their confidence builds! My individualized plans ensure each child's specific needs are met and are provided in a format that best accommodates each student's particular learning style. Their success is truly my greatest reward. With the Focus Tutors team, I support students in general homework, math, reading, organization, and study skills.
Alexa Y
ALexa y
I was born and raised in Northern Colorado, moving to Arizona to attend Grand Canyon University, where I graduated from in 2021 with a degree in English for Secondary Education and Structured English Immersion. Since graduating, I have spent my career in a wide variety of educational settings, along with teaching a range of different subjects. Whether I am teaching at public school, private school, or homeschool cohorts, one thing remains the most true: I feel incredibly passionate about meeting students where they are at academically, and coming up with a plan for their success that suits their unique needs and interests. Working one-on-one with students in a tutoring setting has been one of my favorite parts of this career, as I love to support students in areas that they may feel stuck, or help encourage mastery in areas they really thrive.
Although my degree is in English, I have spent an equal amount of my career teaching and tutoring in math and history. Reading, writing, and grammar have always come easily to me, but I truly did not enjoy math or history until I had the opportunity to teach it myself! This ignited my passion to find new ways to teach content and make my lessons engaging and impactful for all students. I have learned that one may think they do not enjoy a subject, until they have the opportunity to see it through a different lens.
One of my favorite quotes as an educator is: “Students may not care how much you know, until they know how much you care” -Rita Pierson. I love to create relationships with students and families to ensure they know I truly care about their education. I am excited to be a part of the Focus Tutors team and to support students of all academic needs and abilities!
Antonio C
Antonio c
I have always enjoyed helping students understand challenging mathematical concepts and finding different ways to explain ideas until they make sense. Through my experience teaching mathematics, I have learned that students often approach problems in different ways, and effective tutoring comes from finding an explanation that works for each individual student.
I have experience teaching mathematics as a graduate teaching assistant at Arizona State University, working with students in courses including Algebra, Calculus, and Statistics. My academic background includes mathematics, statistics, and data analysis, allowing me to work with students across a wide range of topics.
My approach to tutoring is focused on identifying where a student is struggling and building from there. I aim to make difficult concepts more approachable while helping students develop the skills and problem-solving strategies they need to succeed.
With Focus Tutors, I support students in mathematics, including Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus, and Statistics.
Javier U
Javier U
After I discovered my passion for math and the sciences, I made it my goal to continually help students achieve those same ‘aha’ moments that I once did. Throughout my years of tutoring, I’ve worked with students of many different ages on many different topics, from pre-algebra to calculus to upper division math courses, as well as biology, chemistry, physics, and other sciences. In my opinion, one of the most important aspects to tutoring is recognizing the ways that the student thinks. Having graduated from Arizona State University with bachelor of science degrees in applied mathematics and biology and now working in a mathematical biology research laboratory, I emphasize how certain concepts relate to student interests and real-world scenarios. As part of the Focus Tutors team, I look forward to working with students on mathematics, biology, and chemistry, as well as improving their study habits, test-taking skills, and overall organization, which are also vital to success.
Ted T
Ted T
For the last four years, I have worked as a teacher in the Paradise Valley Unified School District. Prior to that, I worked in the Fairfax County Public Schools, the 10th largest school district in the nation, just outside of Washington, D.C. I feel extremely fortunate to have served a variety of populations, such as: Self-Contained Gifted, English Language Learners, general education students, and those identified as twice-exceptional. For this reason, I am a firm believer that one size does not fit all in education and I strive to promote equity in any position I am assigned. I also believe that students learn best when they construct new knowledge for themselves. Therefore, I see myself as “a guide on the side” rather than “a sage on the stage.” As a Focus tutor, I can help your student set and meet their individual learning goals. Whether I am teaching English composition, American Government, middle school science, or test preparation, I hope to promote 21st century skills, like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, tenacity, and problem solving.
Tanya M
Tanya m
I absolutely love helping students understand and succeed in math. I know it is a hard subject, but I know how to break it down so that you can understand it. If you are willing to put some time into it, you can succeed at math.
I have a Bachelor’s in Mathematics for Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University and have been teaching and tutoring for the past 20+ years: teaching high school math in a public school, then homeschooling all subjects to my own children, and currently tutoring students at the middle and high school math levels.
With experience both in the classroom and with one-on-one tutoring, I have really seen the benefit of the latter. The classroom setting has its limitation, especially for a struggling student. Sometimes, all it takes is a bit of one-on-one help to boost a student’s confidence and performance. Tutoring isn’t magic either; it also takes dedication from the student to do their part, working hard to complete all homework and persevere when things get tough. If you are ready to commit to that, I am ready to join you and help you succeed in your math class.
Trista M
trista M
From a young age, I knew teaching was my calling. This inspiration came from my favorite science teacher who had the ability to make learning both interesting and fun. After earning my degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from San Jose State University in 1994, I pursued my passion for science by obtaining a second Bachelor’s in Natural Sciences with a minor in Biology in 2000.
My experiences as a stay-at-home mom and navigating my son's Autism diagnosis led me to earn my Multiple Subject Credential in 2004, allowing me to work as a teacher and support my children in their educational journeys. Through my son’s journey, I gained invaluable insights into the IEP and 504 processes and learned that every child on the spectrum is beautifully unique. As a lifelong learner, I went back to school in 2018 to earn a Master’s Degree in Biology with an Emphasis in Education from GCU in 2020 .
My husband and I are blessed with six amazing children and ten grandchildren. Sunday dinners are a cherished weekly tradition, where our kids and grandkids gather to enjoy time together.
I am thrilled to be a member of the Focus Tutors team, and I am dedicated to making math and science accessible and enjoyable for students. With 17 years of experience in education, I have had the privilege of witnessing children grow, thrive, and reach their full potential. I look forward to using my knowledge and passion to support students on their educational journey in all elementary subjects, math, science, problem-solving, executive functioning, and organization.
Jaime S
Jaime s
My name is Jaime and my mission as a math tutor is to help students gain confidence and experience success in middle and high school mathematics classes. When I was in high school, I struggled with learning math UNTIL I had the right teacher. Those struggles make me a better teacher, because I understand the frustration that students can feel when they don’t “get it”.
I am originally from the Chicago area and graduated with my Bachelors degree from Eastern Illinois University. After moving out west and teaching in Arizona and California, I moved to Rochester, Minnesota, where I spent the bulk of my career teaching middle and high school math. I earned my Masters degree from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in 2011. I have been a math tutor since 2009 and held many other positions that aim to serve others and help them become better versions of themselves.
I currently live in Gilbert, along with my dog and 3 cats. People seem to get a kick out of the names of my cats: Monica, Chandler and Rachel. My dog’s name is Dug, named after the dog in the Pixar movie, Up. In my free time, I enjoy reading, exercising, painting, puzzling and spending time with family.
I look forward to working with you! I offer tutoring services to middle and high school students in Pre-Algebra, Geometry and Algebra.
Kiley J
kiley J
I have always had a love for learning and thrived in academics. My background is in biology and chemistry, although I have a soft spot for math (I almost switched to mathematics as my college major!)
My journey with education has been short but has been full of learning. I taught for over two years at a Great Hearts school with middle schoolers and fell in love with teaching there. They taught me what it meant to be multi-faceted across the subjects and deepened my appreciation for math and science.
A year ago, I transitioned full-time to a role involving both education and behavioral health where I run the education department for a residential facility for adolescents. It opened my eyes to the unfortunate gaps that students experience in their learning and what happens when that cycle goes on for too long.
My priority in this field is to help who I can, make understanding easy, learning fun, and create a sense of confidence that my students can do anything. I work with all levels of students in math and science.
Magdoleen S
magdoleen s
Hello! I am a passionate and dedicated first-grade teacher. I am excited to share my experience with you. I'm a lifelong resident of Phoenix, Arizona, and teaching has been my calling since I was a child. As an Orthodox Christian, my faith provides a strong foundation for my work, guiding me to approach each student with compassion and care.
Coming from a large, vibrant family of three brothers and two sisters, I have gained invaluable insights into building meaningful relationships. This family background has greatly influenced my teaching philosophy, as I place a strong emphasis on fostering genuine connections with each of my students. I am now entering my 4th year of teaching, and my love for this profession only continues to grow. I am excited about the prospect of tutoring your child and look forward to the opportunity for shared growth and learning.
I am thrilled to be working with Focus Tutors students at the elementary grade levels in language arts, mathematics, general homework/organization skills and reading support.
Jourdan M
Jourdan m
I have been teaching math since 2017 and have worked with students in Arizona since 2019. I have a Bachelors of Science in Education with a Minor in Mathematics. With years of classroom experience, I’ve developed strategies to make math clear, engaging, and less intimidating for students of all levels.
Originally from Idaho, I enjoy spending time outdoors but also a good night in with a movie and my dog, Zeus. I also love hosting game nights with friends.
I am passionate about supporting students in reaching their academic goals and look forward to partnering with you to help your child succeed and feel confident in math. My focus is helping learners build confidence and understanding in math concepts up to Algebra 1, as well as general organizational and homework support.
Debbie E
Debbie E
Having spent my entire "growing up" years in Pennsylvania, I ventured out to South Carolina for college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics with a computer science minor from Bob Jones University in 1986. For some time after that, every few years brought a new adventure. Life has taken me to the suburbs of Detroit, MI, twice to Houston, TX, the Chicago area, and twice to Rochester, MN where I now reside. My first full-time position was in the financial field with an insurance company. Next, I took on several roles at Texas Children's Hospital, coming in as a programmer, then migrating to manage the Accounts Payable department and its new system installation. My next move found me testing software for the company whose system I had just helped install in TX. Most of that work was done as a telecommuter even before it was fashionable to work remotely. It wasn't until my most recent move back to MN that I became involved in education as a substitute teacher at a private classical school. Ten years later, I returned full circle to my math roots when I accepted my current position at Rochester Century High School. Now I get to spend my days immersed in tutoring high school students in our Math Resource Center. I derive immense satisfaction in seeing the lightbulb go on when a student finally grasps a concept, when they tell me about a good test grade, or when they inform me that I "saved" them in math class. To this I always point out that THEY are the ones who did the hard work; I just had the privilege of being their guide.
My post-secondary educational journey began at Iowa State University where I earned a B.S. in Accounting in 2017. Upon completion of undergraduate work, I worked in the public accounting field where I gained valuable experience both in business and character. Deciding that I wanted to pursue my passion of helping others succeed, what better way to do so than to become a teacher? I then made the jump to obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching with an endorsement in Secondary Education Mathematics from Liberty University. There is no more rewarding feeling to me than seeing the lightbulbs of both math and character illuminate in a student’s mind.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends on a nice patio, reading mystery novels, and going on walks with my Husky mix.
I believe that finding success in academics isn’t a standalone process; education is about rounding ourselves out to be the best we can be in all facets of life. I look forward to working with such diverse students and can’t wait to help each student grow. I offer support for students from elementary math through calculus.
Kiki T
Kiki T
I thought I was destined to be a writer. It was my passion throughout my entire childhood and young adult life. I wanted to write for major magazines and travel the world interviewing the biggest names in entertainment. I spent the majority of my college years doing just that- editing my college magazine and majoring in Communication with a focus in media.
I spent the years following college, working at a technology company where I trained (and retrained) clients on how to effectively use my company's software. Simultaneously, I was teaching Greek at my local church. It was the combination of these two jobs that prompted me to pursue a career in education. I loved helping people and loved making a difference in the lives of my students.
A move to Northern Virginia opened the door to education. It was there that I had the opportunity to teach at a bilingual preschool while pursuing my Master's in Curriculum and Instruction concentrating in teaching English Learners. My graduate program led me to finding a teaching position at the largest middle school in Virginia. For three years, I worked with students who had recently arrived to the country and struggled to learn English.
While my experience is primarily with middle school students, I have spent many years tutoring and working with younger learners. Specifically, with students in dual-language elementary programs. I am so grateful for the opportunity to join the Focus family and work with students from grades K-8. I am passionate about helping students who are learning a new language (French, Spanish, Greek), helping primary grade students in all subject areas, supporting reading and writing, and helping with general homework help and organizational skills.
Paige W
Paige W
I teach to empower. Studying International Development at Tulane University, I learned that education is the cornerstone of all progress—healthcare, civil rights, environmentalism, and the like advance hand-in-hand with knowledgeability of the populace. For that reason, I decided to go into education. Well, that and the fact that kids are hilarious; high impact plus good company makes for an easy career choice! In addition to International Development, I studied Spanish and Psychology at Tulane. Upon earning my Bachelor of the Arts degree in 2012, I moved right out to Arizona. Two years later, I graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Education degree. Since that time, I’ve enjoyed teaching special education in the valley with students in grades K-8. I’m thrilled to be part of the Focus Tutors team, and I look forward to sharing my passion and expertise in: organization and time management, study strategies, ADD/ADHD coaching, executive functioning support, test-taking skills, Spanish, and elementary & middle school mathematics, reading, writing, spelling, and grammar.
Danica K
Danica K
Growing up in Phoenix, school was a place where learning, imagination and the world all collided. I became a teacher because I wanted children to love learning just as I did. However, it took me a while to come to that conclusion. I love people, believe there is always hope and I think life should be enjoyed! I come from a family of educators and am a third-generation teacher. Growing up I often helped tutor and loved teaching others (whether that was academics, dance, the correct way to type, etc.). I came into college with extra credits, so I had the freedom to explore many degree programs. I graduated from the University of Arizona with a Sociology major and minors in Family Studies and Human Development, along with an Education minor. After working in a school in South Central Los Angeles, providing targeted interventions to lessen the achievement gap, I returned to Phoenix and worked in foster care, church work and eventually jumped back into the classroom and taught 6th grade, Elementary Resource and ended in High School Special Education. I am passionate about all students enjoying learning and reaching their goals. I went on to get my Master’s in Special Education because of my deep conviction to be able to reach all learners. I currently serve as the Children’s Director at a local church and love being able to serve families and provide optimal learning experiences each week. I am looking forward to sharing my love of learning and my deep conviction that all students are capable of great things. At Focus Tutors, I work with students in the following areas: organization and time management, reading/math intervention, executive functioning, test preparation, reading and writing support, as well as general homework support.
Nelofar S
Nelofar S
I did not grow up knowing I was going to be a teacher, though it has always been the core of my personality. Since becoming a teacher I have come to understand that teaching is a responsibility as much as it is a joy. Education transformed the lives of my parents and subsequently, the lives of my siblings and me. A good education is the most viable pathway to a good life, one where an individual cannot only support themselves and those they love, but one where an individual can seek answers to those questions that bring happiness and fulfillment. For this reason and many more, I have pursued an education that satisfies my interests and curiosities. After completing Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy (with a minor in Biology) at The University of Arizona, I moved to Phoenix and began working as a science and math teacher for Great Heart Academies. Teaching mathematics became my passion and ambition and the following year I began teaching mathematics full-time. Since then I have worked hard to hone my craft through my work in the classroom, tutoring one-on-one and by pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Arizona State University. My goal is to bring a passion for mathematics to every student I encounter. I aim to encourage their love of mathematics if it is already there and more importantly, to convince and inspire a student that they are capable of achieving what they think they cannot. I offer tutoring services to middle and high school students in mathematics and science, as well as test preparation.