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.

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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!

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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. 

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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.

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