Candi C

Candi C

I was born and raised in Chicago, which I will always call home. I received my BA in Elementary Education with a minor in linguistics, along with a specialty endorsement in early childhood. I moved to Arizona in 1996 after I was married. I have two kids: a daughter who recently graduated from the University of Arizona, and a son who will be starting the U of A this fall. I began working with kids at the age of 15, as a camp counselor, then moved up to being an assistant teacher at day cares, and before and after school programs. Once in Arizona, I worked as a kindergarten teacher, a traveling PE coach, lead and assistant teacher in day cares, and most recently as a reading specialist tutor, helping kids that are dyslexic.

In my free time, I like to spend time with our two busy kids (whenever they're around) and our two English Cream Golden Retrievers. I'm also a drummer, and love to play whenever I can.

I love to get to know all the kids and families I have the privilege to work with on a personal level, so I can best help them to their abilities in school, and in their homework. I serve Focus families in the areas of reading, writing and spelling, as well as kindergarten readiness. I am also a dyslexia specialist.

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Megan O

megan o

Growing up in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, I was taught by passionate professionals who made learning fun and meaningful and inspired me to dedicate my career to doing the same. After studying English with a Writing Concentration at Gonzaga University, I earned my Masters of Arts in Teaching through the University of Portland while teaching middle and high school English classes in Stayton, OR for two years. Upon graduation, I returned to Arizona and began work at a high school teaching honors and on-level English classes and journalism electives, as well as mentoring new teachers, serving as an adult leader in the House system, and moderating the Veterans Heritage Project club. I love teaching English because every day there is an opportunity to foster a spirit of critical thinking in students using literature as our common ground. Over the year, each class period becomes a unique community, but our mission remains constant—to ask questions of ourselves, each other, and the texts we
read. Working with students individually on their reading, writing, speaking, and grammar skills is an opportunity to teach students more effectively with a clearer picture of their individual content knowledge and skills. I approach a tutoring relationship with enthusiasm, humor, creativity, and the belief that working on something we struggle with is one of the bravest things we can do.

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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.

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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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Michelle B

Michelle B

I grew up in Western Massachusetts and in my twenties moved to the Valley of the Sun. I enjoyed ten years in Arizona. Most of them were in the Valley, but the last year was in Marble Canyon, near Lake Page and the Navajo Reservation. I am thrilled to be moving back after raising a beautiful child and a completing a successful teaching career. I earned an associate’s degree in Computer Science, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics Education from Elms College. I trained at Northeastern University in Boston in the Interactive Mathematics Program, a very specific mathematics curriculum where I learned to teach in a student-centered way.

I believe that each student can be successful when they are given the opportunity to learn and explore mathematics. I enjoy teaching mathematics to young people, sharing a love of learning and helping students realize their full potential as individuals. I approach each student from a very personal and individual place. I know, and try to help them understand, that learning mathematics is based on effort, practice and overcoming the challenges that the work might present to them. I also love swimming, hiking and biking and am thrilled to be back in the Valley and working with Focus Tutors as a way to continue my involvement with teaching mathematics.

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Summer B

Summer B

My mission as an educator is to be an agent for fostering the growth of compassionate, conscious and empowered scholars who are grounded with a sense of purpose about their presence in the world. This stems from my core belief that these traits are essential to effectively participate in a society built on democratic ideals and values. I believe these traits are supported and substantiated by the fundamental and parallel skills of listening and reading, speaking and writing, as well as understanding through the creative process of learning. Through the content of Language Arts it is my goal that my scholars expand their intellectual capacity through rigorous and invigorating practice of reading and writing the world through the word.

I began my educational career in New Mexico where I obtained experience as an educator in a variety of settings and in all content areas from Pre-K-High School. I have achieved a Masters of Education from Eastern New Mexico University, with focus in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading and Literacy and Educational Pedagogy. Additionally I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a double focus in Language Arts, Special Education as well as an additional endorsement in Secondary Education and English and Composition.

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Claire V

Claire V

I am a dedicated lifelong learner with passion and enthusiasm for teaching. My educational career began as the daughter of educators. I have a B.A and an M.A. in Politics and taught at 2 year and 4 year colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area and Denver, Colorado before getting a degree in Elementary Education.

What I enjoy most is engaging and interacting with students. I know I have done a good job when students start to question how or why something exists the way that it does. I love the process of shaping student led inquiry, watching students grow and gain the confidence to be able to figure things out for themselves. I respect and honor the unique qualities of each student and seek to make the educational experience one that encourages them to be lifelong learners.  I can be helpful in the areas of elementary math, reading & writing support, organization & time management, general homework & study skills support, language arts and upper level Social Studies & History.

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Abby R

Abby R

Yes, I am one of those crazy people that loves math! I grew in a small town in Iowa, but moved to Arizona to pursue my Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Arizona State University, where I also teach conceptually-oriented pre-calculus. Prior to coming to ASU, I played Division 1 soccer at Western Illinois University and earned my bachelor’s degree in mathematics education.

I am a certified secondary mathematics teacher and have extensive tutoring experience that has allowed me to refine my ability to demonstrate mathematical concepts effectively, at a high level. I seek to share my passion for mathematics with students and I hope to help students develop a conceptual understanding of the mathematical topics they are learning. I firmly believe a strong conceptual basis provides students with the confidence and ability to solve a wide variety of mathematical problems. I offer tutoring services to middle and high school students in all areas of mathematics.

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Julie G

Julie G

I was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey, and have always had a passion for working with individuals with various needs. I transitioned to Arizona when I attended the University of Arizona and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in Cross Categorical Special Education, K-12. I have eight years of experience working as a Special Education teacher in environments ranging from Self-Contained to Resource rooms. My main inspiration is to build solid relationships with the students I am working with and create a safe, positive learning environment that engages, motivates, and nurtures students. In the tutoring environment, I want to take an approach to teaching that is individualized and tailored to each student’s specific needs in the way that they learn the best. I am very creative and flexible with my teaching style. I am always willing to adapt and commit to ensuring a student understands the content and feels successful in completing tasks that are challenging for them successfully and independently.

I am thrilled to be working with Focus Tutors students at the elementary and secondary grade levels in language arts, mathematics, general homework/organization skills and executive function coaching.

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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.

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