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.

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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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Bradford B

BRadford B

I became a teacher because teaching, and learning, are a lifelong passion.  I was born and raised in rural western Colorado; my younger sister and I were the third generation of our family to grow up in our small mountain town.  Like almost all young people there, I attended our local public high school, and upon graduation became the first in my family to attend college.  I credit this to, after God's grace, the constant support especially of my mother, whose selfless devotion inspires me to this day.

I started my higher education by earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy, with distinction in the major, from Yale University.  I then attended law school at Cornell University, earning my JD.  After practicing law for two years in a large corporate firm in New York City, which I found unsatisfying and lacking a healthy work-life balance, I changed careers.  I returned west, specifically to southern California, and decided to return to the humanities, my first academic love.  I was admitted to the PhD program in English literature at UC Berkeley, where I also did significant coursework in classics (Latin and ancient Greek).

While finishing my doctoral dissertation, I worked for five years teaching English literature and writing, AP U.S. history, Spanish, and other subjects with HS2 Academy, a private company in Orange County, CA.  In 2015 I was hired to teach at ASU, where I've taught for the past nine years, in the Department of Interdisciplinary Humanities.  Over the past fourteen years I've worked with countless (literally in the low thousands) students of different backgrounds, and I'm just as keen on teaching now as when I started!  Some of my former students, now adults and married with children, remain dear friends, and it's an honor to have helped shape their path.

I recently joined the Focus Tutors team and am happy to work with students in the following areas: English language and literature; Spanish language; French language; Latin language; U.S. history; world history; U.S. government and civics; philosophy and religion; reading and writing support; general homework support; study skills.

One interesting aspect of my career change is that I have lived and worked in Seattle, Portland, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Los Angeles, and New York but finally came back "home" to teach at a school I attended.  I am an alumnus of Hopi, Ingleside, and Arcadia ultimately graduating from ASU with a degree in Industrial Engineering before starting my international IT career.

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Alexandria J

Alexandria J

With over seven years of teaching experience, I specialize in STEM-related technology and the biological sciences. My academic background includes a degree in Biomedical Science, complemented by an MBA, which allows me to bridge the gap between science and leadership. I’m passionate about integrating innovative technologies into the classroom to inspire the next generation of scientists and critical thinkers. As a physics and engineering educator, I support Focus students in math and science.

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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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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.

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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 math, science, problem-solving, executive functioning, and organization.

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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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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.

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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.

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Jennifer P

jennifer p

Inspired by a family legacy of educators, my journey into teaching began early. My studies abroad in Brighton, England, broadened my horizons, but as an Arizona native, my heart lies in empowering local students from middle and high school. My experience spans diverse learning environments, from inner-city schools to homeschooling, and I thrive on connecting with each student's unique potential. An unexpected graduate course in physics modeling ignited a passion for the interconnectedness of math and science, a curiosity I love to share.

Earning my Master's in Curriculum & Instruction in Mathematics equipped me to transform my classroom into a launchpad for discovery, where students actively lead their learning through genuine inquiry. I've had the privilege of guiding Arizona's top math students to achieve and maintain their success. Algebra, the fundamental language of mathematics, holds a special place in my heart – it's not just about equations; it's about unlocking a world of logical puzzles and building a robust foundation for future learning. I believe a rigorous Algebra education can be, and should be, an engaging adventure. I'm thrilled to bring my experience and enthusiasm to Focus Tutors, where I aim to spark that same passion for mathematics in individual students. If we connect, be sure to ask me about Math Unicorns!

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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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