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Our Tutors
Katie Childs
Katie brings a warm, encouraging, and deeply empathetic approach to tutoring—rooted in her own experience as someone who benefitted from tutoring while growing up. Because she knows firsthand how impactful academic support can be, she loves being the person students can trust when school feels overwhelming. Helping students build confidence, feel understood, and succeed in subjects they once found intimidating is what motivates her most. Katie thrives in science-based subjects, especially Chemistry, Biology, and elementary/middle school sciences. She also enjoys tutoring Algebra and helping students strengthen their foundational math skills. Throughout her own academic journey, she excelled in math and science and has always loved writing and expressing ideas clearly—skills that now support her ability to explain challenging concepts in simple, approachable ways. Her tutoring style is shaped by the strategies she used as a student: asking questions, seeking support when needed, breaking material into manageable steps, and using practice problems and study groups to reinforce understanding. Because she’s been in her students’ shoes, she knows how important it is to feel supported, not judged. What sets Katie apart is her ability to genuinely connect with students. She leads with empathy and strong communication skills, helping learners feel comfortable, capable, and encouraged. She excels at breaking down complex ideas without making them overwhelming and consistently reminds students that they are capable—sometimes they just need the right explanation or a little confidence to unlock progress. When frustration arises, Katie slows the pace, acknowledges the student’s feelings, and breaks the problem into smaller, digestible pieces. Depending on the student’s learning style, she uses examples, visuals, or guided steps to help them regain confidence and realize that they can understand the material. Outside academics, Katie has big dreams—she hopes to become a dentist one day and run the NYC Marathon. As a social and interpersonal learner herself, she brings patience, encouragement, and connection into every session, helping students feel supported both academically and personally.
Ashley Coates
Ashley is a passionate tutor who discovered her love for teaching early on, inspired by her best friend with high-functioning autism. Witnessing educational inequities firsthand, she began volunteering to teach financial literacy and other subjects to special needs students, sparking her commitment to helping learners of all abilities thrive. Ashley specializes in English, Science, and History, while also excelling at breaking down math for “non-math brains.” A whiz in English and Science, she especially enjoys comprehension and research, helping students build lasting skills instead of simply memorizing for tests. Having once struggled with pacing herself as a student, she learned the value of healthy study habits and grace—lessons she now shares with her students. What sets Ashley apart is her broad experience with learners of all ages and abilities, and her focus on making students feel confident and comfortable. When frustration arises, she patiently breaks concepts into smaller steps, encourages brain breaks, and adapts her approach until learning feels achievable again. A social and interpersonal learner herself, Ashley brings energy and collaboration to her sessions, making them dynamic and engaging. Outside of tutoring, Ashley has a wide range of interests—from playing lacrosse to singing for the Pope in Italy. Her diverse experiences highlight her adaptability and enthusiasm, qualities she brings to every student she works with.
Cait Cunningham
Cait has always had a deep love and understanding for children, which makes tutoring feel less like a job and more like a privilege. She sees tutoring as a two-way street—not only does she get to teach, but she also learns from the kids she works with every day. Cait specializes in K–5 Math and ELA, as well as 6–12 English at all levels, from general studies to AP. Understanding the English language has always come naturally to her—she jokes that if the “grammar police” were real, she’d be their captain. She loves helping students build strong foundations in reading, writing, and communication while making math approachable and even fun. As a student, Cait overcame her own challenges by staying focused, organized, and creating a rewarding environment for herself. She often used checklists to track her progress and celebrated accomplishments along the way—a strategy she now encourages in her students. She also knows firsthand the frustration of homework struggles at the kitchen table, which fuels her compassion and patience as a tutor. Her goal is always to make learning fun, rewarding, and confidence-building. When students feel discouraged, Cait emphasizes the power of positivity and perspective. She reminds them that “I can’t” really just means “I can’t yet,” and she breaks down material into manageable steps while keeping the environment supportive and encouraging. Her interpersonal and verbal learning style allows her to connect deeply with students, turning even difficult lessons into engaging conversations. Outside of tutoring, Cait’s happy place is Disney World, where she visits weekly as an annual passholder—Animal Kingdom is her favorite park. She brings that same sense of joy, enthusiasm, and excitement for discovery into every tutoring session, inspiring her students to believe in themselves and enjoy the learning process.
Kylie Cimillo
Kylie Cimillo is a passionate Health Sciences major at the University of Central Florida with a natural gift for connecting with students and inspiring a love for learning. Her background in science and writing, combined with her hands-on approach to teaching, makes her an engaging and effective tutor. Kylie enjoys tutoring because it allows her to share her knowledge while watching students grow both intellectually and personally. For her, tutoring is more than just teaching; it’s about creating meaningful bonds with students and helping them find joy in subjects they once found challenging. With her background in health sciences and a love for writing, Kylie thrives in science-based subjects, as well as reading and writing. In her free time, you’ll find her diving into books or journaling, which fuels her passion for language and expression. While her strengths lie in these areas, Kylie’s versatility allows her to adapt quickly to support students in any subject. Throughout her academic journey, Kylie has excelled in sciences and writing, having been part of a medical program in high school and taking advanced writing courses at a local college. When facing academic challenges, Kylie uses her skills as a planner to create structured, focused study sessions. She maintains a positive attitude and rewards herself for her efforts, believing that self-compassion and persistence are key to success. Kylie’s hands-on, kinaesthetic learning style is a hallmark of her tutoring approach. She uses interactive tools like flip books, games, and projects to make learning engaging and memorable. Her ability to create a fun, dynamic learning environment sets her apart and ensures students stay motivated and excited to learn.
Braeden Wright
Braeden Wright is an Aerospace Engineering major at the University of Central Florida with a passion for math, physics, and helping students unlock their full potential. Inspired by the positive impact of his own tutor, Braeden strives to be the kind of mentor who not only supports academic success but also imparts life skills and confidence to his students. Braeden knows firsthand the struggles of staying focused and overcoming academic challenges. His tutor in middle and high school was a life-changing influence, teaching him not just about school but about resilience and success. Now, Braeden hopes to pass on that same knowledge and support to students facing similar difficulties, helping them achieve their best both academically and personally. Braeden specializes in math and physics, with a particular love for Algebra I, II, college-level algebra, and fractal decomposition. Physics—especially theoretical physics and aerodynamics—is another area of passion for him. He enjoys breaking down complex concepts and making them fun and engaging for his students, showing them the exciting side of STEM. Braeden thrived in science and math throughout school because he found them enjoyable and less like a chore. His love for these subjects fueled his success and allowed him to approach learning as a rewarding hobby rather than a task. Braeden takes a friend-first approach to tutoring, seeing his students as equals rather than someone below him in knowledge. He values the quirks and potential in each individual and aims to create a relaxed, supportive environment where learning feels approachable and fun. For Braeden, tutoring isn’t just about academics—it’s about making a genuine connection with his students.
Emily Melo
Emily Melo is a dedicated Mathematics major at the University of Central Florida with a passion for problem-solving and inspiring students to unlock their full potential. Emily combines her curiosity for learning with her talent for teaching, helping students approach challenging subjects with confidence and determination. Emily finds tutoring incredibly rewarding because she loves seeing students gain confidence in subjects they once found difficult. She believes that with a little guidance, every student can reach their true potential. Watching the joy on students’ faces when they succeed is what drives her passion for tutoring. Emily’s expertise lies in math and science, which she finds both fascinating and structured. She enjoys the patterns and formulas in math that help solve complex problems, and she loves the exploration and experimentation that make science so engaging. Emily sees the critical thinking required for both subjects as deeply interconnected, making them her favorite areas to tutor. Emily has always excelled in STEM subjects due to her curiosity and dedication. She approaches learning with balance and a sense of organization, which she believes are key to success. Emily’s love for challenges has also driven her to succeed in areas outside her comfort zone, inspiring her students to tackle their own challenges with the same enthusiasm. Emily’s patience and understanding set her apart as a tutor. She knows firsthand how difficult it can be to ask for help, and she works hard to create a judgment-free environment where students feel comfortable asking any questions. Emily takes the time to go at each student’s pace, ensuring they fully understand the material before moving on.
Josephine Sellenriek
Josephine loves watching students realize their own potential—especially when a concept finally “clicks.” She knows the classroom can feel overwhelming, so she makes tutoring personal: breaking ideas into clear, step-by-step pieces that meet each learner where they are and build real confidence. A lifelong math enthusiast, Josephine thinks of math as a giant puzzle and enjoys teaching the strategies to solve it. She also thrived in science and brings that same curiosity and love of learning to every session. As a student, she tackled challenges proactively—digging into textbooks and trusted resources—and later learned the value of asking for help. Tutoring lets her be the supportive guide she once wished she’d had. What sets Josephine apart is her extensive experience with children of all ages. Before tutoring, she spent six years babysitting and nannying for kids from six months to eighteen years old, giving her a patient, empathetic approach and a knack for making learning engaging and age-appropriate. When frustration arises, she validates the feeling, offers short “reset” breaks, and re-explains concepts from fresh angles until the path forward is clear. A logical–mathematical learner herself, Josephine teaches the way she learns—organized, calm, and step-by-step. Fun fact: when she’s not solving problems, she loves to wake surf.
Maahir Rahi
Maahir is a dedicated STEM tutor who brings clarity, patience, and real engineering experience to every session. As a Materials Science & Engineering student at UCF, he’s used to breaking complex problems into simple steps—an approach he loves applying with students to turn “this makes no sense” into “I get it now.” He specializes in advanced math (Algebra through Calculus 3 and Differential Equations), Physics, and Chemistry. These are the subjects where he’s always thrived, and he enjoys helping students see patterns, understand the “why,” and build confidence in problem-solving. Maahir wasn’t always the “naturally smart” kid, and that perspective makes his teaching grounded and relatable. In college, he transformed his study habits using structured routines, practice strategies, and tools like note-summarizing, reviewing lectures, and creating step-by-step checklists. He now teaches those same skills to students so they can succeed independently—not just during sessions.
When students feel frustrated, Maahir keeps explanations short, asks guiding questions, and has them talk through the steps to reinforce understanding. Whether a student learns best visually, logically, or through discussion, he adapts with diagrams, examples, or clear verbal breakdowns. Outside academics, Maahir enjoys reading, going to the gym, and previously played lacrosse, which strengthened his time-management and discipline. Maahir’s goal is simple: build confidence, create clarity, and leave every student with a repeatable process they can trust on homework, quizzes, and tests.
Tarek Hasan
Tarek has always excelled in problem-solving and logic-based subjects, and tutoring allows him to share that strength with students who need clarity and confidence. He loves helping students move from confusion to understanding, especially when a difficult topic finally “clicks” and they begin to feel capable again. Math is where Tarek shines most—particularly Algebra and Calculus. He enjoys breaking down complex ideas into simple, step-by-step explanations that feel approachable. In school, he thrived in advanced courses like AP Calculus and AP Chemistry, and his strong analytical skills shape the way he teaches today. Tarek’s tutoring style is patient, calm, and individualized. He focuses on genuine comprehension rather than memorization, adapting his approach to each student’s learning style. When a student feels frustrated, he takes time to identify exactly where the confusion begins, works through the challenging steps slowly, and reassures them that struggling is a normal part of learning. As a logical learner himself, Tarek understands the importance of explaining the “why” behind concepts to help students feel grounded and confident. Outside of academics, Tarek loves traveling and experiencing different cultures—a curiosity and openness he brings into his tutoring sessions as well.
Kaila Cohen
Kaila Cohen is a Theatre Arts major at Rollins College, preparing to pursue an MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences at UCF. Passionate about education and creativity, she loves helping students grow by making learning engaging and personalized. Kaila specializes in English tutoring, including writing, grammar, reading, and research, and enjoys helping students find their unique voices. As a lifelong arts enthusiast, she incorporates theater, music, and visual arts to make lessons dynamic. Having developed her own study strategies, she guides students in discovering what works best for them. Known for her patience and positivity, Kaila tailors her approach to each learner’s interests and has extensive experience supporting individuals with disabilities. When students feel frustrated, she encourages short breaks, grounding exercises, and open conversations to help them refocus. Outside of tutoring, Kaila enjoys directing theater, visiting Disney World, and playing Disney Dreamlight Valley. Her enthusiasm for learning and creativity makes her a dedicated and engaging tutor, eager to help students reach their full potential.
Samantha Ostroff
Samantha finds joy in tutoring because it’s incredibly rewarding to watch students grow in both knowledge and confidence. For her, success isn’t just about helping students get the right answers—it’s about guiding them to believe in their own abilities and equipping them with tools they can carry forward into every subject. Samantha specializes in lower school reading as well as middle school math and science, where she thrives in making challenging concepts feel approachable. In high school, she excelled in math and science while also nurturing a love for reading. Today, she is pursuing a Biology degree at the University of Central Florida, where her fascination with the subject continues to deepen her knowledge and shape her tutoring. As a student, Samantha overcame obstacles by staying organized, knowing when to ask for help, and remaining disciplined with her tasks even when times were tough. These habits not only helped her succeed but also shaped her ability to teach others how to stay on track. She stands out as a tutor because of her patience and her clear, step-by-step approach that makes even complex ideas understandable.
When students feel frustrated, Samantha remains calm, listens carefully to their concerns, and breaks problems into smaller, more manageable steps. She pairs this with positive encouragement, making sure students feel supported as they regain confidence and clarity. A social and interpersonal learner herself, she thrives in building strong connections with students, creating an environment that feels collaborative, comfortable, and motivating. Outside of academics, Samantha has a unique passion: she was a competitive figure skater for 10 years. This dedication taught her perseverance, focus, and discipline—qualities she now brings to her tutoring. Whether guiding a young reader, walking through math problems, or explaining scientific concepts, Samantha is committed to helping every student succeed with patience, positivity, and clarity.