Director
Jennie Tyma
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.
Michele V
Michele V
In my 30 years of teaching experience, I have worked in public, charter, and private school settings both on campus and with homebound students and individual families. While I have spent most of my time at the high school level helping students understand math or improve their reading levels, I have also assisted middle school and upper elementary students complete homework and learn organizational skills. I received my Bachelors from Northern Arizona University, a dual degree in Elementary and Special Education. I am currently enrolled in the School Counseling Masters program at University of Phoenix. It is rewarding to see a student build confidence through understanding. With the Focus Tutors team, I support students in general homework, math, organization, and study skills.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Genelle B
Genelle B
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school. My fourth grade teacher changed my life, and I was on a mission to do the same for other students as soon as I was able to. I graduated with an Elementary Education degree from the University of Arizona, with an endorsement in English Language Learners. I am currently in my seventh year of teaching elementary school, and I am absolutely in love with my career. My first home and my heart will always be in San Francisco, which is where I grew up. I have learned to call Arizona home after living here for the last nine years. Throughout my seven years of teaching experience, I can confidently say that I have shaped many young minds and helped other students find their love for learning. I am excited to teach more students through Focus Tutors and watch their little genius light bulbs go off!
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.
Alix B
Alix B
What I have to offer students of all ages are the fruits of a lifetime spent cultivating conversations among writers, thinkers, creative artists, and researchers on significant matters that affect our daily lives. As a constant seeker of knowledge myself, I endeavor to be the most supportive facilitator and guide possible for students in their academic searches for important questions that generate writing, reading, and critical thinking fluency. I am passionate, not only about the possibilities of creating personal meaning through the artful and persuasive use of language, but about the fact that spending extensive time and effort to acquire the power to use language critically enables students to be fully enfranchised members of their communities and cultures.
This teaching philosophy developed out of my own intellectual journey through an Honors B.A. in Sociology/Women's Studies/Political Economy at Manhattanville College; the M.F.A. in Writing/Teaching of Writing at Sarah Lawrence College; and a year of PhD studies in the Sociology of Education and Medicine. I began my career in education teaching first graders how to read, and have taught on the elementary through graduate school levels for the past 35 years. My professional background includes dual former careers as a Social Worker and Librarian, and I have worked with American, British, and diverse international students in the U.S. and the U.K. My teaching and tutoring subjects include: composition, creative writing, reading, literature and poetry, sociology, political economy and economics, women's & gender studies, academic success skills, Common App prep, PSAT/SAT/ACT test prep, library and research literacy, French, and a variety of humanities courses.
I am the author of On the Verge, a chapbook of poems (Plinth Books, 1997), and my full-length poetry manuscript is under publication consideration. My awards include a Pushcart Prize nomination, a CT Commission on the Arts Artist Fellowship in Poetry, and a Commendation in the U.K.'s Poets of the Year Competition. While resident on the East Coast, I served as Writing/Humanities Division Chair at The Learning Annex/CT, an adult education institute formerly in Hartford, CT, and worked as an adjunct professor of composition and creative writing at colleges and universities in CT, MA, and NY. In addition to tutoring for Focus Tutors AZ, I serve as an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing & Composition at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Chandler, work privately as an editor of creative and scholarly manuscripts, and continue to write and edit an alternative textbook for college-level writing entitled The Question Tree.
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.
Chelsea B
Chelsea B
I have always had a passion for helping people learn. In fourth grade, we did a project on what we wanted to be “when we grow up” and guess what job I said? Yes, you guessed it – teacher. In high school and college, you could often find me tutoring my peers because I enjoyed watching them succeed and reach their own goals. Although I enjoyed helping others, I felt more of a calling to get my undergraduate degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing at The University of Arizona. After graduation, I moved to Boston to pursue a career in corporate retail working as an analyst. For the year I was there, I enjoyed the work but I felt that I wasn’t doing meaningful work for myself or others. Finally, I came to the realization that my fourth-grade self had my best interest and that I truly did want to become an educator. I promptly moved back to Arizona, my true home, and returned to my alma mater, U of A (Beardown!), to receive my Master’s of Education with an emphasis in Secondary Mathematics. I am currently in my third year of teaching high school mathematics at a Title I school and loving every second of it. It brings me joy to teach students how math explains the world around us, teach them perseverance, and integrate applicable soft skills for school, their career, and beyond. As a Focus tutor, I offer support for middle and high school students in algebra (all levels) and pre-calculus.
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.