Maria Ferzola Lipiros

BS, Mathematics & Chemistry, University of Scranton; Secondary Mathematics, Drexel University; Finance & Accounting, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Why I TEACH: I TEACH because nothing gives me more joy than seeing that look of sudden understanding on a student’s face. Whether helping to increase a child’s confidence in Math, supporting a student to finally reach their goal score, or learning that someone I mentored just received an acceptance to their dream college, I truly couldn’t imagine doing more important work than positively impacting the life of another person through education.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I am always exploring all of the incredible things Philly has to offer with my husband, John, and son, Luke. Some of our favorites include riding the carousel at Franklin Square Park, feeding the birds at the Philadelphia Zoo, and going for brunch at Farmicia or Mixto followed by a long walk. If it’s a really great weekend, we stop for ice cream at Franklin Fountain and then I’m curling up with a new book at Liberty Lands Park while Luke takes his afternoon nap!

My favorite city/place in the world: Florence, Italy. As an Italian American on my first visit, I immediately felt at home. The cobblestone streets, incredibly rich art and history, handmade pasta, and charming artisan shops completely swept me off my feet while on my honeymoon. I know my husband played a role in that too!

Megan M

BS in Business Administration, Bucknell University; Minor in Mathematics; Colorado Teaching Certification in Mathematics Education (7-12)

Why I TEACH: Being in an Operations role at TEACH, I don’t do too much direct student tutoring but I still get to pop into our classes and oversee the different projects we have going on. It is so rewarding to see the growth that students make from the time we first start with them to the end of our time together. Seeing that progress makes it all worth it!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: From the end of May to the end of September, you’ll find me in Beach Haven— at my grandparents’ house, on the beach, sailing, or helping out at my family’s candy store and fudge shop (especially at the end of August when we lose all of our employees when they go back to college). I grew up on Long Beach Island year-round and can’t seem to get away from that special place!

My favorite city/place in the world is: Queenstown, New Zealand. I studied abroad in NZ for a semester at the University of Otago. It’s a beautiful country with the nicest people! I’m also a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan so visited most of the movie film locations including Bag End in the Shire while quoting every scene. Nerd alert!

Jeanette B

BSc in Mathematics, University College London, England

On the weekends when I’m not working: You can find me tending to my veggies in the garden, cooking and baking in the kitchen, foraging for wild mushrooms in the woods, or enjoying the lakes and mountains with my family.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Favorite city would be a tie between Stockholm, for its fresh air, stunning beauty, and all the water, and Bangkok, for its markets, its vibrant energy, and the best streetfood in the world! Favorite place is hard to pick, but the top two are probably the village where I grew up in southern Sweden, and my current home in Upstate SC.

Anna G

BS in Economics and Psychology, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana; Masters degree in Math Education, City College of New York

Why I TEACH: I was a teacher in New York City for 14 years and recently relocated to Philadelphia to be closer to family. I’m especially passionate about helping students realize that all people can understand and enjoy mathematics and helping students believe in their potential and find the courage to keep trying in the face of challenge.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I enjoy cooking, throwing pottery, playing outside with my kids, and reading.

My favorite city/place in the world: Northern Michigan on the lake that my family vacations at every summer and southern California where I visit my best friend and swim in the Pacific Ocean.

Marcela B

BSFS in Regional Comparative Studies, Georgetown University

MS.Ed in Urban Education, University of Pennsylvania

Why I TEACH:  I love connecting with students and helping them build their confidence through academic and personal growth. I taught 5th through 8th grade Science and Computer Skills for four years. The students I have had each hold a special place in my heart for all their growth and efforts I’ve been privileged to walk them through.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Your can find me baking bread or binge watching the latest true crime documentary on Netflix. On occasion, I also practice oil painting on canvas.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Tokyo! I had the opportunity to study abroad during my undergraduate studies, and I made the best of friends during my time in Japan. It was so fulfilling to navigate a completely new culture, language, and food scene.

Ania B-W

BA in History, SUNY Geneseo; MA Modern European History, Brown University; ABD Modern European History, Brown University

Why I TEACH: I come from a long line of academics and life-long learners. My family has instilled in me not only a love for learning but also taught me its value. Additionally, I recognize that education serves as a gateway to a better future, that sadly many do not have access to. Working with students provides me an opportunity to pass that love of learning to the next generation.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I love to travel! Whether it is domestic or international, discovering new cultures has always been a passion of mine. When I am not traveling, I love spending time with my husband and two kids. We are an active family, so on most weekends we like to go to the zoo or a museum and spend time together. And when I do get a moment to myself, which is rare, there is nothing better than a great book!

My favorite city/place in the world is: This is a hard question, there are so many it is hard to choose. If I had to narrow it down I would begrudgingly choose three. Poznan, Geneva (Switzerland) and Paris. All three hold a special place in my heart for different reasons and all three are places that I visit as often as I can. Poznan is the city I was born in, as such it will forever be “home.” It is a beautiful city where most of my family still lives, so visiting always feels like a homecoming. I consider Geneva my second hometown. Growing up my family spent three months out of the year living there: it is where I took my first steps, said my first words and made lifelong memories. Lastly, Paris. I first “discovered” Paris through literature like Alexander Dumas’ Three Musketeers. Traveling there as is a a young adult felt magical and I instantly fell in love with the city’s ancient streets, museums, great food and vintage shopping.

Sarah E

MS in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale

Why I TEACH: I teach because I love helping people become their best selves. It is the greatest feeling to help a student reach new levels of understanding of a subject. Even better is to see him or her get into a dream college as a result of our work together.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: In my free time I enjoy swimming at the Villanova pool, walks with my dog and playing with my daughter.

My favorite city/place in the world is: I loved when I visited Lisbon. It is this beautiful marriage of the Renaissance with the present. You can find a medieval castle on top of a long narrow cobblestone street, running through a village of ancient churches and artisan shops. Or you can get grilled fish and potatoes on the water. It’s so beautiful there.

Daneille S

BS in Communication with a concentration in Media Studies, Cornell University

Why I TEACH: Easily, teaching is my passion and my desire to be an educator started at an early age when I used to “teach” my stuffed animals. As I got older, I became increasingly passionate about being an educator, and more specifically, being an educator to students who come from the same background as me. I want to serve as a positive representation to these students because I believe representation is important in the forming of a confident self-identity. Additionally, my fire is ignited every time I see a student have a eureka moment. It fuels me to see them progress in their knowledge; to go from lack of understanding to mastery. I believe that education is empowering, and I love that I am a part of the empowerment process of society’s future leaders.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On the weekends when I’m not teaching, I am painting, writing, or playing video games. I also love exploring new places and sights in the city.

My favorite city/place in the world is: My favorite place in the world is Lisbon, Portugal. I studied abroad in Spain when I was in college and I got the chance to visit Lisbon and I fell in love with the city’s beauty and vibrancy.

Omosi A

BS in Biology and Psychology, Philadelphia University (now known as Thomas Jefferson University East Falls Campus)

Why I TEACH: For me, what drew me to education the most is all the experiences I had growing up and the want to create those same spaces for the younger folk who look like me. Throughout college, I was able to learn more in-depth about the educational inequities for black and brown youth, I didn’t even realize were a thing simply because of the environment I was privileged to grow up in and be sheltered from. This fired me up to want to do something about it, and given my love of people and engaging with others, I thought what better way to do that, than to be on the ground doing the work. I thoroughly love and take advantage of any opportunity that allows me to create safe, brave, welcoming, inclusive education spaces for all youth. While especially showing our queer, black, and brown youth, that you are seen, valued, cared for, and heard and school and education can be a safe brave space for you to explore and attain the future you want. So creating that access for our students is what continues to push me to want to do really empowering work for our youth through teaching and tutoring.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Hmmm, I am a very curious adventurous soul, so truthfully anything allows me to travel, design, and create, I am all about. I love love love playing video games, I am in the works of building my own PC strictly for gaming. I love any and all things music and food related, so trying out new venues and restaurants. I am into renovating homes and doing small home projects for friends, family, and my community. Love being outdoors and on the water, so anything that gets me moving and active while also being outdoors. I enjoy working out and spending quality time with my partner. We love to just have fun with one another and coexist, so we are always trying new things together. I also love watching live sports. You can catch me at Sixers games pretty frequently and any time I travel to major cities, checking out their basketball team’s games as well. Last but not least, who doesn’t love a little bit of retail therapy, so you might catch me at the newest sneaker releases, trying to snag a pair of Air Force 1’s High Tops, or just shopping around for some new pieces.

My favorite city/place in the world: I would have to say Philly and DC are tied for my favorite cities. Philly is where I became who I am today, so it will always have a special place in my heart. DC is where my partner and I have had so many awesome memories and really bonded and connected, so it’s one of our favorite mini-vacation/getaway destinations. Some of my favorite places in the world would have to be my partner’s family farm in Puerto Rico, Dave and Busters and spending time emersed in new cultures, wherever that takes me! I love to travel.

Marian D

BS in Management, The Pennsylvania State University – Smeal College of Business
MS is Education, The University of Pennsylvania – Graduate School of Education

Why I TEACH: I love working with students as a tutor because it gives me the opportunity to focus all of my energy on helping a person reach a new level of understanding. I believe learning can be fun, interactive, and engaging; and I enjoy finding creative ways to solve problems and explain answers.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On the weekends you can find me with family, at church, or hanging out with friends. In my free time I paint portraits, bake cakes, and work on growing my small business – KakeMi 90 Second Cake.

My favorite city/place in the world is: My favorite city in the world is Rome because it feels like I’m walking through history.

Bill F

B.A. in Anthropology with a concentration in Human Biology and a minor in Biology from Temple University

Why I TEACH: How much time do you have? To me, education is communication with the sole intent of creating progress. I get to help students learn and make sense of the world around them. It is a life-long task. Although my work is never finished, there is always a path forward. I try to instill the joy of progress in all of my students. In helping them move forward, I get to constantly push myself forward as well. I am just as much a student of the world as they are; we’re just on different chapters.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Besides hanging out with friends and family, I love learning about music. I try to learn any instrument I can get my hands on. I’m the kind of a person that hears a Beyoncé song and forgets to dance, because I’m too busy thinking about the fact that she just went through five key changes in less than a minute.

My favorite city/place in the world is: I love the rainforest! The sheer density of biomass and biodiversity is awesome. Practically everything you see or touch is alive. Being there feels like you’re on a different planet.

Tracey G

I have a BS in Accounting from Penn State, an MPH from George Washington University, and I am in the process of pursuing a graduate certificate in Aging and Applied Thanatology from the University of Maryland.

On the weekends when I’m not working: My favorite activity is hanging out with my husband & two boys (ages 8 & 10).  I also enjoy word puzzles, eating anything sweet, napping, taking long walks,skiing in the winter & going to the beach in the summer.

My favorite city/place in the world is: I love visiting Israel!  It will sound cliche, but I actually really love my little town of Narberth, PA as well.

Dalea R

BA in Literary Studies and the Creative Arts, American University of Paris, MFA in Fiction, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, M.Ed. in Secondary English, Carbini University

Why I TEACH: I love getting the opportunity to work with students face-to-face and seeing the drastic progress they can make in a short time, with focused work and dedication. I love that I get to be a part of students’ success stories, and watching them succeed and reach their goals!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I have lots of hobbies, so on a given weekend, you can find me playing roller derby with my team, the Hooligans, or rock climbing with my friends, or hanging out at home playing board games!

My favorite city/place in the world is: I love traveling, and there and many many parts of the world I haven’t seen yet, but I especially love Barcelona, because it is the home of my favorite artist, Salvador Dalí, because of the amazing architecture, and because there are eye-catching pieces of street art and cool things to see around every corner!

Elena V

Edward A

BA in Communication and Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Why I TEACH: I teach to leave a positive mark on the word. I teach because education is liberation. I teach because my students deserve to see people who look like them in positions of authority. I teach because it makes me feel good inside.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I’m running around with my nieces or enjoying the outdoors.

My favorite city/place in the world: Cairo, Egypt. I love looking at the pyramids of Giza in awe.

Eleanor B

B.A. in English Literature, Minor in Creative Writing from Earlham College. M.S.Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania

Why I TEACH: I have always been a complete and total bookworm, and I find endless joy in being able to share that with students. ELA provides ample opportunities for students to explore not only their own identities, but the identities and perspectives of other people. Working with young people on reading and writing is working with them on finding their place in the world and their communities, what a beautiful thing!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Going to the movies and/or getting some time in nature (a perfect day will include both).

My favorite city/place in the world: My favorite city is 100% Philly. From the moment that I first visited, I never wanted to leave!

Jasmine J-B

I attended New College of Florida, graduating with a major in English Literature and a minor in German Studies. In 2017, I spent a semester studying linguistics at Universität Kassel in Hessen, Germany.

Why I TEACH:  I tutor not for necessity, but for the love of education. The understated benefit of tutoring is that it instills a passion and genuine interest for learning in the younger generation.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I enjoy making music, exercising, hiking, and reading, among other things.

My favorite city/place in the world: It’s impossible for me to choose just one city or place. I feel most at home when surrounded by the majesty of nature. I call the mountains, the rolling hills, the shore and the forest my home.

Zakiyyah H

BS in Early Childhood Education, West Chester University

Why I TEACH: Teaching is one of the most amazing and rewarding feelings I can imagine. Enjoyment, appreciation, and passion are a few of many words that sincerely express my enthusiasm for education. I treasure the moments of seeing a child progress and grow and having an impact on their life. Educators are the key to our children’s future. One of my favorite sayings is “If it weren’t for teachers, we wouldn’t have doctors. Doctors save lives but teachers shape lives.”

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I enjoy spending time with my family, friends and my 80-pound lap dog, Mandi. I enjoy working out, practicing yoga and watching a good movie. In the summer I enjoy relaxing by a pool or at a beach.

My favorite city/place in the world: I wouldn’t necessarily say I have a favorite place. However I love to travel, learn and experience other cultures, great food, and meeting new people. Honestly anywhere I can stand in the water and see my feet will have me at hello.

Neda M

Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Temple University

Why I TEACH: I became a tutor because I love working with kids and being able to be a support system for them through their education

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I like to spend time with my friends and enjoy the outdoors.

My favorite place in the world is: Anywhere I can be by the beach

Mei M

Bachelors of Mathematics from Eastern University, with a minor in Astronomy

Why I TEACH: I am a firm believer that every individual deserves to have the opportunity to find and pursue their passions. TEACHing is not just about covering the content and passing exams, but also about helping the students find themselves through each lesson and each subject, and helping them carve a way for their educational journey and beyond.

On the weekends: On the weekends, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, and building relationships with new people. I also thoroughly enjoy reading, and discovering new places in Philadelphia. Catch me at a park or Barnes and Noble almost every weekend!

My favorite place in the world: Anywhere with a clear night sky! I have a deep love for constellations and the wonders of the universe.

Bosede A

BA in Psychology and Minor in Mathematics, University of Pennsylvania

Why I TEACH: I started tutoring because I enjoy being able to change a student’s perspective on the difficulty of a subject. As a tutor, it is my goal to help my students understand concepts better. If they don’t understand it the first way I present the information, I break the concept down and present it in a different way, sometimes multiple ways, until they understand it. My job is complete when the light bulb in their head turns on and a smile forms on their face because they have finally grasped that difficult concept that was challenging them.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: My weekends consist of binge watching shows on Netflix, catching up with friends and family and attending church service on Sunday.

My favorite city/place in the world: My favorite place in the world would be Nigeria. Whenever I think of Nigeria I get excited as memories from my childhood, of family members and of my post undergraduate vacation come rushing back. The food, culture and experience is vastly different than in America. I can’t wait for my next trip back to Nigeria!

Juliette A

Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance and Minor in Business Administration, University of Northern Colorado; Master of Music Literature and Performance Arts, Eastman School of Music

Why I TEACH: For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed pursuing academic excellence and helping others do the same. My academic experiences (and the individuals who encouraged me along the way) opened so many doors in my life and career, and I feel privileged to support students in their own academic journeys. I love learning from my students as I go over materials with them — it’s endlessly rewarding to see them grow into well-rounded learners, and to challenge my own thought process to better accommodate different learning styles!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I’m usually practicing my instrument, the bassoon, or listening to music. I also love painting with watercolors, playing with my cat, and visiting museums.

My favorite city/place in the world: My grandparents’ house in Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais, France

Gabriel A

BA in Chemistry and M.S.Ed in Learning Sciences, University of Pennsylvania

Why I TEACH: I realized in my junior year of college that my life purpose has always been youth empowerment; while I get to engage Haitian youth in my church community, I TEACH because this work aligns so well with that purpose and my drive to guide students to a deeper understanding of subjects like math and chemistry. I love the moment when a student achieves something that they thought was too challenging at first and especially when I see students encouraging one another in groups!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: From Friday night to Saturday, you will most likely find me at church working with young people and serving in other ways. Sundays are much more variable, but I love to work with my friends on youth empowerment projects like TBRT and managing the social media for my personal poetry projects.

My favorite city/place in the world is: My favorite city isn’t a city at all; it is the village where my mom grew up: Cotes-de-Fer, Haiti. I’ve only been there once, but I loved being able to commune with nature and escape the busyness of cities. There was a waterfall that was closed up after that natural disaster in Haiti and my family helped to clear away rocks and debris. By the end of the few days we spent there, we made a mini-waterfall and a little oasis as well!

Simran A

Neuroscience/Biopsychology at The College of New Jersey, Osteopathic Medicine at The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Public Health (MPH) at The George Washington University

Why I TEACH: I truly have a passion for teaching and helping students learn, especially since I have been in their shoes wanting to learn and be the best version of myself. During high school, college, medical school and currently, I have had the pleasure of helping many students realize their own potential and actually see their grades and test scores improve through one-on-one private tutoring. In addition, I aim to build a student’s confidence by encouraging them to take the first step and remind them that learning can also be fun!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling around the world, going to the beach, working out and cooking new recipes. 

Favorite place/city in the world is: Nairobi, Kenya 

John C

BS in Mathematics, Gwynedd-Mercy University; MS in Educational Leadership, Saint Joseph’s University

Why I TEACH: I TEACH to assist students in realizing that they are better mathematicians than they might realize. One of the most rewarding parts of working with students is when they suddenly understand an idea that they once found to be impossible.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Well, it seems that my weekends are pretty much dedicated to grad school work these days! However, I use it as an opportunity to explore as many coffee shops and study lounges in Philly as I can. In my free time I am a big fan of cooking, reading, and exploring new cafes and restaurants in the city.

My favorite city/place in the world is: I would not want to live anywhere else in the world than Philadelphia, but my favorite place I’ve ever visited is Costa Del Sol in Spain.

Matt C

Beth D

Temple University, BA Strategic and Organizational Communication

Why I TEACH: Ensuring students have support to create a postsecondary plan and access to whatever their goals are!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Eating donuts, running races and reading books.

My favorite city/place in the world is: sitting on the beach in Avalon, NJ

Michael E

BS, Chem Eng, Cornell University
MS, Chem Eng, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Why I TEACH: I love the sense of relief that a student feels when they realize they CAN master difficult material.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Downhill skiing, snowboarding, cooking

My favorite city/place in the world is: I love living in Philadelphia because it is diverse, walk-able, affordable, and full of great restaurants.

Chris H

BA in Communication with a concentration in Peace and Justice Studies, Villanova University

Why I TEACH: I love connecting with students and using their interests to motivate and challenge them in learning.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On the weekends, you can find me at a local festival, exploring another town, hanging out with friends, or turning my kitchen into a bakery. I love to play volleyball, travel, and volunteer with local organizations in my free time.

My favorite city/place in the world is: This question is a hard one to answer. I think my favorite city in the world is The Big Apple. With its rich history, eclectic personality, cultural diversity, and countless offerings, New York City never ceases to amaze me.

John H

Masters of Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University.

Why I TEACH: I became a teacher because it is so rewarding to share a piece of knowledge that becomes useful to another person.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Rock climb, hike, hunt mushrooms, play board games

My favorite city/place in the world is: My garden. It’s the place I’m most invested in, and I’m really excited to see our fruit trees flourish!

Susan F

BA in Journalism (Penn State University), BA in English (Bloomsburg University), M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction (Bloomsburg University)

Why I TEACH: I love helping students make progress and find their confidence!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Either exploring the city, or in the summer, maybe at the beach! I love to read, write, listen to podcasts, and spend time with friends and family.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Paris. The food and the culture. It’s enchanting!

Jenn G

Bachelor’s Degree in History (2010) and Masters Degree in Education (2020), both obtained through Arcadia University in Glenside, PA

Why I TEACH: I love unconventional teaching, showing students of any age that learning can happen in fun ways – often when you’re least expecting it!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I love to travel & explore museums, or hang at home and bake. I’m also an avid reader.

My favorite city/place in the world is: I spent a semester in Dublin, Ireland when I was in undergrad, and it still holds a special place in my heart.

Rabi J

BS in Education & Public Policy, BA in African American Studies, Minor in Civic and Community Engagement, Pennsylvania State University

Education, Culture and Society M.S.Ed (candidate), University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education

Why I TEACH: I teach because I want to contribute to the development of our youth and help mold the next generation of critical thinkers.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I like to read, write, watch documentaries (mainly true crime), listen to music, do community service with my sorority, and hang out with friends

My favorite city/place in the world: My favorite places are New York City and Philadelphia.

Kelly K

B.A. in biochemistry from Franklin and Marshall College, PhD in biochemistry from University of Pennsylvania

Why I teach: I love teaching because I love learning! I find it very fulfilling to help guide a student’s learning journey, watch them progress, and celebrate their success. I believe teaching is a partnership, and I enjoy learning from my students as they are learning from me.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On the weekends I enjoy long-distance bike riding, baking cookies, sewing, knitting, and spending time with friends and family.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Rocky mountain national park. Breathtaking views and tons of hiking!

Michel K

BA in Spanish from Ohio University, Masters of Foreign Language Education from Temple University

Why I TEACH: I TEACH because I truly enjoy working 1-1 with students and seeing their growth from start to finish. I want to support students in their world language endeavors and all settings interest me.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I read SO MUCH. I take my kids to soccer and basketball and baseball practices and games. I hike. I garden.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Mérida, México on the Yucatán peninsula.

Cooper K

BA in Sociology with a focus in Social Stratification from the University of Maryland, College Park

Why I TEACH: I teach because I love working with kids and believe that given the right assistance all children can thrive. I love working with students as a tutor because it provides me the opportunity to help serve others and have fun while doing so.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: In my free time I love to rock climb! Catch me outside or in an indoor rock gym.

My favorite city/place in the world is: San Francisco–so much potential!

Matt L

Oberlin College, BA in Creative Writing

Why I TEACH: I teach to identify students’ specific strengths and needs, and to provide them with tools for holistic growth.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: You can catch me biking around Philly, noodling on the guitar, or preparing a maybe-overly-ambitious meal

My favorite city/place in the world is: New England! Specifically the many tranquil woods, streams, and swimming holes I was able to explore growing up outside Boston.

Jessica M

BS in Biology, Lebanon Valley College; Masters in Museum Education

Why I TEACH: I have a deep passion for STEAM learning outside of the traditional classroom, whether in museums, zoos, outdoors in nature, your backyard, or just your living room.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I like spending time hanging out with my family and playing outside.

My favorite city/place in the world: My favorite place is to be anywhere quiet!

Molly M

“BS Communications and Creative Writing, University of Miami
MS, Urban Education, University of Pennsylvania”

Why I TEACH: I teach because great teachers changed the trajectory of my life. I teach because learning is an act of liberation. I teach because our students deserve teachers who love and believe in them. I am privileged to be even a small part of my students’ journey to success.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: You can find me on the weekend playing with my child, serving at church, or curled up with a book.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Philadelphia is my home and the home of many of my favorite people. It’s real and raw and full of creativity.

Joe N

BA in Music Industry- University of New Haven and M.Ed. Teacher Education (Mathematics)- University of Pennsylvania

Why I TEACH: I love getting students to reach their full potential and to never consider themselves “not a math person”. Working in one on one or small group sessions allows me to give individualized attention to pinpoint students’ needs.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: In my free time, I love bringing my son to the park and showing him the wonders of nature. Outside of being outdoors, I love playing music with my friends and family.

My favorite city/place in the world is: My favorite city that I have been to is Austin, Texas. I love the rich culture of music and food. I lived there when I was fresh out of college, but I moved back to Philadelphia to be around my family.

Jon P

University of Southern California, BA in Cinema-Television Production, Minor in Computer Science

Why I TEACH: I enjoy the challenge of taking an idea and figuring out how to convey it in a way that’s easily understood by different students with different learning styles. I usually learn a lot myself in the process!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I like to design both board games and video games. I love games and puzzles in all their many forms!

My favorite city/place in the world is: Los Angeles. It’s where I grew up and many of my favorite people live there. I visit whenever I can!

Aaron P

BA in Music & Economics, New College of Florida; I’ve given lectures at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania on theories of consonance and dissonance. I presently do research on improvisation and electronic music with Professor Thomas Patteson of the Curtis Institute.

Why I TEACH: I have a passion for learning and for developing interpersonal connections- so teaching is a natural fit. I’m a 4th generation educator and proud of it.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: When I’m not working, you can find me wandering the city playing Mbira as I go about my day. I love to bird, go to shows, rehearse, and sample the culinary landscape. I read nonstop.

My favorite city/place in the world: At home in the Everglades. Best Critters. Best Vibes. Best Sonics.

Miki P

Penn State University, BA, Sociology, Minors- Japanese, International Studies; Saint Joseph’s University, MS, Elementary Education; Chestnut Hill College, MA, Educational Leadership

Why I TEACH: It is an honor and such a reward for me to witness students work hard, deepen their knowledge, and feel more confident in their learning. Teaching is always a unique and interesting journey!

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: Doing yoga, exploring the city, gardening

My favorite city/place in the world is: Nowhere specific, but I love being in nature, especially the woods

Marly R

BA in Biology and Spanish, Saint Joseph’s University

Why I TEACH: I TEACH because I love helping students learn and understand different areas of education more. It is an amazing, symbiotic experience where as you teach the students material, they also teach you about other things. I have so much joy knowing that I have impacted at least one student and helped them along their journey of developing more knowledge that they can share with the world.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On a weekend, you can find me with my friends doing new and different things in Philadelphia or other areas. Besides this, I love to watch movies, especially reruns and look at them from different perspectives.

My favorite city/place in the world is: My favorite city in the world is NYC, not just because I am from New York. However, NYC is beautifully filled with people from all different backgrounds, experiences, and aesthetics. The culture is so diverse and there are so many opportunities to take advantage of!

Rick S

BA in History, with Secondary Education certification, Goshen College; Masters in Library and Information Science, Drexel University

Why I TEACH: I really enjoy helping people make connections – to educational content, to learning strategies, and to the world that’s all around us.  Learning is one of life’s great joys and truly a lifelong practice, and it’s great to be able to help foster that spark in others.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I’m a bit of a homebody! I love reading, listening to music, watching films, watching soccer, and general puttering around.  But I also love getting out into this great city and its parks, playing music with my band, and hanging out with my 11-year old daughter wherever our travels may take us.

My favorite city/place in the world is: I’m a big Italophile, so choosing just one city is tough, but I’ve probably spent the most time in Milan.  Like so many places in Italy it’s full of great art, architecture, food, and fashion – a real delight.

Ishita S

BS in Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh; Certificate in Pre-Health Specialized Studies, University of Pennsylvania

Why I TEACH: My favorite part about being a tutor with TEACH is helping motivated students achieve their highest academic potential. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with students who are eager to learn and see the look on their faces when they finally master a concept they were struggling with.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On the weekend, I like to spend time with my friends while exploring Philadelphia or watching movies. In my free time, I enjoy trying new foods, dancing, running, baking, and reading.

My favorite city/place in the world is: It would have to be Rochester, NY because that’s where I grew up and where my parents, brother, and best friends live.

Owen S

Rowan University, B.S. Chemical Engineering (Class of 2018)

Why I TEACH:   I’ve always had a passion for education and first started peer tutoring in high school. To me, the most rewarding experience was to see my students not only perform better academically, but to also gain confidence in their own abilities and believe in themselves! I am grateful to have had many excellent teachers and mentors throughout my academic career, and I always value the opportunity to pass along my knowledge and skills to any student that needs it.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching:   When the weather is nice I’m usually out riding my bike around the city or tending to my backyard garden! Indoors, I’m probably trying to gather friends to play something from my ever-growing collection of board games. I also love going to music concerts and frequently am making a new themed playlist – I always enjoy discovering and sharing new music!

My favorite city/place in the world is:   Philly will always be one of my favorite cities since it holds so many wonderful memories for me! Even before I lived in Philly, I was always finding a reason to visit the city such as my first ever live concert at Union Transfer or as a kid taking a field trip to The Franklin Institute, Philly has always felt like my home.

Emily S

BA in English, MFA in Creative Writing

Why I TEACH: I love helping students unlock new concepts and master information that will help them boost test scores and succeed in the college classroom.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I love getting lost in a good book, catching up on my favorite podcasts, taking care of my garden plot, spending time with friends, and checking out my favorite local shops.

My favorite city/place in the world is: Obviously, Philly is the best in the country. Globally, I think Stockholm, Sweden is a really awesome place. It’s a port city, so everywhere you walk there are boats docked against the backdrop of colorful Swedish buildings. Everything is super clean, and the city itself is full of public art, unique museums, and natural outdoor spaces. During the spring, it’s an incredibly bright and cheery place to be, especially because it’s so high up on the globe.

Geneva S

B.S. in Biology, Temple University

Why I TEACH: I teach because I believe knowledge is a gateway to opportunity and there is always something that can be learned and unlearned.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: I love traveling. Seeing and exploring new places is a must and hopefully there is good food as well.

My favorite city/place in the world: Barcelona, Spain

Yoonnie T

B.A. in Education, University of Florida, M.Ed., University of Florida

Why I TEACH: I love connecting with students and using their interests to motivate and challenge them in learning.

On the weekends when I’m not teaching: On the weekends, you can find me at a local festival, exploring another town, hanging out with friends, or turning my kitchen into a bakery. I love to play volleyball, travel, and volunteer with local organizations in my free time.

My favorite city/place in the world is: This question is a hard one to answer. I think my favorite city in the world is The Big Apple. With its rich history, eclectic personality, cultural diversity, and countless offerings, New York City never ceases to amaze me.