AARON | Educational Specialist
Aaron earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Organizational Communication from The Ohio State University and his Master of Marriage & Family Therapy from the Phillips Graduate Institute. After completing his undergraduate studies, Aaron served as an AmeriCorps Member with City Year Los Angeles, supporting at-risk middle school students in East Los Angeles. He also served as a summer student mentor for students in the Campbell Scholars Program. One of Aaron's favorite parts of teaching is seeing the excitement on students' faces as they develop increased confidence and new skills. In addition to his work as an Education Specialist, Aaron is a psychotherapist providing therapy to adolescents, adults and families. He also brings more than seven years of experience working in higher education at UCLA. Across his various roles, Aaron is committed to creating a warm, supportive and nonjudgmental environment where students and clients feel heard, understood and empowered to grow.
Fun Fact: In his free time, Aaron enjoys surfing at the beach, on the tennis court, cheering on the local LA sports teams and spending quality time with friends and family.
Derrick | Educational Specialist
Derrick graduated from UCLA with a double major in English and Asian American Studies. He’s taught and tutored K-12 as well as college and adult students both locally and from all around the world. His favorite part about working with others is the relationship he gets to build with each person as they get closer to achieving their goals. Interested in language and our power of using words to communicate, share stories, and connect with one another — whether helping write college admission essays, study for the next exam, or stay organized amidst a busy schedule — Derrick does his best to create a welcoming space for everyone to learn and grow comfortably.
Fun fact: Derrick loves spending his free time traveling or exploring new places, scouring the Internet for recipes to cook or bake and share with friends, and learning new facts about whatever interests him!
EMILY | OFFICE ASSISTANT
Emily was born in Wisconsin and has called LA home for the past seven years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication from the University of Arizona, and she's always found real satisfaction in making things orderly — a trait that led her naturally into office work. As the Office Assistant at CLS, Emily has a deep passion for working in a business dedicated to kids with learning differences. Every single student is unique in their own way, and Emily is passionate about making sure each one gets the right support they need to thrive, both in and out of the classroom. Outside of work, Emily is building her own vintage clothing line, curating collectible pieces — she loves the feeling of giving someone a piece that makes them happy.
Fun fact: Emily is a proud plant mom with a big passion for horticulture — her collection (and her green thumb) keeps growing!
Jillian | Educational Specialist
Jillian graduated from Syracuse University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. She has always loved working with kids during her school breaks and has worked as a Day Camp Director in LA for the past 3 years. Jillian is a current second year graduate student at USC finishing her Masters’ degree in Social Work. She has loved working with K-12 students in LAUSD and SMMUSD in her role as a School Counseling Intern throughout her time at USC. Jillian loves working with CLS students to help them reach their academic goals through educational support, as well as working toward finding their confidence within their academic journeys!
Fun fact: Jillian loves to do ceramics wheel throwing on her free time!
MALAIKA | Educational Specialist
Malaika Stambler (Mika for short) graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA [BA Digital Media Practices, Communications, Japanese]. She has worked in education in many capacities, as an ESL teacher for elementary school students in Japan, as a teacher’s assistant in both high school and elementary school settings, as a photography instructor and summer camp counselor, and as a volunteer chaperone and youth liaison for international student exchanges through the Culver City sister city committee. Mika loves arts, language, and music education, and values communicating and teaching in a fun, individually tailored, and easy to understand way.
She looks forward to connecting with new students and helping them grow and creatively reach their goals!
Fun fact: Mika is a singer-songwriter and is in a band!
Matthew | Educational Specialist
Matthew holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Linguistics from the University of California, Davis, and has worked with students since he was a sophomore in high school. As a professional musician and a tutor, Matthew's goals are to provide a solid educational foundation in Math, Science, Writing, Executive Functioning, and the Arts. Matthew has worked with the teeny-tiniest pre-K students to adults in college and beyond and believes that every student deserves a teacher who can connect with them on an individual level. Matthew holds a Master’s degree from the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA, studying the bassoon, and is an adjunct City College professor.
Fun fact: Playing the bassoon requires Matthew to make his own reeds; he often feels like a woodworker or whittler!
Pooja C. | Educational Specialist
Pooja is an Artist & Theater Educator who recently moved to LA from the DC area to pursue her Hollywood dreams. Pooja graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration and Non-Profit Management from George Mason University. Upon graduating, Pooja founded her own theater arts education program where she helped youth improve their reading, writing, and presentation skills via improv and playwriting for over 15+ years. Pooja is an experienced ELA Tutor with a specific focus on reading proficiency. Pooja is excited to be a part of the CLS team and help youth build their confidence both academically and emotionally. She believes every child has a unique spark that simply needs to be lit with the right match (and methods) to bring it out.
Fun Fact: Pooja has a penchant for foreign languages and hopes to be an official Polyglot one day soon!
RACHEL | Educational Specialist
Rachel is completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance at UCLA. As a professional musician and educator, Rachel has taught in various capacities including one-on-one sessions, small classrooms, and lecture halls. Rachel has worked with students of all ages, from preschoolers to adults. Her teaching philosophy revolves around inspiring a life-long love of learning in her students, and she is passionate about helping them become more confident and well-rounded individuals.
Fun fact: Rachel is an extreme matcha enthusiast. Ask her where to find the best spot for matcha in LA!
Ric | Educational Specialist
Ric grew up in Brooklyn, NY, and moved to California within the last few years. She has her Bachelors in Psychology, as well as her Masters in Education through Concordia University. Ric has multiple teaching certificates both in New York and California. Ric has over 6 years of educational experience and LOVES working with students! She looks forward to reading the newest research, training in best-practice techniques, and is constantly learning while working with students with various learning profiles. Ric believes in Gardner’s Intelligences, and that every single person has a special kind of ‘smarts’ that they are good at! Ric believes in harnessing each student's strengths to help support their challenges, to foster a sense of confidence, competence, and curiosity.
Fun Fact: Ric loves to rollerblade and create art in her free time.
SADIE | Educational Specialist
Sadie graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where she double majored in Political Science and Strategic Communication. She went on to pursue her Masters in Marriage & Family Therapy from the Phillips Graduate Institute. Sadie has a passion for learning, teaching, and working with children and adolescents. Sadie spent several years working in entertainment and marketing, where she developed a strong foundation in communication, collaboration, and building meaningful connection. Her career transition was driven by a desire to foster deeper human connection. Along with her work at Creative Learning Studio, Sadie is a psychotherapist, working with adolescents, adults, and families. She approaches all her work with warmth, curiosity, and compassion, creating a safe, collaborative space where students and clients feel heard, understood, and empowered.
Fun fact: Sadie loves crafts, and has taught herself how to knit and embroider!
TWILA | Educational Specialist
Twila C. is an educator, audio engineer and designer with a passion for educating students of all ages and fostering learning environments in every setting. Twila has had a passion for teaching since high school, teaching elementary-level to middle school-aged children choreography and singing techniques for group performances. Twila has also been involved in an academic mentorship program for several years. Additionally, Twila has taught introductory computer programming concepts after school to K-6 students, and has a passion for math and creative writing. With a Bachelor of Music in Studio Production, her experience in education extends beyond the classroom and into the world of artists who have wanted to know more about the production process, learn a new instrument, or train to create completely new systems to support their projects. Twila loves working with her CLS students, individualizing instruction in a fun and personalized way for each one.
Fun fact: Twila is a firm believer in handwritten memorabilia and collects stationary and postcards from her favorite places to send to her friends!