Meet Our Staff

Catherine - Educational Specialist/Curriculum Coordinator

Catherine has been a classroom teacher, administrator, and educational consultant in the Los Angeles area for more years than she’d like to admit. She has a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley in Linguistics, specializing in Language Acquisition, as well as a Multiple Subjects (K-12) teaching credential, Masters degree and administrative credentials from Pepperdine University and San Francisco State. Catherine has taught at the Pre-K through college levels, including teaching teachers with the UCLA Writing Project and working with school sites to improve student achievement with Pearson Learning Teams. Catherine is delighted to be returning to her first love, working directly with students in developing their reading and writing skills.

Fun fact: Catherine lives in Mar Vista with her husband, two cats and a flock of 13 backyard chickens!

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 any free time traveling around or exploring new places, scouring the Internet for recipes to cook or bake and share with friends, and learning new facts about whatever he finds interesting!

Frances - Educational Specialist

Frances was born and raised in Culver City, but left the nest to study at the University of California, Santa Cruz. There, she obtained two degrees— one in Literature and Creative Writing and the other in Film and Digital Media. Frances has always had a love for education and childcare, and has worked with children in many different capacities. She loves facilitating "aha!" moments, including when teaching children to read. Frances is an expert at individuating instruction, and adjusts her teaching style based on students' unique habits, interests, and behavior. Frances loves helping students to build confidence, and watching them achieve academic success.

Fun Fact: Frances loves going on long runs and practicing yoga in her free time.

Grace - Educational Specialist

Grace loves working with students on reading, writing, and math. She is a Pacific Palisades native, who returned back after attending college at the University of Texas at Austin. Grace earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning Development for Early Childhood through 6th Grade with a Generalist Teaching Certification. Grace loves working with students of all ages and connecting with them about their lives. She appreciates the small moments when she and her students can talk about things that are important to them. Grace brings enthusiasm and a love of learning to all of her students!

Fun Fact: Grace’s favorite season of the year is summer.

Isabella - Educational Specialist Hailing from the east coast, Isabella graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Sociology before she followed the sunshine to Los Angeles. She has taught for 15 years in various capacities, ranging from SAT tutoring (which she has added to her CLS roster!), to sports training, to HIV/ AIDs prevention courses in Tanzania. Isabella believes that tutoring, at its core, is cultivating the confidence and skills that equip individuals to journey towards their dreams. Isabella comes alive with the curiosity and play that children bring into a room. It’s her priority to foster an environment where people feel comfortable to be their true authentic selves!

Fun Fact: Isabella is a hip hop choreographer and dancer who loves to boogie!

Matthew - Educational Specialist

Matthew holds Bachelor’s degrees both in Music and Linguistics from the University of California, Davis, and has been working with students since he was a sophomore in high school. As both a professional musician and a tutor, providing a strong educational foundation in Math, Science, Writing, Executive Functioning, and the Arts are Matthew’s goals. Matthew has worked with the teeny-tiniest pre-K students all the way to adults in college and beyond, and believes that every student deserves a teacher who is able to connect with them on an individual level. Matthew is currently a Master’s student in the Herb Alpert School of Music at UCLA, studying the bassoon.

Fun fact: Playing the bassoon requires Matthew to make his own reeds; he often feels like a woodworker or whittler! 

Molly - Educational Specialist

Molly loves to teach reading and writing strategies, and her creativity really comes through in her teaching! Molly graduated from University of Miami in Florida, and obtained her teaching credential and Master’s degree in Education at Antioch University. Hailing from Santa Monica, California, Molly loves teaching all ages of students, and loves watching her students’ eyes “light up” when they learn something new. She uses art and music in creative ways when teaching, and enjoys building positive relationships with each student.

Fun fact: Molly can whistle, but only “inwards”!

Rees - Educational Specialist

Rees graduated from Occidental College where she studied Critical Theory and Studio Art. During her studies, she focused on alternative ways of thinking about learning through the intersection of literature and imagination. This work further fostered her passion for working with students on their reading and writing through alternative and creative techniques. Rees has worked as a Behavioral Technician (BT) in schools, working with students between
the ages of Pre-K to middle school. Additionally, Rees enjoys working with college students on essay and creative writing. Rees is excited to continue working with students of all ages!

Fun fact: Rees never leaves home without her knitting.

Sydney - Educational Specialist

Sydney has been an educator for over ten years, many of those years have been spent teaching Kindergarten in Tucson and Los Angeles.  She loves spending her days learning with children, fostering an environment where students feel comfortable to explore their own interests, while finding their individual place in our world.  Sydney received her BA in early childhood education in 2012 from The University of Arizona and is a Mindful Schools graduate.  Sydney enjoys traveling, cooking/baking and hanging out with her husband and cat.

Fun Fact: Sydney’s cat, Charlie, was found under a dumpster on Halloween 4 years ago and has Heterochromia, one blue eye and one green!