About Engaged Minds Tutors
Engaged Minds tutors are all experienced educators who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of education. All of our tutors have had classroom teaching and tutoring experience, prior to joining Engaged Minds, as well as hold graduate level degrees or special certifications.
Each Engaged Minds team member is passionate and skilled with working with neurodiverse students and bring warmth and care to each session.
All tutors have been trained by Mary Beth Hes in her Engaged Minds Phonics Curriculum and utilize those materials, or other specialized phonics programs, in literacy sessions. Documentation is conducted after each session so that student progress can be carefully monitored. As such, students experience consistency between tutors, ensuring a quality educational experience for all enrolled.
Mary Beth Hes (she/her)
Master of Education in educational psychology & gifted education
Associate with Orton-Gillingham Academy
Associate member of the Independent Educational Consultant Association
Founder and lead tutor for Engaged Minds
Educational consultant and neurodiversity advocate
Founder + Tutor
Ali Snider (she/her)
M.S. in Curriculum Development and Supervision
M.S. in Political Science
Board certified educator
Curriculum designer
Middle school language arts specialist
TutorAmber Reid (she/her)
Elementary & middle school educator with 11 years of experience
Former K–8 exceptional children teacher and instructional coach
Specializes in elementary reading/math and middle school math.
Committed to supporting diverse learners and fostering a love of learning
Tutor
Anna Webster (she/her)
National Board Certified Teacher
Experienced Dual Language and ESL Instructor
Trained in Wilson Fundations, Letterland, Amplify, American Reading Company, and LETRs
Curriculum Support + Tutor
Ashley Lauber (she/her)
Tutor
Brenda Gregory (she/her)
Doctor of Education in curriculum and instruction
Specialist in multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) and AVID frameworks
Former advisor for Students of Color Raising Achievement Through Enhanced Support (SOCRATES)
Teacher mentor and advocate for rural education and parental involvement
Tutor
Brittanie Tyson (she/her)
M.Ed. Instructional Accommodations, P.M.C. School Administration
Experienced classroom teacher and reading interventionist
Trained in 95Rap from the Hill Center
Tutor
Byron Banks (he/him)
National Board Certified Teacher
Experienced Dual Language and ESL Instructor
Trained in Wilson Fundations, Letterland, Amplify, American Reading Company, and LETRs
Tutor
Cal Ruback (they/them)
Trauma-informed education practitioner
Sensory integration and ABA specialist
Executive skills and functional communication coach
Specialized academic and behavioral strategist
Tutor
Camden Cook (she/her)
MAT in teaching English
Veteran classroom teacher & tutor
Trained in Wilson & Hill Wrap
Executive functioning coach
Tutor
Chris Nyambura (he/him)
Chemical Engineer with a decade of experience in the field
Tutors physics, chemistry, and math with genuine enthusiasm
Committed to seeing students succeed and experience the beauty of science and mathematics
TutorDarnell Almanzar (he/him)
15+ years of experience in reading, writing, and critical thinking
Focused on disciplined, data-driven, and measurable student growth
Unlocking full academic potential at every level
Tutor
Dasia Toone (she/her)
Special education and child development specialist
Practitioner of approachable, collaborative, and evidence-based learning
Tutor
Dena Moten (she/her)
Ed.D. Educational Leadership
Trained in Science of Reading (HillRAP, HD Word, KU Reading Program)
20+ years of experience across diverse school settings
Skilled in academic intervention and teacher mentoring
Tutor
Emily Adcock (she/her)
Licensed K–3 Lead Teacher and Early Childhood Specialist
Experienced in Title I intervention and individualized growth plans
Multilingual advocate (Arabic minor) and community-centered educator
Tutor
Heidi Oxendine
Tutor
Ian Atwood (he/him)
M.A. in industrial technology
B.A. in education
Experienced math teacher, tutor & professor
Professional development learning designer
Tutor
Joseph Glenn (he/him)
Tutor
Kelia Evans (she/her)
Diversity and Equity Advocate
Exceptional Children’s/Special Education Teacher
Experienced teaching and tutoring neurodiverse students
Tutor
Leslie Hamilton (she/her)
M.Ed. Early Childhood Intervention and Family Support
Trained with HillRap, HillWrite, and Wilson Fundations
Experienced teaching learners of all ages
17 years of classroom teaching experience
Tutor
Lisa Fisher (she/her)
Veteran classroom teacher & tutor with over 25 years of experience
Trained in Wilson and Fundations, Heggerty, and the Science of Reading
Specializes in IEP implementation and academic intervention.
Executive Functioning Coach with a passion for social skills development
TutorLuann Vanderpool (she/her)
M.Ed. Elementary Education
Reading Interventionist
Master Educator with 34 years of classroom experience
Experience with Letterland and Recipe for Reading
Tutor
Maddie Allsup (she/her)
Experienced classroom teacher, special educator, and behavioral specialist
Hiring Manager + Tutor
Molly Ellington (she/her)
National Board Certified teacher with 22 years of experience in elementary education
Master of Education from Elon University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Trained in LETRS, Fundations, UFLI, and Heggerty literacy programs
Tutor
Molly Nelson (she/her)
MA in Spanish Literature
Executive functioning & SAT/ACT coach
Experienced educator specialized in working with neurodivergent students
Tutor
Sarah Fitch (she/her)
Literacy and special education specialist
Practitioner of neurodiversity-affirming and multi-sensory methods
Tutor
Shardonay Riley (she/her)
Licensed K–12 school counselor and educator with 8+ years of experience
Master of Arts in School Counseling and Professional Educator License
Specializes in social-emotional learning, whole-child support, and academic risk-taking
Tutor
Taylor Holthouse (she/her)
Dual language immersion specialist and language educator with 12+ years of experience
Specializes in ESL, Spanish instruction, and K–12 literacy development
International teaching background with a focus on bilingual education
Tutor
Will Cole (he/him)
MAT in teaching mathematics
Veteran classroom teacher & tutor
Executive functioning coaching & SAT/ACT Tutor
Tutor
Yolanda Parker (she/her)
Doctor of K-12 leadership with 19+ years of elementary expertise
Specialist in early childhood development & individualized instruction
Expert in curriculum & instruction and Birth-K certification
Lead educator focused on hands-on learning and social-emotional growth
TutorThe Team Behind the Scenes
Ariel Jordan (she/her)
Engaged Minds Scheduling Specialist & Networking Coordinator