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.

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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

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Amber 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

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Brenda Gregory (she/her)

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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

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Byron Banks (he/him)

Cal Ruback (they/them)

Trauma-informed education practitioner

Sensory integration and ABA specialist

Executive skills and functional communication coach

Specialized academic and behavioral strategist

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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

National Board Certified Teacher

Experienced Dual Language and ESL Instructor

Trained in Wilson Fundations, Letterland, Amplify, American Reading Company, and LETRs

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Chris Nyambura (he/him)

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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

MAT in teaching English

Veteran classroom teacher & tutor

Trained in Wilson & Hill Wrap

Executive functioning coach

Daniel Hill (he/they)

Darnell 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

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Camden Cook (she/her)

B.A. in Mathematics & Creative Writing, Master’s of Library Science candidate

Experienced in test preparation and building confidence across all grade levels

Trained in Sylvan Learning Phonics

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

Hannah McKinney (she/her)

Experienced middle school English teacher

Background in early literacy development

Academic Mentor for student-athletes

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Heidi Oxendine (she/her)

M. Ed. Elementary Education

30 years of experience in education

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Ian Atwood (he/him)

M.A. in industrial technology

B.A. in Education

Experienced math teacher, tutor & professor

Professional development learning designer

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Joseph Glenn (he/him)

MAT Elementary and Special Education

MA Leisure Studies

Kathleen Vanscoy (she/her)

21 years of experience in education

National Board Certified Exceptional Needs Specialist

M.Ed. in School Administration

Kenisha Mckenzie (she/her)

Experienced educator elementary-high school

Expertise in differentiating instruction and academic intervention

M.S. in Educational Studies

Trained in Heggerty, Wit and Wisdom and Wilson’s FUNdations

Trauma-informed educator and equity advocate

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Kelia Evans (she/her)

Tutor

Diversity and Equity Advocate

Exceptional Children’s/Special Education Teacher

Experienced teaching and tutoring neurodiverse students

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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

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Lisa Fisher (she/her)

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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

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Luann Vanderpool (she/her)

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

M.Ed. Elementary Education

Reading Interventionist

Master Educator with 34 years of classroom experience

Experience with Letterland and Recipe for Reading

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Shardonay Riley (she/her)

Licensed K–12 school counselor and teacher 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

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Will Cole (he/him)

MAT in teaching mathematics

Veteran classroom teacher & tutor

Executive functioning coaching & SAT/ACT Tutor

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Taylor Holthouse (she/her)

A woman smiling outdoors, wearing a dark blue top with a background of trees and a slightly blurred natural setting.

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

Yolanda Parker

Doctor of K-12 leadership with 19+ years of elementary expertise

Specialist in early childhood development & individualized instruction

Lead educator focused on hands-on learning and social-emotional growth