Bonner Klatt
Co-founder & Director
Math + Test Prep
Bonner Klatt is originally from Dallas, TX, and has 10 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. She graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Middle Grades Mathematics Education, and subsequently earned her master's degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus in K-12 mathematics from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has a passion for helping students understand and feel confident in mathematics. She and her husband Sam Klatt, a filmmaker in town, adore their golden retriever, Telly.
Shannon Strehli
Co-founder & Director
Math + Early Literacy
Shannon Strehli was born in Austin and grew up in Houston, a fourth-generation Texan. She has over 15 years of teaching experience in both public and private schools. A graduate of Tulane University, New Orleans, with a degree in Psychology and Certification in Early Childhood Education, Shannon has a passion for elementary and early middle school mathematics and early childhood literacy. She and her husband Scott have four children and a black Labrador, Bevo.
Mary
Casas
Elementary Literacy +
Math
Mary grew up in Houston, Texas, and the Bay area. She is a reading specialist, with both private & public school experience. Mary has a BA in Government with a Minor in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from Marymount University in Virginia. She specializes in elementary literacy with special focus on classical literature and is currently in the process of becoming a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) . She has been married for 26 years and has two children, Madeline & William. Mary has two yellow Labradors, Major & Rory, and a Ragdoll cat, Rigel.
Mindy
Gillingwater
Elementary Literacy + Math
Mindy is originally from Farmersville, Texas, and moved to Austin in 1996. She is a former elementary and middle school teacher, and instructional support specialist. Mindy has a BS in Education and specializes in systematic instruction in reading and math. She works with students in elementary & middle school literacy and math through fourth grade. Mindy has been married for 26 years and has two children, Trey and Mason Claire & a dog named Charlie.
Elizabeth Stelly Trull
Elementary Math
Elizabeth grew up in League City, Texas, and has been teaching in independent private schools for 5 years. Elizabeth received her BS in Elementary Education with a focus in math and science. Her passion is teaching math to elementary school children. She is newly married to the love of her life, Mason.
Matt
Salinger
Middle school and high school level Math + SAT and ACT Prep
Matt grew up in Pennsylvania and received a BA in Math with a minor in Physics from Franklin and Marshall College. He then went on to receive a PhD in Math from the University of Maryland at College Park. He has tutored, assisted, and lectured most math courses offered at the college level such as the Calculus sequence, linear algebra, and proof-based courses like real analysis. He loves working with middle/high school & college level students. In his free time, he enjoys music, games, and hiking.
Jennifer
Dugan
LCSW (TX)
Social-Emotional Learning
Jennifer considers herself a New Englander. Most of her life was spent on the East Coast until moving to Austin over a decade ago. Jennifer received her MSW at Smith College in 1996.
She has 11 years experience working as an elementary school counselor & psychotherapist. In her 25+ years of working with young children, teens, and families, She creates a safe, nurturing, and creative space to cultivate social and emotional learning and well-being. Jennifer is married with two teens, Charlie & Lila. She loves hiking with her dog Mazie.
Ellie
Strehli
Elementary Math
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Ellie grew up in Austin, Texas and recently graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth with a BS in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with a Mathematics Education Specialization. Based on her reputation and excellent character, Ellie received the Andrews Institute of Mathematics & Science Education Award/Grant. She currently teaches first grade at a local Houston Independent school and works online and over the summer with students at Pace Austin. Ellie specializes in early-childhood math instruction through 5th grade. She has an adorable black Labrador named Bevo.
Emma Verrill
Price
Elementary Literacy + Executive Functioning + French
Emma was born in Salem, Massachusetts and grew up in Portland, Maine. She has taught a variety of grades and subjects in both public and private school locally, in Maine, and abroad in France. Emma received a B.A. in Gender and Women's Studies with a minor in French from Bowdoin College and Master's in Elementary Education from Texas State. She specializes in literacy, with a particular joy and interest in writing. She enjoys fostering a love and confidence in students to write in both creative and expository genres. Emma is married to Daniel and has a one-eyed Maltipoo, Amos.
Meg
Dowdy
Spanish
Meg hails from Dallas, Texas but has lived in Austin most of her life. She has a Ph.D. in Hispanic Literature from the University of Texas at Austin and was selected as the Mentor Instructor for her division. Meg has a breadth of experience, from years of teaching Spanish in private independent schools to undergraduate classes at UT. Her true passion is inductive + student-centered learning involving culturally responsive teaching + project-based learning.
Allison
Drake
Elementary Math + Literacy
Allison is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with EC-6th grade certification. She was a local Austin teacher in a self-contained classroom for ten years, teaching second through fourth grades. Allison has a huge passion for social-emotional learning, building a growth mindset, and helping students integrate the arts and
read-alouds into academic areas. Allison and her husband Nathan love traveling and trying out new local restaurants.
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Grace
Dau
Early Elementary Math + Literacy
Grace received her undergraduate degree from St. Andrews, Scotland and her M.Ed. from Southern Methodist University. She has three years lead teaching experience in Kindergarten & Second Grade. She is currently a law student at the University of Texas at Austin. She loves helping students develop a passion for writing.
Carin Champion
Literacy + Science
Carin grew up in Lake Jackson and has spent her entire adult life in Austin, Texas. She has 26+ experience teaching in the local Westlake community. Carin has a BA in Psychology with a minor in English from the University of Texas at Austin, with certifications in ESL & Special Education. Carin specializes in teaching students foundational reading skills, reading comprehension, & writing composition. Her focus is working with students pre-k through sixth grade and she is passionate about helping reluctant readers become students who love reading. She is also passionate about science & history-particularly Earth Systems-wildlife, ecosystems, plant life, rocks & fossils. Carin and her partner Grant have two German Shepherd mix dogs, Kaiser and Nandor the Relentless, a frog, Ms. Froggy Fantastico, and three chickens, Willona Woods, Heather Duke, & Endora.
Kathleen Gallagher Textor
Early Literacy + Early Math
Kathleen has taught self-contained kindergarten and first grade in New York City and Austin since 2013. She received a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education from the University of Delaware. Kathleen is a certified Literacy Specialist with a Masters in Literacy from NYU. She loves reading in her own time and fostering that same love in the children she teaches.
Kathleen recently married Dan this past summer in New York.
Louise Pinckney
Literacy
Louise was born in Assen, the Netherlands and grew up in nearby Katy, Texas. She has taught at a local charter school in Austin for four years. Louise graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BA in Public Policy and Global Studies. She is passionate about teaching middle school literacy in ways that help students make connections to themselves and the world around them.
Louise is married to Joel and has a sweet pup, Piper!
Karen
Calvert
Early Literacy + Geography
Karen is a career educator with 45 years in public and private school classrooms. She graduated from Texas State University with a BS in Elementary Education and an MS in Early Childhood Education with a focus in Reading Instruction. Karen spent 44 years teaching kindergarten and elementary literacy in the Westlake community. She has a wealth of training and experience in teaching pre-k - 6 grade reading + writing and a passion for mapping by heart.
Karen's ability to build relationships with students and families is at the heart of her teaching, fostering authentic learning and great learning outcomes. Karen has been married to Neal for 47 years. They have a daughter Rachel, who teaches Spanish, two beautiful grandchildren, and a beagle named Gus. Life is good!
Madison Andrews
High School Math + Physics
Madison was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has both a M.S. & B.S. in Mechanical Engineering respectively from the University of Texas at Austin and Clemson University. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in STEM education and has years of experience tutoring university-level math courses. Madison is passionate about helping students develop confidence in both STEM coursework & STEM spaces.
Madison and her partner Chris have two cats namedTrudy and Laz.
Rayna
Smith
Middle school + High School Mathematics
Rayna grew up in Mansfield, Texas. Her undergraduate and early graduate work was at Stanford University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, a Bachelor of Arts in French, and then a Master of Arts in Education. Rayna taught middle school students in Manor just outside of Austin for several years and served as a Math RTI specialist at a local Austin school. Her passion is helping students find joy and beauty in mathematics, even (and especially) when it's challenging!
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Matt
Dugi
High School
Mathematics
Matt D. grew up in San Antonio and graduated from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a BS in Physics & minor in Mathematics. He has 5+ years tutoring experience with high school and college level math and Physics courses. Matt is passionate about helping students achieve their learning goals.
Sheila
Latkowski
Elementary Literacy + Dysgraphia
Sheila was born in New York adn grew up in Long Island. She has been teaching & coaching teachers for a combined 24 years. Sheila graduated from Rosemont College in Pennsylvania with a BA in Anthropology & Psychology. She received an MSW from SUNY Stony Brook and a secondary Master's in Education from Manhattanville College. She specializes in reading instruction, fluency, executive functioning, and dysgraphia. Sheila is an advocate for families with special needs children. She is married with three children and two dachsunds, Birdie & Bogey.
Emily
Maas
Elementary + Middle School Literacy
Emily grew up in Houston, Texas. She has over10 years combined Lead Classroom experience at the elementary and middle school level in Colorado and Austin Independent schools. Emily graduated with a BS in Education in Applied Learning and Development with an minor in Business Foundation from The University of Texas at Austin. Her passion is building relationships with students and creating dynamic learning environments.
She is married to Andy with two girls, Julia and Cameron, & a dog named Ollie.
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