FOUNDER and LEAD EDUCATOR

Laura works as a private educator and tutor here in Dallas, where she has worked with upwards of 100 families in the course of 7 years! As an educator, Laura finds fulfillment in equipping parents with the knowledge they need to help their kids thrive and excel academically, and instill a lifelong love of learning. She aims to provide the quality of education that she was so lucky to receive, on a 1:1 level - because all students need individual attention to help facilitate true mastery.

Laura is well-versed in a variety of teaching philosophies, including Charlotte Mason, Reggio-Emilio, Waldorf, Montessori, Classical, traditional, project-based, unit study-based, and game schooling. She incorporates a variety of styles in her approach, and adapts to each student.

She is a Dallas native, and a graduate of the Lamplighter School, Alcuin School, and Ursuline Academy of Dallas. Laura holds a B.A. in English and history from Fordham University. A true lifelong learner, Laura is trained in Reading Simplified, Structured Literacy Level 1, and holds several early childhood education certificates. She is currently pursuing certification in Reading Simplified, a speech-to-print approach.

When she is not working with students or parents, you can find Laura reading, working on her second young adult novel, baking, or taking ballet classes. Laura is an aspiring polyglot, and is conversational or better in 4 languages - Spanish, French, English, and Arabic! She lives with her 8 year old lab, Othello, in Northwest Dallas.

HEAD OF TEST PREP and EDUCATOR (ages 5-18)

Lizette works as a private tutor in Dallas, after having spent 7 years in the classroom teaching grades 3rd-8th math, science, social studies, language arts, and Spanish language arts! She has also provided individual 1:1 and small group advising to middle school students applying to private school, as well as high school students working on college applications. Lizette has also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in college courses including psychology, American government, and college level math. She is trained in Reading Simplified and Logic of English.

Lizette believes in a strength-based approach to learning, meaning that every child has innate strengths that, when recognized, help them succeed. We all have areas in which we need a little more support, and tutoring is one way we can supplement our growth. Lizette has experience with instruction approaches including student-led, traditional, project-based, unit study-based, and game schooling. She understands that each child is different, and builds upon Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences to teach diverse learners.

Lizette is a Dallas native, and a graduate of Holy Trinity Catholic School and Bishop Lynch High School. Lizette holds a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University, as well as an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University.

When she’s not working with students or families, you can find Lizette painting, snacking, or watching Netflix. Lizette loves to travel, and has visited over 22 countries and counting! Her next stops include Peru, Denmark, and Malaysia. She has returned to Northwest Dallas after spending the last year living abroad in Spain.  

EDUCATOR (grades 3-12)

Ashlyn has been tutoring students since 2017, and has spent the past two years teaching in the classroom. She has taught middle school science and high school math, and is certified to teach mathematics grades 7 through 12 in Texas. Ashlyn has experience tutoring students from 4th grade through college, in subjects ranging from Pre Algebra through Calculus. She enjoys working with students of all ability levels, and believes every student is capable of succeeding in math!

Her goal is to help students build confidence by truly understanding the why behind math, not just how to solve the problem. Ashlyn believes a strong foundation helps students think critically, solve unfamiliar problems, and become more independent learners. Her teaching style is hands on, encouraging, and engaging, creating an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and celebrating their progress.

Ashlyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Mathematics from Louisiana State University, combining her understanding of how students learn with her passion for making math approachable. In addition to teaching, she served as a high school cheer coach, giving her experience motivating and connecting with students both inside and outside the classroom.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ashlyn moved to Dallas in 2024. Outside of tutoring, she enjoys spending time with friends, playing beach volleyball, taking Pilates classes, going on walks, and rewatching her favorite TV shows. She is almost always accompanied by her dog, Boomer, her loyal sidekick since she was 15. Whether they are out on a walk or cuddled up on the couch, Boomer is happiest anywhere there are plenty of cuddles!

EDUCATOR (grades K-4)

Samantha Hernandez is a passionate educator dedicated to helping students build confidence, achieve academic success, and develop a lifelong love of learning. With three years of experience as a classroom teacher, she has worked with students from diverse backgrounds and believes that every child can excel when provided with personalized support, encouragement, and engaging instruction.

As an elementary classroom teacher and bilingual educator, Samantha is committed to meeting each student where they are and helping them reach their fullest potential. She creates individualized learning experiences that strengthen foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics while fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and a love of learning. Her warm, patient, and encouraging teaching style helps students feel supported, motivated, and empowered to achieve their goals.

Samantha earned her degree in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and academic growth. She values building strong relationships with students and their families and believes that open communication and collaboration are essential to helping every child succeed.

Outside of the classroom, Samantha enjoys traveling, exploring new coffee shops with her mom, and spending time with her beloved fur baby, Valentina.

EDUCATOR (pre-k to 2nd grade)

Khadijah Pierce is an experienced elementary educator who is passionate about helping children build confidence and a love of learning. She holds a dual-degree in elementary education and Sociology from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Khadijah brings five years of classroom teaching experience to the team, with a strong focus on literacy and supporting students with diverse learning needs. She is certified in EC-6 with an ESL supplemental.

In addition to teaching, Khadijah has worked as an ABA therapist, provided private tutoring, and nannied for several wonderful families. These experiences have allowed her to meet children where they are and create meaningful, individualized learning experiences.

Khadijah believes that every child can succeed when they feel supported, encouraged, and understood. Her goal is to make learning engaging, build strong relationships with both students and families, and help children develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive. Parents of Khadijah’s students describe her as an excellent, responsive educator who makes tutoring engaging and “fun for everyone involved.”

When she’s not with students, you’ll usually find Khadijah reading a good book, watching movies, playing softball, listening to music, or diving into a true crime documentary. She also loves spending time with her two cats, Spinelli and Ginger, and her energetic dog, Monkee!

DYSLEXIA THERAPY AND READING INTERVENTION

Maya is a reading and dyslexia specialist who is passionate about helping children become confident, successful learners. She grew up in Dallas and is a graduate of Parish Episcopal School, where she had the opportunity to teach as well. She earned her Master of Education from Southern Methodist University and is currently completing her Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT) training. Maya provides reading intervention for students in early childhood and beyond. She believes every child can thrive with evidence-based instruction, personalized support, and encouragement, and she is committed to helping students build both academic skills and lasting confidence. Her favorite part of working with students one-on-one is sharing her love for reading with others. 

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

Camryn is a certified Speech-Language Pathologist in the Dallas area. She has been working with children or caring for children for over 10 years, including babysitting, working as a daycare teacher, volunteering as a camp counsellor, and providing afterschool tutoring.

She holds a B.S. in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the Texas Tech University Health Science Center and a M.S. in Communication Science Disorders/Speech-Language Pathology from Abilene Christian University-Dallas. Camryn has been an SLP for 2 years, with experience in both educational settings and medical settings. Specific direct treatment/evaluations she is experienced in and will provide include: Early language/speech delay (ages 0-3), school aged language disorders (delayed vocabulary, grammar, answering questions, utterance or sentence expansion, etc.), articulation disorders/phonological disorders, pragmatic/social language (ability to ask questions, request, turn taking, typically targeted in children/adults with social anxiety or autism), and language in AAC (nonverbal language, communication devices/speech generating devices, etc.).

Camryn’s primary goal for intervention is to facilitate functional communication across all environments, as well as provide resources and support for academic success and pre-academic development.

While she is not working with parents or clients, you can find Camryn participating in workout classes, reading a book, spending time with family and friends, actively researching new evidenced-based practice interventions/treatment for speech and language, and playing with her dog, Pepper, and cat, Duchess.

BEHAVIOR ANALYST

Melissa Taylor is a behavior analyst with over 15 years of experience in child development, learning, and behavior. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and her master’s degree in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience from The University of Texas at Dallas. Melissa specializes in helping children build the behavioral, cognitive, and learning foundations that support success in academic and social environments. Her work focuses on areas such as attention, task persistence, confidence, emotional regulation, social interaction, and learning fluency through structured, evidence-based approaches. She also works with families preparing for private school admissions processes, including school readiness evaluations, CATS testing environments, and play date or interview-based admissions interactions.

In addition to working directly with children, Melissa provides parent coaching to help families better understand behavior, support emotional regulation, strengthen learning routines at home, and build practical strategies that improve everyday functioning, academic skills, and confidence for both children and parents.

 When she’s not working with children and their families, Melissa, a current Lamplighter parent of two, enjoys spending time with her husband and children and volunteering at her children’s school. She loves going to the movies and exploring outdoor activities and family learning experiences around the Dallas area.

PERFORMING ARTS ADMISSIONS COACH

Nili Riemer Bueckert is an international opera singer by training and a current professor of voice and non-profit arts leadership courses at UT-Dallas. Since moving to Dallas in 2016, she has mentored and supported students of all ages in their vocal and theater auditions and preparations and her students have won accolades as performers with the Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Chorus, Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas, North Texas Performing Arts, Booker T High School, West Arts Magnet, as well as prestigious summer programs and voice competitions.

With a background in performance and arts education, Nili works closely with students and families to develop compelling applications that highlight each student’s artistic strengths, academic potential, and personal story. From audition preparation and interview coaching to essay editing and vocal arts/theater portfolio development, Nili helps students present themselves with confidence and authenticity as they pursue admission to competitive arts programs and independent schools.

Meet our new tutor this summer!