Our Tutors
Erin Hall
Erin Hall, Owner, is an established educator with over 20 years experience in the public school system. She has served the public as a Special Education teacher, IEP Coordinator, Math teacher at the middle school, Assistant Principal of a high school and a Transition teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Toledo. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from George Mason University. Erin has completed all of the course work for a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership from Walden University as well. In July of 2020, Phoenix Educational Zone was established with the goal of serving the youth within the local area. We have quickly become a national tutoring company serving students from all over the country.
Kathryn Zielinski
Kathryn Zielinski received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and her master’s degree in Special Education from Radford University. Kathryn is now a special education teacher at Stone Bridge High School in Virginia. Kathryn is also a Unified Sports coach and the Bulldogs Understanding Differences in Students (BUDS) Club sponsor at Stone Bridge High School. This is her fifth year teaching with Loudoun County Schools in Virginia.
Kim Jackson
Ms. Jackson LOVES math! Originally from Pittsburgh, Ms. Jackson has a BS in Food Science/Chemistry from IUP, an MBA and a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, a graduate certificate in educational administration from Shenandoah University, and is also a doctoral candidate in educational leadership from Shenandoah. She began her career in education by teaching math 6, math 7, and Pre-Algebra at Farmwell Station Middle School. She currently teaches AP Statistics at Riverside High School in Virginia, but has also taught Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Functions. When she’s not “playing” with math, she loves spending time with her three 21-year old kids and their three rescue dogs. Ms. Jackson’s favorite quote is “Chance favors the prepared mind” – by Louis Pasteur.
Karen Dietrich
I am an educator, I have worked in Elementary, Middle and High School as a general education and special education teacher. I was a classroom teacher for about 12 years before I got into Assistive Technology full time. Assistive technology is a field related to special education, it provides tools and resources to students with special needs, to help them reach their goals and learn with their peers. I have two master’s degrees, one in Instructional Technology and the other in Educational Leadership.
Lindsay Marquiss
have been teaching (and tutoring) for 8 years. I graduated from Broad Run High School in Virginia and earned my degree in Applied Mathematics from Coastal Carolina University. I have experience teaching and tutoring all levels of secondary math through AP Calculus BC. I am available to tutor both in person and virtually!
Cheryl Oakes
I am currently a National Board Certified 7th grade math teacher at Seneca Ridge Middle School in Virginia. I received my BS in psychology and sociology from Virginia Tech and my Master’s in Education at George Mason University. My background includes teaching, working with students with learning disabilities/emotional disturbances, and behavior consultation. I teach Math 6, Math 7, Math 8, and Algebra 1. I am highly qualified in all subject areas at the elementary level, math, social studies and science at the middle school level, and history and Algebra I at the high school level. I have experience tutoring geometry, precalculus and SAT prep.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family. I have three children: a daughter who graduated from James Madison University and is currently in grad school at Shenandoah University, a son who graduated from Radford University, and a son who is a senior at VCU. I enjoy the beach and traveling. My travels include places such as Costa Rica, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Hawaii, Canada, various US states and many areas in the Carribean. I traveled to southern Spain last October to celebrate my 30th anniversary.
Vince Kimball
My name is Vince Kimball, and I teach English, Creative Writing/Public Speaking, and Mythology at John Champe High School in Virginia! I have been teaching for two years now, and particularly take joy in teaching Creative Writing. Prior to teaching, I worked in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles for 5 years where I enjoyed working on various television shows. I received a M.Ed. from George Mason University, and a B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Acting from Virginia Tech. I hope to work with you soon!
Karrie Rinder
Ms. Karrie Rinder has been teaching for over 27 years. The first ten years of her teaching were completed in private college preparatory schools. Her last 17 years have been spent working with honors and AP Language students at Dominion High School in Loudoun County. Her undergraduate degree in English was earned at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. Numerous other schools, such as Bard College, Yale University, and Cambridge University have played a significant role in her education. Ms. Rinder also holds two degrees: Master of Curriculum and Instruction and Master of Administration and Education Leadership both from George Mason University.
Daysha Conway
Daysha received her bachelor’s degrees in English, writing, journalism, personal finance, and music at the University of Jamestown and earned her master’s degree in Education from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. She has 25 years of experience teaching and tutoring children of all ages, and has loved working one-on-one with students as well as in small groups. Daysha’s passions are music, writing, and teaching children life skills in every class she teaches. Her goals are to ensure every child has an opportunity to learn and grow and to become more confident in themselves. When Daysha is not teaching, you can find her at the lake with her family, playing sports to stay active, playing the piano, or snuggling with the family cat, Tybalt.
Nishtha Jain
I am Nishtha Jain. I am pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in technology. I love doing and teaching art and crafts. I have been teaching for 4 years . I work with kids around the world and have won many art awards. My style of teaching allows me to meet the unique needs of varying learners. I love what I do and can’t wait to meet and work with your child.
Sindu Bharathi
I am Sindu, I am a fulltime Math tutor with a Master’s degree in Math, and great reviews for tutoring. I specialize in Highschool and University Math, Linear Algebra, DIfferential Equations, all Calculus courses are my jam.
Kimberly Cox
Mrs. Cox taught in Loudoun County Public Schools for 22 years, and 8 years in Prince William. She received her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a concentration in Secondary Education from James Madison University, a master’s degree in Education at Virginia Tech, and a master’s degree in Administration and Leadership from George Mason University. She earned k-12 certification in mathematics through Shenandoah University. She loves Mathematics – and she loves teaching. She has tutored many students over the years, and also worked with students in homebound situations. She retired in June 2021 to spend time with her family, but is looking forward to staying engaged with both students and mathematics while tutoring.
Bree Raburn
Bree Raburn teaches high school chemistry and environmental science in LCPS, and has taught a plethora of math and science courses in the past. She is certified in biology, chemistry, middle school science, and all math k-12. She graduated from the university of California- Berkeley with a degree in molecular and cellular biology, and was the 2014 middle school teacher of the year in Virginia. For fun, she loves running for marathons and cooking.
Sharon Smiley
Ms. Smiley is a Hampton native who has 20+ years of teaching experience. Most of her career has been spent teaching in Lo.Co. Her passion for education, as well as her desire to ensure all students succeed has been the basis for her teaching philosophy. Ms. Smiley’s reputation as a loving, supportive, and fair educator have made her an honorary member of multiple families within each & every community she served over the last 20+ years.
Ms. Smiley has taught English, SAT Prep, Etymology, Public Speaking, and Reading. She received her Masters in Adult Education and has extensive training in Culturally Responsive Teaching & Learning.
Marcie Perez-Stipes
Hola! My name is Marcie. I am currently a Spanish teacher in the classroom and have decided to reach out to help with online students.
Quick Facts About Me!
- Master’s Degree in Education
- Certified Spanish Teacher
- Advanced Level Spanish Speaker
- Studied Abroad in Valladolid Spain
- 25 years of tutoring + teaching experience
Brad Briggs
Brad Briggs has been teaching for seven years. Five of which were spent teaching middle school math and the last two high school Math. He currently teaches at Heritage High School in LCPS. He loves all things sports, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers and Texas Longhorns.
Morgan Briggs
Morgan Briggs has five years of teaching experience, four being in middle school science. She is currently teaching Earth Science in LCPS. Her background is in Geology working in environmental engineering and compliance. She loves reading, gaming, and being a mom!
Nicole Lyman
Nicole Lyman is a native of Buffalo, New York and moved to Virginia in 2013 to begin her teaching career. Currently, she is an EL teacher at Park View High School in Loudoun County. Nicole holds a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from La Roche University in Pittsburgh, PA and a Master’s in English as a Second Language from California University of Pennsylvania in California, PA. Nicole has experience teaching all content subjects (Math, Reading, Social Studies, Science) in grades third, fourth, and fifth, as well as Algebra I, FADA A and US/VA History. When she is not teaching, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, friends and family.
Elizabeth Bream
Sherri Fainter
Sherri Fainter has met the individualized needs of students and supported their families for 30 years as a special education teacher in Virginia. Her roles have included resource teacher, precision teacher, child study chairperson, and educational diagnostician. Additionally, Ms. Fainter was an education consultant for youth ages 3 through 21 for the Child Development Clinic through State Operated Programs of Virginia. She has conducted formal educational assessments and is able to interpret results to provide targeted instruction. As a classroom teacher and Early Childhood Special Education teacher for the Virginia Preschool Initiative, her classroom earned the highest level for Virginia Quality. Mrs. Fainter designed and oversaw the completion of two outdoor learning spaces during this time. She knows the importance of creating engaging, evidence-based, and differentiated experiences that inspire children to explore, create, and develop in a nurturing environment for the sheer joy of it!
Ms. Fainter holds a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Psychology and a Masters of Teaching in Special Education K-12, Early Education NK-4, and Middle Education 4-8 from the University of Virginia. She has specialized training in a multisensory structured literacy approach to teaching reading and writing.
Katharine Zerkle
Katharine Zerkle teaches Special Education and Specialized Reading at Independence High School. She has over 20 years of teaching experience and has taught in both elementary and high school settings. She has been trained in Orton-Gillingham, Corrective Reading, Language Live, Leveled Literacy Intervention, and Wilson Reading System. Mrs. Zerkle graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors in Family and Child Development and went on to earn her Masters in Special Education from George Mason University. Mrs. Zerkle began her career as a Child Specialist, working in pediatric hospitals teaching children coping strategies dealing with long term illness and hospitalization. While working in the hospital, Mrs. Zerkle created two hospital school programs. Mrs. Zerkle is dedicated to promoting positive learning experiences for children. Katharine lives in Brambleton with her husband, three daughters, and golden retriever.
Carolann Krische
Carolann is in her 21st year teaching in Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia. She is currently an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health from George Mason University. She is certified to teach Driver’s Education and Behind the Wheel for teens learning to drive.
Carolann also holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education and Administration and Leadership from George Mason University.
Carolann loves coaching both high school gymnastics and All Star Cheerleading.