TAILORED TUTORING - Key Persons
My name is Alease Young and I have been in the field of education for the past twenty years. I am currently a school counselor with the Lee County School District in Sanford, NC. Prior to this, I have been in the classroom as an elementary teacher. Throughout my career, I have taught second through sixth grade. I also had the great opportunity to teach the Bible for students in the middle and high schools. I believe that every student can learn and connecting with their learning style is important. It is with great excitement that I get to enjoy this team again!!!
Bhavin Narotam is a rising senior at the Rutgers Engineering School. While at Rutgers, he was a member of both the Finance Committee and Engineering Governing Council (EGC). He is currently pledging the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, where he hopes to give back to the community of New Brunswick in various ways. When he is not busy with classes or extra-curriculars, he spends his time cooking, listening/playing music, and going on hikes. After college, he hopes to find a job in the consulting or environmental field.
Job Titles:
- Sales Assistant at Penguin Random House
Daniel Ortega-Venni is a Sales Assistant at Penguin Random House by day and a Math/ELA tutor for Tailored Tutoring…also by day. He graduated from Columbia University in 2021, with a double major in Creative Writing and Computer Science-Mathematics and absolutely loves finding ways to blend these two very different subjects together. When not working, he can be found writing, watching horror movies, listening to epic orchestral music or playing The Sims 4.
Dr. Julia L. Jones graduated magna cum laude from the Honors College at Rutgers University-Camden where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry. She continued her academic career at Rowan University, earning her doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology. Julia has taught science at multiple academic levels, ranging from elementary to graduate students. As an educator, she strives to ensure every educational environment is supportive and engaging. One of her key pedagogical philosophies is that every individual has a unique style of learning and processing information. She encourages all of her students to embrace this attitude and to leave the classroom with a passion and curiosity for learning. You can learn more about Julia at the following link: https://www.linkedin.com/juliajonesphd
Edmund Okocha is an Engineer with over 10 years' experience in electrical and software engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc.) in Electronics Engineering from Delaware Technical and Community College and a BSc. in Computer Network Security from Wilmington University.
As an undergrad, and several years beyond that, he was a math tutor, helping students realize mathematical truths behind topics like algebra, trigonometry, statistics, calculus, etc.
Edmund currently works as an Electro-optical Engineer at FARO Technologies, the world's most trusted source for 3D measurement, imaging, and analysis across a variety of industries including lean manufacturing, construction, and public safety. He is the lead engineer for the projector scanners used in manufacturing virtual templates for laser-guided assembly and production. He also doubles as the company liaison to engineering and production for the Focus 3D Laser Scanner.
Prior to his time at FARO Technologies, he was a Field Service Engineer at TA Instruments where he served as an advocate for the end users. He ensured finished products arrived as advertised with an exhaustive demonstration of its capabilities from a hardware and software point of view.
An avid chess player, Edmund volunteers his time, tutoring a Youth Chess team, Chess Chat, in West Philadelphia. He enjoys computer programming with proficiency in Java programming language. He loves to write, read, and listen to podcasts.
Grayson Morley is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and a winner of the PEN/Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. His work has appeared in Polygon, Catapult, The Iowa Review, and elsewhere. He lives in Delaware with his wife and dog, and works as the digital content editor for Bard College.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations for Tailored Tutoring LLC
Jade Jones graduated from Princeton University in June 2014 with an undergraduate degree in English and certificates in African-American Studies and Creative Writing. In her undergraduate career, she has studied abroad at the Goethe Institute in Munich, Germany and Cambridge University in Cambridge, England. She also worked as a research fellow at the Schomburg Center for Black Research the summer of her junior year. May 2017, she earned a Masters in Fine Arts degree from the Iowa Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa where she was an adjunct professor. In 2019, she won the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers.
Jade is currently the director of operations for Tailored Tutoring LLC. She tutors all grade levels in a variety of subjects.
Jean Poyo has been active in youth development for over ten years, working with several non-profits and high schools in the nyc area. Helping young people has been his life's mission and his way in giving back to the community. In addition, he has experience in math tutoring the same amount of time in helping students review for state tests, reinforce concepts, or getting ahead with the material from what's currently done in class. From Algebra to Calculus with one-on-one instruction to group instruction. He currently works as A Program Coordinator- My Brother's Keeper at Martin Van Buren High School.
Jeffrey C. Jones graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from the Honors College at Rutgers University-Camden. He founded the education non-profit Miracles-Global, Inc. during his junior year. He developed and supported tutoring, after school, and scholarship programs that have served hundreds of students. As a result of his work, he is the recipient of awards from Camden City and the State of New Jersey. In 2010, he was invited by the Obama Administration to discuss the future of Education with Assistant Secretary of Education Tony Miller.
Jeffrey H. Jones is a real-estate investor, successful business consultant, and former owner and president of multiple safety and sign companies. He founded and sponsored an adult literacy program in the construction workforce and is the co-owner and Business Development Director of Tailored Tutoring LLC. He is also the treasurer and co-owner of Tailored Tutoring's sister company, Kumbaya Academy, Inc.
Kabiru Babalola is currently majoring in biology at Rutgers University-Camden. Prior to coming to Rutgers, he was a Microbiology Major from OAU, Nigeria, President of the Microbiology students, member of the 20 Best Nigerian Student Leaders Program/Fellowship (NSLP) 2016, and also the International Young Ambassador of Science for the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) to Nigeria (3 years, 2018-2020). He was also a member of the Academic Committee of the Department of Microbiology where he helped the freshmen of the department navigate the following courses: Physics, Organic Chemistry and Mathematics for Biological Sciences. He is a prospective medical student with a possible focus on MD/PhD program in the field of Cancer Biology and Cardiovascular Diseases.
Kellie Janney has been an educator for more than 25 years. She has worked as a certified teacher in both private and public schools in urban areas of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Ms. Janney holds a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from Indiana University of PA and a Masters of Education Degree from Arcadia University. Ms. Janney's passion is teaching students with learning differences. Her philosophy is, "every child does something well." Ms. Janney is Tailored Tutoring's Educational Director.
Kelvin Gonzalez graduated from Colby College in 2016 with a Bachelor's in Physics and a Minor in Mathematics. While in college he acted as a TA for both the physics and math departments. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and is currently a teacher at the Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he teaches conceptual physics, honors physics, and AP Physics C. He has experience teaching or tutoring K-12 mathematics and sciences, SAT/ACT Mathematics, AP Physics, AP Calculus, and collegiate level mathematics (single and multivariable calculus, as well as linear algebra).
Hello, my name is Lauren Davis. I have been teaching for eight years and tutoring for three years. I have experience teaching all grades and subjects K-12, as well as adult education. I have even taught in other countries such as Jamaica, Mexico, and Honduras. Teaching is very important to me; I love being able to make connections with my students in order to understand how they learn best. Tutoring provides me with the opportunity to make each lesson specific to the student's needs.
Lori Carriere graduated summa cum laude from Stony Brook University, with a BA in English. She went on to earn a Masters in Literature from the University of Connecticut and an MFA in Creative Writing from Rutgers University Camden. She teaches writing at Penn State Abington, Temple University, and the Community College and volunteers with Mighty Writers, an organization that supports kids' writing. She enjoys tutoring reading and writing at all grade levels and SAT reading and writing prep.
Michelle Obasi graduated from Rutgers University-Camden with a degree in biology. As an undergraduate student, she played on the Rutgers women's basketball team. She was also a member of the African Student Association (ASA), an organization that considers social issues affecting the African continent, and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), a group of future doctors and health professionals who help make the medical school journey easier for prospective students.
Professionally, Michelle has worked and volunteered with a variety of organizations including Novacare Rehabilitation, Kesseler Rehabilitation, Rushmore Physical Therapy, and Therasport Physical Therapy. In addition to tutoring in a variety of subjects, Michelle is the executive administrative assistant at Tailored Tutoring LLC. In this role, she advises and works on the company's programming, scheduling, and curriculum development. Michelle currently studies at Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel New Jersey.
Nancy Ursino is a graduate from Temple University, with a Bachelors degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. She obtained her Masters degree in Secondary Education/Mathematics from Widener University. Nancy worked as a Remedial Reading and Math teacher in Philadelphia non public schools for 9 years. Since 2006, she has taught in several schools in the Pennsauken School District, teaching students from Elementary through High School. As well as teaching in the classroom, Nancy has tutored students one on one and in small group settings since graduating in 1988. Math is her passion and she enjoys sharing that passion with her students.
Job Titles:
- Professional Chemical Engineer
Saroash Liaqat is a professional chemical engineer. He works as a process and design engineer at Middough Inc. He completed his Master's degree in 2014 from Rowan University. He loves knowledge and is passionate about sharing what he knows about science and the world. His interest in science varies from chemistry to physics to astronomy. He also loves writing and is currently writing about higher education in Gambia. He has over six years of teaching experience. He has taught high school chemistry, applied chemistry and GED, SAT, and ACT students with success. At Tailored Tutoring, he teaches middle school to college level math.
Sean McCandless graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Mathematics and Physics. While at Kutztown, Sean was a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon (Math Honors Society). He was also a teaching assistant for several math courses including Algebra, Calculus, and Differential Equations.
Sean has several years of tutoring experience, including teaching SAT courses for Kaplan. He plans to obtain his Ph.D in Mathematics so he can continue to help students better understand math. Sean teaches elementary and higher level math and language arts for Tailored Tutoring. In his free time, Sean enjoys reading, playing soccer, and teaching chess at his local chess club.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner of Tailored Tutoring LLC
- Instructor for Halliday Dance
Shawn R. Jones is co-owner of Tailored Tutoring LLC and Kumbaya Academy, Inc. Shawn graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers-Camden with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While at Rutgers, she was the recipient of the Rutgers-Creative Writing Award and member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. She is the author of two poetry chapbooks, Womb Rain (2008) and A Hole to Breathe (2015). She is also the author of the daily devotional, Pictures in Glass Frames (2011). Her poetry has appeared in New Ohio Review, TriQuarterly, River Heron Review, Guesthouse, Essence, and elsewhere. She has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and holds an MFA from Rutgers-Camden. Her poetry collection, Date of Birth, has won the 2022 Lexi Rudnitsky First Book Prize in Poetry and is forthcoming from Persea Books, 2023.
Shawn is also a dance instructor for Halliday Dance, a member of the Langston Hughes Society, and a member of No River Twice, a poetry performance troupe. When she is not writing or teaching, Shawn enjoys spending time with her family and lucky pit bull, Ross.
Zaynab Alao is currently a Senior at Temple University, majoring in Economics and Adult and Organizational Development. She has always had a strong desire to foster individual student development. As a result, she initiated her journey in student support approximately four years ago by volunteering in conducting social-emotional and educational programs for children. Additionally, she began providing tutoring services in various subjects at an academic center after school. In response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Zaynab adeptly transitioned her tutoring endeavors to a virtual platform, successfully collaborating with numerous students. Encouraged by the positive outcomes achieved through virtual tutoring, she elevated her commitment by joining Tailored Tutoring in May 2023. Looking ahead, Zaynab aspires to pursue a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling upon graduation. Her interests beyond her academic pursuits include language acquisition and exercising.