At CurtisE Learning, we know a curriculum is only as effective as the teacher teaching it.
Test Prep, Tutoring, and College Counseling Experts
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Besides teaching and tutoring high school English standard and honors classes for over ten years, Curtis teaches Test Prep (SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, MCAS), theatre, public speaking, and Spanish. He also leads the CurtisE College Counseling department, with a success rate of 94% of clients admitted to their first-choice schools. Whether working with students to navigate tricky SAT math questions, beef up their Spanish, or tirelessly mold authentic standout college essays, he basks in the rewards of helping students skyrocket.
As an instructor, Curtis works to student strengths while developing areas that need improvement; he firmly believes that every student can learn. A known literature analysis and writing stickler, he works hard to improve student skills and ensure college readiness. Curtis' energy and sense of humor make his sessions popular- he portrays academics in a fun light, akin to what he calls the "mental and spiritual gym," where one learns how to learn while maintaining a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
Curtis’ college counseling students have a 93% success rate of admission to their top choice schools, such as Harvard, Rice, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Tulane, Emory, Villanova, Holy Cross, Northeastern, Boston College, and Boston University.
Education & Training:
B.S., Performance Studies, Northwestern University
M. Ed., English, American International College
Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsed
William Esper Studios, 2 yr Acting Program Certificate
Jennifer Atlas, M. A.
Tutor: AP U.S. History, European History, World History and Government, Public Speaking, Debate, and Model United Nations.
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Jennifer Atlas is a very enthusiastic educator, whether the subject is history, debate or skiing.
She has endless patience, strong listening skills and experience working in the classroom and one-on-one tutoring. She truly wants to figure out her students’ learning styles and create lessons to complement each students’ needs. As a teacher, Jennifer has taught Social Studies at private schools and public schools in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY.
Today, Jennifer resides in southern Vermont and is a ski instructor at Okemo Mountain in the winter and an avid mountain biker in the summer.
Education & Training:
B.A. European History, University of Pennsylvania
M.A. American History, University of Vermont
Teaching Certificate and Graduate Education Classes, Southern Connecticut State University
Shane Billings, M. Ed
Tutor: AP Economics (Micro and Macro)
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Shane Billings has dedicated 27 years to education, with a specialization in AP Economics. For the past 15 years, Shane has served as the department chairperson at a highly regarded suburban high school near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His experience with AP Economics began in 1996, when he first taught the course as an intern while completing his graduate studies.
Education &Training:
B.S., Economics and Industrial Management, Carnegie Mellon University
M.Ed., Arts and Teaching Education, University of Pittsburgh
Lisa Brewster-Cook, M. Ed
Guest Contributor / Advisor
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Lisa Brewster-Cook has taught for over 28 years, three years in a Catholic school before returning to her Somerville High School alma mater in 1999, where she co-chaired two NEASC accreditation visits. Retiring in 2025! She comes from a family of educators: her father (a sheet metal teacher) retired from Somerville Public Schools in 1988, two of her cousins are public school teachers, and her husband is a retired public school teacher. Both she and her husband are also adjunct faculty at a community college.
Education & Training:
B.A., Fitchburg State University
M. Ed, UMass Boston
Bill Campione, M.S.
Tutor: AP European History, Modern World History, Economics
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Bill Campione has been teaching social studies for 26 years and has been the chairperson of his 50 member department for the last 12 years. He specializes in world history since 1750 and AP European History. Bill has served on state and local committees, contributing to curriculum and assessments used by countless students and teachers. He is also active in his community, raising over $50,000 for breast cancer related charities and organizations.
Education and Training:
B.A. History Iona University
M.S. Secondary Education Queens College
Terence Clarey, B.A.
Tutor: ELL, ELA, history, world geography, political science, civics, academic support
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Terence Clarey has tutored English as a Second Language individually for Literacy Volunteers of America and taught English Classes for Access to Language Studies for seven years. He has also worked as a Teaching Assistant in Special Education in Arlington and Belmont. He tutors ELL,
Education &Training:
B. A., Political Science , UMass
Yuan Joy 周媛, M.A.
Tutor: Mandarin Chinese
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After graduating from Three Gorges University in China and serving Chinese parents and high school students as an education counselor in Beijing, Yuan Joy immigrated to the U.S. in 2012 and has lived in Belmont, MA, since 2017.
In addition to tutoring, Mrs. Joy is an assistant teacher at the Belmont Cooperative Nursing School and mother to three young Joys.
Her tutoring philosophy is centered on supporting students’ incremental and progressive efforts in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. While Mandarin is often described as one of the more difficult languages to gain proficiency in, Mrs. Joy believes strongly that ongoing practice and positive reinforcement are critical to both character memorization and oral fluency.
Education &Training:
B.A., Foreign Languages, Three Gorges University in Yichang, China
M.A., Political Science and Law, Three Gorges University in Yichang, China
Heather Kelley, M.A.
Tutor: Math (all levels)
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Upon graduating from Phillips Academy and then Hamilton College (major in Economics and minor in Mathematics), Heather Kelley earned a Master’s in Economics at Boston University, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Bridging her love of learning and Economics, she taught AP and Regular Economics at Northfield Mount Hermon School for three years. She then moved closer to Boston to teach, live, and coach at Middlesex School in Concord, MA. After four years of boarding school life teaching Economics and Mathematics, Heather left Middlesex to spend more time with her husband and three children.
Currently, she resides in her childhood home of Winchester, where for the past seven years, Heather has tutored mathematics to local middle and high school students and prepared students for the mathematics portions of standardized testing for high school and college entrance exams.
Education & Training:
B.A., Economics, Hamilton College
M.A., Economics, Boston University
Austin Levinson, M.A., M. Ed.
Tutor: ESL, Lower Grades Reading/Writing/Math, STEM/STEAM/GATE
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Austin Levinson is a master teacher specializing in K-3 education, STEM/STEAM, differentiation, English as a new language (ESL), engagement, intrinsic motivation, and habits of mind (perseverance, resourcefulness, independence, impulse control).
Austin engages with students through jokes, juggling, guitar— whatever keeps them interested. With connection, there is a chance to grow as a learner. Austin maximizes student learning by tailoring lessons to student interests. He teaches other teachers how to effectively engage students in any learning environment (virtual, hybrid, in-person).
Education & Training:
B.A., Economics, Northwestern University
M.A., Elementary Education, University of Alabama
Gifted and Talented Specialization, University of Connecticut
Jenna Devi Plunkett, M. Ed
Tutor: Tutor: English, Writing, Algebra / pre-Algebra, MCAS, SAT / ACT Prep
College Counselor / College Essay Consultant
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Jenna will never forget when the world became a place where she knew the life she dreamed about as a 12-year-old girl taking her first step out of childhood could and would become a reality as a teacher. All thanks to the guidance of her 6th grade ELA teacher, Mrs. Smith. And she knew then that this gift bestowed upon her was one she would create her own life to bestow upon myriad children like her in the future.
After graduating from boarding school at Williston Northampton, she attended Hobart and William Smith, majoring in English, spent a gap year as a journalist for a newspaper in Cork, Ireland, and completed her degree at UMass, Amherst.
After dipping her toes in different career options after college, the pull to teach sent out its siren’s song, and she happily responded to its call. After obtaining her Master’s in Education with a focus on High School English at Lesley University, she immediately began her tenure as a 9th grade ELA lead teacher at Somerville High School - and she knew the call she answered was the one she was always meant to follow.
After ten years of being a lead teacher at both the middle and high school levels, Jenna has left the classroom to co-author a “choose your own adventure“ style book with a former student incorporating Social-Emotional learning into the school curriculum in a book that is both educational and FUN! A paraphrase from Peter Pan can best describe the heart of Jenna’s pedagogy: To learn is an awfully big adventure!
Jenna has vast experience and certifications teaching ELA with a focus on literature; writing, and editing for myriad audiences and purposes; English as a Second Language; MCAS and SAT prep; algebra and pre-algebra; and counseling and college guidance in helping students become curious about their education and walk away with the knowledge that learning is not only essential to their future, but that it is also fun.
Education &Training:
B.S., English, UMass Amherst
M. Ed., English, Lesley University
Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) endorsed
Diversity and Inclusion certified, Cornell University
Max Sitter, B. Sc
Tutor: STEM subjects, Admissions/Standardized Test Prep, UK University Applications, Violin
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As a former music scholar and International Baccalaureate recipient at Whitgift School in South London, Max specializes in subject tutoring (math, physics, biology, chemistry, Latin), test prep, and violin. He is a native German speaker. Outside of academics, Max enjoys tennis, mountain biking, and travel.
Education & Training:
B. Sc., Biochemistry, University of Edinburgh
B. Sc., Business Management, University of Edinburgh
Rose Whitcomb, M. M.
Tutor: Academic Support- Middle and High School (math, writing, study skills)
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Educator and musician Rose Whitcomb implements inclusive and student-centered teaching practices to help her students succeed. Her clients in the Greater Boston area know her as a beloved and encouraging teacher, confident in many subject areas, and always ready to go the extra mile.
After completing her liberal arts undergraduate education at Harvard University in 2016, Rose continued pursuing her passion for music.
Recently earning her M.M. in Music Education and full teaching certification from Boston University in 2023, Rose is a proud music educator for Everett Public Schools. She always maintains high expectations for her students and models a clear passion for learning. With her encouragement and unrelenting support, Rose's students know they can attain their goals through hard work, patience, and a positive attitude.
Education & Training:
B.A., Harvard University
M.M,, Music Education, Boston University