Teaching and Tutoring for Elementary School Students
The most important qualification a tutor can have is to be a classroom teacher with years of experience working with your child’s age group. Our tutors are all classroom teachers with Masters Degrees in whatever grade level and subject they teach. When working with students in grades one through five, educators must rely on a working knowledge of curricular norms, as well as the stages in life that the students are entering. If your child is coming home from school frustrated, if you’ve heard from an administrator that your child could use a bit of extra support, our elementary school teachers, some of the very best in Los Angeles, are here to help with reading, tests, math, homework, organization, and skill development.
What We Promise You
We state our reputation on the quality of educator we match your child with. All of our teachers are kind, smart, and expert when it comes to imparting academic skills and best practices. Our students do not become addicted to tutoring; instead, they learn how to manage their own work, develop skills, and use tutoring as a temporary boost back into what can sometimes be the difficult terrain of Los Angeles academic life.
Our Los Angeles tutors provide parents with reports that include strengths, areas of improvement, and goals for the future, and if you’d like, your child’s classroom teacher can work with your Teachers Who Tutor tutor in order to make sure all the adults in your child’s life are on the same page.
Los Angeles’ #1 Elementary School Tutors Work with Teachers Who Tutor | LA
Our tutors are some of the most respected lower school teachers in LA. We perform background checks, interviews, sample lessons, and reference checks before we ever assign a teacher with a first client. Contact us now for more info or to set up your first session!
Meet Our Elementary School Teachers
Ali DiMaria
Ali DiMaria is an early childhood educator with 20 years of experience teaching in public and private schools across New York City and the Westchester County suburbs and is now living in Los Angeles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in American Literature and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Manhattanville College, and for the past 15 years has taught kindergarten at PS 276 The Battery Park City School in NYC. Her experience spans children ages 18 months through second grade in both general education and ICT classroom settings, where she has worked closely with co-teachers, specialists, and families to support diverse learners, including students with IEPs and a range of learning differences. She has advanced training in evidence-based literacy and math instruction, including Orton-Gillingham, PAF, Heggerty, Wit & Wisdom, Really Great Reading, Handwriting Without Tears, and 95% Phonics, along with professional development in restorative practices, Responsive Classroom, anti-bias education, and social-emotional learning. Ali is especially skilled in early literacy development, foundational math skills, differentiation, and supporting executive functioning and self-regulation in young children, and is known for creating warm, structured, and engaging learning environments that foster confidence, curiosity, and independence. In addition to her work in education, she is a certified Pilates instructor and is passionate about health, movement, and overall wellness, which informs her holistic approach to supporting children’s academic, emotional, and physical development.
Alexx Robles
Alexx Robles has been teaching in independent elementary schools for nearly 10 years and has worked as a tutor for 6 years. She has taught lower school science, 3rd grade, 4th grade and currently teaches 2nd grade. She is trained in the Orton-Gillingham phonics approach and has also taught the Fundations phonics program. Additionally, she has attended trainings on Reading and Writing Workshop and Singapore math, both programs she teaches daily. Alexx has an undergraduate degree from UCLA and a masters in education from Pepperdine University. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Alexx worked as an educator at aquariums and nature centers where she combined her love of education with her passion for nature. When she isn’t in the classroom you can find her surfing, camping, or scuba diving.
Amber Medina
Amber holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy with a minor in Education, and earned both her teaching credential and Master of Education from UCLA. She taught elementary school for three years and has extensive experience supporting students one-on-one and in small groups, including as a writing instructor with Adventures in Writing Camp, where she helped students build confidence and joy in their writing. Amber also taught environmental science and gardening to middle school students in grades 6–8, and worked for several years with Subject To Climate developing interdisciplinary, standards-aligned K–8 curriculum focused on environmental justice and climate education. She is currently the Lead Coordinator for the Civics Education Program with the Los Angeles Superior Court, where she helps create and promote educational programming that deepens students’ understanding of government, the judiciary, and civic engagement. In her free time, Amber enjoys reading fantasy novels, visiting hiking trails, and traveling (her favorite places so far are Seoul and Barcelona)!
Anna Kerkorian
Anna recently moved back to Los Angeles after nearly three decades living in New York City. A classical singer and pianist with a degree from USC’s School of Music, Anna became increasingly drawn to education as she observed her own children’s journey through their elementary school years. She began her career as an educator teaching a range of music courses in grades K-12, developing curricula to utilize music study as a vehicle for deep, integrated learning across subject areas. In recent years, Anna redirected her attention to the general classroom, inspired by research into the Reggio Emilia philosophy and approach to education as part of her Master of Education. During her years teaching at The Bank Street Family Center and The Packer Collegiate School in New York, Anna took part in numerous workshops delving into the most current research in literacy and math teaching (Wilson Language Training in science of reading and structured literacy, Teachers College Reading and Writing Workshop (2023/updated), Bridges Math curriculum, Bank Street Elementary Math Teaching Professional Development workshop, Neurodevelopmental Institute (June 2026, Campbell Hall School), Contexts for Learning Math Curriculum…) refining her practice to identify and support the needs of all learners. As a teacher and tutor, Anna finds the greatest satisfaction in the connections she forms with children as they learn to recognize and build on their unique strengths as readers, writers, and mathematicians, developing greater self-awareness and confidence in their abilities to overcome challenges by engaging in the process with curiosity and wonder.
Ben Charles
Ben has been a teacher for over nine years and has spent time teaching in Cambodia, Brooklyn, and East Los Angeles. Ben has taught at both the elementary and middle school levels. Currently, he works at an education nonprofit called SubjectToClimate creating original lesson plans about climate change. Ben is a passionate educator who can tailor his pedagogy for any learning style. He loves spending time in nature, going for walks, and spending time with friends and family.
Chai Koo
Chai Koo is an energetic educator currently teaching 4th grade at the John Thomas Dye School. With over 15 years of experience in both public and private schools, she is dedicated to creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that fosters student growth and achievement. Chai holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California, along with a multiple-subject credential. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading, hiking, and crocheting. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her two cats, Gus and Pomelo.
Jen Fitzgerald
Jen Fitzgerald has been teaching in independent elementary schools for 10 years. She currently teaches Kindergarten at the John Thomas Dye School in Los Angeles. Jen has a BFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota and completed her M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin in 2016. As a classroom teacher, Jen has taught at every grade level K-3. Additionally, she has taught acting, improv, playwriting and movement to students K-12. Jen is passionate about creating meaningful, multimodal learning experiences. She lives in Hollywood with her husband and their two dogs, Honey and Beef.
Haylee Hall
As a current Kindergarten teacher who has also taught First Grade, Haylee brings a unique understanding of the critical transition between these foundational years. This experience allows her to support early readers with both the skills they need now and an awareness of where their learning is headed, helping students build strong foundations in literacy. Haylee earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and her Master of Arts in Educational Studies from Loyola Marymount University. She also holds a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and recently completed a Play-Based Learning Certification, deepening her understanding of how play supports cognitive, language, and social-emotional growth. As an educator in inclusive classroom settings, Haylee has extensive experience supporting students with diverse learning needs. She is passionate about meeting children where they are while maintaining clear, consistent expectations that foster confidence, independence, and a love of learning. Looking ahead, she plans to continue her work supporting children by returning to school to become a pediatric occupational therapist.
Kitty Hamilton
Kitty Hamilton has been teaching in elementary schools and working as a private tutor for over 10 years. After completing her teacher training at University College London (UCL), she taught at the prestigious Wetherby School in London as well as on New York’s Upper East Side. While most of her classroom experience has been in Kindergarten and 1st Grade, she has taught across elementary grades up to 5th Grade.Kitty has worked as a private tutor for the past eight years, specialising in early reading, writing and maths skills that provide the foundation for future learning. She also supports children preparing for school entry and independent school admissions assessments.In addition to her teaching experience, Kitty holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and has recently trained as a Play Therapist. Her understanding of child development and learning allows her to tailor lessons to each child’s individual needs, helping them build confidence, resilience and a love of learning.
Lauren Blumenfeld
Lauren has been working with children for over 15 years. After graduating from New York University with honors, Lauren focussed her attention on early childhood education while also developing an after school arts curriculum for students attending public school in lower Manhattan. After moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles in 2017, Lauren joined John Thomas Dye School (JTD), an independent elementary school in Bel Air, where she has served as a Fourth Grade Teacher, After School Care Coordinator, and Library co-teacher. Lauren also has a background in the arts and loves to infuse her lessons with creativity. She is a company member of Story Pirates, an award-winning organization committed to celebrating the words, stories, and ideas of young people from diverse backgrounds. Lauren is passionate about supporting students in underserved communities and has volunteered at the 52nd Street Project for over 15 years. She also tutors students experiencing homelessness through School on Wheels.
Lauryn Muraida
Lauryn Muraida is a special education educator with two years of classroom experience supporting students from kindergarten through 12th grade. She also has over 25 years of experience working with children as a director and volunteer in performing arts programs and special education settings. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Alder Graduate School of Education and a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts, which informs her creative, student-centered approach to instruction. Lauryn is passionate about designing engaging, accessible learning experiences that help students express themselves, build confidence, and develop meaningful academic skills through differentiated and imaginative teaching strategies.
Lexie Holden
Lexie currently teaches Third Grade at Wise School in Los Angeles and is entering her third year in this role. She previously taught second grade at Pilgrim School and has experience teaching students from Early Childhood through third grade. With over a decade of experience in education, Lexie is passionate about helping students build confidence, strengthen foundational skills, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Lexie earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Studies from Loyola Marymount University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has extensive training in workshop model instruction, the Science of Reading, and current research-based teaching practices. She is committed to continually expanding her knowledge and staying up to date with the latest educational approaches and curricula to support her students best. Through her classroom teaching and individualized instruction, Lexie has worked with students across a range of learning needs and abilities. She believes every child is capable of growth and success and focuses on creating engaging, personalized learning experiences that help students feel confident, motivated, and excited to learn. Outside of teaching, Lexie enjoys baking, traveling, spending time at the beach, reading, crafting, and being around animals. She looks forward to partnering with students and families to help each child reach their academic goals while developing confidence and independence as a learner.
Natalie Kaplan
Natalie teaches third grade at Wildwood School. She is a passionate and creative elementary teacher with a certification in both General and Special Education grades 1 through 6. Previously, she was a special education teacher in a first grade ICT classroom at The River School in Manhattan. Before that, Natalie was the Special Education teacher in a 4th grade self-contained classroom in the Bronx and also taught Pre-K at Dwight’s Early Childhood Division. Natalie attended NYU undergrad and received my Master’s degree in Elementary Education and Teaching Students with Disabilities from Columbia’s Teachers College. She has experience working with students with autism, as well as with speech and language processing disorders. Natalie works hard to tailor her instruction to students’ interests and design learning tools to support their specific needs.
Pualani Armstrong
Pualani is currently a 4th grade head teacher at Brentwood School. She attended college at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, earning a degree in Elementary Education, Special Education and Political Science. She has taught in various public and independent schools in Hawai’i and California, in grades including 3rd, 4th, 5th.
Pualani has always been a lover of the performing arts, taking part in chorus, jazz band, multiple plays and musicals, public speaking, pageants, along with dancing hula and competing in many competitions. She is a proud mom of four fur babies, Scarlet, Tony, Jellybean and Eleanor. She is also a foodie and enjoys trying new recipes or restaurants.
As a tutor, Pualani’s hope is to support students’ learning in any subject area and also help them develop an excitement for learning, challenge their thinking, and build their confidence as a learner.
Stefanie Grutman
Stefanie graduated from CAL Berkeley with a BA in Sociology. She has an elementary teaching credential from Cal State Hayward and a master’s equivalency from San Francisco State College. Stefanie has taught elementary school for 32 years. She started teaching at Cole Elementary School in West Oakland. She was hired mid-year and taught third grade and taught grades four and a fifth-sixth combination until moving to Peralta School in north Oakland. Peralta was a multi-age, year-around pilot program and was the only one in Oakland. There, I taught a second through fourth grade combination class for seven years. Stefanie and her husband relocated to Los Angeles and began raising their two children. She gradually went back to teaching at Temple Isiah Day School teaching second grade. When Temple Isiah closed, Stefanie went to Wildwood Elementary School where she taught a multi-age primary k-2 for sixteen years. It was an incredible experience. It was like teaching in a family of three children; beginning, middle, and oldest child. Wildwood changed to single grade classes and Stefanie taught second grade for four years. Classroom environment, building a classroom culture, valuing each child’s learning style and embracing social and emotional learning are Stefanie’s strengths. Stefanie has attended many professional workshops which included Iowa Literacy program, Lindamood Bell six week training workshop, Reggio Emilio, Teachers of Reading and Writing at Columbia Teacher’s College for five summers, CGI math, and self- taught workshops on the utilization of parents in the classroom. Stefanie is an avid reader and a collector of vintage pottery, jewelry and clothing.
Talia White
Talia a graduate of San Diego State University, where she earned a B.A. in Modern Judaic Studies in 2003 as the program’s first graduate. Following graduation, she was selected for the prestigious DeLeT (Day School Leadership through Teaching) fellowship at Hebrew Union College. In 2004, she began the Master of Arts in Education program at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, completing her degree in 2006 while also earning a second bachelor’s in Hebrew Literature. While teaching full-time, Talia pursued further professional credentials, completing the California State Teaching Credential and Clear Program at Mount St. Mary’s University in 2010. She went on to earn an M.A. in Psychology from Pepperdine University in 2016, and most recently, a Master’s in School Psychology in 2023. Currently, she serves as a school psychologist, integrating over 15 years of classroom teaching experience with advanced training in student assessment, counseling, and educational planning. My background includes specialized training in Singapore Math, Reader’s Workshop, and Writer’s Workshop, equipping me with a broad foundation to support both academic and social-emotional student growth.