Tutors & Instructors

Find Your Perfect Tutor – Guaranteed!

At Pacific Learning Academy, we guarantee you’ll love your tutor! We take the time to meet with each family before making a match, ensuring the perfect fit for every student. Our commitment to quality has earned us a 100% satisfaction rate from past and current families, along with a stellar reputation among local schools.

Our tutors and teachers are top-tier professionals, carefully selected for their:

✔ Strong Educational Background – Bachelor’s degree or higher, with multi-subject expertise
Proven Teaching Success – A track record of effective instruction and student progress
Engaging & Positive Presence – Inspiring confidence and motivation in every session
Exceptional Communication Skills – Clear, supportive, and responsive
Comprehensive Background Checks – Ensuring a safe and professional learning environment

PLA-Staff

A photo of the 2024-2025 teaching team

Lead Instructors at Pacific Learning Academy

Pacific Learning Academy employs degreed professionals in all subject areas. All instructors go through the Academy’s training program, which may include elements such as Executive Functioning Coaching, Test-taking strategies, Memorization, Time Management, High School Credit Course Instruction and more!

Our lead teachers go beyond instruction, guiding curriculum updates, mentoring new teachers, and contributing to the Academy’s commitment to ongoing excellence. They may also contribute to our quarterly professional development, ensuring our team stays at the forefront of best practices in education.

Lisa B.

Science

Lisa graduated with honors from the University of Washington with a BS in Biochemistry and later earned a Master’s in Health Sciences from Boise State University. She went on to complete a Master’s in Teaching Biology from Western Governors University, where she did her student teaching via Zoom in the midst of the pandemic. She holds a Washington State teaching license in secondary science. Passionate about science, Lisa loves helping students discover their own enthusiasm for the subject. She also enjoys math, music, health, and learning in general. Outside of teaching, Lisa likes to hike, bake, take walks with her dog, and travel.

Sam S.

Spanish

Sam is from Bellevue and graduated from Whitworth University with a degree in Spanish and International Studies. She has a Masters in Spanish teaching from Middlebury College and lived in Madrid, Spain as well as the Canary Islands, where she taught English. She has tutored Spanish for many years and loves to give students a good experience with learning the language. Her love for Spanish is rivaled only by her love for books, though she can also often be found enjoying the outdoors in all weathers. Sam has been a long-time teacher at the Academy and continues to teach as well as serve as the School Administrative Assistant.

Photo of John M., Humanities Lead

John M.

Humanities

John has worked as a teacher, tutor, and coach, helped build startups in marketing roles, and supported 100+ authors as a book coach and editor. He holds a BA in English, an MA in Education, and priceless lessons from all of the “detours” — including a gap year for travel, graduate coursework in counseling and psychology, and time spent studying screenwriting and directing. One of six kids, John grew up in several countries and developed a global lens from a young age. Today, he sees himself as a student of our stories and loves supporting other learners in their own educational journeys. In his free time, you might find him playing his guitar, exercising, or relaxing with his wife, their dog, and two cats.

Susie S.

Math

Susie graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Mathematics and recently earned an MS in Statistics from Duke University. While in school, she worked as a teaching assistant for first-year calculus courses and tutored international students, helping them navigate challenging coursework. Passionate about math and education, Susie enjoys making complex concepts more accessible to students. Outside of teaching, she loves traveling and exploring different cultures. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing sports, and listening to music.

 

 

Pacific Learning Academy