FOUNDER & LEAD EDUCATOR

Lenore discovered her passion for teaching while volunteering at church daycare in sixth grade. Her first teaching job was for B.O.C.E.S. New York; she worked primarily with students who had challenges paying attention(which she can relate to~ as she had difficulty paying attention in elementary and middle school). Her teaching perspective is through an empathic lens, and Lenore finds a deep sense of joy in watching her students thrive. Along with teacher certification in the State of Florida and a degree in Early Childhood Education from SUNY Farmingdale, Lenore has a Bachelor of Science in English, Art History, and Interdisciplinary Studies from Florida Atlantic University. As an advocate for children, she believes the Socratic teaching approach is ideal. Meeting a scholar in the space where they learn is critical to their success. With thirty years of teaching experience, she has had the privilege of watching her earliest students graduate college and launch careers in various fields.

LEAD SCIENCE EDUCATOR

Sammy started her journey outside studying birds after graduating from Texas A&M University with a BS in Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences in 2012. Fortunately, she realized quickly that birds do not talk back to you & it gets lonely working outside by oneself. This led her to the Collin County Adventure Camp where she got her first taste of teaching & fell in love. Soon after she got her Texas teaching certificate in secondary science (then later her Florida middle sciences & chemistry certifications), got a job teaching chemistry, lit her science table on fire for her students on the first day of school & it was all uphill from there. After 10 years of teaching in the classroom & coaching tennis, she stepped out to work with Wekiva Island, TLC & Idea Bar on their various education programs after having her first, very amazing child. Sammy is loving this new & exciting turn in her education career & cannot wait to see what comes next!

PROGRAM DIRECTOR & ENGLISH EDUCATOR

Katherine is a passionate, enthusiastic educator who finds joy in helping students develop a deep love and appreciation for learning. She believes in the power of literature and the arts to transform learning. With a B.A. in English Literature from Arizona State University (2019), she empowers students of all ages to discover their potential in English, grammar, literature, and history. Her journey with T.L.C. and Idea Bar began in 2023, where she continues to inspire young minds.

ADVANCED MATH EDUCATOR & ARTIST

Brianna Risner joined the TLC team in 2020, initially working with scholars needing SAT and ACT prep; she also worked with our college-level students with mathematics. Brianna now works with advanced math students from grade six through college level. Specializing in AP and Honors Maths, including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus, Calculus I, Calculus II, and Statistics, Brianna is a self-professed “nerd” and an accomplished artist. She connects with our students on many levels and brings a unique sense of humor and passion into her lessons.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR

Christine has been an educator for 30 years. She started my career in New York City before moving down to Florida to continue my education career and raise a family. She has been working for TLC Tutoring for a little more than two years and love the family and kids centered atmosphere that it provides. She looks forward to helping your child grow.

SECONDARY READING & HISTORY EDUCATOR

Sarah is a teacher with 18 years of experience. She has taught high school Reading, History, and Thinking Skills.  She is certified in Social Studies 6-12, ESOL, and has a Reading Endorsement.  She has tutored at all grade levels over the years, and loves working with a wide variety of students.  She grew up in a small town in West Virginia, and then moved to Florida.  She got her degree in Psychology, from Palm Beach Atlantic University. There she met her husband, Tim, and together they have a 10 year old son who brings them both joy.  They all love to travel together and experience new things.  Sarah believes strongly in the importance of teaching kids in a fun and friendly way, encouraging them to explore topics that they are personally interested in. She also finds it important to make lessons practical and applicable to real life, so that students see the value in what they are learning.

SCIENCE EDUCATOR

From her earliest years, Denise harbored a deep love for nature, with her first pet being a worm housed in a ketchup bottle at age four. This lifelong passion blossomed into a diverse journey, including studying marine biology in Northern California's tidepools, working at a zoo, and researching insect populations in Australia. She even dedicates a couple of months each summer to Alaska. Denise holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biology and Education from Pacific Union College. Over her 34-year career, primarily in Fairfax County, Virginia, she has taught various subjects from fifth through tenth grade. Early on, she recognized the unique learning styles of each child. She champions a hands-on approach to learning, fostering critical thinking skills through engaging and enjoyable activities. Denise excels at connecting concepts across the curriculum, which deepens understanding in all subjects and ultimately leads to improved student outcomes, enhanced well-being, and stronger problem-solving abilities.

BAND INSTRUCTOR

Wesley has a BA in Music from Rollins College, where he earned multiple awards in music composition and conducting. He has been performing, recording, and composing music for 20+ years. His teaching journey began in high school, and he has been providing music education ever since. He and his beautiful family reside in Orlando, FL.

MATH EDUCATOR

Ashley has been teaching math for over a decade, driven by the belief that every student can excel in the subject. Her philosophy centers on helping students discover a learning method that works for them. She considers it a privilege to work in education and witness students become lifelong learners. In her free time, she enjoys reading and hiking.

MATH EDUCATOR

Meet Jennifer, our resident "math sleuth." With a background in education and a passion for helping others, she excels at pinpointing a student's learning gaps. Her empathetic approach allows her to connect with students and guide them through a learning process tailored specifically to them. A native of Orlando, Jennifer's love of travel is rooted in her inquisitive nature; she enjoys immersing herself in different cultures to learn more about people.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATOR

Maggie is an experienced and highly effective teacher with 12 years of experience. She holds a Florida teaching license and a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. Throughout her career, she has taught 4th grade for four years, kindergarten for six years, and 3rd grade for three years. She is currently working on her Reading endorsement.
Beyond the classroom, Maggie has run an afterschool program and served on the PTA for five years. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and recently started a chicken coop with her family.

MATH EDUCATOR

Lissa is a dedicated educator with 8 years of experience, specializing in middle school math and geometry, including Algebra 1. As a tutor, she is patient, supportive, and skilled at breaking down complex concepts to help students build confidence and achieve academic success.