meet the educators
how it all started
Laura founded Laura Giske Tutoring in 2019 after years of working as a classroom teacher. While she loved the excitement of a classroom community, Laura yearned to form a more personal connection with her students. She noticed how much her students thrived with more individualized attention. Working one-on-one with students has allowed Laura to use her knowledge of pedagogy and experience with children to customize a learning plan for each individual student. Laura’s favorite part about tutoring children is the opportunity to build and maintain deeply personal connections with students throughout their years of learning. She can think of no greater joy than seeing some of her students grow from hesitant early elementary learners to confident, curious pre-teens, secure in their academic skills and places in their intellectual communities. Laura wholeheartedly believes that the greatest progress is made when an educator combines high standards with engaging learning and compassionate teaching. These are the core tenets upon which Laura Giske Tutoring is founded. Laura could not be prouder or more grateful for the opportunity to work with students and help support their personal and academic growth.
Alicia knew that she wanted to be a teacher since she was three and started her education at Juan de Lanuza, a prestigious independent dual language school in Zaragoza, Spain. She sat looking up at her teacher and thought, “One day, I want to be like her.” Alicia moved to the United States when she was 17 in order to play college golf while studying to become a teacher. Alicia graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Mathematics at Hannibal-LaGrange University, where she achieved Suma Cum Laude with a 4.0, Pi Lambda Theta, and Alpha Chi. She also won the awards of Capital One Academic All-America Team and Dakatronics NAIA-Women’s Golf Scholar Athlete. After graduating, Alicia taught 5th grade at A.D. Stowell Elementary School.
Jenny has a passion for teaching and has extensive experience both in the classroom and on a one-to-one basis. Jenny completed her undergraduate education at the University of Michigan where she studied Communications and graduated with honors. She then completed a dual masters in Childhood and Special Education at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education and was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education. Jenny then taught at PS 158 for 13 years, both as a classroom teacher, as well as an academic interventionist. She supervised and mentored new teachers, student teachers, and literacy interns. Jenny has privately tutored students ranging from grades 3-6.
Samantha has a passion for making education accessible and engaging for all. She studied Developmental Psychology at Bard College, where she worked as a research assistant conducting studies to determine the impact of social-emotional support on academic success among high school students. From this experience, she knew she wanted to be more involved in the classroom and found elementary education to be the most fulfilling.
After graduating with a Bachelors of Science, she moved to New York City to work as a Lead Teacher in Brooklyn.
Allison is a seasoned English Language Arts teacher, with an expertise in writing. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Elementary Education and holds a dual Master's Degree in Elementary Education, Special Education and Behavioral Disorders from Hunter College. Allison has been a committed classroom teacher at The Gould School in North Caldwell, NJ for 14 years as the 5th grade Language Arts teacher. Allison’s hope is to inspire a love of learning in all her students as she shares her own passion for education with them. She knows that her own excitement for discovering new skills and fine-tuning old skills shines brightly through her eagerness for children to become successful independent learners. Allison believes that individualized tutoring provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. She looks forward to sessions filled with a lot of learning, discovering, growing, and of course, some fun!
Lauren is a passionate and energetic educator. Even as a young child, she has always dreamt of becoming a teacher, wanting to be a consistent positive influence on her students, just like her teachers were for her. Lauren graduated from Syracuse University Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education. She then went to study at Columbia University’s Teachers College to get her Master’s in Literacy Education. During her time at Teachers College, she interned at PS 11 and PS 158 in Manhattan. From there, she became a Head 2nd grade Teacher at PS 158. Additionally, Lauren has had experience in grades 1-5 throughout her undergraduate and graduate years. Lauren is currently teaching in the classroom at PS 158, where she uses Columbia University’s Teachers College Reading and Writing Project’s curriculum for reading, writing, and phonics workshops. She also uses TERC Investigations and Contexts for Learning for Math.
Samantha has a passion for Special Education and has taught in the classroom for both Middle School and High School students since 2016. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan. During her time as a NYC Teaching Fellow, Samantha earned a Master's Degree in Special Education from Relay Graduate School of Education, where she graduated with honors. She holds a license in both Special Education (grades 7-12) and Middle School Generalist (grades 5-9). Samantha has taught many subjects, with the majority being math and science based.
Amy has been an educator for over 32 years. In 1992 she graduated from SUNY New Paltz earning a B.A in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. In 2002, she graduated from Seton Hall University with a masters in Supervision and Curriculum. Over her career, Amy has been recognized as a teacher leader. She has written curriculum for her district and led professional development for her colleagues. Amy has been a member of NCTM, National Council of Teaching Mathematics.
Sarah is a respected early childhood teacher who takes a personal interest in the success of students. She believes age-appropriate instruction, utilizing various instructional strategies and technology, are key to a student’s success. She graduated with honors from New England College with a degree in Elementary Education. Shortly after, Sarah received her Master’s Degree from Fordham University, obtaining her teaching certificate in Early Childhood and Special Education. While at Fordham, Sarah was inducted into the National Honors Society, Kappa Delta Pi.
Haley is a passionate educator who believes that all students are capable of successful learning! Her passion for teaching developed at a young age while living around the world and learning from many different cultures. Haley attended the University of Miami and received degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education with Summa Cum Laude honors. Additionally, she received endorsements in Reading and TESOL, and double majored in Spanish.
After this, Haley went on to study within the Literacy Specialist Master’s Program at Columbia University Teachers College. While at Teachers College, she worked as Literacy Specialist fellow and assisted faculty with professional development on various literacy topics. During this time, she interned at PS 158, a public elementary school on the Upper East Side, where she then went on to become a Head Teacher after graduation.
While teaching in a fourth grade classroom at PS 158, she uses Columbia Teachers College Reading and Writing Project’s curriculum for reading and writing workshops and TERC Investigations and Contexts for Learning for math instruction. Throughout her career, Haley has been tutoring students ranging from grades 2 to 12.
Sara has been an educator for over 20 years. In 1999 she graduated Cum Lade from Drew University with a degree in Behavioral Sciences. She worked for a number of years for a Boston-based company, Talbots. In late 2003, she decided to pursue a Masters of Education at Kean University where she graduated, with honors, in 2006 as part of the Educational Honor Society, Kappa Delta Phi.
Laura can think of no greater path than working with children, fostering their love of learning, and helping them reach their goals.
Laura first experienced this type of education and fell in love with learning as a student at Newark Academy, one of the oldest and most established New Jersey independent schools. From there, Laura continued her education at The George Washington University where she studied Communications and Psychology, and ultimately achieved Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and was awarded the honor of Academic Merit Scholar.
Lily is a passionate educator that empowers her students. Lily knew she wanted to be an educator from an early age by volunteering at multiple after school programs, tutoring children, and assisting in social skills groups for children with Autism. Lily graduated from Syracuse University’s Inclusive Elementary and Special Education program with a minor in disability studies where she received many honors. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors, receiving a 4.0 GPA, and was the Vice President of Kappa Delta Pi National Honors Society of Education.
Alexa has always known that she wanted to be a teacher and work with children. She is passionate and dedicated and works to create a fun, positive, and successful learning environment for every student.
Alexa earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from The University of Maryland, Summa Cum Laude Honors, and was secretary of Kappa Delta Pi, National Honors Society of Education. Alexa then received her master’s degree in Intellectual Disabilities and Autism from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is also certified in Orton-Gillingham’s science of reading training.
Maureen is a devoted teacher with extensive experience both in the classroom and in a one-to-one setting. Maureen holds a Master of Science degree in Special Education and a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College. She received her Reading Recovery certification from New York University.
Throughout her 30-year career, she has taught kindergarten through fifth grade in both general education and special education settings. She has served as an academic interventionist and has mentored new teachers, student teachers and literacy interns.
Samantha Steinberg is a passionate and dedicated educator. Samantha has a deep understanding of child development and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Samantha went on to earn a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Bridgeport. Samantha graduated with a 4.0 GPA and received the Outstanding Elementary Scholarship in Mathematics Education Award. Samantha holds a teaching certification in grades K-6.
Samantha's professional journey has seen her excel as both a head classroom teacher and lower school learning specialist at schools in Westchester (The Leffell School) and New York City (Ramaz School), guiding students through their academic endeavors.
Alison has dreamed of being a teacher for as long as she can remember. This led her to earn her Bachelor's Degree in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education at Syracuse University. She was then awarded a merit scholarship to the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her Masters Degree in Reading/Writing/Literacy. Her work for her Masters Portfolio was awarded by the University, and is still used as a model for current/future students to this day.
