Staff Bios

Amanda Vogel
Director
Chicago: 312-260-7945 ex. 5
amanda@nurturingwisdom.com

Amanda Vogel has been vice president of Nurturing Wisdom for six years and is thrilled to have achieved her dream of opening a school. Prior to working for Nurturing Wisdom, Amanda earned a master’s degree in special education from Truman State University and taught 5th through 8th grade special education classes for four years. Her teaching experience made her an expert in differentiating and creating curriculum for a diverse set of learners.  At Nurturing Wisdom tutoring, Amanda has written curriculum for all types of tutoring: executive functioning, academic programs, and test preparation.  At Nurturing Wisdom Academy, Amanda uses this expertise to ensure that the Academy’s curriculum is fully customized for students of all ability levels, including those who are gifted or have learning differences.

Jessica Staum
Assistant Director & Literature/Writing Teacher

Jessica graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in English, and later completed a certification program in Language Arts Education. She has worked in many facets of education: as a classroom assistant, a tutor for English language learners, a university registrar, and a testing specialist.   It is almost impossible to find Jessica without a book, and she’s very passionate about helping children develop a life-long enthusiasm for reading.   Her favorite quote is one by Albert Einstein who struggled in school, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking it is stupid.”   Every person has a special gift to share with the world and Jessica’s passion lies with helping students achieve their full potential as writers, readers, and thinkers.

Laura Byrd
Literature/Writing & History Teacher

Laura has a degree in Middle Childhood Education with specialties in both Language Arts and Social Studies.  Laura is extremely passionate about literature and history.  She loves history because it is so much like great literature: “there are power struggles, deception, love, philosophy, and war.”  She uses this passion to make the story of history come alive for her students.  Her favorite historical periods occurred in Ancient Greece and at the dawn of American history.  Laura is originally from North Carolina and once worked as a set designer before finding her true passion in education.

Abigail Zillner
Math Teacher

Abby has known from a young age that she wanted to help others learn to appreciate the magical world of mathematics. After graduating from IMSA, Abby went on to earn a degree in mathematics from Grinnell College. She has over six years of one-on-one tutoring experience, on subjects ranging from elementary school mathematics to Calculus (and beyond!). Abby is one of our most requested tutors for math, test preparation, and executive functioning. She also spends much of her time at Nurturing Wisdom coaching other tutors to teach mathematics.

Alyssa DeCesari
Drama Teacher

Alyssa DeCesari is an experienced teacher and tutor with a BFA in theatre arts, master’s degree in education and years of experience in the classroom.  Alyssa brings with her the unique experience of teaching in Australia, where she taught at an innovative school that specialized in integrated and project-based learning. Since textbooks are less common in Australia, Alyssa also had the opportunity to create materials and curriculum for all of her classes.  Her teaching experience includes extensive experience teaching drama and directing students in theatre performances. Alyssa also works at Nurturing Wisdom Tutoring, where she oversees curriculum design and coaches tutors.

Julia Wollrab
Spanish Teacher

Julia has a BA from the University of Chicago and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors in Latin American Studies with a minor in Art History. Before attending college, Julia worked for two decades as a professional ballet and contemporary dancer in Europe, Canada, and the US. She has taught dance and English, and tutors history, writing, math, French, and Spanish. Julia is passionate about languages, history, arts, and culture, and is especially excited to share her passion for foreign language as a way to expand students’ capacities for communication and knowledge.

Jackie Santcaterina
Fitness Teacher

Jackie has been involved in sports and fitness for almost 20 years. She has competed competitively in most sports, but soccer is her true love. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Community Health. She played soccer for the University and continues to play professionally for the Chicago Red Stars. She is NASM certified as a Personal Enhancement Specialist and fitness instructor. Jackie loves motivating and helping kids learn to love fitness and activity in general.