Our Administrative Team
Pari Schacht
President
Chicago: 312-260-7945 ex. 4
San Francisco: 415-963-9229 ex. 2
pari@nurturingwisdom.com
While teaching at New Trier High School, Pari found that she was able to give her students the highest caliber of education while working with them one-on-one and customizing to their needs. She has since grown her passion into an elite fleet of over 100 tutors who are chosen because of their ability to teach, nurture, and relate to students. Pari originally founded Nurturing Wisdom in Chicago and has now expanded it to San Francisco. As the company grows, Pari remains dedicated to putting our students first, seeking the right match between tutor and student, and maintaining the highest standards in recruiting tutors.
Amanda Vogel
Vice President
Chicago: 312-260-7945 ex. 5
San Francisco: 415-963-9229 ex. 3
amanda@nurturingwisdom.com
Amanda Vogel has spent four years in the classroom and seven years as a tutor doing what she’s most passionate about: individualizing to the needs of every one of her students. With a master’s degree in special education and a passion for building both confidence and skills, Amanda oversees recruiting, develops curriculum, and is extremely excited to oversee the development of the Nurturing Wisdom Academy! Amanda’s vision and expertise are the foundations of Nurturing Wisdom’s tutoring methodology and a large part of our student’s growth and success.
Heather Roan
Communications Director
Chicago: 312-260-7945 ex. 6
San Francisco: 415-963-9229 ex. 4
heather@nurturingwisdom.com
Heather has spent many years working with high school students as a tutor, teacher, and coach. She earned a master’s degree in education from Benedictine University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Illinois at Springfield. At Nurturing Wisdom, Heather teaches a wide variety of subjects, including all areas of the ACT, executive functioning, math, and writing. Heather also helps write curriculum, hire high quality tutors, and provide orientations to our tutors. She is also a tutoring director and helps monitor students and set up tutoring in our city and west regions.
Alyssa DeCesari
Curriculum Director
312-260-7945 ex. 3
alyssa@nurturingwisdom.com
Alyssa is an experienced teacher and tutor with a master’s degree in education and years of experience in the classroom. She brings with her the unique experience of teaching in Australia, where she taught English and drama at an innovative school that specialized in integrated and project-based learning. Since textbooks are uncommon in Australia, Alyssa also had the opportunity to create materials and curriculum for all of her classes. At Nurturing Wisdom, Alyssa tutors a variety of subjects, including high school entrance test prep, ACT/SAT, reading, math and writing. In addition to designing and overseeing Nurturing Wisdom’s curriculum, Alyssa also coaches tutors and teaches drama at Nurturing Wisdom Academy.
Jeanne Rerucha
Tutoring Director in the Western Suburbs of Chicago
312-260-7945 ex. 7
jeanne@nurturingwisdom.com
Jeanne works with Colleen to supervise all tutoring in the Western Suburbs. She has a BA in Special Education and a Master’s as a Reading Specialist. Before working at Nurturing Wisdom, Jeanne spent eight years teaching special education and reading in the classroom, as well as serving as a professional development provider. Jeanne loves meeting new families and helping them create individualized tutoring plans to make each student successful. Jeanne’s positive attitude and resourcefulness make her a valuable team member. When not working, Jeanne spends her time with her three little girls!
Colleen Hagen
Tutoring Director in the Western Suburbs of Chicago
312-260-7945 ex. 102
colleen@nurturingwisdom.com
Colleen holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in educational leadership. With eight years of experience teaching high school mathematics and more than ten years of tutoring experience, Colleen brings a passion for helping students appreciate their individual strengths and acknowledge their weaknesses. She is motivating, inspiring, and approachable. Her specialties include ACT Prep, study skills, and math support. Colleen appreciates the fact that the greatest success can be achieved when all parties – student, tutor, and parents - work together. She ensures this by regularly communicating with parents. With a background in math, Colleen regularly collects data and makes data-driven decisions to ensure that she is using best practices with her students.
Erin Doyle
Tutoring Director in the City of Chicago
312-260-7945 ex. 2
erin@nurturingwisdom.com
Erin works with Sarah to coordinate all tutoring in the city of Chicago. She holds a B.A. in elementary education and an M.Ed. in human development and learning. After fifteen years in the classroom as an English language arts and special education teacher in Illinois and Massachusetts, Erin jumped at the opportunity to become a student-tutor matchmaker! She is most gratified by figuring out students’ learning styles and helping tutors customize their approach with each student. Appreciating the parents’ role in their child’s education, Erin also enjoys communicating with parents about their child’s history, current performance, and goals for the future.
Sarah Bracken
Tutoring Director in the City of Chicago
312-260-7945 ex. 108
sbracken@nurturingwisdom.com
Sarah Bracken is a passionate educator with a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Sarah has extensive experience tutoring with Nurturing Wisdom, specializing in test prep, reading and writing. Prior to working with Nurturing Wisdom, Sarah had the unique experience of working with teens and adults with mental health issues, which has honed her skills as an educator. Sarah has a passion for learning about her students individually and creating a positive learning experience! At Nurturing Wisdom, Sarah works with Erin to coordinate tutoring in Chicago and the surrounding west and south suburbs.
Christian Huynh
Tutoring Director on the Northshore of Chicago
312-260-7945 ex. 100
christian@nurturingwisdom.com
Christian has her BA in elementary education from the University of Michigan and her master’s degree in cultural and educational policy studies. She has six years of experience teaching elementary students, as well as experience teaching English to international families studying at the University of Michigan. Christian loves understanding and meeting the needs of students. She has worked with students of all ages, from elementary through high school. At Nurturing Wisdom, Christian works with Sara and Sudeshna to coordinate all tutoring on the Northshore of Chicago. Christian also tutors students in writing, executive functioning skills, test prep, and more!
Sudeshna Epping
Tutoring Director on the Northshore of Chicago
312-260-7945 ex. 8
sudeshna@nurturingwisdom.com
Sudeshna has a dual degree in Statistics and Actuarial Science from Purdue University. After 5 years as an Actuary, she followed her true passion of teaching. Sudeshna has experience teaching high school math in the classroom and extensive experience tutoring a wide range of students, from junior high through college. At Nurturing Wisdom, Sudeshna tutors math and executive functioning, and helps students prepare for the ACT and SAT. Sudeshna works with Christian and Sara to coordinate all tutoring on the Northshore.
Sam Libretti
Tutoring Director in the Western Suburbs of Chicago
312.260.7945 ex. 107
sam@nurturingwisdom.com
Sam is an experienced educator with a master’s degree in education. In addition to working with Jeanne and Colleen supervising tutoring in the Western Suburbs, he has been a Nurturing Wisdom tutor for everything from reading and writing to test prep and executive functioning. Prior to Nurturing Wisdom, Sam was an educational coordinator for adults with autism. Sam’s favorite part about being a tutoring director is helping our students make definitive progress.
Alexis Bartlow
Tutoring Director, San Francisco & Bay Area
415-963-9229 ex. 100
alexis@nurturingwisdom.com
Alexis Bartlow graduated magna cum laude with a BA in sociology and minor in education with an emphasis in teacher preparation. An educator at heart, Alexis joined Nurturing Wisdom after six years of teaching and tutoring students aged four to eighteen, in everything from test preparation to ballet. She appreciates the unique challenge and opportunity each student presents and strives to provide as personalized a tutoring experience as possible. At Nurturing Wisdom, Alexis is the Bay Area Tutoring Director and also tutors students in multiple subjects.
Lauren Berg
Tutoring Coach
312-260-7945 ex. 112
lauren@nurturingwisdom.com
Lauren is a certified teacher with a degree in education from the University of Evansville. She is a highly experienced tutor, and works with students on everything from academic subjects and executive functioning to test prep. She is an ACT expert with a special gift for encouraging and motivating students. On NW’s staff development team, Lauren extends her expertise to coaching other tutors, writing curriculum, grading tests, and coordinating proctored tests.
Abigail Zillner
Tutoring Coach
312-260-7945 ex. 113
abigail@nurturingwisdom.com
Abby has a degree in mathematics from Grinnell College and over seven years of one-on-one tutoring experience. Abby has tutored middle school, high school, and college students in math ranging from pre-algebra to calculus. She is an expert on executive functioning, the ACT, and high school entrance tests. She loves the challenge of helping students understand new concepts and is excited by the success of her students. Abby is an integral part of the hiring team at Nurturing Wisdom, conducting interviews and welcoming new tutors, in addition to writing curriculum and grading student tests.
Angie Porché
Administrative Assistant
angie@nurturingwisdom.com
Angie graduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Social Work. She is currently working on her master’s degree in school counseling from St. Xavier University. As Nurturing Wisdom’s Administrative Assistant, Angie coordinates with the administrative team and the tutors, facilitating the distribution of books, tests, and other materials. She also handles a variety of other tasks, including proctored test preparation, editing, material orders, and printing projects.
Melissa Sweeterman
Tutoring Coach
415-963-9229 ex. 5 or 312-260-7945 ex. 101
melissa@nurturingwisdom.com
Melissa graduated summa cum laude from the University of Evansville with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. After teaching in an inner-city charter school, Melissa joined our tutoring team. Melissa has experience tutoring ACT and HSET tests, executive functioning, and elementary, middle school, and high school subjects. As part of NW’s staff development team, Melissa is involved in the hiring process, billing and timecards, test grading, and coaching.