Our team
Mary Mangiacotti
MS Ed. in Reading
Meet Mary - a seasoned literacy/reading specialist and writing teacher with a love for Bruce Springsteen, walks in nature, and hosting friends and family at her ski house in Vermont. Mary is married with two children and shares her home with her three dogs.
With a Master's degree and teaching certification as a literacy/reading specialist from Fordham University, Mary has spent her 30-plus-year career teaching a variety of grades. Her experience ranges from first through twelfth grades, community college basic reading skills, and executive functioning coach for junior high through college. As an Orton-Gillingham trained reading tutor, Mary is well-versed in the Spalding Method of Reading and Writing, Wilson Language Fundations, and the Science of Reading. In her one-on-one sessions, she emphasizes a structured multi-sensory phonics approach that includes spelling, handwriting, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Throughout her career, Mary has developed a toolbox of writing strategies, from essential grammar to simple structures that enable students to write well organized, compelling essays. She runs writing camps for students of various ages that focus on memoir, narrative, persuasive, literary-analysis, and document-based essays.
In addition, Mary works as an executive functioning coach for students in junior high school through college, helping them with organizational and time management skills. She is also an experienced test prep tutor for the verbal sections of the SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE. She has helped hundreds of students prepare for their standardized tests, enabling them to achieve the scores they need to gain acceptance into their desired high schools and colleges.
With her diverse experience and dedication to teaching, Mary is an excellent match for students looking to improve their reading, writing, and test-prep skills.
Joy Stewart
MS Ed. in Mathematics
Meet Joy - an experienced educator, avid runner, basket-maker, and skilled cook. Joy has been married for over 30 years and has three wonderful boys, as well as three beloved dogs.
Joy's extensive educational background spans over 30 years, with a Master's degree in math. She has worked as a reading and math specialist for four years, taught upper-school math for six years, and has 17 years of experience teaching kindergarten. Joy has worked with students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and has developed a deep understanding of how students learn and process math concepts.
Joy's philosophy of teaching centers around supporting students with conceptual understanding rather than just skill-based learning. She believes in recognizing the individual learner and building knowledge based on the student's foundation skills and how they approach math. Joy meets students where they are at and builds their content knowledge based on what they already know and their thought process when they encounter math.
In addition to her passion for education, Joy enjoys running and has set a goal to run a half marathon in each state. She has been making baskets for 30 years and is skilled in cooking and baking. Joy's diverse interests and experiences allow her to connect with students in a unique way and bring a well-rounded perspective to her teaching approach.
If you are looking for a tutor who is passionate about teaching and committed to helping students build a strong foundation in math, Joy is the perfect fit.
