MEET US!
We are a group of college volunteers hoping to help teachers, parents, and students mitigate the negative effects of remote learning. We hope to create a positive and educational experience for our students and parents, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve!
LEADERSHIP TEAM
.jpeg)
XINRU LI
Founder
Xinru is a rising junior at Brown University concentrating in music and originally from Chicago. In the past, Xinru has taught 3rd graders at D'Abate Elementary School, as well as tutored violin and viola with her local elementary and middle schools. Fun fact: Xinru went to 5 different schools in 5 years!
.jpg)
SUSAN HASEGAWA
Operations Director
Susan is a rising junior at Brown University concentrating in cognitive neuroscience and is from Honolulu, Hawaii. Her favorite subjects are music and science. Although she does not have much experience with formal teaching, she wants to reach as many students as possible and help them learn and have fun while doing so!
.jpeg)
SHANZEH SAYIED
Co-Education Director
Shanzeh Sayied is a junior at Brown University and is majoring in neuroscience. She has been teaching other students since high school because she believes mentoring and encouragement can go a long way in helping students develop a love of learning. Shanzeh has previously taught elementary and middle school students in subjects such as science, math, reading, and writing.

ANNIE HUANG
Co-Education Director
Annie is a rising junior at Brown University originally from New Jersey and studying biochemistry. She has previously tutored students in math and music, but also loves biology and reading short stories. Fun fact: her favorite fruit is a plum.
.jpeg)
KAITLYN MI
Research Director
Kaitlyn is a rising junior at Brown University studying Cognitive Neuroscience, but she is originally from Tennessee. She taught chess to elementary schoolers in the Nashville community for four summers, is an active tutor for GoPeer, and was an after-school mentor at William D'bate Elementary School. In her free time, Kaitlyn plays with her two cats, Yolk and Flower.

LISA YU LI
Web & Design Director
Lisa is a rising junior at Brown concentrating in Visual Arts and Behavioral Decision Sciences. She was born and raised in Mexico City, and is interested in nonprofit and social service fields. She was a summer camp counselor in Mexico, and has taught elementary school students in Providence. A fun fact is that she loves hot cheetos and takis (both the snacks and the song).

SUNGYI CHO
Operations Director
Sungyi (pronounced "sung - ee") is a junior at Washington University in St. Louis studying Psychology and Economics. She grew up in the suburb Niles and loves Chicago favorites like Do-rite Donuts and the Tamale Guy! Her tutoring experience includes teaching North Korean refugees English, and being a Teaching Buddy.

AIKO CASTREJON
Operations Director
Aiko is a freshman at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is majoring in accounting. She was born and raised in Chicago and has experience tutoring elementary school students at Chicago Public Schools reading and writing. A fun fact is that she has two dogs, Cookie and Pebbles.

AMBER SEONG
Internal Community Director
Amber is a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign majoring in molecular and cellular biology with a minor in psychology. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs, and has experience teaching children and teenagers how to play tennis and tutoring children for Teaching Buddies! Some of her hobbies include playing tennis, piano, cooking, and crocheting.

MEGAN MANNE
Finance Director
Megan is a freshman at the University of Michigan majoring in Economics and minoring in Sustainability. She is originally from Chicago and has been working with children for over four years. Some of her hobbies include baking, calligraphy, playing lacrosse, and traveling.

VANESSA VAZQUEZ
Outreach Director
COMING SOON!

OLIVIA NOWAK
Head Tutor Grades K-2
Olivia is a rising junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying Kinesiology. In the past, Olivia taught children and adults how to swim so she was ready to dive right into Teaching Buddies. Fun fact: Olivia has performed in both Europe and South America with her polish folklore dance group, Wici Song and Dance Co.

LAUREN MELTON
Head Tutor Grades 3-5
Lauren is a freshman at the University of Illinois at Chicago and is majoring in nursing. She has experience tutoring middle school and high school students in math. Fun fact: She had been doing archery for 10 years!

SIERRA RABE
Head Tutor Grades 6-8
Sierra is a Sophomore at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a major in Biological Sciences on a Pre-Med track. She has grown up in the suburbs of Chicago most of her life. In the past, she has taught special needs gymnastics and tutored while touring internationally! Fun Fact: She has 2 cats, a dog, and a bunny!
OUR TEACHING BUDDIES
KASIA KLIMEK
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
STEPHANIE CHEE
Northwestern University
ELLEN GILBERT
Illinois Wesleyan University
SHANZEH SAYIED
Brown University
ISABEL CARMONA
University of Illinois at Chicago
BRYLIE NOE
Washington University in St. Louis
ASHA MAHAJAN
University of Louisville
ANNIE HUANG
Brown University
JESSICA WANG
Washington University in St. Louis
SARA MORADI
Bates College
ABBY DOYLE
Loyola University Chicago
GRACE HAMBOURGER
University of Denver
MOLLIE SOLOMON
University of South Carolina
AMBER SEONG
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
AIKO CASTREJON
University of Illinois at Chicago
SARA TOLVA
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
HOORIYA RATHUER
University of Illinois at Chicago
VIDYA BABU
University of Illinois at Chicago
ELIZABETH GONZALEZ
University of Illinois at Chicago
RACHAEL SALDANHA
Loyola University Chicago
FATIMA GHULAM
Loyola University Chicago
SARAH PHELPS
University of Illinois at Chicago
MEGAN WINES
Loyola University Chicago
CARLY UHLIG
University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
ARLETTE OSAGIE
University of Illinois at Chicago
ANNALISE BORDENET
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
JESSICA YOON
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
NATALIE PEREZ
Loyola Marymount University
MIKAYLA BRECHON
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
TARA ENTEZAR
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
MARY COLEMAN
University of Illinois at Chicago
VANESSA VAZQUEZ
Oakton Community College
SABINE VERA
University of Illinois at Chicago
KARINA CASAS
University of Illinois at Chicago
ARIANA PESTANO-HOLT
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
NATHAN LA MANTIA
University of Illinois at Chicago
ASHWINI DESHPANDE
University of Illinois at Chicago
OLIVIA NOWAK
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign
LYNZIE HOREJS
Loyola University Chicago
DAVID ZHOU
University of Illinois at Chicago
MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ
Loyola University Chicago
DANBI LIM
Emory University
RUBY WOLETZ
Loyola University Chicago
MEGAN MANNE
University of Michigan
JESSA SHORTRIDGE
Northwestern University
LAUREN MELTON
University of Illinois at Chicago
OUR MENTORS
KARA SILVERGLAT
Teacher at National Teachers Academy
OUR SPONSORS
