Our Team
Leadership
Alexis A.
Founder / CEO
Alexis A.
Frequently quoted by U.S. News & World Report, Alexis founded Prepped and Polished to help elementary, secondary, college-level, and adult students maximize their comprehension and overall growth in a variety of subjects. While tutoring for several small and large commercial test prep companies, Alexis envisioned founding his own independent educational service run entirely by educators whose passion for education acted as the primary driving force behind its pedagogy.
Alexis and other members of the Prepped and Polished team have collectively traveled one hundred thousand miles to educate students in person, working with well over a thousand families. Described by students as engaging and effective, Prepped and Polished’s teaching philosophy has helped students of all ages gain confidence, maximize their academic potential, and achieve dramatically improved grades and test scores.
Said by one of his clients:
“I have know Alexis personally and professionally for over 25 years. Since we met at the University of Michigan until now with my daughter receiving tutoring from his company, Alexis has always approached life with a great drive for success, empathy and compassion for others as well as enthusiasm to find the joy and humor in whatever he does. With these attributes and outlook coupled with his pride for his Puerto Rican family and traditions, Alexis has always looked for and drawn to him a diverse group of individuals in his life. For example, through the Big Brothers/Big Sister program he has served as a big brother to a young man from Cape Verde for over 15 years and truly treated this individual as family. In college, Alexis tutored students at the local middle school and this passion to help young persons evolved into his successful business which has not only tutored 1000s of kids but also employed many tutors and grown into a global Social media platform that brings together experts to help students and families cope with countless issues that confront families. Alexis is a shining example of how one can have great business and personal success and have a tremendous impact to the community”.
Alexis is a certified school guidance counselor for grades Pre-K through 12th with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Film from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; furthermore, he acquired a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (a US News ranked top-five Counseling Psychology program). He also spent his junior year living in Seville, Spain through the Cornell, Pennsylvania, University of Michigan study abroad program. He completed a two-day seminar in Executive Function disorder, a one-day seminar on Advanced Strategies to Improve Executive Function Skills, and even a 15-hour online course in Study Skills: Strategies to Support Executive Function all through the Landmark School Outreach Program in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Alexis regularly gives speeches regarding tutoring, test preparation, and student learning challenges to parents and professionals at schools and conferences across the U.S. These schools/conferences include, but are not limited to, the SEPAC organizations in Dover, Sudbury, and Wayland, MA; the IECA; CollegeWeek Live; the National Test Prep Association (NTPA); and the BIPOC Business Owner’s Panel presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association. Alexis also writes and produces videos for his educational blog and podcast, which has over 300 videos and 1 million views/listens.
Some notable guests who appeared on the Prepped and Polished podcast include ex-NBA player and motivational speaker Chris Herron as well as the New York Times Best Selling Author and frequent CNN guest Frank Bruni. Alexis leads SAT Math Strategies and SAT Strategy Secrets Workshops at various local high schools while also administering the ACT-SAT Test Prep Selector Diagnostic and Evaluation at several college fairs.
A Dedicated Tutor and Leader
Alexis is a member of professional organizations such as the University of Michigan Alumni Association (Alumni Student Recruiter), the Wellesley Community Children’s Center (Board of Directors), the Charles River MetroWest Chamber of Commerce (Scholarship Committee), the Wellesley Public Schools Cell Phone Task Force, the National Test Prep Association (NTPA), the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and also non-profit organizations such as Bridge over Troubled Waters, Mass Mentoring, Community Servings, and Recovery Works. He has been an active member of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America since 2003 and was nominated in 2010 as one of the final five finalists for Big Brother of the Year.
Alexis ran in three Boston Marathons from 2012-2014, collectively raising 15,000 dollars for two youth mentoring programs, Mass Mentoring and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America. In 2020 and 2023, Alexis was honored to be named one of the 50 most influential business people of color in the Charles River MetroWest Region of Massachusetts.
Stacie R.
Admissions Specialist
Stacie R.
Stacie has 15 years of experience working with high school students as a guidance counselor. She values relationship building with students and working with them individually. She has a focus on leading students to discover their own questions, particularly asking themselves to look inward at their own individual values and interests so they feel empowered in their decision making. She sees the future planning process and college search to be an invaluable opportunity for young people to begin learning skills that will carry into their adult lives as they begin exploring careers and their own life pursuits.
Stacie brings into her work her appreciation for Mindfulness and Growth Mindset practices. She has studied and practiced yoga for 20 years which has included 200 Teacher Training along with many workshops and retreats.
Prior to becoming a guidance counselor, Stacie worked in radio and tv news and studied architecture and design. She has a masters in School Counseling from Suffolk University, an Associates in Architectural Technology from Onondaga Community College, and a Bachelors in Communications from SUNY Oswego.
Stacie is originally from Central New York – the Finger Lakes Region – and has been in the Boston area since the early 2000’s. She loves being outside, walking, reading, swimming, design projects, and being with her two goofy German Shepherd dogs.
Tracy S.
Office Director
Tracy S.
Tracy joins Prepped and Polished as an experienced Office Manager and Executive Assistant. Over a 23 year career she has worked in the Middle East and the UK. She was an EA for a major Management Consultancy company, and worked as an Office Manager for 2 startups. Tracy and her family moved to the USA in 2011 and she now brings her skills to Prepped and Polished. She lives in MetroWest and is a keen gardener. Tracy is also an avid cook and enjoys hiking with her husband and dog.
Diane F.
Creative Specialist
Diane F.
Diane is a graphic designer and illustrator and has worked with many small businesses and organizations to establish and support their visual identities. She earned her BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University. Her portfolio includes a broad spectrum of marketing and promotional materials, and custom invitations and stationery.
While she enjoys running, hiking, and watching true crime documentaries, Diane is happiest when spending time at Lake Winnisquam and wandering southern Maine beaches with her family. She especially loves cheering on her children during their many extra-curricular activities.
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Admissions Consultants
Casey A.
Essay Coach
Casey A.
Casey has a BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College. She has been teaching English, Spanish and test prep for over twenty years, having worked at Northeastern University and Bunker Hill Community College among many other places. In the course of her career, she has worked with students of all ages and skill levels from all over the world. Casey believes in creating a relaxed class atmosphere but encourages her students to strive for excellence. She feels that students learn best when they have a warm, trusting relationship with their teachers and see that what they are learning is relevant to their own lives.
To this end, she seeks to bring language to life through activities that connect the students to their society, such as writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper or interviewing a leader in their community. She also loves literature and sharing her favorite works with students whenever possible. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, tennis, and volunteer work. She currently lives in Barcelona.
Demi V.
Essay Coach
Demi V.
Demi is an Adjunct Journalism Professor at Emerson College and an accomplished journalist, editor, and consultant. She is the founder of The Urban Watch Magazine and has written for CNN, The Washington Post, GBH News, and other renowned publications.
Demi is passionate about educating the next generation of leaders and is dedicated to helping every student unlock their full potential. With years of experience tutoring English, helping students prepare for tests, and guiding them through the college application process—especially admissions essays—she offers personalized support to help students succeed academically and beyond.
Outside of work, Demi enjoys spending time with her cat, reading, watching documentaries, and playing tennis.
Erin J.
Essay Coach
Erin J.
Erin is an affiliated faculty member at Emerson College, where she has been teaching in the Writing, Literature, and Publishing Department since 2016. Throughout her tenure, she has instructed a range of courses, including college composition, research writing, creative writing, and literature.
Erin holds an MFA in Fiction Writing from Emerson College, as well as an undergraduate degree in journalism from SCSU. Additionally, she serves as the Senior Writing Consultant at Emerson College’s Writing Center, where she collaborates with students on a variety of projects, including English Language Learning, essays, research assignments, deadline management, and general writing.
As an educator, Erin is committed to fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment. She strives to understand the unique needs and learning styles of each student, with the goal of nurturing their potential, building their confidence, and encouraging their growth both in writing and beyond.
Outside of teaching, Erin enjoys reading, writing, running, cooking, and spending quality time with family, friends, and her cat, Reilly.
John C.
Essay Coach
John C.
John is an accomplished educator and communicator having taught in a variety of settings from lectures to small groups to one-on-one. With an understanding of how we learn he helps the student to identify and process information from a perspective of what is important and how it relates to the whole. Drawing on the individual students’ unique abilities, experience, and understanding to digest and consider material in a way that makes sense and is easy to remember. He teaches practical tools to alleviate anxiety around test taking and performance, helping build self esteem through success. His goal is to help students to think critically, improve their focus and attention, increase retention and recall, and reduce the associated stress.
His areas of expertise in tutoring are in the sciences including biology, math, chemistry, physics. He also has a love and passion for language and writing, with accomplishments in technical and creative writing and enjoys teaching and coaching writing skills. Native fluency in Spanish.
Growing up in a small northern New Jersey town just outside of New York City, John distinguished himself as a scholar and an athlete. He attended college at Harvard University and graduated with a degree in biology and a particular interest in neuroscience. He spent a year at the C.S.I.C. in Madrid, Spain researching neurodevelopment before attending Yale University School of Medicine where his interests focussed on cardiovascular medicine. Returning to Boston, he completed his postdoctoral training in medicine and cardiovascular medicine at Boston University Medical Center before practicing as a heart rhythm specialist. He later worked at Nashoba Valley Hospital before stepping away from the practice of medicine and has been writing and mentoring college students with an interest in healthcare and biomedical careers.
He has gained expertise in meditation and is happy to share tips. An avid runner with a growing expertise in fitness and a particular interest in endurance training and longevity. Rock climbing, snowboarder. Otherwise, he is usually writing, reading, or playing guitar.
Kari P.
Essay Coach
Kari P.
Kari graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Economics and has worked in a range of fields from management consulting to yoga. As a parent of two, she sees the daily stressors on kids and the need for compassionate guidance to foster organizational skills and responsibility.
She has taught social emotional learning and mindfulness classes to middle and high school students, and is trained in both Learning to BREATHE, a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for adolescents, and the Mindful Schools curriculum. Kari helps students learn strategies to accomplish their goals while thriving as human beings.
In her free time she enjoys running, hiking, and solving crossword puzzles.
Laura A.
International Coach
Laura A.
Laura graduated from Boston University with a B.A. in International Relations and History, later earning an M.A. in History from SUNY Albany and a Ph.D. in History from American University. Her research focuses on the Holocaust and military history.
Laura has tutored international students and worked as a grader for AP exams. She enjoys mentoring students in research and writing, helping them break down complex topics and develop strong analytical skills.
Dr. Auketayeva has extensive experience in historical research, policy analysis, and education. She has worked as a Research Manager for the Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, a Director of Research for the Nuclear Crisis Network, and a Holocaust Survivor Interviewer for USC Shoah Foundation. She has also held positions at the National Archives, the Capital Jewish Museum, and American University, where she was a Teaching Assistant.
Outside of work, she enjoys learning new languages, exploring art and museums.
Lauren K.
Essay Coach
Lauren K.
Lauren is a dedicated tutor with over 12 years of tutoring experience across a diverse range of math, science, and test preparation subjects. With her experience, she brings a wealth of expertise to every session. Her passion for teaching is fueled by a deep understanding of these subjects and a genuine desire to see her students excel.
Lauren has successfully guided countless students towards academic success and confidence in their abilities. Through personalized instruction tailored to each student’s unique learning style and goals, she strives to make complex concepts understandable and accessible. Lauren’s patient and supportive approach creates a positive learning environment where students feel empowered to explore, ask questions, and overcome challenges.
With a commitment to continuous improvement and a track record of success, Lauren is dedicated to helping students unlock their academic potential and thrive in their studies.
Melissa O.
College Consultant
Melissa O.
Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and American Studies from Connecticut College and a Master’s in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University. For seven years Melissa worked as a teacher at independent school in New England teaching subjects from history to English to math. In addition, she worked as a college counselor and testing coordinator.
Melissa has tutored many students in study/organization skills, math, writing improvement, and college essay assistance. She is passionate about tutoring by creating a supportive and personalized learning environment. She focuses on identifying and developing students’ strengths, keeping them engaged and motivated, introducing new techniques tailored to their needs, strategically addressing areas for improvement, and celebrating every milestone in their progress.
Melissa enjoys skiing in Vermont, reading, going to the beach in the summer, and spending time with her cockapoo, Clover.
Michelle B.
Essay Coach
Michelle B.
Michelle holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies, Sociology, and English from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in Education from the University of Michigan. She is a lifelong learner who is now working on her doctoral degree in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education at the University of Indiana, Bloomington. She has been teaching for 20+ years in grades 6-12 and sits on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages (MATSOL). She is dual licensed in English and ESL and currently teaches at Natick High School where she teaches three levels of Multilingual Learners, Advanced Placement Literature & Composition, and Advancement Placement Language and Composition. Michelle is also a reader for the College Board where she scores AP Lit exams and uses her expertise to empower students to help students prepare for and exceed on the exam. Michelle believes deeply in the power of voice and choice in the student experience and encourages every student to find their own best path to learning.
She has broad experiences teaching reading and writing from highly analytical and academic to more creative and experimental. With that experience, she uses writing as a means for students’ to find their narrative voices and embrace writing as a tool for self-expression. She also builds strong, trusting relationships with her students and encourages all of them to push themselves to their greatest potential. To that end, she invites all students into her AP classes, not just high-achievers, in order to provide access to rigorous and engaging content, and with her support, they succeed in tackling college-level work.
When Michelle is not teaching or tutoring, she is training for triathlons. She loves swimming, biking, and running, and shares all that she has learned while training and racing — the importance of grit, perseverance, determination, and failure– with her students.
Suzanne C.
College Consultant
Suzanne C.
Suzanne received her Master’s degree in Education from UMass Boston and has worked as a middle school Special Education teacher for the past 17 years. Throughout her teaching career, she has also taught summer school to elementary and middle school students, after school math club to 4th and 5th graders, provided home-hospital tutoring and coached volleyball, cross country and spring track. Suzanne also tutors test prep and executive function coaching & college admissions privately to middle school and high school students. She enjoys assisting her students with their transitions to further their education.
Suzanne holds a professional teaching license in Mild to Moderate Disabilities PreK-8 and a Sheltered English Immersion Endorsement. In her teaching role, Suzanne has worked with both regular education and special education students within the general education classroom setting and has taught specialized literacy, math and executive function classes.
In her spare time, Suzanne enjoys traveling and making candles and essential oil products. Suzanne is compassionate, patient and has a good sense of humor.
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Newton, MA
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