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 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.
Jacqueline C.
Essay Coach
Jacqueline C.
Jacqueline, who also goes by “Bean”, has worked with students in a number of capacities over the last several years. While earning her master’s degree at UMass Amherst, Jacqueline worked as a learning specialist in the University’s Disability Services Office where she met one-on-one with students to strengthen study skills, executive functioning, and content knowledge.
Since graduating from her M.Ed. program, Jacqueline has gained experience in independent schools and universities. At Brewster Academy, Jacqueline worked as a college counselor and managed the entire college admissions process for over 75 students per academic year. She then transitioned to Brooks School and worked as a full-time learning specialist and executive function coach for students in grades 9 through 12.
In addition to working with students one-on-one, Jacqueline has also taught English and psychology at the high school level. Jacqueline holds a Bachelor of Arts from New England College and a Master of Education from UMass Amherst. She currently works as an academic advisor and ice hockey coach at the college level.
In her free time, Jacqueline enjoys golfing, playing hockey, and spending time with her two dogs, Ellie and Miska.
Jacqueline O.
Essay Coach
Jacqueline O.
Jackie graduated with honors from the University of Vermont in 2013, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and European History. She completed a master’s program in English at Boston College in 2016, during which time she realized a passion for tutoring and facilitating the learning of other students. Since graduating from BC, Jackie has worked as a professional tutor and teacher in the Greater Boston Area, helping students realize their academic potential by developing individualized sessions tailored to each student’s needs. Jackie is an experienced academic tutors, as well as test prep tutor in SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, and TOEFL.
She brings an excitement and enthusiasm to each session, and, in the words of a parent whose son Jackie has tutored for two years, “Jackie has an ability to frame the work she does in language that resonates with her students.” Jackie’s tutoring emphasizes the importance of making a connection with students and treating them as peers, as she believes this cultivates their self-confidence within and outside the classroom. Jackie is incredibly dedicated to her work and makes sure she is readily available as a resource for her students outside of their regular sessions. Recently, Jackie completed a 15 hour online course in Study Skills: Strategies to Support Executive Function all through the Landmark School Outreach Program in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Alongside her work in academics, Jackie enjoys painting, drawing, and going on hikes with her dogs.
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.
Katy C.
Essay Coach
Katy C.
Katy is a classroom teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching high school English at all grades and levels. She has B.A. from Colgate University in English and Spanish, and two Master’s degrees, one in teaching and pedagogy and one in educational leadership. She loves working with young people and meeting each student where s/he is so she can best support them in achieving success. She can help students develop and practice foundational writing skills, find their voice and hone their essays, build executive functioning skills, and prepare for and feel confident about the SAT.
As a mother and a teacher, Katy is deeply empathetic and understands the pressures of high school from both perspectives. She believes that much of our success comes from a positive attitude, an ability to collaborate with others, hard work, and practice. When she is not teaching, you can find Katy reading (of course!) cooking, gardening, skiing, swimming, or traveling.
Kelly C.
College Consultant
Kelly C.
Kelly attended Salve Regina University for both her undergraduate and first graduate degree, earning a BAS in Secondary Education and English Literature, and an MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Poetry. She began her career as a High School English Teacher, and quickly identified gaps in education that needed to be bridged by differentiating curriculum to meet individual student need. She therefore transitioned to tutoring and spent the next 4 years supporting students across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Las Vegas, and California.
She has tutored various subjects including English language, literature, writing, social sciences, and test prep. Kelly then shifted her work to higher education, earning an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Providence College. She became an Adjunct Professor of the Humanities, teaching courses focused in First-Year Writing, English, Creative Writing, and Critical Thinking.
She contracts for a Non-Profit Organization that guides First Generation Students through the college application process, where she helps students build their college list, write the college essay, and respond to supplemental questions. She also began work as an Executive Function Learning Specialist in Accessibility Services, dedicating the last three years to coaching students with disabilities in time management, organization, scheduling, note-taking, and study skills.
Kelly is committed to creating equitable environments that serve the academic and social needs of all students.
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.
Essay Coach
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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