Our Tutors - Bright Horizons Academic Assistance and Tutoring - Serving the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel and Salinas Valley

Staff
	Rachel Irvine Schmidt - Director/Founder/Tutor Rachel Irvine Schmidt, has been working on the peninsula as a teacher and as a private tutor since 1996. She holds a double major BA degree in both Liberal Studies and in Spanish. Additionally, she has three different credentials in Bilingual Elementary Education (BCLAD), Spanish, and an administrative credential. She has also earned her Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. She works with students as well as with her tutors to ensure successful experiences for all. The team is caring, patient and proud of its work. Bright Horizons is compliant with the California Teaching Standards and Framework.

	Jenny Kovitch - Co-Director Jenny is currently studying to become an elementary school teacher at California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB). She has certification in teaching young children how to read using a program called First Focus Phonics. Jenny has had very thorough training in phonics and giving children a jump start on beginning the reading process. This is her passion and it shows. She also teaches piano lessons to all ages as well as continuously taking her own lessons to further her own knowledge base. In her spare time Jenny enjoys travelling, reading, walking on the beach with her dog, camping and visiting with family.

	Liz Irvine - Consultant Liz is a 2001 graduate of Dominican University of California (San Rafael) where she earned her bachelors degree in clinical psychology. She has a strong background in mental health/social work and has been a case manager for children and their families in crisis. She has worked with children ranging in age from preschool through high school and really enjoys helping students learn and realize their true potential. In her spare time, Liz enjoys organizing and interior decorating.


Tutors
	Corinne Cox Corinne is the published author of several short stories and graduated with honors from UC Santa Cruz's creative writing program with a BA in literature. Corinne is also certified to teach ESL with the TESOL and recently passed the CBEST. Corinne has been helping students write the best essays they can since she was in high school herself and feels that the ability to communicate through writing is the gateway to accomplishing anything you put your mind to. When she isn't tutoring, Corinne is most likely drinking too much coffee and trying to finish that novel she's been writing.

	David Price Reichbaum David has recently completed his Master’s of Public Administration degree at the Monterey Institute of International Studies with a concentration in Management and Spanish. As an undergraduate, pursuing a BA in Spanish and Corporate Communications at James Madison University, David had the opportunity to mentor as a bilingual Big Brother, study abroad at La Universidad de Salamanca, Spain and manage an international student-led service-learning program. David’s work experience includes, serving in Peace Corps- El Salvador, tutoring in Barcelona and coordinating immersive educational programs in South Korea. He also possesses a TESOL certification from The School for International Training, where he learned and practiced pedagogical methodologies and techniques. David enjoys outdoor sports, travel, cooking and world music. David has a sincere passion for reciprocal and experiential learning and believes that every student has the potential to achieve greatness.

	Elizabeth Romanoff Elizabeth Romanoff has been tutoring and providing students with the skills they need to be successful with Bright Horizons since September 2006 and most recently has been doing outreach to both families and schools. She holds a BA in Spanish from Cal State Monterey Bay and is currently looking into going back to graduate school to pursue an advanced degree. Her tutoring emphasis is in Spanish, English, and mathematics (through pre-calculus), however she is very well versed in most subjects. Aside from speaking Spanish, Elizabeth also speaks Chinese and Slovak. In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys running, playing scrabble, and backpacking around the world.

	Hilary Schaub Hilary is currently attending Monterey Peninsula College after completing a year at California State University Channel Islands. Upon finishing her general education, she hopes to transfer to San Diego State University and pursue a Masters Degree in psychology. Her favorite subjects to tutor are English and science, but she is also qualified to tutor math up to the high school level. Hilary consistently makes a great connection with her students as she is a student herself and can relate to what they are going through. In addition, she can give her students tried and true tips to ensure academic success. In Hilary’s free time, she enjoys reading, going to the beach, and traveling.

	Jenny Kovitch - Reading Tutor Jenny is currently studying to become an elementary school teacher at California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB). She has certification in teaching young children how to read using a program called First Focus Phonics. Jenny has had very thorough training in phonics and giving children a jump start on beginning the reading process. This is her passion and it shows. She also teaches piano lessons to all ages as well as continuously taking her own lessons to further her own knowledge base. In her spare time Jenny enjoys travelling, reading, walking on the beach with her dog, camping and visiting with family.

	Nicole Wahlgren Nicole recently moved to the Monterey area after spending nine years in Florida where she graduated with honors from the Florida Institute of Technology with a BS in Oceanography. After graduating, she began her teaching career at a private middle school educating students in life, physical, and earth sciences. She transitioned into public high school and taught Integrated Science and Honors Physics. She is very well-rounded in both fields of math and science and thoroughly enjoys tutoring in these areas. Nicole loves hiking, camping, scuba diving, and playing volleyball, softball, and flag football. She enjoys traveling with her husband and has visited much of Europe and Australia. She hopes their next trip will be to Egypt to see the pyramids of Giza. Nicole hopes to obtain a Master’s degree in Physical Oceanography in the upcoming years.

	Rachel Irvine Schmidt - Director/Founder/Tutor Rachel Irvine Schmidt, has been working on the peninsula as a teacher and as a private tutor since 1996. She holds a double major BA degree in both Liberal Studies and in Spanish. Additionally, she has three different credentials in Bilingual Elementary Education (BCLAD), Spanish, and an administrative credential. She has also earned her Masters Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision. She works with students as well as with her tutors to ensure successful experiences for all. The team is caring, patient and proud of its work. Bright Horizons is compliant with the California Teaching Standards and Framework.

	Sarah Schwid Sarah Schwid is a graduate student at The Monterey Institute of International Studies pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree with concentrations in International Development and Spanish. She also holds a BA in International Relations with a concentration in Spanish from Drake University. Sarah has had the opportunity to study Spanish in Buenos Aires, Argentina and has held free-lance interpreting and translating positions. She is qualified to tutor beginner to upper-intermediate levels of Spanish and enjoys tutoring students of all ages. Her favorite part about tutoring is seeing students becoming confident in their abilities. When Sarah isn't studying or tutoring she enjoys exploring her new home in northern California, rock climbing, knitting, and keeping up with international politics.

	Michael Shea Mike graduated with honors from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. Currently, he is in the process of getting his MS in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School here in Monterey. He has experience and is qualified to tutor all levels of mathematics through calculus, physics and chemistry. His leadership experience allows him to reach out to all types of learners and mold his teaching to match the student's learning style. His extracurricular resume includes being an Eagle Scout, a competitive swimmer and a lacrosse player. At the Naval Academy, he competed as a four year Varsity rower. In Mike's free time he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, triathlons, golf and traveling.