We have undeniable passions for elevating our students and their families.

MEET OUR TEAM 

Billy Heisler, M.S., M.A.

Mary Dooms, M.A.

Lavinia Sorano, M.S.

Director of College Consulting

President and Founder

Director of Learning and Innovation

Leadership Team

"I enjoy demystifying the
college process." 

"My life's work is to build and
nurture community."

"I support Verdant's vision to provide exemplary learning experiences for both students and staff."

“[MY CHILD’S] MATH SCORES WENT SIGNIFICANTLY UP WITH JOE’S HELP. SHE SCORED 474 ON THE IREADY TEST AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND 510 IN MAY…HER MATH WAS IN THE 58TH PERCENTILE IN SEPTEMBER AND IS NOW IN THE 80TH PERCENTILE. WE ARE VERY HAPPY WITH HER PROGRESS!”

— NATALIYA

Parent of 6th grader, lake zurich

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42-Year Veteran

Tim Will, M.S.

Outstanding Contribution to Education Award

24-Year Veteran

Mark Richter, M.A.

Middle/High School English

Veteran Attorney and educator

Pete Ross, J.D.

ACT/SAT Verbal Tutor

8-Year Educator

Brian Hefferan, M.A.

Middle/High School English, History,
and Economics

10-Year Veteran

Minkail Muhammad, M.S.

Middle School–College Math

21-Year Veteran

Jim Multra, M.A., M.A.

Middle/High School English and History

16-Year Veteran

Joe Manahan

Middle School Math and Executive Functioning

6-Year Educator

Tim Beranek, M.Ed.

High School Math and Computer Science

11-Year Educator

Melissa Hull

Our Educators

High School Math

Communication Specialist

Voted Partner to F500 Company

Reading Specialist

Master’s in Math

Teacher of the Year (VFW)

Learning Behavior Specialist

Advanced Specializations in Curriculum & Instruction and Mathematics Education

Elementary School All Subjects

Experience in Early Childhood Education

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9-Year Educator

John Will, M.F.A.

Middle/High School English and History

Published Author

21-Year Veteran

Mary Dooms, M.A.

Middle School Math

Math Interventionist (Previously)


11-Year Veteran

Stacey Schmiederer, M.S.

Spanish, Math, and Science

Master's in STEM Education

24-Year Veteran

Bill Sullivan, M.Ed., M.B.A.

Middle/High School English

11 Years of Business Experience

5-Year Educator

Jesse Arias, P.E., M.Eng., M.B.A.

Elementary–High School Math and Science

Licensed Professional Engineer

11-Year Educator

Miriam Kabagorobya, M.S., M.S., M.A.

Middle School–College Math and Physics

Employee of the Year: Educate! Uganda

19-Year Veteran

Arti Bhandari, M.Psy.

Middle/High School Math and Science

ESL Endorsed


15-Year Veteran

Karyn Polich, M.Ed.

Early Elementary All Subjects

Master’s in Education

7-Year Educator

Joe Ellery

High School Math and Computer Science

Pursuing Master's in Curriculum & Instruction

Our Educators

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16-Year Veteran

Chris Barberis, M.Ed.

Middle School All Subjects and
Executive Functioning

Experience in Therapeutic School

15-Year Veteran

Billy Heisler, M.S., M.A.

Middle/High School Math and English

Middle School Teacher of the Year (TEAI)

26-Year Veteran

Heather Coyle, M.S.

Elementary School Math

Math Interventionist

14-Year Veteran

Emmanuel Nsadha, M.Ed., Ph.D.

High School and College Math

Ph.D. in Mathematics Education

Carolyn Neumann

American Sign Language 

Native Speaker

27-Year Veteran

Meredith Tarczynski, M.A., M.A.

High School English

Dual-Credit Instructor

37-Year Veteran

Anne Hopkins, M.S.

High School Biology

AP Biology Exam Reader and Table Leader

26-Year Veteran

Christine Boswell, M.S.

Middle School Math and Science

Master's in Curriculum & Instruction

12-Year Veteran

Michelle Hettel, M.A.

Elementary School All Subjects

Certified in SLANT and Wilson

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Our Educators

8-Year Educator

Middle/High School English

Olivia Grenier

Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ball State University’s Honors College

Elementary-High School Spanish

Sarah Anderson, M.S.

NIU Forward, Together Forward Scholarship Winner

Chinese Language and Art

Tiffany Multra

Formerly a School Administrator

Middle/High School English

Jackie Kallas

Dean’s List: Loyola
University Chicago

Middle/High School English

Margot Nalli

Bishop Hermann Service
Award Winner

Elementary–College Computer Science

Doug Guzman

On Team That Published a Video Game on Steam

Elementary–College English and Spanish, Scholarship Essays

Sana Leebe

Phi Beta Kappa (Honor Society): Loyola University Chicago

Middle School–College Economics and History

David Wang

Chick Evans Scholar

Elementary–High School Computer Science and Math

Sydney Phan

Presidential Scholarship to
Loyola University Chicago

Our Educators

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Digital Art & Design

Charli Kerr

On Team That Published a Video Game on Steam

Elementary–High School Math, Chinese Language, and Financial Literacy

Sam Raeedy

Multi-Lingual

High School Math, Physics, English, and History

Aarushi Bhagath

Presidential Gold Award for Academic Excellence

Our Educators

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“I love how [Ms. Brennen] has adapted to [my child's] needs. I like that she incorporates a little bit of everything within the hour and includes a game to keep [my child] engaged.”

— Natalie

Parent of 3rd grader, Lake Zurich

Educators: Join Our Team

Verdant is a supportive community for tutors, too. Here, you are valued as an educator, professional, and person.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with Verdant very much. The flexibility allows me to keep up with my growing family and have a good work-life balance.”

— Tim Beranek

high school math and computer science teacher

“I love tutoring for Verdant...All I have to do is schedule times with the families and do what I love, which is working with students.”

— Allison Masterson

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER

“I have had a very positive experience working for Verdant. I appreciate that the clients have been carefully matched for the content I’m comfortable tutoring in."

— Christine Boswell

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER

benefits of joining our community 

GOOD PAY

We honor your experience and expertise; our rates rival what you'd make on your own. 

TOTAL FLEXIBILITY

We’re like Uber for tutors: work if, when, and however much you want. You can even hold down other jobs while working with us (most of us do!). 

NETWORK OF SUPPORT

We’re a community for educators, too. Whether you’re looking for materials, pedagogical advice, or a sub for an upcoming vacation, we’ve got you covered. 

Great Fits

You’re offered partnerships that match your strengths and preferences; this intentional process increases confidence and minimizes prep. And due to our wide reach, you’ll likely be offered as many partnerships as you’d like to take.  

Tutor Close to Home or Work

Local libraries are our hubs; meet at a location that’s convenient for you (including your home for virtual sessions). 

You are Trusted and Empowered

We value and respect your professional judgment. No cookie-cutter approaches here!

Ready to start the conversation?

Email billy@verdantTutoring.com

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” 

— William Butler Yeats

reach out:

Our Team

Academic Tutoring

COLLEGE & career prep

Call or Text (847) 899-3100

billy@verdanttutoring.com

GET STARTED!

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