Our Staff

We believe the best learning and growing takes place when a student feels safe, supported, and empowered. That’s why our tutors create an environment of trust, respect, and high expectations. Our model of one-on-one learning across subject areas allows our tutors to establish unique relationships with students and families, enabling them to be trusted mentors, teachers, and coaches.

LTLS tutors connect with youth as people first and students second, and base our mentorship on the recognition that students have individual interests, needs and skill sets. We allow the necessary time and space to enable students to develop trust and an ability to communicate their needs. This allows tutors to recognize and support different facets of students and help them discover unrealized potential. As rapport with students evolves, we teach, model, and develop dynamic methods for varying content, remaining focused on the student as an individual.

At Liddane Tutoring & Learning Services, we work tirelessly to hire and maintain dynamic, unique, and empowering educators. Our team includes computer scientists, individuals who teach jewelry-making classes, a punk-rock band member, a high school basketball coach, and much more. Liddane tutors are real people with a real compassion to co-create a safe, support, and empowering environment for students. We encourage students to bring their whole self to their learning, just as our tutors do so in sessions. Every tutor is thoroughly vetted, and must pass a full FBI background-check.

Below is a list of our current tutors, including their background, and subject areas. Please note we cannot guarantee that new students will be paired with specific tutors. To learn about our tutor pairing process, click here. To get started, please contact us.

Tutoring Staff

  • Andrea Liddane has been providing her services as a private tutor, and as an educational consultant since 2001. She works with families, students, entire school communities, and other working professionals. After an instructive tenure as a teacher in the public education system, she founded Liddane Tutoring & Learning Services with the belief that she could help students succeed by combining relationship-building with creative strategies. She works with students on project management, academic research and writing, college admissions essays, and organizational skills. Her students range from first grade to college-level and include those who succeed through standardized learning and those with learning differences: ADD/ADHD, language processing difficulties, dyslexia, reading comprehension issues, and dysgraphia. She is available to support students and families through one-on-one dialogue, meetings with school administration, assessment of psychological evaluations, and, most importantly, establishing rapport and trust with youth.

Abigail

  • Abigail graduated cum laude from the University of Washington in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology, with an emphasis in Human Evolutionary Biology and Archaeological Sciences. She is currently working towards her PhD in Biological Anthropology at the University of Washington, and is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Abigail has worked with students of many grade levels in a variety of settings, and is particularly passionate about sharing her love of science with students. She prioritizes encouraging perseverance and flexibility, rather than perfectionism, and hopes to help students see learning as a lifelong, iterative process. She believes in destigmatizing diverse learning styles and helping students grow in the ways that best suit them. In her free time, Abigail enjoys bouldering, hiking, baking, and spending time with her dog, Punch. Current clients: email Abigail

  • Ai Vy graduated from Princeton University with a B.A in Neuroscience. As an aspiring doctor, she is working hard to prepare for her medical school application while honing the skills that are necessary to become a competent doctor. In her free time, she likes to hang out with her family and dog, bake, cook, and make really good coffee. What she finds the most rewarding in a tutoring setting is the connections with her students and the gradual, small but meaningful improvements that she can contribute to the students’ academic careers. She is looking forward to connecting with students and encouraging them to learn in their own way and pace.

Ceci

  • Coming from the highlands of La Paz, Bolivia, Ceci grew up in a Spanish-speaking home. She began studying English at the age of nine and later graduated with a degree in Political Sciences from Universidad Católica Boliviana. In 2020, Ceci moved to Seattle to pursue an MA in Hispanic Studies at the University of Washington, where she decided to stay to work toward her PhD. As a Spanish instructor, Ceci has taught at various levels, working with both second-language learners and heritage speakers. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new coffee shops in Seattle and spending time with her two cats, Catalina and Sashimi.

  • After moving to Seattle in 2017 from the Midwest, Allison decided on a career change, going back to school for a 2nd Master’s degree in teaching. After finishing a year of student teaching, she has been substituting throughout different districts in the area, working with students from grades K-12 in general education and special education classrooms. She is excited to tutor students on a one on one basis. Along with her love of history and social studies, she enjoys teaching writing skills, literature, and grammar skills. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her dog, Holly, cross stitching, crocheting, reading/listening to all the books, and doing jigsaw puzzles with friends and family.

  • Andy graduated from Seattle University with a B.A. in Biology. Currently, they live in Seattle and works at a local high school as a special education instructional assistant. They also have experience working as a research assistant, a science writer for youth, a math and science tutor, and a peer mentor for neurodivergent students. Andy loves to share their enthusiasm for math and science and to work with students to find teaching styles and study strategies that suit their individual needs. In their free time, they enjoy reading, cooking, climbing, and spending time with friends and family.

Ann

  • Ann has Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science, and a Master in Teaching from the University of Washington. Ann worked for 12 years at Microsoft before leaving to start a family and do one-on-one tutoring for a variety of ages. She has visited over 20 different countries, and loves to cook, read, garden, and watch her actor husband on stages all over Seattle. She is writing her first young adult fantasy novel, and likes math so much she does Kahn Academy just for fun.

  • Austin started working with children fifteen years ago in Southern California, where he taught swim lessons and was a competitive swimming coach. After moving to Seattle, Austin instructed youth soccer lessons while earning a degree in Biology from the University of Washington. After graduation, he began working as a tutor and mentor to young people. Austin loves teaching by relating new concepts to students’ interests and using exciting examples that engage their imagination. He values learning from others, solving problems, and integrating play into education. Outside of work, he enjoys birding, going on nature observation walks, and developing games for kids and adults.

Bennet

  • Bennet graduated from the University of Washington with a Master’s in Chemistry, as well as from the University of Chicago with a B.S. in Chemistry. During his Master’s, he was a teaching assistant for a number of introductory general chemistry courses, as well as a research assistant in a synthetic chemistry lab. As a teaching assistant, Bennet helped students of a variety of educational and personal backgrounds navigate the challenges of chemistry and starting college. He has been tutoring since completing his degrees, and hopes to spread his enthusiasm for math and science to the next generation of students. In his free time, Bennet enjoys playing video/board games, cooking, reading comics, and hanging out with his dog Pop-Tart. Current clients email Bennet.

  • Becks holds a M.S. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Washington, as well as a B.S. in Applied Mathematics from Marist college, located in Poughkeepsie, New York. She holds over five years of experience which includes, tutoring at an SAT/college prep academy, working at her university’s tutoring center, and serving as a teaching assistant for the Calculus series for undergraduates. Additionally, she has computational mathematics and data science experience as a research assistant for the National Science Foundation, US Air Force Research Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, and the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics.

    She prides herself on being welcoming to students on all levels, abilities, and learning styles. As a first generation American, she is fluent in Spanish and passionate about helping students from minority or disadvantaged backgrounds. When not sharing her love for mathematics, she can be found hiking with her dog, Horchata, or on a mission to try every coffee shop in the Pacific Northwest.

Caitlin

  • After completing a year at CalPoly studying engineering, Caitlin received her bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Washington. She is also certified to teach English as a foreign language. Caitlin has experience tutoring elementary to high school students in humanities, test prep, college applications, ESL, and executive skills. Caitlin believes in the real benefits of lifelong learning and loves working with students one on one to achieve their goals. In her free time she enjoys reading, video games, and owning an excessive amount of wall calendars.

  • David grew up in and around New York City and earned his B.A. in English and Creative Writing at The City College of New York. In East Oakland, Bellevue, and Seattle he’s taught young below-benchmark readers, SAT and ACT test takers, English language learners, AP History students, college applicants and more.

    At Liddane David works with learners of all ages and abilities, always with an awareness of their executive function challenges and strengths. He loves when tutoring lets him laugh, learn new things, and get creative, but is most inspired by his seeing his students face frustrations, struggle toward their goals, and keep showing up even when the work is painful. Raised on science fiction, musical theater, and LEGO, David loves biking to music, singing with friends, walking through cities, and many kinds of dancing.

  • David earned his Ph.D. in Physics and B.Sc. in Science Education at Dublin City University, Ireland. After graduating, David moved to the US to begin working with the Physics Education Group at the University of Washington. In this position, David wrote and tested inquiry-based curriculum for both the high-school and university level. He is very passionate about creating an inclusive and student centered learning environment in his classrooms. After three years at the University of Washington, David taught at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played a key role in transforming the introductory physics course for life-science majors. He has since returned to the University of Washington, where he continues to teach introductory physics to both physics and non-physics majors. David is a fan of multiple sports and in his personal time he enjoys cycling, swimming, hiking and golf. David is also a keen music fan and very much enjoys attending live shows.

Gail

  • Gail Tynkov grew up on the East Coast, before relocating to Seattle in 2020 after graduating with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Public Policy. She is a first generation American who speaks Russian natively and has experience tutoring ESL students since 2017. She's taught K-12 students for the past seven years in ESL, English, college admissions essays and SAT English. In her free time, Gail loves finding new coffee shops, playing chess and playing fetch with her obnoxious cat.

  • Jana has a PhD in somatic depth psychology and an MA in theology and peace & conflict studies. Born and raised in Iowa, she has lived in the District of Columbia, California, Japan, Hawaii, and, for the last eight years, Seattle. While living in Japan from 2009 to 2014 she taught English to a broad range of students, from beginning to advanced learners across the spectrum of age. During her doctoral program, Jana served as the student representative for the Diversity and Inclusion Council and initiated several institutional changes to support trans and nonbinary students. Jana’s tutoring skills blossom when she can attune with students and help them cultivate deeper trust in themselves (while helping them understand learning objectives and do the gritty work of completing assignments). She believes in destigmatizing neurodivergence and dis/ability, challenging the ideal of perfectionism, and helping students develop nuanced emotional awareness and authentic expressions of selfhood. Jana is a full-time mama who romps around parks, beaches, and BMX trails with her four-year-old son, and she relishes family time with her husband and extended family. She also develops content for parent/caregiver education programs on embodied awareness, the neurosciences of emotion and attachment, psychodynamics, and conflict management.

  • Lava is a recent graduate from New York University with a BA in Politics & History, and a minor in French. She is currently living in Seattle with her two bunnies! She recently volunteered for a land conservation project and enjoyed connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences while learning about their history with the land. She is excited about meeting new students and creating a positive environment to help them feel capable and confident. When she is not tutoring, she enjoys reading, baking, outdoor activities, and being with her bunnies!

  • Gretchen developed her 20-year career in education by serving in many capacities: class teacher, specialty teacher, education support specialist, academic tutor, writing coach, and co-facilitator of social-emotional learning circles. Her approach incorporates humor and playfulness. She meets students exactly where they are, joins them in celebrating progress (no matter the size), and motivates them to take charge of their own learning and growth. Gretchen grew up in an Arizona desert metropolis. After living there and in Oregon, Texas, Georgia, and New York, she made Seattle her home. She earned a BA in Communication from Arizona State University and two Waldorf teaching certificates.

    She enjoys traveling the world, playing card and board games, and volunteering in her community. Currently, she works in an early intervention program for children under age three with special needs and as a mentor for an organization that promotes creativity, critical thinking, and leadership skills to empower teen girls and gender-expansive youth. She is the mother of two emerging adults and an accomplished and published writer working on her first collection of poetry.

  • Hannah graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Bioengineering. During her academic journey, she was able to work as a caregiver, lab research intern, and a surgical technician. Through these experiences, she learned about the importance of communication, transparency, patience, and perspective. As a tutor, she hopes to implement these principles to connect with students. She believes that each student is unique in personality and learning style, and should be supported in a way that focuses on their strengths and enjoyment in learning. Hannah values giving back to the community and strives to help students develop lifelong skills by catering to their learning styles. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, gardening, video games, reading, and spending time with family.

  • Joshuah grew up in Redmond, WA and attended the University of Southern California, where he graduated with a joint bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Business Administration. He’s tutored / counseled students in mathematics, computer science, persuasive writing, school applications, and executive function skills. Joshuah was formerly a software developer but turned to tutoring in order to have a positive influence on the next generation of students. He firmly believes that no student should be denied assistance with their academic challenges, and he hopes to ease the academic stress in young students’ lives via his tutoring.

    In his free time, Joshuah spends most of his time in the mountains. He’s an avid skier, dabbles in mountain biking, and is a novice fly fisherman.

  • Julia holds an M.A. in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in English Literature from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. Passionate about the sciences as well as the arts, Julia began tutoring math and physics to college students while still in college herself. After moving to Seattle, she amassed a decade of experience tutoring math and sciences at the middle and high school levels. Julia is also an accomplished jeweler who teaches jewelry making classes at numerous local colleges and art centers. She loves figuring out how to break down the learning process into digestible chunks for her students whether for solving a chemistry homework problem or making a ring.

Lia

  • Lia received a B.A. in Art History, a M.A in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages), and is currently pursuing a doctorate in education from University of Glasgow. She has taught English as a Second Language in a variety of contexts, among them English for Academic Purposes, and Basic Skills ESL. In addition to serving as an academic coach to international students struggling academically, she has tutored students at Literary Source in literacy skills and preparing for the U.S, citizenship exam. She has also prepared students for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test. She loves to travel and read in her free time.

  • Madeline graduated from the University of Washington in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and a minor in nutrition. She currently works as a medical assistant and is preparing to apply for medical school. Madeline has experience as a college biology tutor, a research assistant and a summer camp director. She has a deep love for the process of learning and understands that education is a lifelong pursuit. Because of this, she is passionate about helping students identify their learning styles and connecting them with the tools they need both to succeed and to enjoy the work they do. She believes science is exciting and wants to share that enthusiasm with others. In her free time, you can find Madeline volunteering at the aquarium, going for a long walk, line dancing, hiking and crocheting.

  • Lulavet Arnow earned a B.A. in chemistry from St Olaf College and a B.S. in computer science from Augsburg University. Her professional work has involved teaching middle- and high-school science, cohosting and editing a podcast about Jewish text study, moderating quiz bowl, and indirectly helping people design trucks. Her recent tutoring experience has focused on college students looking for extra help with computer science courses.

    Lulav loves to take students beyond memorization, to understanding the concepts and relationships that make learning make sense. As an autistic “former gifted kid,” she understands from both directions how important it is to adjust education to the person learning, and to empathize with how each student sees the world.

    In her free time, Lulav enjoys playing tabletop roleplaying games and League of Legends with her vast rainbow of gay friends, and reading contemporary YA with her partner.

  • Rachel is a teacher with over a decade of experience providing support and encouragement to her students in a variety of academic subjects, including writing, humanities, and intermediate math. She graduated from Knox College with a degree in secondary education and began her teaching career as a Study Skills instructor for the students of the University of Chicago Laboratory School. Since then, Rachel has incorporated direct instruction in executive functioning skills for students who need support staying organized and planning for success. Together, Rachel and her students set high goals and create a map to achieve them.
    Rachel lives in Shoreline with her husband, two children, their dog Frodo and their cat Hrothgar. She loves reading, baseball, and PC video games, though students often say her favorites are “video games for old people.”


     

  • Nicole graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with her B.A. in mathematics. While at university she assisted one of her professors in his research and led study groups for various courses. A lifetime educator, Nicole somehow finds passion in teaching a wide array of subjects, from the subtle nuances of subject-verb agreement to multivariable derivation. She especially loves mathematics in all of its permutations, from witticism to calculation. She lives for the moments where she can make learning fun, accessible, and understandable. Well, that, and just about every animal in existence. In her free time, Nicole can be found reading, writing, video-gaming, or hiking to waterfalls.

  • Sara graduated from Western Washington University with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 2020. She worked as a physics and math tutor while in college, and since graduating has worked in the biomedical device space, working on products from wireless heart monitors to ultrasonic probes. She’s passionate about helping students reach that "aha!" moment when solving complex problems. When she's not tutoring or listening to Taylor Swift, you can find her biking and running around Seattle.

  • Ryan graduated from the University of Portland in 2021 as a valedictorian with Bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. He has engineering experience, including working at Amazon and building a robotic hand, but his true passion lies in teaching others. He has been tutoring students in high school and college of all skill levels for several years, plus a public speaking background where he used his time at the podium to explain subjects ranging from faster-than-light travel to parliamentary government. In his spare time he will be found walking, blogging, solving puzzles, and reading way too many Wikipedia articles. Ryan believes math is fun and exciting and hopes he can spread his passion to his students.

  • A Seattle native, Spencer loves the outdoors, animals, working with people, and all things STEM!

    He graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Construction Management. After three years in the construction industry, he decided to apply his leadership skills towards his true passion – teaching and uplifting others! Spencer is preparing to start his Masters in Secondary Science Education at WGU and is ecstatic to instill confidence within and unlock our youth’s potential! In his free time, Spencer can be found hiking with his dog, snowboarding with his friends, or playing with his 7-year-old, 9-year-old, and 12-year-old little brother and sisters.

  • Zane graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. He is currently pursuing a degree in Environmental Science. He has worked as a tutor with K-12 and college students, teaching math, science, English, and SAT/ACT test prep. When not working or studying, Zane likes reading, biking, hiking, programming, gardening, and spending time with his cat.

  • Tatiana graduated from Portland State University with a B.A. in English and a minor in Japanese Literature. She has spent the last two years working in college access programs, helping students navigate college life and providing resources for getting into college. Tatiana has a background in working with students on essay writing, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.

    In her free time, she works on baking, reading as many books as she can, and playing with her cat. Tatiana is happy to share cat photos, as she has many.

  • Yifan has lived in Seattle for most of his life, and graduated with a B.A in Early Childhood Education.

    As an aspiring statistician and educator, he has worked in many educational settings from preschool up to elementary school in tutoring and after school care. He is preparing to hone his skills further by completing his Master’s in Education Degree in Measurement and Statistics to better serve the students in his community. As a research assistant, he also loves his connections with math, statistics, and numbers, and would like to share his experience in these areas of expertise to find innovative methods to better help students learn in their own unique ways. In his free time, Yifan likes cycling, hiking, and spending time at home reading his favorite books.

Admin Staff

Caitlin
Office Manager

  • After completing a year at CalPoly studying engineering, Caitlin received her bachelor’s degree in linguistics from the University of Washington. She is also certified to teach English as a foreign language. Caitlin has experience tutoring elementary to high school students in humanities, test prep, college applications, ESL, and executive skills. Caitlin believes in the real benefits of lifelong learning and loves working with students one on one to achieve their goals. In her free time she enjoys reading, video games, and owning an excessive amount of wall calendars.

Chris
HR Manager

  • Chris is Midwest born and raised in Iowa. After living in Chicago for many years, he moved to Seattle and made it his home. Chris began his education at the University of Iowa and finished his degree at Seattle Central College. He has extensive experience in managing and working in Human Resources, and has always been a task oriented, detailed person. In his spare time Chris enjoys the theater, traveling, game nights with family and friends, and his dachshund Baron.

Nicole
Support Specialist

  • Nicole graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with her B.A. in mathematics. While at university she assisted one of her professors in his research and led study groups for various courses. A lifetime educator, Nicole somehow finds passion in teaching a wide array of subjects, from the subtle nuances of subject-verb agreement to multivariable derivation. She especially loves mathematics in all of its permutations, from witticism to calculation. She lives for the moments where she can make learning fun, accessible, and understandable. Well, that, and just about every animal in existence. In her free time, Nicole can be found reading, writing, video-gaming, or hiking to waterfalls.

Shannon
Intake & Scheduling Coordinator

  • Shannon earned her Bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University in both German Language and Literature and Cultural Anthropology. After graduating, Shannon spent 5 years in the field of International Education: first helping people around the world find their own international work opportunities, then working at a college in Seattle providing immigration and academic guidance to international students. In an interest to pursue something more creative professionally, she’s shifted careers and now works in the field of Interior Design and loves that she is able to continue her previous work in the field of education here at LTLS. In her free time, she can often be found weaving tapestries in her home studio.

Adjunct Staff

  • LB Kussick is the owner of Kussick College Coaching. She is a Member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and the Seattle Area College Consultants (SACC). LB works with students in assessing personal, academic and financial criteria for determining “best fit” colleges. She provides guidance and planning through the college research phase, college visits, essay writing, application completion and through all the small and large decisions along the way. She recently spent two years as a volunteer college coach at Chief Sealth High School with the College Access Now program, where she worked with first generation and low income students, coaching them through the college application process. Currently, she is a volunteer college coach for the AVID program at Shorecrest High School. LB is also a member of the Washington Women’s Foundation, a grant making organization, where she has sat on the Education, Human Services and Environment Pooled Grant Fund Committees. As the Executive Director of PEPS for nearly seven years, she developed her love of supporting parents and their families through critical transitions.

    LB received a certification in Independent Educational Consulting (IEC) through UC Irvine, and a Bachelors degree from Brown University. She has a college aged son and daughter who both attended Roosevelt High School in Seattle, a husband she met at Brown and who did his graduate studies at the University of Washington, and a Goldendoodle who just squeaked by Kindergarten!

    LB has and is currently working with students and families from Roosevelt, Ingraham, Nathan Hale, Ballard, Garfield, Chief Sealth, Shorecrest, Woodinville HS, Tesla STEM in Redmond, Blanchet, Holy Names, Seattle Prep, University Prep and from outside WA State as well. She has a special interest in working with students with unique talents and learning differences.

    Areas of Concentration: college prep

Mira Simon

  • Mira Simon is an independent educational consultant with a certification from UCLA and a professionally trained coach from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), who specializes in helping high school students to go through the college planning, preparation and application process without overwhelm, so that they feel excited and confident that they have what they need to choose the college that is best for them. Mira’s coach training provides the unique foundation to help students explore their talents, strengths and passions and use the tools and skills they develop to design their pathway to college, maximize their experience in college and in life. When Mira is not working with her clients to uncover their pathway to college, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.