Welcome to ELS, conveniently located wherever you are.
We aim to educate our students about who they are as learners and how to utilize their strengths to compensate for their learning struggles. Our coaches guide students in fine tuning their day-to-day habits and developing strategies to help them become independent learners and realize their true potential. Our parents are educated in every strategy taught to their children as well.
Our team is made up of caring, collaborative professionals that believe in supporting the whole child, recognizing that without physical, emotional, and psychological health, education is less likely to take place. In addition, all of our tutors are either active or retired teachers with either a background in special education or extensive experience working with the special education population.
Each member of our ever-growing team of tutors has a background in special education and/or significant experience successfully supporting struggling learners in their journey to become independent, confident learners who enjoy the learning process.
Elyse Dworin - Founder, Tutor, Parent Coach
Originally from New York, Elyse moved to the Washington, DC area in 2000 to begin her teaching career. After five years teaching in Montgomery County Public Schools she moved to The McLean School in Potomac where she taught middle school math and used innovative accommodations to help her students realize their true potential. She started Elevated Learning Solutions in 2018, where she now focuses all of her teaching energy. In addition to building-in content-specific tips and tricks, Elyse teaches metacognition and integrates executive functioning and study skills into all lessons. Through her own journey learning to manage her ADHD, anxiety, and health, she has grown increasingly aware of the interconnectivity of the various parts of the body, the brain, what we do, what we eat, and the various types of stimuli we encounter. This awareness guides her teaching and her business practices. Elyse currently lives in Germantown with her husband and two young children.
Elyse holds a dual BA in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Delaware and a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins University in Special Education: Exceptional Learners. She is trained in Mindfulness in the Classroom and Mind Brain Education practices.
Deborah Kelly - Assistant Director of Academic Support, Academic Coach
Deborah has more than 15 years of experience in elementary education. She started teaching in 2007, taught first and second grade and then became a reading instructional specialist. Deborah has extensive experience in teaching struggling readers with advanced training in early childhood reading readiness and literacy collaborative methods. Deborah earned her Master's in Education from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
Over the last few years Deborah has also become certified as a life coach and works teaching executive functioning skills to both adults and children as well as many other skills such as time management, stress management, and prioritization. Deborah has a passion for children and is excited to work with our youngest learners.
Dr. Jodi King - Academic Coach, IEP Advocate, Educational Diagnostic Testing
Jodi joins the team at ELS with 43 years of education experience. She is retired from Cecil County Public Schools where she held teaching and administrative positions. Jodi spent 6 years at the Maryland State Dept. of Education as Chief of the Nonpublic Schools Section. She moved on to be the Deputy Director of the Benedictine School on the Eastern Shore to assist with a new administration. Most recently, Jodi was a diagnostician for the State of Delaware providing services to the New Castle County Detention Center, the Ferris School for Boys and the Terry Children’s Psychiatric Center. On October 1, 2021 she retired from the State to take a 3 day a week contract with Brandywine School District to provide mentoring and support to special ed. Coordinators. Jodi is also an Associate Professor in the School of Education at Notre Dame University of Maryland. She teaches graduate level special education courses in the areas of transition, assessment and instructional strategies.
Jodi holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation from Wilmington University, a Certificate of Administration from Loyola University, a M.A. in Psychology from Washington College, and a B.S. in Special Education from Mansfield University.
Holly Zanville, Ph.D. – Psychologist
Dr. Zanville has been a licensed clinical psychologist since 2011, providing both individual therapy and psychoeducational assessment services in the DC area. Dr. Zanville has expertise in helping clients to manage their anxiety and is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. She has significant training in assessing for learning disabilities as well as ADHD. Originally from Atlanta, GA, Dr. Zanville moved to Northern Virginia to pursue her Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
Dr. Zanville has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from George Mason University.
Nadia Petrovic- Academic Coach, Intensive Interaction Support Professional, Yoga Instructor
Nadia earned her Master’s Degree in Education in 2007 in her home country Slovakia, and has been working in education supporting children of all ages and abilities since then. Soon after her graduation she moved to England where she spent the following 13 years of her life. Her first position as a bilingual support teacher and cultural advisor in Cardiff, Wales, created an opportunity to expand her skill base in two directions: one within education, where she continued to grow her experience and expertise in learning disabilities and behaviour management and one within public services where she eventually landed a position as a police and court interpreter. In 2018, Nadia successfully completed her 500-hour yoga teacher training and earned her Diploma in Hatha Yoga. Nadia, her husband, who serves in the US Navy, and their children relocated to the USA in 2020 following her husband’s deployment to the National Defence University, Washington, DC. Soon after her arrival, Nadia joined the ELS team where she continues to support local children academically, helping them to reach their full learning potential.
Kat Stafford - Academic Coach
Kat Stafford received her teaching certificate (K-12th) and M.Ed. in Second Language Instruction and Acquisition from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2016. As a teacher for MCPS, she works with a wide array of students representing various cultural backgrounds and learning abilities. Kat enjoys making creative and multi-modal lessons that support individual learners’ needs.
Brittani London- Academic Coach
Brittani was born and raised in Potomac, Maryland. Growing up with a learning disability herself, Brittani made her goal as an educator to be able to connect with and provide support to students who also struggle with learning differences. Her teaching philosophy is that learning should be fun, stress free, and presented through a multi-sensory approach. Student's learn in so many different ways and it's our job as educators to make sure we have the tools in our toolbox to help target their individual needs.
Brittani earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Hofstra University in Long Island, NY, and a Master's Degree in Special Education: Learning Disabilities from American University. During graduate school, she did her internship at the Lab School of Washington where she continued on as a teacher after graduation. In 2014 Brittani transferred to the McLean School of Maryland, in Potomac where she taught third and fourth grades for 10 years. Brittani is certified in the Orton-Gillingham Reading approach, Sarah Ward's Executive Functioning curriculum, Step-Up to Writing curriculum, and has experience with The Writing Revolution.
Enrique Gallego - Academic Coach, Neuroeducator
Enrique is a seasoned neuroeducator from Spain whose passion for fostering diverse and mindful learning environments has taken him across 4 continents. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Enrique's journey spans Europe, Oceania, Asia, and America.
His academic background includes a Master's in Neuroscience and Education from Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Spain; and a Bachelor's in Education from the University of Almeria, Spain. Additionally, he has completed Waldorf training and pursued professional development programs in Indonesia and Hawaii.
Enrique's expertise lies in implementing innovative teaching methodologies such as educational neuroscience, social-emotional learning, and project-based learning. He currently serves as Spanish High School Teacher at Oneness-Family School, a Montessori school in the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Prior to this, Enrique taught at the International Waldorf School of Alicante, Spain, and Millennium School, a lab school in San Francisco.
Tameshia Henry - Academic Coach, IEP/504 Support
Tameshia Henry is a highly qualified special education professional with over ten years of experience in education, advocacy, and leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction. In her roles as Special Education Coordinator and Teacher within Washington, D.C. public schools, she expertly manages IEPs, supports compliance, and collaborates with general education teams to foster inclusive practices.
Known for her commitment to equity and accessibility, Tameshia also serves on the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) committee to ensure data-driven, personalized support for students. Beyond the classroom, she provides professional development training for educators, sharing research-based strategies to enhance teaching practices. Tameshia Henry is a dedicated advocate and coach, committed to empowering students, teachers, and communities.
Sam Noel - Academic Coach, IEP/504 Support
Samuel Noel's journey from Division I athlete to certified special education teacher has equipped him with the experience and knowledge to guide students. He is a certified special education teacher in West Virginia and Maryland and a certified reading specialist in Maryland. He began his teaching career in 2004, during which time he has taught various subjects, including reading, writing, social skills, and math. His mastery of in-person and online teaching has helped his ability to help students find their spark.
Rhonda Pratt - Academic Coach, IEP/504 Support
Rhonda Pratt is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Reading and Literacy at Capella University. She holds a Master of Arts in Early Childhood and Special Education from George Washington University. Rhonda began her teaching career as a general education instructor in New York City before being inspired to advance her education in Special Education. In 2006, she relocated to Washington, D.C., where she dedicated herself to working with students with special needs. With over 15 years of experience, Rhonda has effectively supported students in grades PreK through 8, accommodating diverse learning styles. She is deeply committed to inspiring, encouraging, and helping her students realize their full potential.
Debbie Hepner - Academic Coach
Debbie has more than 30 years experience in Elementary and Special Education in Montgomery County Public Schools. She has a Master's +60 degree in reading instruction. Debbie spent the last 15 years of her career in Montgomery County Public Schools as a reading specialist; helping teachers and students learn the best strategies and practices in reading and writing instruction. During this time, she also worked with young children in one-on-one and small group settings, providing reading, writing, and math remediation and enrichment. Debbie has been trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teach literacy to individuals.
Debbie develops positive relationships that promote learning. She implements practices that nurture the skills a child already possesses as well as sets high standards in relevant learning experiences in order to meet the needs of the individual learner.
The tutoring sessions are focused, goal oriented and fun!