Our Team

Kyle Ambrose

Client Manager & Math/Science Tutor

Kyle earned his master’s degree in secondary mathematics education from the University of Connecticut. He began his career in education as a mathematics teacher at a private high school in Washington, D.C., and has spent more than six years in the ACT and SAT field. He has tutored all sections of both tests and has experience developing mathematics content for the digital SAT.

In addition to tutoring ACT and SAT math and ACT science, Kyle is one of our client managers. He meets with families to create Personal Tutoring Plans and helps ensure that each student is succeeding throughout the tutoring process.

Kyle is also an avid golfer and loves traveling to national parks with his wife and daughter.

Allyson Bergman

Client Manager & Testing Coordinator

Allyson earned her B.A. from Brandeis University. She has been with Prep1on1 for more than a decade, beginning as our office manager before assuming additional responsibilities as our testing coordinator, overseeing diagnostic and mock testing. Allyson is also one of our client managers, meeting with families to create Personal Tutoring Plans and help ensure each student’s success.

Before joining Prep1on1, Allyson worked at Fannie Mae for 20 years on customer-directed initiatives, customer development and retention, and the creation of strong business partnerships with community banks and trade associations. Her strengths include creating organizational efficiencies through process redesign and managing multiple projects simultaneously.

Allyson enjoys spending time with her three children and her dog, and she loves the beach!

Stacey Albert

Stacey earned her B.A. with honors in European history from the University of Pennsylvania and received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Her career has included telecommunications law at a large law firm, government affairs for global technology companies, and work in the United States Senate. Although she remains a news junkie, Stacey also works professionally as a freelance business writer, putting her grammar skills to use every day.

Stacey focuses on the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT. She loves to cook and bakes her own bread with the help of Morgan, her sourdough starter. Stacey enjoys engaging with students and helping them identify and build upon the strengths that will enable them to succeed.

Jared Entin

Jared grew up outside Boston and earned his B.S. from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, both in meteorology. After working for several years at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, he spent the next 24 years at NASA Headquarters as a program manager in the Earth Science Division, specializing in terrestrial hydrology, including snow, rivers, soil moisture, and groundwater. He looks forward to helping students master the ins and outs of SAT math and ACT math and science.

Jared is a longtime Montgomery County resident and enjoys taking walks around the neighborhood with his wife and two children. He has also been known to watch and talk endlessly about football!

Mario Fattouche

Mario earned his B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology from UMBC. After graduation, he conducted research at Joslin’s Diabetes Department at Doctors Community Hospital and worked as a surgical and sanitary technician at Maryland Oral Surgery Associates. Mario is passionate about tutoring and has worked one-on-one with students for the past seven years, beginning as a peer tutor in high school.

At Prep1on1, Mario tutors SAT math, ACT math and science, school mathematics through precalculus, biology, and chemistry. He believes that developing rapport with his students is critical to a successful tutoring experience and that meaningful learning requires both the student and teacher to work toward success together.

Mario consumes all types of media in his free time. He is an avid reader, cinephile, and video game connoisseur who also writes campaigns for Dungeons & Dragons.

Scott Ginsburg

Scott earned a B.A. with High Distinction in economics from the University of Michigan. After graduating, he moved to New York City to begin a career in finance. Scott and his family moved to Maryland in 2015, and he began tutoring in Montgomery County shortly thereafter.

Scott works with students on the math sections of the ACT and SAT and the science section of the ACT. Passionate about helping others achieve their goals, he develops individualized strategies that address each student’s needs and help them improve their test scores.

Alyssa Girod

Alyssa holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from New York University and a B.S. in mathematics and physics, with minors in French and English, from Jacksonville University. She is a full-time high school mathematics teacher who teaches trigonometry and calculus. Alyssa tutors students for ACT and SAT math and ACT science and also coaches basketball and flag football.

When she is not working with students, Alyssa enjoys working out, biking, and hiking through Rock Creek Park.

Lew Gleich

Lew has taught English at the high school and college levels for more than 15 years. Before joining Prep1on1, he was a lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, and the University of Tübingen in Germany. Lew enjoys teaching English because he believes that how we talk to each other about ourselves and the world matters. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in English from Hamilton College.

Lew has also studied at Oxford University, Middlebury College, and Tufts University. At Prep1on1, he teaches the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT. He believes that the key to scoring well on standardized tests is learning to understand and anticipate the questions. In his spare time, Lew enjoys swinging imaginary baseball bats and golf clubs.

Joseph Gumbert

Joseph finished high school in Singapore after scoring in the top 1% on standardized tests worldwide. He then attended the University of Virginia, where he was a Boren Scholar and Critical Language Scholar. For the past seven years, Joseph has worked with more than 1,000 students on the ACT and SAT, helping many earn admission to and scholarships from some of the nation’s top universities. His students have included international students and students with learning differences.

Joseph focuses on identifying each student’s weaknesses, breaking challenging areas down into their most basic parts, and helping students master them. He motivates his students by showing them a clear and achievable path toward their goals. Through this process, he has seen many students develop an inner strength and self-confidence they did not know was possible.

Outside of work, Joseph can often be found venerating icons, training in calisthenics, and cracking bad jokes.

Amy Hunt

Amy holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Michigan Technological University and an M.A. in education from Johns Hopkins University. She has been a high school mathematics teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools since 2005.

Amy is well-versed in geometry, algebra, and precalculus, in addition to helping students prepare for the math sections of the ACT and SAT. She has also helped create and refine mathematics teaching materials both within the school system and at Prep1on1.

Haylie Iseman

Haylie graduated from Cornell University and earned her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University. She is admitted to practice law in Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia.
For more than a decade, Haylie practiced law at Michael J. Eig and Associates, representing students with disabilities in matters arising under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and helping secure their access to a free appropriate public education. She has also taught in a variety of educational settings in the United States and abroad.

At Prep1on1, Haylie helps students hone their verbal skills as they prepare for the ACT and SAT.

Karina Kainth

Karina holds a B.S. in diplomacy and international relations from Seton Hall University and an M.S. in foreign service from Georgetown University. After spending several years working in international relations and cross-cultural diplomacy abroad and at the U.S. Department of State, Karina discovered a passion for college admissions and academia. She subsequently worked as a program manager at CollegeVine, a college-preparation company, and as an academic advisor for the Master of Public Policy program at American University.

At Prep1on1, Karina tutors the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT. She helps students find intrinsic motivation and build self-confidence as they work toward their educational goals.

Karina is also a yoga and embodiment teacher who works with clients through a process she created called the Mind-Body Manifesting method. She enjoys hiking, dancing, and creating new healthy recipes.

Odetta King

Odetta earned her B.A. in sociology, with a minor in writing, from Northland Liberal Arts College. She has more than 10 years of experience in education, beginning as an ELL instructor in Washington, D.C., public charter schools before transitioning to curriculum development and private tutoring. Odetta specializes in the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT, helping students strengthen their reading comprehension, grammar, and critical-thinking skills.
Odetta believes tutoring is most effective when students feel both supported and challenged. She works to build each student’s confidence through clear strategies and personalized guidance. Outside of teaching, Odetta enjoys reading widely, traveling, and spending time with her dog, Penny.

Ralph Ledix

Ralph is an experienced teacher with DC Public Schools. He earned his B.A. in political economy and mathematics from Georgetown University in 2017 and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in education. Ralph has taught a variety of subjects, including mathematics, English language arts, science, social studies, and art, at schools throughout the District. His teaching style emphasizes practice, discussion, and responsive techniques tailored to each student’s strengths.

As Ralph learns more about each student’s abilities and thinking style, he helps the student draw upon existing strengths, recognize patterns across subjects, and apply transferable skills in a variety of academic situations.

Outside of teaching, Ralph enjoys cooking, exploring the DMV food scene, playing and watching sports, running and walking, and relaxing with TV, video games, and books. He enjoys almost any active or entertaining pastime.

Alex Lohr

Alex earned his B.A. in political science from Colgate University, with a minor in economics. A former Prep1on1 student himself, Alex has five years of experience tutoring students for the ACT, SAT, and AP exams. He has extensive experience providing both private and group instruction and is adept at helping students find their learning rhythm. At Prep1on1, Alex tutors all sections of the ACT and SAT.

Alex believes that fostering a safe and encouraging environment in which students feel comfortable communicating openly is crucial to their success. In his free time, he enjoys playing chess and Catan, writing poetry, playing basketball, and weightlifting. You might even find him playing chess in Dupont Circle on a warm day.

Lennie Magida

Lennie holds a B.A. in sociology, magna cum laude, from Brandeis University and a J.D. from New York University School of Law. She is passionate about words, reading, communication skills, and helping students at all levels succeed on the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT. Lennie spent years working as a journalist in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Asia. She has also written and edited for the Special Olympics, the United Way, and many other organizations.

A former personal trainer, Lennie is devoted to running, yoga, and other fitness activities. She also loves participating in community theater as an actor, producer, and director.

Guillermo “Gui” Melendez

Gui earned his master’s degree in education and bachelor’s degree in child psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. After earning his master’s degree, he began his teaching career with Montgomery County Public Schools. For the first 12 years of his career, Gui taught fifth grade at Whetstone and Bradley Hills elementary schools. For the past 16 years, he has taught mathematics at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, including Algebra 1, Algebra 2, geometry, and financial mathematics.

During his 16 years at B-CC, Gui has also served as the head varsity boys’ soccer coach. In his spare time, he loves attending sporting events, particularly Maryland basketball games, and enjoys “playing golf” throughout the summer.

Gui tutors students in ACT and SAT math as well as high school mathematics. Having seen the success his own children experienced with the program, Gui is thrilled to join Prep1on1.

Danni Melton-Russell

Danni grew up in Montgomery County and is an MCPS alumna. She holds a B.A. in government and international politics from George Mason University and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University. While at Harvard, she taught and tutored courses including statistics, economics, and public leadership.

Danni’s professional experience includes work in cybersecurity and information technology policy. Most recently, she served as a cybersecurity policy advisor for the federal government. At Prep1on1, Danni tutors all sections of the ACT and SAT and enjoys helping students develop their problem-solving skills.

Outside of tutoring, Danni enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, reading, and running.

Nancy Merrill

Nancy has devoted more than 20 years of her career to supporting students and helping them excel academically, including more than 18 years with Montgomery County Public Schools. She serves as the head verbal tutor at Prep1on1. In this role, Nancy creates and maintains the verbal team’s curriculum and works with industry organizations, fellow educators, and local school districts to ensure that Prep1on1’s verbal program remains consistent with evolving academic standards.

Nancy individually trains all verbal tutors and also works directly with students. Additionally, she is the head of MyCollegeWise, where she provides comprehensive college-planning services. She has guided hundreds of students through the college-search and application process.

Nancy attended East Carolina University and George Washington University.

Eva Quittman

Eva graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in chemistry and a minor in Spanish. In addition to spending three years as a peer tutor in Yale’s mathematics department, Eva has more than five years of teaching experience. They have worked with students from kindergarten through college in subjects including mathematics, science, writing, and music theory.

With a strong background in competition mathematics and inquiry-based learning, Eva emphasizes problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to help students strengthen their content knowledge and achieve their academic and test-preparation goals. Eva has a wide array of academic interests, including sociology, linguistics, and art history, but at Prep1on1, they focus on their earliest passions as an AP and STEM subject specialist.

In their free time, Eva can be found hiking, taking nature photos, crocheting, and playing jazz piano.

Ryan Robeson

Ryan graduated from the University of Scranton in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a minor in mathematics. After graduating, he worked as a field engineer before changing career paths and becoming a career firefighter. Ryan understands the importance of educating young people. In addition to knowing how to solve problems, students must be able to think critically, understand the principles behind equations, and articulate their ideas systematically and coherently.

This passion led Ryan to co-found Chesterton Academy of the Annunciation, a Catholic high school in Emmitsburg, Maryland, where he serves on the board and has taught mathematics and science. Ryan is an active member of his church and, along with his wife, enjoys homeschooling his four young children, eating well, and working on the family farm with their cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, and poultry.

Max Rohde

Max earned his Ph.D. in biostatistics from Vanderbilt University and his B.A. in physics and geology from Carleton College. He currently works as a statistician in the biotechnology industry, where he helps develop new medicines to treat cancer. Max has more than 10 years of experience teaching mathematics and science to high school students and has won awards for his teaching at the graduate level.

Max adapts his personalized teaching style to each student’s needs in challenging subjects such as AP Statistics, physics, and calculus. He has a proven record of helping students build the confidence and skills to solve problems independently, giving them the tools to succeed in both their current courses and future studies.

In his free time, Max enjoys playing guitar, swimming, and hiking.

Bernie Shapiro

Bernie earned his B.S. in education from the University of Maryland, College Park, and his Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Frostburg State College. He holds a dual teaching certificate in elementary education and secondary mathematics. Although now retired, Bernie spent his teaching career in Frederick County and has tutored students in Montgomery County for more than two decades.

In his free time, Bernie enjoys hiking, biking, and playing both soccer and the harmonica. Bernie and his wife, Marjie, plan to hike the Maryland portion of the Appalachian Trail soon.

Wendy Siegel

Wendy earned her B.A. in mathematics from the University of Florida and her master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of South Florida. Before tutoring full time, she worked as a high school mathematics teacher and helped create professional-development programs for mathematics educators through PBS TeacherLine. Wendy takes pride in her ability to build students’ confidence in mathematics.

By developing greater confidence, using technology effectively, and applying specific strategies to avoid careless errors, Wendy’s students can achieve meaningful improvements in their scores. She tutors SAT and ACT math, ACT science, AP Calculus AB and BC, SSAT and GRE math, precalculus, geometry, Algebra 1 and 2, and other middle and high school mathematics courses.

When she is not tutoring or momming, there is nothing Wendy loves more than playing or listening to live music.

Benjamin Yeung

Benjamin graduated from a dual-degree program at Rutgers University, earning a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering and a B.A. in music. He began providing professional in-home tutoring while he was in middle school and later became a high school mathematics teacher with Montgomery County Public Schools. His broad subject knowledge and extensive tutoring experience help his students connect difficult concepts with analogies they can understand.

Benjamin prepares students for AP exams in mathematics and science and provides support for high school coursework. He is also an avid curler and can often be found on the field playing ultimate frisbee!