Our Team

Nancy Merrill

Director of Tutoring Services & Verbal Team Leader

Nancy has devoted her career to supporting students and helping them excel academically for 20+ years and has 18+ years working for Montgomery County Public Schools. She serves as the Department Head and Head Verbal Tutor at Prep1on1. In this role, Nancy creates and maintains the verbal team’s curriculum, works with industry organizations, peer educators, and local school districts to help ensure the Prep1on1 verbal education program is consistent and evolving with prevailing academic standards. She also individually trains all verbal tutors and works directly with students. Additionally, Nancy is head of MyCollegeWise, providing comprehensive college planning services and has guided hundreds of students through the college search and application process. Nancy attended East Carolina and George Washington Universities

Allyson Bergman

Tutor Manager

Allyson earned her B.A from Brandeis University. She supports the company operations by maintaining systems and office services by organizing office operations and procedures, preparing payroll, controlling correspondence, designing filing systems, reviewing, assigning, and monitoring clerical functions. Allyson maintains office efficiency by planning and implementing office systems and establishing procedures. Allyson contributes to the team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Before joining our Prep 1 on 1, Allyson worked at Fannie Mae for 20 years on a variety of tasks, including customer directed initiatives, customer development and retention, and creating strong business partnerships with community banks and trade associations. Her strengths are organizational efficiencies through process redesign and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Allyson enjoys spending time with her three children, her dogs, and loves the beach!

Stacey Albert

Stacey earned her B.A. with honors in European History from the University of Pennsylvania and received a J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center. Her career then led her to telecommunications law at a large law firm, government affairs for global technology companies, and the United States Senate. While she remains a news junkie to this day, she also works professionally as a freelance business writer – putting her grammar skills to daily use. Stacey focuses on the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT. Stacey loves to cook and bakes her own bread, courtesy of her sourdough starter named Morgan. She enjoys engaging with the students and helping them to find their strengths that will enable them to succeed.

Allie Berry

Allie holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park in addition to a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. Allie has held a variety of writing and editing positions with National Geographic Society, the Penguin Group, and various other organizations. Allie has been integral in updating our verbal curriculum to include grammar rules, timed reading techniques, and essay composition. When Allie isn’t tutoring, writing, or editing, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughter.

Helene Cho

Helene graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Cinema and Media Studies. Helene has several years of experience tutoring students in Montgomery County as well as under-resourced students in Philadelphia. Her passion to see students succeed has grown over the years and she does her best to make sure her students enjoy their time learning. At Prep1on1, Helene focuses on Math and Science subjects, particularly on the ACT/SAT. In her free time, Helene likes to edit videos, take photos and go on hikes with her dog Misoo!

Dawn Fischer

Dawn holds Masters in Special Education from Boston University and a B.A. in Psychology with Honors from Binghamton University. A certified special education teacher, Dawn has extensive experience in private tutoring, and was formerly a Learning Disabilities Teacher for the Alexandria City Public Schools. As a teacher certified by the Maryland State Department of Education, Dawn has been a substitute teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools and has been a member of the Westat assessment team for the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Dawn has been tutoring ACT/SAT students for over 10 years, helping them prepare for ACT math and science sections as well as SAT math. She recognizes each student’s individual needs and develops a tutoring plan based on the student’s strengths and weaknesses. Dawn enjoys the outdoors, especially taking long walks, hiking, and biking. She loves playing tennis. Fun fact: Any time is a good time to eat ice cream. Dawn’s favorite flavor is Jamoca Almond Fudge!

Scott Ginsburg

Scott earned a B.A. with High Distinction in Economics from The University of Michigan. After graduating, Scott moved to New York City to begin a career in finance. Scott moved with his family to Maryland in 2015 and, shortly thereafter, began tutoring in Montgomery County. He works with students on the math sections of the SAT and ACT, and the science section of the ACT. Scott has a passion for helping others achieve their goals. It is the desire to prepare students and to help them improve their exam scores that motivates Scott to develop unique strategies that address the needs of each individual student.

Alyssa Girod

Alyssa holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching and Mathematics from New York University and a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics and a minor in French and English from Jacksonville University. Alyssa is a full time high school Mathematics teacher for Trigonometry and Calculus. She tutors students for the Math and Science sections of the ACT and SAT. Alyssa is also a coach for basketball and flag football. When Alyssa is not working with students, she enjoys working out, biking, and hikes 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 about the world matters. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Maryland and a B.A. in English from Hamilton College. He has also studied at Oxford University, Middlebury College, and Tufts University. At Prep1on1, he teaches the Verbal sections of the SAT and ACT. Lew believes that the key to scoring well on standardized tests is learning to understand and anticipate the questions. Lew enjoys swinging imaginary baseball bats and golf clubs in his spare time.

Joseph Gumbert

Joseph finished high school in Singapore with top 1% standardized test scores world-wide. He then went on to the University of Virginia where he was a Boren Scholar and Critical Language Scholar. For the past 7 years Joseph has worked with over 1000 students on the SAT and ACT, helping many gain admissions and scholarships to our nation’s top universities (including foreign students and students with learning differences). He focuses on identifying a student’s weaknesses, breaking these struggle areas down into their most basic parts until students have them mastered, and motivating his students by finding and showing them a clear and achievable path towards their goals. In this process, he has seen many students gain an inner strength and self-confidence that they didn’t know was possible. Outside of work, Joseph is often found venerating icons, training in calisthenics, and cracking bad jokes.

Michelle Han

Michelle graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics. During college, Michelle tutored students ranging from elementary to SAT/ACT prep in multiple environments including public schools and private tutoring. After graduating, Michelle worked as a Math/Science ACT tutor and high school Algebra tutor both in New York and Pennsylvania, encouraging students to bring their best work forward. Outside of work, Michelle likes to play video games and create all sorts of things with her sewing machine.

Amy Hunt

Amy holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a M.A. in Education from Johns Hopkins University. She has been a high school math teacher in the Montgomery County Public School System since 2005. Amy is well versed in all sections of Geometry, Algebra, and Pre-Calculus in addition to helping students prepare for all math sections of the SAT and ACT tests. She has worked to create and refine math teaching materials in both the school system and at Prep1on1.

Haylie Iseman

Haylie graduated from Cornell University and received her Juris Doctorate degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (Yeshiva University) with admissions to the Bars of Maryland, New York and the District of Columbia. For over a decade, she practiced law at Michael J. Eig and Associates, representing students with disabilities in cases under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, to secure their access to free and appropriate education. Over the years, she has also taught in a variety of educational settings in the US and abroad. Haylie now helps students hone their verbal skills as they prepare for the ACT and SAT.

Rachel Krott

Rachel has a B.S. in Secondary Education with a Mathematics concentration from The Pennsylvania State University. Rachel is a high school math teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools and has tutored privately in all math subjects from pre-Algebra to Calculus and Statistics. Rachel focuses on math strategies to help each student find success with the mathematical content. Rachel will meets with students at the Quince Orchard Library during the week and at the Prep1on1 office on Saturday mornings. Rachel has a secret – she has been bowling with the Philadelphia Phillies!

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 mainland U.S., Hawaii, and Asia, and she has done writing and editing 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 being involved with community theater as an actor, producer, and director.

Eva Quittman

Eva graduated from Yale University with a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Spanish. In addition to three years as a peer tutor in the math department during their time at Yale, Eva has 5+ years of teaching experience, working with students from kindergarten through college age in subjects including math, science, writing, and music theory. With a strong background in competition math and inquiry-based learning, Eva emphasizes problem-solving skills and critical thinking to help students meet their content knowledge and test-taking goals. Eva enjoys a wide array of academic interests, including sociology, linguistics, and art history, but at Prep1on1 she focuses on her earliest passions, working with students on SAT/ACT math and science. In their free time, Eva can be found hiking, taking nature photos, crocheting, and playing jazz piano.

Hannah Recknor

Hannah grew up in Montgomery County and earned a B.A. in Linguistics and Anthropology (magna cum laude) from Brandeis University. As a student, she held teaching assistantships in theoretical syntax and formal semantics and conducted extensive research on English syntax. She now works in the tech industry as a language data specialist. She loves discussing language structure, and uses her linguistics expertise to help students master the verbal sections of the SAT and ACT. In her free time, Hannah enjoys cooking, swing dancing, and catching up on her favorite podcasts.

Max Rohde

Max graduated from Carleton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and Geology. He currently works as a data scientist for the FDA Office of New Drugs and has authored scientific papers on seismology and gravitational wave physics. In addition to ACT and SAT test preparation, Max has extensive experience teaching high school math and science, including AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Statistics. In his free time, Max enjoys playing guitar in a DC funk band, swimming, and hiking.

Samantha Ross

Samantha Ross teaches both the verbal and the science test taking skills to students preparing for the ACT or SAT. She currently works full time as a teacher in the Montgomery County Public School System. Samantha graduated from the University of Michigan with distinction and received her Juris Doctorate degree, cum laude from American University with admissions to both the Maryland and District of Columbia Bar Associations. Samantha worked in private practice for five years before going back to school to receive her Maryland State Teaching Certification in General Education and Special Education. Samantha focuses on differentiating instructional strategies in order to address the needs of each individual student.

Bernie Shapiro

Bernie received a B.S. in Education at the University of Maryland, College Park. He went on to get a Masters of Education (in Curriculum and Instruction) at Frostburg State College. He holds a dual teaching certificate for elementary education and secondary mathematics. While now retired, his teaching career centered in Frederick County. Bernie has been tutoring 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 Siegel has a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Florida and a Masters Degree in Mathematics Education from the University of South Florida. Before tutoring full time, Wendy worked as a high school mathematics teacher and at PBS.org Teacherline to create professional development for mathematics educators. Wendy takes pride in her ability to build students’ confidence in mathematics. Through increased confidence, use of technology, and specific strategies to avoid careless errors, students see a big difference in their scores. Wendy tutors students for all SAT and ACT math, ACT Science, AP Calculus AB and BC, SSAT Math, GRE Math, Pre-Calculus, Geometry, Algebra 1&2 as well as other middle school and high school math courses. When she’s not tutoring or momming, there’s nothing she loves more than playing or listening to live music.

Vickie Strange-Moscoso

Vickie received her B.S. and M.S in speech/language pathology from Towson University. She has over 30 years of experience as a speech/language pathologist and administrator providing educational services to students of all ages in a variety of settings in Montgomery County Public Schools. Vickie is adept at identifying the individual strengths and needs of students in order to determine the best strategies for success. She is an avid student of reading, language, and writing and enjoys sharing her knowledge and appreciation of these subjects with her students. Vickie provides tutoring for the verbal sections of both the ACT and SAT. When Vickie isn’t working with students, she enjoys traveling, cooking, playing tennis, and taking care of her grandchildren.

Lisa Tillman

Lisa has a B.F.A. from New York University’s Dramatic Writing Program. A published author, and former writer and producer of TV news and documentaries, her credits include Court TV and The History Channel. Lisa tutors students for the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT. Lisa is an avid tennis player and rabid baseball fan.

Nathan Warden

Nathan is a graduate of McDaniel College in Westminster, MD with a B.A. in Political Science and minor in Literature. Since graduating, he has taught English in Vietnam and Japan, edited newspapers in Aspen, and both wrote and edited advertising copy for a real estate company in New York City. Nathan acts as our client manager – meeting with families to create Personal Tutoring Plans and make sure your child is succeeding throughout their tutoring. As a tutor,  Nathan focuses on the verbal sections of the ACT and SAT, and he believes the key to improvement is to develop smart habits. Outside of work, Nathan spends his time reading, hiking with his wonderful dog Stanley, or watching his not-so-wonderful sports teams.

Benjamin Yeung

Benjamin is a graduate of 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 when he was a middle school student, and is a former high school math teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools. His knowledge of different subjects and extensive tutoring experience help him students connect difficult concepts to analogies they can understand. Benjamin prepares students for SAT Subject and AP tests for math and science as well as providing high school class support. Ben is an avid curler and can often be found on the fields playing ultimate frisbee!