Claudia
Graduating from London’s leading multidisciplinary university, the University College of London (UCL), with an Upper 2:1 BA in English Literature and Language, Claudia has continued her commitment to the field of education while pursuing a career in journalism and in public relations.
While at UCL, Claudia worked as a learning specialist for high school and undergraduate students, specifically in reading proficiency skills and writing development, for both creative and technical writing.
Bringing her experience to Los Angeles, Claudia has worked as a reading coach for Reading Partners Scheme for kids of various ages in schools in LA. Through her expertise as a literacy coach, Claudia has successfully helped countless students become fluent and confident readers. Claudia’s area of specialization also encompasses college essay writing and the Reading/Writing sections of the SAT and ACT.
Oriane
Oriane is a screenwriter, playwright, art critic, media consultant, and world traveler. Bilingual in French and English, proficient in Italian and Spanish, she holds a Double Major BA in History and English Literature from La Sorbonne University in Paris. She also earned her MA in Journalism and Anthropology of Mass Media while working in New York for a French/American Music festival. Additionally, she holds certificates in Art History and French as a Second Language from Pierce College in Athens.
Oriane has been a tutor, mentor, and coach for ten years and cherishes still being in touch with her students all around the world. With her distinctive multidisciplinary approach, she teaches Philosophy through Greek tragedies, French through Renaissance painting, and Journalism through cinema. Her unique creative teaching style connects knowledge, arts, and languages, yielding remarkable academic results and helping students discover personal purpose, passion, and confidence.
Mitchell
Using his extensive background in theater, cinema, digital multimedia, and design to bring creativity to education, Mitchell’s areas of expertise include digital multimedia, creative writing, filmmaking, and award-winning college portfolios.
Graduating with a B.A. from Virginia Tech, Mitchell’s professional experience includes work as a video editor, including for Paramount, and as a graphic designer and photo editor. He also has expertise in video game design.
His experience with children and education began 10 years ago when he worked as a camp counselor for Stage Door Stars in Virginia, a camp designed to bring performance experience to kids with various learning differences. He has since joined the Skill Builders21c team working with children of all ages gain mastery of content, organizational skill sets, creative skills, college admission support, and an emphasis on Photoshop and Adobe Suite.
Natasha
Natasha has been working with high school and college kids for the past 10 years, helping her students excel in classes that require more sophisticated writing and research analysis skills.
Natasha’s area of expertise is in guiding students through the college application process. Her students have gained entry into the Ivy League schools, and acceptances to MIT, Berkeley, Stanford, Penn, University of Michigan, NYU, Washington in St. Louis, London School of Economics, and many more, including private, and top level public institutions across the country. With her guidance and support, Natasha has also been instrumental in helping students get admitted to PhD, PsyD, and MBA programs.
Graduating from the University of Michigan (summa cum laude) with a BA in Creative Writing and French, Natasha specializes in helping students find their voice in their writing as well as steering them in creating a “package” that will highlight their best attributes for admissions decisions. Natasha has worked for a top East Coast college consulting company, gaining expertise in college counseling, college essays, admission interview, and scholarship applications.
Talia
During her high school years, Talia was inspired by amazing female instructors in both mathematics and the sciences, resulting in her excelling in both subjects. She began tutoring in high school and continued throughout her college years.
Upon completing a double major in Business Administration and Economics at IDC, Israel, Talia was selected by the head of the Economics Department to work as a teaching assistant for the next three years, providing direct instruction, student support, and faculty research collaboration. During this time, Talia continued on with her graduate studies in Behavioral Economics, integrating insights and strategic techniques from psychology, neuroscience and microeconomics and applying it to customized learning plans for her students to access their potential and goals.
Talia’s expertise is in mathematics, and she sees students of all levels. She is particularly passionate about helping girls and young women realize their math potential.
Talia’s other passion is the world of fitness and nutrition. Gaining her personal training certification from a renowned international center, Talia also currently works for a personal training company providing remote coaching and continues to train her private clientele, applying her expertise in fitness, motivation and goal-setting to help her clients achieve life-changing results.
Tony
Tony Schmitz is a learning specialist with a certification in ADHD/Anxiety management (International Association of Therapists) and neuro-linguistic programming (IAOTH).
With almost 20 years of coaching experience, Tony uses an athletic mindset to connect with students and has gained extensive insight on supporting children, adolescents, and young adults with a range of challenges to learning, including specific learning disorders in language and mathematics.
Tony’s educational background is in journalism and biology, receiving a bachelor of arts from Creighton University, where he was an NCAA student-athlete. After college, Tony continued playing soccer professionally before moving to Los Angeles to serve as the Technical Director for SportsWise, a youth soccer camp, from 2010-2015.
Tony’s approach to working with his clients calls on his coaching background, helping to integrate social, emotional, and behavioral roadmaps for improved executive functioning and academic achievement.
Elliott
Elliott Beenk is a multi-hyphenate scientist, consultant, musician, and entrepreneur. Trained as an engineer, he has a passion for bringing creative problem-solving approaches to complex problems.
Raised in an Iowan farm town of 400, Beenk went on to pursue degrees in Mechanical (B.S.) and Environmental (M.S.) engineering at the University of Iowa. His work led him to receive the prestigious SROP-McNair fellowship and funding from BP to develop a novel phytoremediation system (using plants to degrade toxins) in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
After performing a solar-powered bike tour across Iowa and while working with mentor Jerry Schnoor — one of the founding fathers of phytoremediation and editor of the leading environmental engineering academic journal — Beenk was named a finalist as America's Next Eco-Star by the Department of Energy.
Elliott holds certification as an NLP Life Coach. Elliott’s areas of specialization include college consulting and working with students to create unique portfolio submissions; college level tutoring and mentoring; and sourcing internship opportunities.
Stephanie
Stephanie Heitman is our NYC based specialist. A British national, she completed her education with an academic scholarship at the prestigious Oundle boarding school.
Her extensive experience in theatre and public speaking allows her to encourage each student to build confidence for classroom discussions, debates, and admissions interviews. Graduating with honors from Durham University with a BA in English Literature, Stephanie has successfully mentored students who have been accepted into rigorous academic programs such as NYU, University of Miami, Durham and Edinburgh University.
With her expertise in writing, Stephanie has successfully helped countless students of all ages and levels develop strong writing skills. Stephanie’s work as a member of the SkillBuilders 21c team includes assisting students with college essays, test-taking skills, public speaking, reading fluency and reading comprehension skills, and academic management and support, including for students with learning differences and gifted students.
Chance
Upon becoming a certified Pawsitivity Coach, Chance has brought smiles to dozens of faces worldwide. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in cuddling with a minor in napping.
Originally from Israel, this pup has several years of experience under his belt working with clients of varying ages and struggles.
Chance truly believes that daily love, random acts of kindness, and a frolic in the park is the key to happiness.
As the SB21c Team’s Chief Happiness Advisor, Chance works hard at fulfilling his duties and serving as a role model for following happy trails.
Sample Member
Upon becoming a certified Pawsitivity Coach, Chance has brought smiles to dozens of faces worldwide. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in cuddling with a minor in napping. Originally from Israel, this pup has several years of experience under his belt working with clients of varying ages and struggles. Chance truly believes that daily love, random acts of kindness, and a frolic in the park is the key to happiness. As the SB21c Team’s Chief Happiness Advisor, Chance works hard at fulfilling his duties and serving as a role model for following happy trails.