ALL ABOARD

My name is Shahzad and I'm thrilled that you are considering working with us here at Wordsmith Express. Joanne and I have three awesome kids of our own and often found that the opportunities available to us outside of school didn't keep them challenged in what they were good at and didn't offer enough support in areas where they needed help. We spent millions of dollars and put together a world-class team to figure out the best way to work with kids. We founded Wordsmith Express as an Academic Accelerator with the hope of helping kids everywhere, unleash the greatness that we know is within every one of them. As parents ourselves, we are committed to providing your kids with everything we would want as parents: The best teachers, cutting-edge teaching techniques and fully customized experiential learning.

Before founding Wordsmith Express, I used to be a an investment professional, consultant and entrepreneur where I got to work on over $40 billion worth of deals. I also taught at Harvard Law School and graduated from Harvard Law School (JD), Harvard's JFK School of Government (MPA) and Columbia University (Bachelor's degrees in Political Science-Economics and Biochemistry). I was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (I was mostly thrilled to still be considered Young!) and have been interviewed by the BBC, Bloomberg, the Financial Times and the Washington Post, among others. When I'm not working with families at Wordsmith Express, I love spending time with my family, reading and sometimes taking my (rapidly declining) vertical jump to the nearest basketball court.

Greetings! I'm Joanne, and I'm so excited to welcome you to Wordsmith Express! I have had a life-long love of learning and, since founding Wordsmith Express, Shahzad and I have strived to make it a place where we would want our own kids to be: A place where every student who walks in feels understood, empowered, inspired and effective.

Prior to Wordsmith Express, I trained as a physician in Virginia and got my Master's in Public Health from Harvard with a strong focus on humanitarian relief. As a physician, I had the joy of co-founding Doctors Worldwide, a medical relief organization which still has operaEons in over 13 countries. When I haven't been at Wordsmith Express or with my three energizing boys, I have had the opportunity to teach chemistry at the base of Mount Kenya, do health education in the middle schools of Washington, DC, health care reconstruction in Sarajevo, entrepreneurship in Cambridge, algebra in Kuala Lumpur and salsa dancing in Richmond. I can't wait to continue my journey with you and your family!

Hey y'all! My name is Stephenie Lee and I grew up in New Orleans (geaux SAINTS) before matriculating to Dartmouth College where I earned a B.A. in Economics and Art History. I have tutored people of all ages in multiple capacities - from Chinese and math to test prep and reading comprehension. Education is incredibly important but the learning process can be frustrating at times when teaching and learning styles don't match. At Wordsmith Express, my focus has always been to ensure my teaching style is flexible enough for all types of learners and I am excited to help make education more accessible and understandable for everyone! In my downEme, I like to travel, read, sing, do yoga, cook, and watch notoriously bad TV shows. I can't wait to meet you and your children and become an integral part of their learning process!

Hello! My name is Lauren Boranian. I graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, earning an A.B. in Linguistics with a minor in Music. At Harvard, I wrote my senior thesis on the intersection of language and music in the brain. Growing up in Oakland, CA, and attending the Head-Royce School, I was lucky enough to have some truly amazing teachers. I believe all students can benefit from the individual attention of a caring, invested teacher, and I strive to live up to that philosophy as an instructor. Over the years, I have worked with students of all ages in different educational settings. At the San Francisco-based nonprofit 826 Valencia, I helped to design and implement a creative writing curriculum for an elementary summer program. I have also worked as a teaching assistant for the Head-Royce Summer Program and the Piedmont East Bay Children's Choir. While my academic interests are quite varied, I especially love languages, writing, and reading, and I am a firm believer that a good to-do list is the key to success. In my free time, I enjoy singing in choir, exploring Boston, making quilts, and cooking for my friends. I look forward to working with your family soon!

My name is DanThuy Chu, and education reform is my passion. I graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Sociology and a focus on immigration and education. After graduating, I simultaneously proceeded to complete a two-year commitment with Teach For America while also earning my Master's in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University School of Education. Working as a classroom teacher truly solidified my passion for teaching and education reform. As a classroom teacher, I had the pleasure to work with wonderfully talented students, collaborate with hard-working individuals, and gain valuable insight into the current education landscape. Axiom Learning^TM has been a natural home for me after my classroom experience as our educational philosophy emphasizes identifying exactly where our students need support so we can help them grow where they need the most support-exactly what we need in the classroom seNng. Every student has a story that is waiEng to be told and education is the key to unlocking this story and every child's potential. I look forward to working with you and your child at Axiom Learning to help them unleash their full potential!

Hello! I grew up in Stowe, Vermont before attending Colgate University where I studied English Literature and Education. While studying at Colgate, I became interested in the facets of special education and social justice in Education while involving myself in writing seminars through the English Department. I spent every summer working with children of all ages: either in my hometown as a tennis coach, or in Boston teaching math. Choosing to become involved in education was a no-brainer; I was met with another easy decision upon discovering Axiom my senior year. The one-on- one relationships they allow students and instructors to develop is something upon which I base my educational philosophy. Individually knowing a student is critical when molding a lesson plan that works for them. When I am not working at Axiom, I am probably reading, cooking, or finding something to do outside. I am excited to start working with your child and motivating them to learn more!

Hello! I’m delighted to work with you and your family at Axiom. Originally from Denver, Colorado, I have been working with kids for as long as I can remember both inside and outside the classroom. I graduated magna cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of the Arts in English and History. While at BC, I became inspired to work as an educator through my service with programs such as Jumpstart for Young Children and Big Brothers Big Sisters. BC also taught me that curiosity and learning can spark from anything and everything around us—whether that’s finding the poetics behind rap music or even critically analyzing Disney movies! I firmly believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed, and I hope to share my joy of learning in all aspects of my life. When I’m not teaching, you can find me reading, road tripping, biking, or serving up a scrumptious jazz brunch with friends and family.

I graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Tufts University with a B.A. in Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Spanish. I fell in love with teaching when I was a high school student, after getting involved with my school's peer tutoring program. Since then, I've worked in educational settings ranging from adult English classes in Spain to my very own middle school classroom, where I designed and taught six weeks of intensive social studies through a nonprofit program. I have worked with students of all ages on a variety of subjects, ranging from languages to test prep to math and beyond. However, what I have enjoyed most about teaching are the opportunities to work closely with students to help them unlock their maximum potential and motivation. Outside of Axiom, you might find me playing soccer, decorating cakes, or going to concerts. I love helping students find their passion for learning, and I'm really looking forward to working with you and your family!