Marlisa R. Johnson, M.Ed.
Director

Marlisa graduated with honors and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Spelman College. She then went on to be the recipient of a Rackham Merit Fellowship from the University of Michigan where she earned a Master of Education degree and teaching credentials in mathematics and economics. The foci of her Master’s work were “multiculturalism in mathematics” and “girls and mathphobia”.

Marlisa has classroom teaching experience at two of the top independent schools in Los Angeles. She has taught both middle school and high school mathematics and has also worked as a basketball coach. Marlisa has worked with a variety of academic enrichment programs in several roles: teacher, administrator and student. Among them – SHARP program at NASA, Princeton Summer Research Experience, Summer Engineering Program at the University of Michigan and Summerbridge.

Marlisa is the founder of Mathtopian Preparation and has more than ten years of experience as a private mathematics tutor and test prep coach. She has built a clientele of students from several independent schools on the Westside, but works with students from other areas of the city as well. She provides SAT Prep to students participating in the Upward Bound Math Science program at Pasadena City College and provides math enrichment sessions to students participating in the Talent Search program at Cal State Los Angeles. Marlisa also works as a freelance curriculum writer and evaluator for the Galef Institute.

Among her professional associations, Marlisa serves on Advisory Board of the California Association for the Gifted Central Cities Region and is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. She was a selected fellow of the Educational Leadership Institute and recently served as an ITEST panelist for the National Science Foundation. In addition, she serves on the Advisory Board of UC College Prep Online (UCCP).

Angela Cobb
Writing, Grammar, SAT English, ACT English
Angela Cobb is our resident writing and grammar expert. She specializes in teaching writing using techniques including rhetoric, grammar and sentence fluency. Angela currently teaches Advanced Placement English Language at Compton High School and provides writing workshops through the Center for Educational Partnerships at UC Irvine. Angela is certified to score the SAT Essay Section and has worked as a reader for the College Board for the past several years. In addition, Angela has received extensive training from the University of California on the requirements of their admissions essay. The Writing Bootcamp – a customized writing course for small groups is taught by Angela during the summer.

Felicia Dalton
Pre Algebra through AP Calculus AB
Felicia Dalton graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Accounting, as well as a Masters in Education and a California Teaching Credential. Felicia is currently a mathematics teacher at Windward school teaching Algebra, Pre Calculus and AP Calculus. Prior to working at Windward she served as the math department co-chair and also a math instructional coach at Belmont High School. Felicia believes that her strength is instruction – she is able to teach complex math ideas in a very understandable and clear way. “As a teacher, I know what teachers expect and what concepts are important. I am also a very patient, clear and efficient instructor.”

Maria Garcia
Chemistry and Spanish
Maria graduated from UC Irvine with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. She’s always loved Chemistry and spent her last two years at UCI working in an organic chemistry Lab. She is currently enrolled in the Teaching Credential Program at Cal State LA because she’s always had a desire to be a high school chemistry teacher. For the last two years she has been tutoring Chemistry and Spanish throughout Orange County but she recently moved to Westwood and brought her Chemistry skills with her! Maria loves working with students and confesses that patience is her strongest suit.

Laura Chudnovsky
Biology, Chemistry and Math (through Algebra 2)
Laura is a UCLA graduate with a BS degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Russian Literature. She is currently applying to medical school and wants to contribute to medical research upon graduation from medical school. Despite her youthful appearance, Laura has many years of tutoring experience and considers herself to be one of the best. She most enjoys tutoring Chemistry and Biology because these two subjects account for the fundamentals of living organisms. Laura’s extensive knowledge of these subjects allow her to help students relate to the material and understand the importance of what they are learning. Her creative approaches to memorization help students master concepts with ease.