Our People
We're all about connections between students and tutors! To learn more about our Texas branch and what they love to do, check out their pictures and descriptions below. We'd love to meet you! To get to know staff in other areas around the world, please see their respective pages.
Michelle Chen: Co-founder, Director, Tutor
Michelle is a dedicated student attending the Kinkaid School. She loves kids, and her goal when co-founding this organization was to help them associate learning with something enjoyable. Michelle consistently earns high honors every school year. At the Kinkaid School, she was the recipient of the Herder Fellowship for Science Research, Advanced Chemistry Award, and the English II Award. Michelle is also a two-time qualifier for the American Invitational Mathematics Exam (AIME). She is enthusiastic about the STEM community within her school, as well: she serves as the president of FalconSTEM, an organization dedicated to preparation for STEM competitions, in addition to serving as the president of the Math Club. In 2023, her poster presentation placed 1st in the "Undergraduate" division of the Welch Conference on Chemical Research. Outside of academics, she loves being a part of the varsity soccer and cross country team at her high school, reading historical fiction, and spending time with friends and family. Michelle hopes to get to know you soon and play some games too! Happy learning :)
Prisha Verma: Co-founder, Director, Tutor
Prisha is a diligent senior at Shadow Creek High School. Through co-founding Vern Tutoring Classroom during the pandemic, she has found a way to share her passion for knowledge. From acing her classes to scoring well on the PSAT and SAT, she consistently excels in her studies, and, as a result, was able to skip a grade. Her personal experiences allow her to understand that proper teaching methods are essential for students to achieve high academic outcomes. STEM subjects are her forte, demonstrated by her roles at school as vice president in both the Math Honor Society and the Rocketry Club. Recently, Prisha authored a research article in the journal Cancer Research and presented a poster at the annual meeting for American Association for Cancer Research. She is currently interning at MD Anderson, following the footsteps of her mom and pursuing her love for science and discovery. While academics are her focus, Prisha finds joy in the little things- reading, taking walks by the lake, practicing taekwondo, and spending quality time with her sister Saisha, who has also become a tutor. Prisha hopes to see you in class! :)
Lydia Tong: Co-founder, Director, Tutor
Lydia is a passionate student from Houston, Texas attending Bellaire High School. She maintains straight A’s in a highly competitive program while balancing a myriad of extracurriculars. Writing is one of Lydia’s greatest passions, and she has been awarded international and national awards for her works. She has also won multiple awards for creative writing, including the National Scholastic Writing Awards. Lydia is the editor-in-chief for the Three Penny Press, her school's internationally award-winning newspaper. Concurrently, Lydia is extremely passionate about the sciences. She has taught many classes in health science and loves hosting Diagnosing Diseases! Lydia has prior experience with tutoring from individual 1 on 1s and volunteering at Camp Mi Way for kids with special needs. Some hobbies she enjoys are cooking, photography, playing with her cat, and hanging out with her family and friends. Lydia loves helping out eager students, and through co-founding this non-profit, she looks forward to teaching and mentoring her students!
Isabella Teves: Tutor & Texas Chapter Director
Isabella is a high school senior from Houston, Texas with a passion for public health, literacy, and community impact. With a strong academic foundation and a rigorous course load centered in science and the humanities, she is driven by a belief that knowledge should be accessible and empowering. Her work reflects a commitment to expanding access, from conducting microbiology research aimed at helping rural communities prevent the spread of disease to teaching English and leading fundraisers for underserved students in the Philippines. She has also interned with the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation to raise awareness about early onset cancer and expanding the understanding of critical health issues.
As one of the Texas Chapter Directors, Isabella is committed to advocating for students to pursue subjects they are genuinely passionate about while expanding access to academic resources in communities both locally and globally.
Saisha Verma: Tutor & Texas Chapter Director
Saisha is a passionate tutor who goes to Nolan Ryan. She has always been fascinated with education and loves to share her knowledge with kids. Saisha is in all advanced classes and has maintained straight A’s in every class. Saisha loves STEM and has won many awards for her district and Houston STEM fair projects since elementary. This year she won a SEFH innovative award from NASA. Over the years, Saisha has also won many UIL awards. In class, Saisha hopes to make her lessons engaging and informative. When not tutoring, Saisha enjoys reading a good book, baking delicious baked goods, practicing taekwondo, and hanging out with her older sister, Prisha! Saisha can’t wait to work with you to help you achieve your academic goals!
Sarah Adebola: Tutor & Texas Chapter Director
Sarah is a dedicated student at Shadow Creek High School with a passion for community service and making a positive impact. She balances a rigorous schedule that includes AP classes with her involvement in various organizations. As a Student Athletic Trainer, she supports her school’s sports teams and gains hands-on experience, while also serving as a Junior Volunteer at Memorial Hermann Hospital. In addition, Sarah plays an active role in HOSA, showcasing her commitment to healthcare. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Academic Decathlon, and participates in UIL competitions. Outside of academics, Sarah embraces her cultural interests as a member of Mano Hula and serves as Reporter for her school’s FFA chapter. She is also an active member of the Interact Club, further highlighting her dedication to community service. Sarah looks forward to meeting new people and continuing her journey of learning and service.