Our Team
instructor
Sierra Cadmus
(310) 753-0603
Sierra’s educational background in English has enabled her to teach both non-native English learners as well as middle and high school students. With approximately 20 years of teaching experience, she specializes in SAT/ACT reading and writing, SAT II Literature, AP Language and Literature, essay writing, reading comprehension, and grammar.
Sierra is also certified from University of California, Los Angeles as an independent college consultant. She helps students with the college application process, including conducting college search and writing personal statements, scheduling high school courses, and exploring various options for summer.
I am an educator, but I am also a wife and a mother. My approach to teaching and counseling is simple: treat my students as if they were my own children. I really make the effort to motivate, comfort, and discipline my students, everything a mother would do for her children. “It takes a village to raise a child,” according to proverb. I look forward to being a part of your village.
Education
University of California, Irvine Bachelor of Arts, English
California State University, Dominguez Hills Master of Arts, English
University of California, Los Angeles College Counseling Certificate
“What separates Sierra from all the other teachers out there is her true compassion, which combined with her effective teaching techniques makes her an excellent teacher!! We, as parents, feel that she genuinely cares about our kids and she teaches them as if they were her own. Because of Sierra's great teaching, my daughter was able to do very well on her English AP and received almost a perfect score on the English and reading sections of the ACT!!”
instructor
Chad Risner
(714) 299-3876
Chad’s educational background in mathematics and physics has enabled him to teach middle school, high school, and college students. With over ten years of instructional experience, he specializes in all areas of mathematics and physics (AP/ honors courses, SAT/ACT, competition math, and college-level courses).
Chad is unique among instructors because he is adept both at establishing rapport with his students and making difficult concepts more readily comprehensible. Prior to becoming an instructor, Chad was a researcher for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Chad’s education includes a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Physics from University of California, Irvine as well as an M.A. in Economics from California State University, Fullerton.
Education
University of California, Irvine Bachelor of Arts, Economics & Minor in Physics
California State University, Fullerton Master of Arts, Economics
instructor
Dr. Fawzia Qazi
(310) 971-7163
Fawzia’s comprehensive educational background in mathematics and science has allowed her to successfully teach middle school students, high school students, and beyond. For over twenty years, Fawzia has been helping students achieve the highest levels of academic success in math and science, SAT/ACT, subject tests, and AP exams.
Fawzia inspires her students with her enthusiasm and passion for teaching and learning math and science. Not only has Fawzia served the Palos Verdes community as a full time instructor for over twenty years, she has concurrently taught and developed curricula at a prestigious secondary educational institution for over fifteen years, where Fawzia currently teaches AP Chemistry and Honors Chemistry and leads her department as science department chair.
Fawzia’s educational background includes a B.A. in Chemistry from Columbia University, an M.A. in Secondary Education and a California Clear Professional Teaching Credential from Loyola Marymount University. Truly dedicated to lifelong learning, Fawzia also has a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Social Justice at Loyola Marymount University. Her dissertation focused on high school science curriculum.
Education
Columbia University
Bachelor of Arts, Chemistry
Loyola Marymount University Master of Arts, Secondary Education
Doctoral Degree EdD, Educational Leadership & Social Justice
California Clear Professional Teaching Credential
Activities & Affiliations
CollegeBoard Exam Reader in Chemistry
National Science Teachers Association Presenter
CollegeBoard Summer Institutes: AP Chemistry & AP Biology