Alan (he/him) immediately puts students at ease with his warm and encouraging approach. A Yale University graduate, he holds a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and has ten years of teaching experience. Prior to joining Pacific Preparatory, Alan worked at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco as a teacher and administrator. Alan loves to empower his students, helping them go from "I don't know" to "I can totally do this!" His teaching philosophy centers around every child being able to succeed given the proper tools and a bit of patience. With Pacific Preparatory, he teaches K-12 students in math and English, and all levels of Spanish. Read more about Alan.

Julian (he/him) has a degree in music from Carleton College and over fifteen years of teaching experience. Julian is one of our most highly-sought-after instructors. With Pacific Preparatory he teaches English, history, math, and test prep (SAT, SSAT, ISEE, HSPT), and has worked extensively with students with learning differences, including ADHD, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and executive functioning challenges. Julian creates student-centered learning experiences that are both rigorous and engaging and perfectly tailored to the student’s learning needs and interests. Read more about Julian.

Beth (she/her) is a powerhouse educator who has been inspiring students since 2007, with a deep specialization in mathematics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the prestigious Georgia Institute of Technology. In 2009, she joined the faculty at Cambridge Academy, where she not only taught middle school math but also played a leading role in building the school’s highly regarded STEM program. Beth teaches math, engineering, and robotics with exceptional skill and enthusiasm. When she's not in the classroom, she’s training for marathons, paddleboarding, or exploring the outdoors. As one parent put it, she is “a total rockstar and a truly top notch teacher.” Read more about Beth.

Eliotte (she/they) holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Reed College and is currently earning a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology at UC Berkeley—one of the top research institutions in the world. With seven years of experience supporting students at both the high school and college levels, Eliotte brings deep academic expertise and a passion for mentorship. At UC Berkeley, she served as a teaching assistant in courses such as bacterial genetics, genomics, microbiology, and general biology, while also mentoring undergraduates to strengthen their study skills and overcome imposter syndrome. Eliotte’s teaching style is rooted in clear, concise explanations and real-world connections. At Pacific Prep, she teaches science and math. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys long bike rides with her beloved dog, Figgy. As one parent recently shared, working with Eliotte was “the ABSOLUTE BEST experience.”

Brian (he/him) holds a Master of Education with an English teaching credential and a B.A. in English Literature, graduating with distinction from California State University, Northridge. Before entering the classroom in 2012, Brian was commissioned as a U.S. Naval officer, serving with distinction overseas in five partner nations and in Washington, D.C. After eight years of military service, he pursued his M.Ed. from National University with an integrated single-subject credential in English. Since then, he has taught English, theater, and student government to high school students with energy, creativity, and deep commitment. Our families rave about him—one enthusiastically shared, “On a scale of 1-10, I would give Brian an eleven!”

Brett (he/him) is a standout educator and our favorite Canadian francophile, based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA in French and a BFA in Theatre Arts from San Francisco State University, graduating magna cum laude, with additional studies in the UC system and in Nîmes, France. With over 15 years of experience teaching in San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles, Brett brings exceptional skill in French, English, history, and screenwriting. He is also a test prep expert, having helped students achieve standout results on the SAT, ACT, SSAT, HSPT, and ISEE—including one student who jumped from a 1360 to a 1530 on the SAT. His students have gone on to top schools like Columbia, UCLA, Polytechnic, Mayfield, and Campbell Hall. Brett also supports students with executive functioning skills and is a professional voice-over artist.

Hannah (she/her) brings nearly a decade of experience teaching and tutoring high-level science, math, and custom-designed electives. She holds a BS in Biology with a minor in Spanish and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Environmental Science. Known for her hands-on, cross-disciplinary approach, Hannah excels at creating immersive, student-centered courses that spark curiosity and connect learning to real-world experiences. She’s especially skilled at supporting students with learning differences, including ADHD and ASD, and is a natural mentor who makes STEM subjects deeply engaging. As one parent shared, “Hannah is brilliant and incredibly patient. Our kitchen becomes a full-on science lab during her sessions—beakers, posters, experiments—the whole experience is transformed. My child is totally captivated. She’s truly exceptional!”

Joyce (she/her) is a masterful educator with over 20 years of experience and has been teaching with Pacific Prep since 2021. She holds a BA in Psychology from Smith College and an MA in Consciousness Studies, and has taught through renowned institutions including California Poets in the Schools, the Oakland Museum, Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, Oakland Public Library, La Peña Cultural Center, Smith College, Mills College, and Saint Mary’s College of California. Joyce has a remarkable ability to connect with both elementary and high school students, adapting to their needs while guiding them toward their best work. She teaches English and executive functioning skills, and outside the classroom, enjoys hiking, yoga, and Qigong. Read more about Joyce.

Chris (he/him) is a highly skilled educator with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a minor in Astrophysics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. With experience as a private tutor, homeschool teacher, and after-school enrichment instructor, he brings a versatile and thoughtful approach to teaching. Chris is known for his patient demeanor and use of the Socratic method in his biology, chemistry, and physics classes, guiding students to think critically and develop independent problem-solving skills. He is also a certified SAT/ACT and study skills expert, supporting students in both academic content and test-taking strategies. Outside the classroom, Chris enjoys programming and creating art—especially glass art—as a way to blend technical precision with creativity. As one parent shared, “He’s absolutely wonderful, and we are so grateful for him.”

Matt (he/him) has been a valued member of the Pacific Prep team since 2014. He holds a BA in Anthropology and a JD from the University of Michigan, reflecting his strong academic foundation and intellectual curiosity. With extensive experience in education, Matt previously served as an academic coordinator and test prep instructor at Kaplan before dedicating himself to teaching. He is especially passionate about middle and high school English and history, where he brings depth, enthusiasm, and a talent for making complex ideas accessible. Matt is also an avid traveler—he and his wife spent over a year exploring the world—and a devoted bird watcher. As one parent shared, “My son loves Matt! He told me, ‘I want to be like Matt when I’m older.’”

Debbie (she/her) graduated with high honors from Pepperdine University with a B.A. in English and a Secondary Credential emphasis. With over 16 years of teaching experience in the Los Angeles Unified School District, Debbie brings a wealth of knowledge and a dynamic, engaging teaching style rooted in academic excellence. She holds a Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in English and has completed specialized training in teaching Gifted and Talented Learners, reflecting her commitment to creating inclusive, high-level learning environments. Debbie specializes in advanced English instruction and is also certified to teach Pacific Prep’s study skills curriculum. Outside the classroom, she is a talented singer and piano player. As one parent shared, “I’m so happy! [My child] said this was his best social studies class yet. Your approach is firm yet connected, and he’s learning so much while truly enjoying it. You’ve sparked his curiosity—it’s like magic.” Read more about Debbie.

DJ (she/they) holds a BA in Spanish and Communications and is certified in early childhood, elementary education, ESL, bilingual (Spanish), and special education (EC–12). With a joyful and creative approach to teaching, DJ works across K–5 in all subjects, teaches all levels of Spanish, and provides strong support to middle and high school students. Her individualized instruction has led to remarkable student outcomes, including one child excelling in Johns Hopkins math courses and another advancing from 5th-grade math to an advanced 10th-grade level. DJ seamlessly integrates art and hands-on activities to make learning vibrant and memorable. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her daughter. As one parent shared, “We are thrilled with how beautifully our year with DJ has turned out. Her positive energy, creativity, and caring nature make every class a fun and engaging experience. What a fantastic professional!” Read more about DJ.

Nataly (she/her) is a highly accomplished educator with over 15 years of experience teaching high school English and history. She holds a master’s degree in Education and a bachelor’s degree in English, and is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in English. Nataly also teaches freshman composition at Cal State University, Northridge. Her expertise spans English, history, writing composition, and African American and Latinx studies, and she has worked successfully with students across a wide range of grade levels and learning profiles, including those with learning differences. Known for her warmth and approachability, Nataly is also an award-winning children’s author and performs regularly with her band throughout the Bay Area. Read more about Nataly.

Beth (she/her) holds a PhD in Anthropology from Cornell University, an MA in Elementary Education from the University of New Mexico, and a BA in Archeology from Cornell University. She has 22 years of K-12 and college level teaching experience. Beth has worked extensively with students with learning differences and provided support with their IEPs and differentiated instruction based on multiple different learning styles. In her work with elementary through college students, she has found that writing skills are dramatically improved with in-depth discussion, targeted questions, and a thoughtful, engaged reader. With Pacific Preparatory, Beth teaches all K-8 subjects and high-level English and history. Read more about Beth.