Our Principles
Our 'i's on Ed
Just Learning Ally promises to craft content with a focus on four principles.
Individual: JLA believes in designing everything to fit the needs of a student-from curriculum and lessons to activities and assessments.
Intentional: No “busy” work. The activities, lessons, and workshops are designed to deliberately target skill and content development.
Interactive: JLA integrates kinesthetic learning in order to address additional skill sets and differentiate instruction. When students are engaged, focus improves, and they can retain more information.
Interdisciplinary: Students and teachers are encouraged to learn all subjects. A more holistic understanding of a topic leads to better understanding.
About Just Learning Ally
Our Mission
Our Approach
Our Approach
At Just Learning Ally, our mission is to provide personalized educational consulting services that empower students to reach their full potential and achieve their academic goals.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
We believe that every student is unique and deserves a customized approach to their education. That's why we work closely with each student to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and learning style to develop a personalized plan for success.
Our Services
Our Approach
Our Services
We offer a variety of educational consulting services, including college admissions counseling, test preparation, academic tutoring, and more. Our goal is to provide comprehensive support to help students achieve their academic and personal goals.
Meet the Founding Team!
Derek
Derek has taught public school for over a decade. His style places a high value on student voice and reducing unnecessary stress throughout the learning process.
After deciding to be a teacher in third grade, Derek tutored, substituted, and volunteered in classrooms for grades 3-12. He tutored graduate and undergraduate students at the U
Derek has taught public school for over a decade. His style places a high value on student voice and reducing unnecessary stress throughout the learning process.
After deciding to be a teacher in third grade, Derek tutored, substituted, and volunteered in classrooms for grades 3-12. He tutored graduate and undergraduate students at the University of Massachusetts Writing Center while obtaining a B.A in English.
Derek holds an initial teacher license for English grades 5-8 and a professional license for grades 8-12. He has a Sheltered English Immersion Certification for teaching students whose first language is other than English.
Derek received his Master of Arts in English from Salem State University. His studies focused on literature, rhetoric, and genocide studies with a final portfolio that explored the concept of “visual literacy.”
During his years of public school teaching, Derek designed and implemented new curriculum for American Literature, The Graphic Novel, and Gothic Literature. He adopted a Montessori model for secondary education he called CIDIPI, and he redesigned curriculum in the style of social, educational gaming. Activities included ‘The Grammar Relay,” “Escape the Library,” and “The Witch Hunt.”
He continues to teach literature and composition at local colleges.
Learning Ally: General
English Language Arts
Education
Max
Max has been a certified public high school teacher since 2021. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in History and a Master of Arts degree in Education.
Max holds a license to teach social studies for grades 5-12. He currently teaches World History, American History, and Psychology.
Learning Ally:
Social Studies
P
Max has been a certified public high school teacher since 2021. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in History and a Master of Arts degree in Education.
Max holds a license to teach social studies for grades 5-12. He currently teaches World History, American History, and Psychology.
Learning Ally:
Social Studies
Psychology
Civics
U.S. History
World History
Chris
Chris
Chris holds a Master of Business Administration from Husson University. Since beginning his career, Chris noticed that many students, regardless of their academic success, felt unprepared to take ownership of their financial futures.
Chris works with JLA to teach relevant financial literacy to students and young adults. His interactive wo
Chris holds a Master of Business Administration from Husson University. Since beginning his career, Chris noticed that many students, regardless of their academic success, felt unprepared to take ownership of their financial futures.
Chris works with JLA to teach relevant financial literacy to students and young adults. His interactive workshops are designed for students to learn the basics and have opportunities to put them into practice.
Learning Ally:
Finance
Business