Marisa Espinosa
Marisa Espinosa believes she was born a teacher.For as long as she can remember, she knew she wanted to teach: she spent her teen years babysitting the neighborhood kids and nannying for her summer college jobs. She graduated from the University of CT with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and went on to Saint Joseph University where she obtained her Masters in Education.
Marisa was teaching in her first classroom in New Haven, CT by the age of 23. She soon moved to a school in Old Saybrook, CT and taught there for 16 years.
In 2017, Marisa made the difficult decision to leave the classroom to pursue a dream that she had long hoped to follow: a career in one on one and small group education. Marisa had worked as a private tutor for all 17 years of teaching and found fulfillment and joy in working one on one with students.
It was in these moments that she found she truly had her “teaching moments”, “watched it click” and experienced firsthand what it meant to truly make a difference in the world. The relationships she formed, both with students and families were strong and she felt deep down that this was how she was meant to teach.
Marisa has been working full time now as a private tutor and educational advocate for parents since 2017 and can truly say she has found her niche. This is how Nurtured Learners was born.
Melissa Miller
Melissa is highly qualified with a diverse background. She is certified to teach Spanish and Bilingual/TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) in Grades K-12. She has a BS in Spanish, a Masters in Bilingual/TESOL and her Sixth Year in Education. She studied in Leon, Spain for a semester and Salamanca, Spain for a summer.
Melissa says, “I love the language and teaching Spanish has been my passion for many years.” When Melissa isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children. She also loves to read, travel, hike, bike and cross country ski.
Katharine Martorelli
Katharine Martorelli is thrilled to begin supporting students at Nurturers Learners. She is currently a sixth-grade Math and Science teacher at Jared Eliot Middle School in Clinton, CT. She holds a school administrator’s certification (092) and sixth year in Educational leadership. She completed her graduate work in Elementary Education at the University of New Haven. Katharine is also an avid swimmer and was a swim coach for the Valley-Shore Marlins in Westbrook for five years.
Robyn Webb
Robyn Webb is a Pk-Grade 3 Computer Literacy Teacher working across curricula in Old Saybrook, CT. She has varied classroom experiences teaching kindergarten to third grade. She has years of experience in reading instruction utilizing multiple data pieces to drive instruction. She recently completed her 6th year program in The Foundation of Reading Literacy. Robyn sees the need for students to be taught in a multisensory approach incorporating the many new literacies utilizing 21st century skills. She works with the individual student’s needs while making connections in an enriching environment. In addition to the younger grades, Robyn has an expertise in tutoring pk-12 students, ELL students, and working with varied IEPs. She emphasizes organizational skills for test preparation while building consistent work habits. Robyn’s philosophy is partnering with families and schools to develop a personalized tutoring plan meeting students’ needs while building students’ confidence and active student engagement. Other qualifications include experience helping students raise scores in LAS Links test, experience working with students transferring from public-private schools, helping with the transition of high school to college and ensuring all ECE and AP options are equitable per transcript. In her free time, Robyn enjoys various outdoor activities with her 4 children.
Jenna Brady
Jenna has always had a passion for learning and helping others.Jenna is a Special Education Teacher in Cheshire, CT. She has been working as a teacher for 15 years. She obtained a Masters Degree in Special Education K-12 and has a Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from Southern Connecticut State University.
Jenna began her career as a teacher in Orange, CT, and within the last 5 years made a transition to Cheshire. She has experience working with children in grades Pk-8. She spent several years focused on Reading instruction, Math Support and Discrete Trial Instruction.
Jenna is Trained and Certified in Wilson, Orton Gillingham, and SPIRE Reading Programs. She currently teaches students who qualify for special education services in grades 7-8.
Jenna currently resides in Madison, CT with her husband and two daughters. She loves spending time with her family and friends as much as possible. She enjoys outdoor activities, and traveling when possible.
Kim DiRenzo
Kim brings over 12 years of experience in general and special education. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education and is certified in both elementary and special education. Throughout her career, she has worked with students with a wide range of abilities and learning needs, including those with significant academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges requiring specialized instruction outside the public school setting.Her experience has strengthened her passion for individualized instruction and ensuring that every student receives the support they need to succeed. Kim continues to expand her expertise in special education advocacy, helping families better understand their children’s educational needs and navigate the special education process.
Jackie Jones
Jackie brings 16 years of special education experience, primarily at the elementary level, and has recently transitioned to teaching high school students. Originally from New York City, she moved to Connecticut in 2016. She currently teaches at an alternative high school.Jackie holds a master’s degree in Special Education and Literacy, as well as a degree in Educational Administration. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Bridgeport.
Jackie previously worked at Nurtured Learners from 2022 to 2023 before taking time away following the birth of her second daughter. She is excited to return to the team in 2026! Outside of teaching, Jackie enjoys spending time with her husband and their two daughters, ages 9 and 3.
Brooke Mazzarella
Brooke’s journey in education began in 2011 and has been marked by a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment. Starting as a paraprofessional, she gained invaluable experience in special education, emphasizing the development of accommodations tailored to individual student needs. Her focus on organizational and executive functioning skills demonstrated her dedication to setting students on a path to success.Transitioning to a 6th-grade English teacher role, Brooke continued her mission to create a positive learning space where students felt encouraged to take risks, showcase their creativity, and reach their full potential. Building strong connections with her students, she aimed not only to impart knowledge but also to instill a lifelong love for learning and reading.
With a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from Ithaca College and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from UConn, Brooke’s diverse educational background enriches her approach to teaching. Her move to The Morgan School in Clinton in 2018 marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career within Clinton Public Schools.
At the high school level, Brooke broadened her impact by teaching 9th, 11th, and 12th-grade English, as well as AP Language and Composition. Here, she focused on honing her students’ writing skills, including the critical task of crafting college essays. Through her teaching, she strives to equip students with the essential skills they need for academic and personal success. She is excited to be a part of the Nurtured Learners team and to help students feel more confident in their abilities.
In her free time, Brooke loves spending time with her two children, traveling, and volunteering with the Animal Rescue Clinic at Mystic Aquarium.
Alyssa Mercaldi
Alyssa is a certified mathematics educator (Grades 6–12) currently in her seventh year of teaching at Lyme-Old Lyme High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Central Connecticut State University and her master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology from the University of Saint Joseph. She is also completing her sixth-year degree in Advanced Educational Leadership at the University of New England. In addition to teaching, Alyssa advises student council, coaches indoor and outdoor track, and serves as the Career Incentive Committee Coordinator for Regional School District 18. She was recently recognized as her school’s Building Honoree, an award similar to Teacher of the Year. Outside the classroom, Alyssa enjoys photography, traveling, and exploring national parks. She has visited 22 countries and 20 U.S. National Parks!
Rachel Fox
Rachel is a dedicated educator with 17 years of experience in teaching young children. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Southern Connecticut State University. Rachel’s passion for teaching is driven by the joy she finds in connecting with her students, whether through their carefree personalities, their infectious laughter, or by seeing the world through their unique perspectives. She has specialized experience working with preschool and kindergarten-aged children.Specific training Rachel has received to enhance her teaching skills includes both Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop, Wilson Fundations, and The Science of Reading.
Rachel began her career teaching Special Education in Regional School District #17 before transitioning to the New Haven Public Schools, where she continues to make a positive impact. Outside of the classroom, Rachel enjoys hiking, rollerblading, reading, and spending quality time with friends over dinner.
Michelle Crandley
Michelle has been an elementary educator and classroom teacher for 20 years. In addition to her classroom experience, she has led both push-in and pull-out instructional groups, supporting students with IEPs and providing targeted intervention in grades K–4.She earned her BA in Sociology and Psychology from Hofstra University and her M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix. Michelle also completed the Advanced Certificate in Special Education program at Relay Graduate School of Education and the Integrated (General and Special Education) Early Childhood Birth–K Certificate program at Charter Oak State College.
Michelle holds current CT certifications in Elementary Education (Grades 1–6) and Early Childhood Education (Birth–K), including both General and Special Education. She has completed training in the Science of Reading, Wilson, and Fundations, and is currently working toward her Level 1 Math Recovery Specialist certification. This year, she is transitioning into a Math Interventionist role in the Branford schools, supporting students in grades K–4.
Michelle looks forward to the opportunity to tutor across subjects, as she knows she’ll miss teaching ELA while out of the classroom. She lives in Branford with her two daughters and they enjoy exploring new places, reading a wide variety of books, and sharing lots of ice cream.
Maria Jimenez
Maria Jimenez is a certified Spanish teacher currently working at Derby Middle School. She has utilized her bilingual skills to support Spanish-speaking students and assist with translation during PPT meetings, helping to bridge communication between families and educators.Born in Harlem, New York, and raised for several years in the Dominican Republic, Maria brings a multicultural perspective to her work. When she returned to the United States, she entered the school system as an ESL student, which sparked her passion for language learning and education. She graduated from Graphic Arts High School in New York City and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Spanish with a minor in Mathematics from Southern Connecticut State University.
Outside of work, Maria is a proud mother of two daughters and one son. She cherishes the time they all spend together, especially when we’re hiking and enjoying nature.
Deanna Salomon
Deanna Salomon joins Nurtured Learners as an academic tutor and Executive Functioning coach, bringing more than 25 years of experience in education, special education, and school counseling.She began her career in the New York City public school system as a paraprofessional before becoming a special education teacher. After earning her master’s degree in School Counseling from Long Island University, Deanna served as a high school guidance counselor in Brooklyn, New York.
Throughout her career, Deanna has worked extensively with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing support in both classroom and home settings. She also holds a second master’s degree in School Leadership and Administration from Touro University, along with professional certifications in these areas.
Deanna brings a wealth of experience and a strong understanding of students’ academic, social-emotional, and executive functioning needs to her work at Nurtured Learners.
Samantha Hepworth
With a unique background in counseling and academics, Samantha supports students from elementary school through college with compassion, structure, and real results. She is a graduate of American University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Financial Management and an Applied Physics Minor. Currently earning her Master’s in Clinical Counseling (4.0 GPA!), with a focus on holistic support, Samantha goes beyond tutoring—she helps students build confidence, organization, and independence.What Samantha offers the Nurtured Learners Community:
✔️ Executive Function Coaching (Certified by Dr. Erica Warren)
✔️ ISEE, PSAT & SAT Reading/Writing Prep
✔️ College Application + Transition Support
✔️ Research Based Study Strategies
✔️ Family Collaboration for Home Support
From early learners building routines to college-bound teens navigating applications, Samantha partners with both students and families to make progress sustainable at home and at school. With past leadership at Yale and SCSU, and a background in business and STEM, she brings real-world insight to every session. Coaching. Counseling. College Prep. Confidence. We are thrilled to welcome Samantha to our team!
David Standrowicz
David Standrowicz earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education and History with Social Studies from Western Connecticut State University. After working in the Branford Public Schools primarily with special education students as a paraprofessional, David is now a high school Social Studies teacher in Wallingford, CT. While history and social studies are his subjects of specialty, David has also assisted students and teachers with high school English Language Arts and Mathematics, including Algebra and Geometry.David is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in History. Outside the field of education, he enjoys music, theatre, reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. He has pursued his passions for music and theatre by performing in several local musical productions.
