Meet our Tutors and coaches Proudly Serving Denver
Meet the team at strive learning solutions
Strive Learning Solutions provides the academic support I wish I had growing up.
I struggled in school, all the way from Kindergarten until my Freshman year of college, making it easy for me to empathize with many of the students we support.
I sincerely believe that all children can learn with the right support, and that’s why I created Strive: To offer personalized academic services to empower Denver students to grow in both confidence and skill.
brian allender, founder & Tutor
Carlie is a former special education teacher with over a decade of experience supporting neurodivergent learners. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education, licenses in Elementary Education, Special Education, and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, and is trained in Orton-Gillingham and Morphology through IMSE with a Science of Reading endorsement. Carlie takes a strengths-based, individualized approach to supporting students in reading, writing, math, and executive functioning, helping them build both skills and confidence while fostering strong, collaborative relationships with families.
Carlie S
Liz is a trained Orton–Gillingham instructor with a master’s degree in Special Education and more than a decade of experience supporting students with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and other learning differences. She has taught reading and math across a wide range of ages and specializes in 1:1, structured, evidence-based intervention. Her approach is personalized, multisensory, and grounded in getting to know each student’s strengths, interests, and learning preferences. Now a stay-at-home mom, she continues tutoring because she loves helping students build skills and confidence. Outside of teaching, she enjoys running, yoga, baking, and reading.
Liz S
Cassandra is a Special Education Teacher with a Master’s in Special Education and extensive experience supporting students with IEPs. She specializes in creating personalized learning plans that strengthen both academic skills and social-emotional growth. Cassandra prioritizes strong, trusting relationships with students and clear communication with families so everyone feels supported and aligned. She is passionate about helping students build confidence, make meaningful progress, and reach their goals.
Cassandra H
With over 20 years in education, Dr. Bryan Bohanan brings experience across teaching, counseling, district leadership, higher education, and consulting. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Curriculum and Instruction), a Master’s in Counseling, and a Bachelor’s in English. Known for his expertise in emotional intelligence and a relational, trauma-informed approach, he collaborates closely with educators, families, and community partners. He uses data, research-based practices, and individual insights to guide instruction, develop leaders, strengthen systems, and support lasting student and educator success.
Bryan B
Stephanie Willt is a veteran educator with nearly 20 years of experience and a Master’s in Elementary Education. After 18 years with Boulder Valley School District, she now focuses on one-on-one tutoring to help students who need more individualized support than a traditional classroom can offer. Stephanie is trained in the Science of Reading and uses structured, evidence-based programs—including Barton, Fundations, and UFLI—to support students with dyslexia and reading challenges. She is passionate about helping children rediscover confidence, joy, and success in learning.
Stephanie W
Riley is a math tutor supporting students across a wide range of content and grade levels. By breaking complex concepts into clear, manageable steps, Riley helps students build confidence, deepen understanding, and develop pride in themselves as capable mathematicians.
Riley W
Karen brings over a decade of teaching experience, specializing in science and special education. She supports students through both academic instruction and social-emotional growth. Karen is passionate about providing individualized support that builds confidence and helps students master challenging subjects.
Karen A
Tara is an experienced tutor specializing in literacy and math support for elementary and middle school students. With training in structured literacy, reading intervention, and standards-aligned math instruction, she brings a balanced and highly individualized approach to her work. Tara blends skill-building with study habits, executive-function support, and positive encouragement to help students feel capable and motivated. She works closely with families and educators to ensure consistency between tutoring and classroom expectations, creating the strongest possible path for student success.
Tara H
Elgin has been an educator for over 15 years and has served in a number of roles over the course of his career. He has been a teacher, coach, tutor, administrator and consultant including the majority of his time in special education. Some of his specialties include working with students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. He loves teaching both reading and math to students as well as working on executive functioning skills. Throughout the course of his career, his goal has always been able to grow with students and collaborate to reach their goals.
Elgin F
Erin is a career K-12 special education teacher, having taught in 5 states, in multiple schools and special education settings. She holds a Master of Education from Regis University, and is a certified EMT. In recent years, she has worked in leadership roles, helping to build stronger systems to support students. She has developed curricula for students on neuroscience and the brain, sign language, and literacy interventions for application across K-5 classrooms. Erin loves to remind her students how brilliant and capable they are, through activities that are creative, engaging and fun, at a just-right pace that inspires confidence and agency.
