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
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
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 a depth of experience spanning classroom teaching, counseling, district leadership, higher education administration, and educational consulting. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction, a Masters in Counseling, and Bachelor’s degree in English. Dr. Bohanan is known for his expertise in the area of Emotional Intelligence and his relational, trauma-informed approach, strong collaboration with educators, families, and community partners, and his ability to listen deeply and respond strategically to individual and organizational needs. He leverages data, the stories of individuals, and research-based practices to guide instruction, develop leaders, strengthen systems, and create sustainable pathways for 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.
