Faculty & Staff
Mr. and Mrs. Wright
Founders and Owners
Favorite children's books:
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards
The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Our Teachers
Beyond Academics’ teachers are qualified to teach in the public and/or private school sectors. Some have degrees in English / Creative Writing, some have professional writing experience, and some also have teaching credentials. When applying for a position at Beyond Academics, hopeful teachers are given an extensive, rigorous grammar and writing exam. Periodic in-service training sessions are held; training continues throughout the school year. We also all adhere to a strict accountability system: both teacher and student work are analyzed by administration throughout the year.
Ms. Kyria
"My favorite part of teaching is being able to share my love of language. I love being able to demonstrate, even within the constraints of grammar, how flexible language really is, and how writers can manipulate it to effectively communicate their ideas. Kids feel a great sense of empowerment when they can confidently express their opinions, and I enjoy creating an environment in which it's safe for them to do that." —Ms. Kyria
Her favorite childhood book is A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.
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From a 7th grader: "Ms. Kyria always provided feedback in the assignments I did, whether it was good or bad, making me feel supported and appreciated."
From an 8th grader: "Ms. Kyria was very supportive and very flexible and made my learning experience fun!"
Ms. Audrina
"I enjoy teaching because, as someone who genuinely appreciates the power of literature, here I am able to be a crucial resource in helping students empower themselves and others through their writing. As a teacher, I am able to, in some form, be used as a tool in their academic growth, and I am honored to show all that I know in hopes of lifting them to achieve their highest potential. I enjoy working at Beyond Academics particularly because we have an amazing, supportive staff who are passionate and teach in ways that challenge and nourish our students' work using curriculum that has been crafted to help them express their own valuable voice through words." —Ms. Audrina
Her favorite childhood book is The Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket.
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From a 4th grader: “I enjoyed everything this year from prizes, points, classmates, and Ms. Audrina. (Honestly though, I really liked the Sticky Gooey Mystery. Beyond Academics did a wonderful job preparing it!)”
From a 2nd grader: “I learned a lot this year. Ms. Audrina was a great teacher, and we had fun writing topics!”
Ms. Kristen
"I love teaching because I love guiding students to uncover understanding. Through writing, students can open themselves up to new ideas and can communicate in ways that extend beyond what they thought they were capable of. Showing students how they can apply vivid words and purposeful techniques to their writing brings me so much joy! I love teaching because I love supporting students as they grow personally and learn to communicate this growth effectively." —Ms. Kristen
Her favorite childhood book is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
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Mr. Abe
"Drenched. Cold. But also surprisingly warm. Like a small wave setting gently over the morning sand, so the teaching itch set gently over me as I taught my relative to swim. Not so much the action, but the idea of teaching excited me: knowledge is transferable, I thought, watching him swim away. This early realization evolved fiercely after I discovered the universal applicability of writing. No longer the gentle wave, a fire-burning sensation overcame me: To teach is the idea, to write is power, to do both together is magic." —Mr. Abe
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His favorite childhood book is The BFG by Roald Dahl.
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Ms. Wynene
"Each and every day spent teaching at Beyond Academics has been a deep and enriching experience for me, both personally and professionally. My years here have taught me that working with children is a gift that is ripe with countless opportunities to impact students' lives in positive ways. Not only is it vital to guide each child to be a powerful writer and student, but also, it is my desire to support students in their personal growth towards being confident, kind, and well-rounded adults." —Ms. Wynene
Her favorite childhood book is Charlotte's Web by E. B. White.
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From a 6th grader: "One thing that my teacher did was acknowledge my writing piece, describing all the good things that it did have, but also describing the areas where there could be improvement."
From a 6th grader: "One thing that Ms. Wynene does is that she provides clear and supportive feedback for your writing to improve; she knows what you are capable of, so she pushes you to do what you can do, something that has really helped me this year."
Ms. Allison
"The art of communication and the nurturing of young people’s ability to discover it through writing are the most rewarding elements in my life to date. I believe true learning occurs when knowledge is integrated with practice and play. In this light, learning is mutually inclusive and does not function on principles of hierarchy; rather, it is an exchange, thereby imbuing a sense of meaning and value to both student and instructor in the classroom. To me, these ideas cultivate joy in the learning process and a greater understanding of critical thinking as a creative endeavor." —Ms. Allison
Her favorite book from childhood is Gertrude Chandler Warner’s 1924 original, The Boxcar Children.
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Our Office & Administrative Staff
Ms. Rylee - Office Manager
“As Beyond Academics' Office Manager, I am thrilled to be part of a team of passionate educators who are committed to nurturing students' love of writing and unique voices. It is inspiring to witness the dedication and expertise of my colleagues and to work alongside Tom and Wendy Wright, who have created an environment of support and encouragement for every student. Their mission to expand personal awareness and build confidence in innovative expression is a powerful tool for students to discover their own creativity, express themselves clearly, and develop critical thinking skills that align with their values. I am grateful to be a part of this community that serves and strengthens our students, helping them live from a place of joy and harmony.” –Ms. Rylee
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Her favorite childhood book is Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene.