Beyond Academics, Inc.
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.
Miss Anna
"What I love most about teaching is the dynamic exchange I am able to have with my students. Really, we are all students in my classroom; we are all teaching and learning from each other. The students at Beyond Academics are constantly challenged to think critically and apply concepts so quickly that I am always in awe of their abilities. These students inspire me to go beyond the basics because they are excelling beyond these limits, too. It's a privilege to play a part in their evolution as students, writers, artists, and humans." —Ms. Anna
Her favorite childhood book is Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie.
From a 7th grader: "I appreciated that my teacher took time to explain things to me if I didn't understand something. I also really like that she was always patient with me and was very kind. I really appreciate Mrs.Anna. I hope she continues teaching many students. I had an amazing time with her."
From a 5th grader: "We had group discussions and she took the time to appreciate each and every student, and that really made me feel supported."
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.
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. Lily
"When I am working with my students, we are always learning from each other. I am often impressed by their insight, wisdom, and empathy as we discuss profound topics. It is a pleasure to watch them clarify and elaborate on their thinking, using tools that will serve them in the classroom and beyond. But we always find time to laugh!" —Ms. Lily
As a child, I loved reading The Chronicles of Narnia and The Secret Garden.
From a 3rd grader: "My teacher is super kind, and I made a lot of new friends!"
From a 3rd grader: "Ms. Lily was really nice and was really funny throughout the whole year!"
Mr. Chris
"My favorite aspect about teaching is the unique challenge of communication. How do we choose the right words? There are an infinite number of ways in which to convey a message, and teaching allows for creative flexibility. Words turn dreams into new realities, and I enjoy the endeavor of helping students discover new insights through a gamified pedagogy. While I enjoy teaching rhetoric and first-year college writing, working on dynamic fundamentals with younger students is just as rewarding. My favorite thing about teaching at Beyond Academics is the unique atmosphere of the students: They never fail to surprise me with their unique perspective.." —Mr. Chris
His favorite childhood book is Jack and the Fire Dragon by Gail E. Haley.
From a 5th grader: "I mostly enjoy how my teacher would support students and check in on the class. I also enjoy the games that make me laugh. Clearly, my teacher is a very funny, supportive, and awesome teacher."
From a 5th Grader: "What I enjoyed most is that the teacher was very nice and let us express our ideas and thoughts."
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.
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. Sarah
"The Beyond Academics curriculum is academically rigorous, but it is also a lot of fun. This balanced approach to learning keeps students motivated and enthusiastic about their lessons. In addition, I find the children at our school to be endlessly curious, creative, and eager to engage with new ideas, so there is never a dull moment in class." —Ms. Sarah
Her favorite childhood book is A Wrinkle in Time.
From a 5th Grader: "My teacher took time to address each of us and incorporated fun in the lessons. She was always encouraging and never lost her temper. I felt that I could always ask for help and not be embarrassed, no matter how simple it was. "
From a 6th Grader: "She made sure that we understood everything she taught in class. She was very funny and made the class lively."
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.
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."
Our Office & Administrative Staff
Ms. Sahar - School Registrar
"Part of the reason why I appreciate working at Beyond Academics so much is because of how passionate the staff is about teaching, and their genuine love for the subject and for their students. The curriculum has been created in a way where the students are learning how to think critically and creatively, all while having fun. Tom and Wendy Wright have created an environment of support, allowing students to express themselves while developing their own ideas and writing to develop their own voice." —Ms. Sahar
Her favorite childhood book is Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.
Ms. Margaret - Curriculum Technician
"I really like helping to create games and activities that the students are able to use; that's the most fun part of my job." —Ms. Margaret
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell is her favorite children's book.