PrepNow Tutor - Anisa Z.
With several teaching certifications, 8 years of experience teaching at a public school, and over 15 years of tutoring experience, Anisa’s teaching chops are top-notch. Her expertise includes general science, life science, Earth and space science, environmental science, physical science, chemistry, biology, physics, and computer science (coding). “I love and care about students and love to discover their talents and empower them to learn about the world around them,” she shares.
Anisa earned a BA in chemistry and biology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and an MA in teaching from Western Washington University. She’s also qualified in the Teaching Knowledge Test (ESOL) from the University of Cambridge and holds a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Initial Certificate from Central Washington University.
Anisa is extensively trained in positive behavior, social-emotional support, culturally responsive teaching, and assessments for English language learners and individualized education programs (ELL and IEP). She has also attended various conferences focusing on trauma-informed practice, powerful learning, teachers of color, and cultural competency. She has been a valued member of the Issaquah School District’s Positive Behavior Social Emotional Support team since 2018. She also worked as a world language interpreter (in Farsi) for Bellingham School District for 4 years. Since 2015, she has been a middle school Earth and space science teacher in Washington state’s Issaquah School District.
In addition to her career ventures, her extensive volunteer work over the last decade has given her extra experience working with students of various backgrounds and abilities. She has particularly devoted herself to afterschool empowerment and mentoring programs for adolescents aged 11-14 and high schoolers. Her experience catering to every aspect of student life, emotionally and academically, shows she’s invested in helping students become both successful learners and healthy, kind, capable people.
Anisa’s approach is all about guidance and empowerment. “Students have a lot to offer and the role of the teacher is to help them to find their talents and capacities and empower them to use them toward their learning,” she explains. Her keen knowledge of restorative and reflective teaching practices helps build rapport with students, fostering a relaxed, more effective learning environment. She aims to create a space where students take an active role in their learning. “I completely disagree with those who think students are like empty boxes that need to be filled with knowledge,” she says. “Students are like a mine full of gems and they just need the right educator to discover those gems.”
Her efficacy as an educator and dedication to her students earned her Issaquah School District’s teacher of the year award in 2016 and 2017. While teaching middle school science, she wore many hats: science department chair, team lead, building webmaster, GLAD advocate, teacher mentor, and club advisor. She’s also part of several associations, including the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the National Science Teachers Association, and the Association for Middle-Level Education.
When she’s not teaching or volunteering, she enjoys taking long walks and dancing (especially Zumba). Having traveled to 8 countries, she loves trying foods from various cultures!