Our Team

Mr. Ramana Atmakuru

Teacher:

Stay-Ahead Mathematics, SAT Mathematics

Qualification:

Masters in Computer Science, Bachelors in Computer Science

Experience:

Ramana is the founder of Ramana Learning Center and a professional software architect. He has a serious passion for teaching mathematics and helping students become successful. He has been teaching SAT and high school mathematics for over 12 years. He enjoys motivating students and helping them to perform their very best.

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Mr. Necmettin Yasar

Teacher:

Math

Qualification:

Master's in Systems Engineering, B.S. in Mathematics Education

Experience:

Necmettin Yasar holds a Master's Degree in Systems Engineering from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia and a B.S. degree in Mathematics Education from Marmara University, Istanbul. He has served as a teacher for 8 years and school administrator for 5 years. Necmettin has a passion for teaching and enjoys helping students improve in STEM areas.

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Ms. Elizabeth Smith

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

Elizabeth Smith received her bachelor of arts and her teaching certification at Francis Marion University, and she received her master's degree in English literature from Auburn University. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Auburn as well, where she teaches Composition and studies medieval and early modern English literature. Elizabeth has been an educator for 8 years and has worked with students at elementary, secondary, and undergraduate levels. She has worked at Ramana Learning Center since 2015.

Ramana Experience:

My experience teaching at RLC has generally been quite positive. I enjoy the flexibility of my schedule, and I really enjoy the opportunity to work with students one-on-one. Students at RLC tend to be highly motivated, which makes online teaching fun, productive, and rewarding.

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Ms. Quentona Mattocks

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

Master's in Education - Educational Leadership from Wingate University. B.A. in English with a concentration in Mass Communications from Elizabeth City State University.

Experience:

I began teaching 8th grade English in 2004 at River Road Middle School in Elizabeth City, NC. I moved back to Charlotte in 2007 and continued teaching English at Piedmont Middle School in Monroe, NC. I have served as the English Department Chair, mentor to beginning teachers, team leader, and I am currently the 8th grade House Leader.

Ramana Experience:

I began teaching at Ramana Learning Center in February 2017. I have a unique way of making each class engaging, teaching & motivating, all while forming lasting bonds with every student. I truly enjoy teaching at RLC and look forward to future batches.

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Ms. Melissa Ligh

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Experience:

I have been in education for eight years and currently teach at Mooresville High School in Mooresville N.C. however, I worked in for several Fortune 500 companies as a manager and trainer for over 20 years prior. I graduated from Liberty University with a triple major in Psychology, Business, and Religion and earned a Master's degree in teaching from UNCC. I completed and published educational material through the North Carolina Governor School Action Research in Education Program and have also developed and published curriculum through Charlotte Teacher's Institute. I presented a Teacher/ted Talk in Charlotte a few years ago titled, "I Teach Screenagers" (which you may view on YouTube) and have continued to pursue my research in education through a digital age. Along with teaching, I work part-time for the North Carolina Public of Education test development and scoring programs and as a tutor with Ramana. I am also pleased to say that my students have always exceeded North Carolina Standards in growth and I consistently strive for success both with my students and personal goals. I am a mother of five amazing children and am currently pursuing my National Board Certification in teaching.

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Mr. Robert Brissey

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Experience/Qualification/Other Details:

I'm a doctoral candidate at Auburn University with a Master's in English from Clemson University and a Bachelor's in English from Francis Marion University.
I enjoy playing guitar and physical fitness.

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Mr. Markis Landis Gardner

Teacher:

Math

Qualification:

Master's in Mathematics from University of Kentucky.
Master's in Education with Technology Focus from Moreland University.
4 years of master's level classes in Computer Science from Georgia State University.

Experience:

8 years of teaching in American Universities including University of Kentucky and Georgia State University.
8 years of teaching in International schools in China.
2 years of experience teaching online.
30 years tutoring experience.
8 years of training for AMC 8/10 and Kangaroo Math.
I mostly teach high school math, preparations for AP Calculus, SAT/ACT math, Python programming, and provide training for the math competitions.

Ramana Experience:

I am a new teacher with Ramana having only started in May 2021.

Why do I love teaching?

When I was in middle school and high school - I was a state and national competitor in Chess, Math and Computer Programming. I started tutoring in high school and never stopped. I loved helping students out. When I was in college every semester, I helped students in their math classes. I became a university instructor as soon as I graduated and loved it. Just seeing the students improve makes my day. I volunteered to teach the lower-level math classes to make sure they had the proper foundations because many students were failing Calculus because they didn't have a strong background in math. I love teaching and programming

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Ms. Ghada Agha

Teacher:

Math

Qualification:

Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics 4-12

Experience:

I taught 10th grade Algebra II at Waller ISD, 8th grade math at Aldine ISD, and Algebra I at Katy ISD. I am currently a part-time online math teacher at Elevate K-12 in the morning, and Ramana Learning Center in the afternoon.
As a teacher, I learn and grow continuously from interacting with my students and find new ways to enhance my methods every day.

Ramana Experience:

I began teaching at Ramana in November 2021.
I love teaching and enjoy using simple methods that show students how to work through math problems. I make sure they understand and feel confident about the concepts they're learning. I believe that keeping students motivated and engaged with the material is the key to effective learning.

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Mr. Richard Messer

Teacher:

Math

Qualification:

Master in Education Secondary Math Education from UNCC Charlotte BA in Mathematics from Appalachian University.

Experience:

I have been teaching math since January of 1996. Most of those years were at the high school level. I did spend four of those years in the middle grades.

Why I became a teacher:

Great Question: I have always enjoyed school. About the only way to stay in school is to become a teacher.
What's great about school, every day you are given the opportunity to learn new things. Teachers have the responsibility of providing such opportunities to their students. Every year brings news challenges with each new group of students.

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Ms. Pratibha Poddar

Teacher:

Math

Qualification:

Master in Education Secondary Math Education from UNCC Charlotte BA in Mathematics from Appalachian University.

Experience:

I taught Math to high school students as part time for three years. I enjoy teaching and guiding new learners. Teaching gives me great joy and I love working with students. Their success feels like my own achievement.

I strongly believe that all kids are great learners. I always encourage my students to believe in themselves. I work with students with love and patience, focusing on building strong foundations so they can solve any type of problem with clarity and confidence.

By profession, I am a Certified Chartered Accountant and an ex-PwC audit professional, with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce.

I am a mom to a two-year-old and I keep my life busy caring for him while teaching and guiding students. I enjoy balancing motherhood and teaching, as both bring me joy and purpose.

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Mr. Garrity Ward

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

Bachelor's Degree in English from Francis Marion University. Masters in English Literature from Auburn University.

Experience:

Taught English Composition at Auburn University (1100 & 1120), Former tutor at Francis Marion University's Writing Center (2017-2019).

Ramana Experience:

I have taught both Reading and Writing at Ramana since July 2021. I like to discuss with my students their strengths and their perspectives on writing. While there are always certain texts to engage with, I try to personalize each lesson for their needs.

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Mr. Matthew Clark

Teacher:

Math

Qualification:

B.A. in Mathematical Sciences from Clemson University, M.S. in Biostatistics from Columbia University, Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from North Carolina State University

Experience:

I began teaching at Ramana Learning Center in the fall of 2022. I often teach the sections on geometry, statistics, financial math and graphing for our SAT course. I also tutor for SAT preparation and for a variety of math courses. I have developed materials for geometry and pre-calculus for independent study for students who are looking. to get a head start for an upcoming course.

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Ms. Tara McCaughey

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

Bachelor’s degree from Kean University and a Master's degree from Arizona State University

Experience:

I dedicated a decade of my career to shaping young minds in high school classrooms and continued to impart knowledge at the college level, specifically in the realm of English, for four enriching years. My academic journey includes earning a bachelor’s degree from Kean University and a Master's degree from Arizona State University.
My passion lies in the art of teaching English, both in reading and writing, and I find great fulfillment in guiding students through SAT preparation at Ramana Learning Center. Beyond the classroom, my time is cherished with moments spent alongside my husband and children.

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Ms. Jennifer Goodson

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

English teacher with 23 years of experience teaching grades 9–12 across all levels, including honors and AP Language and Composition.

Experience:

I am a veteran English teacher with 23 years of experience teaching grades 9–12 across all levels, including honors and AP Language and Composition. I spent 12 years in CMS and the past 10 years in UCPS, where I also specialized in preparing students for the English II EOC.
I am a skilled writing instructor with particular expertise in helping students craft strong arguments and clear, effective prose. My background includes teaching SAT and ACT prep, writing creative writing curriculum, and serving on a UCPS central office test-writing team.
I bring deep knowledge of English instruction, assessment, and test readiness to my tutoring, and I am committed to helping students build confidence, improve their skills, and achieve academic success.

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Mrs. Denise Simmons

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

BA Religion Minor in Philosophy Dartmouth College

Experience:

I taught SAT/ACT prep in New Jersey for 1 year in person and 2 years remotely upon moving to Raleigh, NC. I taught middle school science and homeschooled my own children through elementary school.

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Ms. Lara Ann Whitaker

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

B.S. in Education from Winthrop University and a Master’s in Education from Converse College.

Experience:

I have been teaching English Language Arts in public middle schools for 15 years, and I’ve had the privilege of working with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students throughout my career. I hold a B.S. in Education from Winthrop University and a Master’s in Education from Converse College. Teaching with Ramana has been especially rewarding because of the flexible schedule, motivated learners, and the opportunity to tailor instruction to each student’s unique needs. I’ve enjoyed the experience so much that I have recommended several of my teaching

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Ms. Brianna Whitrock

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

Multi-published YA author with Harper Collins

Experience:

Brianna Whitrock is a multi-published YA author with Harper Collins. Her books have hit shelves everywhere and been translated into multiple languages, with several having been optioned for film. She has edited professionally for everything from high-level standardized tests to novels and articles. Brianna adores words and grammar, but not more than she loves teaching. She has been teaching English in classrooms since 2008 and has a true passion for helping students reach their fullest potential in a supportive environment that makes even the most complex topics easily approachable.

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Ms.Emily Smythe

Teacher:

English (ELA)

Qualification:

Graduated from the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities in 2013 with a BA in Vocal Music and a BSB in Marketing. Graduated from Relay Graduate School of Education in 2020 with an MA in 7-12 English Education.

Experience:

Taught various subjects in a bilingual secondary school in Madrid, Spain for two years, taught secondary English in charter schools in New York City for four years, and am currently teaching 10th grade English at Independence High School in CMS. I also taught with SEO, an organization that supported college bound students from low-income background with supplementary language arts and standardized test prep for two years while in New York.

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Ms. Melanie McFerrin

Teacher:

AP Biology

Qualification:

Master's of Science in Environmental Science and BA in Biology

Experience:

Meet Melanie McFerrin, a highly experienced and dedicated biology tutor from Apex Friendship High School. With over 30 years of teaching experience, Melanie has guided students through all levels of biology, sharing her profound love of science and passion for education. Her commitment to excellence is underscored by her status as a National Board Certified Teacher. Students benefit from her extensive knowledge and engaging teaching style, making complex biological concepts accessible and enjoyable.

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