AcademicAlly brings together experienced educators, coaches, and advocates who help learners build confidence, skills, and momentum.
Personalized support, never one-size-fits-all
Hannah Bookbinder is the proud owner of AcademicAlly, LLC, her private practice she founded in 1998. She recognizes that life has its challenges, and being a kid or adult who has learning disabilities, ADHD, NLD, ASD, or anxiety related to academic performance certainly adds an element of complexity to navigating one’s academic career.
What Hannah loves most about being an ADHD coach is the opportunity it affords her to establish a unique relationship with her clients. She recognizes that every client brings something positive to the coaching relationship, and that no matter how much they may be struggling, each person she works with is capable of personal and academic growth.
Hannah revels in the privilege of standing squarely in her client’s corner, ready to advocate and empower each individual one step at a time, while coaching them to do the same for themselves. In this dynamic, there is no room for judgment or punitive measures.
Together, Hannah and her clients create a plan of action with personal goals, strategic interventions, and steps for accountability. She customizes her approach for every client and values collaboration with parents, spouses, teachers, and other professionals as appropriate.
Hannah is also the author of Unlock Your Inner Superhero: Conquering the Challenges of ADHD and the creator of My TOAD® App.
Every AcademicAlly team member brings a distinct perspective, deep subject knowledge, and a shared belief that learners thrive when they feel understood.
Aaron Oberman
Biology educator & academic coach
Aaron has taught biology for seven years, leading classes in General Biology, AP Biology, IB Biology, anatomy, and physiology. He makes learning fun, accessible, and meaningful for students with different learning profiles.
Amani Gilliam
Academic coach & behavioral technician
Amani supports neurodivergent learners across the lifespan. Her strengths-based approach helps clients build self-awareness and customized strategies for executive functioning and ADHD.
Beth Goldstein-Huxen
Math, writing & test-prep educator
Beth has taught and tutored K–12 learners for 25 years, helping students understand the why behind the work while building confidence in math, reading, writing, and standardized tests.
Brandee El-Attar
Transition & executive-function coach
Brandee brings 25+ years of experience mentoring individuals with autism, ADHD, and learning disorders. Her whole-person approach supports sustainable success through major life transitions.
Cynthia Olster
Elementary & Wilson Reading coach
Cynthia is a certified Wilson Reading Program educator with experience helping elementary learners of all abilities find the tools and motivation to reach their potential.
Diane Weintraub
Chemistry & biology educator
Diane has taught high school chemistry and biology at every level for close to two decades, from conceptual courses to Advanced Placement.
Erica Smith
Educator & instructional leader
Erica brings nearly two decades of K–12 experience and a personalized, high-expectations approach that helps students build confidence and independence.
Evan Bookbinder
Airline pilot, flight instructor & physics tutor
Evan is a Certified Flight Instructor and commercial pilot with Purdue University flight training credentials. He also tutors physics and mathematics, helping students build strong foundational skills and confidence.
Jake Rosen
Academic & college advisor
Jake has more than a decade of experience as a classroom teacher, academic advisor, college advisor, and teenage life coach, centering compassion and whole-person support.
Jessica Polsky
School counseling intern & special education paraprofessional
Jessica is completing her master's in school counseling at Rosemont College after graduating from Temple University in 2024 with a degree in psychology. She has two years of experience as a special education paraprofessional and is currently completing her practicum at Strath Haven High School. Her personal experience with a sibling with autism deepens her empathy and advocacy.
Jessica Vigoda
Academic tutor & learning support teacher
Jessica has over fifteen years of experience helping learners from elementary through adult education thrive in writing, organization, study skills, reading comprehension, and test preparation.
Laurie Dameshek
Academic & career coach
Laurie uses person-centered analysis to help teens, college students, and working professionals identify strengths, clarify goals, and create strategic plans for success.
Lisa Achuff
Special education teacher & academic coach
Lisa is a passionate special education teacher with 25 years of service in the Lower Merion School District, specializing in supporting students with Learning Disabilities and ADHD through individualized strategies and IEP development.
Lisa Snyder
Student success & counseling professional
Lisa holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in Psychology from Dickinson College. She supports adolescents and adults through academic, personal, and career transitions using a personalized, strengths-based approach that blends practical skill-building with accountability and mindset coaching.
LJ O'Donnell
Test-prep & general tutor
LJ has tutored professionally for nearly twenty years, starting with SAT prep and expanding to ACT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, and general tutoring across math, science, history, and language arts for middle school through college students.
Marlee Zeitz
School psychologist & academic coach
Marlee earned her M.Ed. and Ed.S. in School Psychology from Temple University. She uses evidence-based assessments, counseling techniques, and a strengths-based approach to support learning and well-being, with a special interest in executive functioning, social-emotional development, and collaboration with families and teachers.
Marsha Messinger
Reading, writing & executive function educator
Marsha is a highly experienced educator with over 35 years of experience, specializing in reading, writing, time management, and self-advocacy for students from 1st grade through adulthood.
Matt Gormley
Mathematics educator & private math coach
Matthew holds bachelor's degrees in Mathematics and Mathematics Education from Penn State. He has taught a wide range of middle and high school courses and believes every student can become an independent problem solver. His strengths center on explaining content in multiple ways and connecting math to real-world experiences.
Megan Nachod
Educator & learning support coach
Megan is an educator with over 30 years of experience supporting diverse learning styles. Her Montessori-informed, strengths-based approach helps learners build lasting skills, confidence, and independence.
Neil Chaturvedi
Academic coach & aspiring clinical psychologist
Neil graduated Summa Cum Laude from Temple University with degrees in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience. He has conducted research at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and brings years of tutoring experience. His coaching philosophy centers on catering education to each individual's strengths, needs, and capacity for growth.
Susan Baren-Pearson
ADHD coach
Susan specializes in supporting teens, young adults, and families with ADHD through a strengths-based approach to executive functioning and emotional regulation.
Tracy Coyle
Academic coach & educator
Tracy earned her bachelor's from Bloomsburg University and a master's in education from Boston College, with doctoral coursework in Curriculum & Instruction at Lehigh University. She specializes in executive function coaching, organization, study strategies, and self-advocacy, tailoring instruction to each student's learning style and goals.
AcademicAlly is here for you
Support starts with a relationship
Our team meets learners where they are, then helps them build the tools, confidence, and agency to move forward.
