Meet the Tutors

We only hire the best teachers that meet our Gold Star standards!

In order to become a Gold Star Math tutor, our tutors must have first obtained a bachelors degree in a Math or Science related field, have at least 2 years tutoring experience and have a fun, authentic personality who genuinely care about the growth of their students.

A Gold Star Small Group or Reading tutor must have a Washington State Certified teaching degree and have at least two years experience tutoring students 1:1 or in small groups. Since it’s our specialty, prior knowledge of Dyslexia and multisensory reading approaches is a must.

All Gold Star Tutors pass a rigorous background check and have proven themselves to be positive contributors to the community and the lives of the kids within it.

What our clients say ‘about us’ matters more than anything we could share.

“I’m in awe of the caliber of teachers you all are there!!! Everyone has been so helpful for my daughter.”

~ Shannon Tracy, Mom of high school math student

“Mike was my Algebra tutor and he was really cool. He explained Algebra in a way that made sense and easy to understand. I am now getting A’s & B’s in my Algebra class and want to thank Mike for all his help!”

~ Austin K.10^th grade La Center High School

“We’ve found the tutors at Gold Star to be both knowledgeable in their subjects and good with working with students to help them learn. Not everyone is good at both! The reading tutors use the Orton-Gillingham method, which is excellent for those with dyslexia.”

~ Sue S. Homeschool Mom of Middle School Student

Melissa Fox- Owner – Based in Salmon Creek

Meet Melissa, the founder of Gold Star Tutoring. With her team of certified teachers, Gold Star Tutoring has developed its own language program, complete with 5 different levels of phonetic advancement. Our system has supported hundreds of struggling readers with all varying levels of language delays. The public school teaches a “whole language approach,” which is sight word recognition. Gold Star Tutoring found a need for a more tactical, multisensory approach that students with poor memory processing can retain and bring the skills forward in their daily lives. We have transformed the lives of many students struggling with improper handwriting pathways, letter orientation (b/d & p/q confusion), and all levels of decoding and phonemic (sound) awareness. 

Mike Thomas (Mike)- Math Grade 5th-College Level Calculus | Science | SAT/ACT/ASVAB Test Prep – Online

In 2002 Mike started professional tutoring as the lead tutor at Lower Columbia College while he pursued his bachelors in Mathematics. After transferring to Clark College, he got an opportunity to be on the tutoring staff and also helped instructors in the classroom. In 2003, Mike received his International Tutor Program Certification. He spent three years working at Sylvan Learning Center where he fine-tuned his teaching in all math classes up through college calculus and physics. Mike is also trained in preparing students for SAT testing. Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, and taking long drives in the country.

Tina Waite: – Grades K – 9th: Math | Reading Specialist | Homework Support – Salmon Creek

Tutoring one-on-one is my passion. I love connecting with students, getting to know them, and customizing lessons to bring out the best in them. My background includes teaching at a Sylvan Learning Center, homeschooling our three kids for 13 years, being their learning coach while they attended online schools, classroom teaching and a teaching degree from Switzerland. My hobbies include photographing nature, hiking, drawing, journaling, reading and spending time with my family.

Jackie Coleman: – Grades K – 8th: Math | Reading Specialist | Homework Support – Salmon Creek

Jackie comes to Gold Star as a U.S. Air Force veteran with a background in high tech.

She dreamed of being a teacher as a child, but life happened, and she could not pursue that dream. She worked as a paraprofessional II for six years in special education resources at La Center Elementary School and realized her childhood dream was coming true.

While working as a paraeducator, Jackie worked to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she pursued a Master of Arts degree in Educational Studies, minoring in Elementary Education while substitute teaching kindergarten through high school in Vancouver, Ridgefield, La Center, and Kalama, WA school districts.

While substituting in four districts at all grade levels simultaneously, Jackie witnessed how large classes were growing and how struggling students were not receiving the help they needed. That is when she decided to join Gold Star Tutoring. Her mission is to make a positive difference in the learning experience of as many students as possible. Jackie enjoys spending time with her family and pets, kayaking, hiking, and reading when she is not tutoring.

Jenny Valleck: Grades K – 10th: Math | Reading Specialist |Homework Support | Homeschool Support – Mill Plain & 124th

Jenny found her passion for teaching while working as a camp counselor at Willowbrook summer camp. She took that passion and applied it to her education, getting a master’s degree in teaching from Concordia University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of Oregon. Jenny has four years teaching experience working with kids on an individual level in special needs classrooms and managing whole classrooms as a substitute teacher. Jenny has been a Gold Star tutor off and on for four years! Outside of work, Jenny loves yoga, hiking and reading as much as possible (especially Harr Potter)! She loves working with kids and is excited for the opportunity to help kids reach their full potential at Gold Star Tutoring.