Tutor Bios

Michael Austin

Michael spent most of his life in the South, but is enjoying living in the Pacific Northwest. He studied Civil and Environmental Engineering in College and has been tutoring for over seven years. He enjoys working with math and science classes and has also worked extensively preparing students for standardized tests. In his "spare" time, he runs Pro Style Sports, which sells baseball gifts at www.baseballwallet.com.

Evan Geer

Evan Geer began tutoring while studying Math and Computer Science at College of Idaho in 2004. After graduation, he taught all levels of high school math a local charter school where he currently serves as their technology administrator. Currently he is pursuing further education at Portland State University, studying Applied Statistics as well as Civil and Environmental Engineering. When not indulging in maths and sciences, Evan spends his time as an amateur photographer, enjoys playing cello and guitar, and competes on a local dragon boat team.

Jeff Iliff

Jeff is finishing up his PhD in Molecular Physiology at Oregon Health & Science University where he conducts research on the regulation of brain blood flow and the development of new treatments for conditions related to its dysfunction such as migraine and stroke. He completed his undergraduate work in Physiology and Chemistry at the University of Washington, during and following which he spent six summers serving on Boy Scout camp staff. There he gained a great deal of experience instructing and motivating middle and high school-aged young men in an outdoor education environment. Jeff has tutored middle school, high school and undergraduate students for the past five years in physical sciences, life sciences and mathematics. He enjoys spending time with his wife and three small children, reading, hiking, sailing, and being disappointed by UW Husky and Seattle Seahawk football teams.

Karlyn Ochoa Skinner

My life, experiences, interests: My name is Karlyn Ochoa Skinner. I have 16 years of full-time experience teaching high school Spanish and Math. I have also taught Spanish to elementary and middle school students, as well as to adults. I have my Bachelors degree in Education, with a major in Spanish. I am endorsed to teach K-12 Spanish, 4-12 Math, K-12 Bilingual Education; I hold a current Washington State Teaching Certificate; and I am a Certified Advanced Placement Spanish Language teacher. I also have my Masters degree in Education, with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. I love to travel and have traveled extensively to Mexico, South America, Europe, and Asia.

Mallory Pratt

Mallory is certified to teach Biology & Integrated Science for grades 7-12. She taught these subjects for 10 years at a public high school. She currently teaches Natural Science at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Her specialties include scientific inquiry and environmental studies and she has participated in classroom research studies to improve science instruction. Her tutoring experience includes 2 years at Self Enhancement in North Portland and 3+ years with Three Rivers Tutoring in the subjects of Math, Chemistry, Biology and French

George Salos

George is originally from Greece and has more or less been tutoring math since graduating from Lake Oswego High School, back in 1995. After enlisting in the US NAVY, he studied Electrical Engineering, Physics, and Math at Portland State University. George started teaching at the high school level but switched to college. Currently he is teaching and tutoring Math at Clark College. George has been tutoring Math and Physics with Three Rivers Tutoring since 2006. He is also an avid chess player.

Jennifer Sfetku

Jennifer began tutoring while studying Chemical Engineering and Business Administration at Oregon State University. She currently tutors all levels of high school math, as well as chemistry, AP statistics, and occasionally physics. When she is not tutoring, Jennifer is a mostly stay at home mom of an extremely active toddler. In her rare spare time she likes to knit and crochet.

Ruth Sheridan

A Portland native, Ruth received her BA in Mathematics/Physics and MA in Physical Sciences from San Diego State University. She worked as an applied scientist/engineer for many years in such areas as environmental science, chemistry, nuclear physics, and rocketry. She went into teaching as a second career through New York City’s Teaching Fellows program. She went on to teach high school Chemistry in New York. In Portland, she has taught both Chemistry and Technical Algebra and Analytic Geometry at PCC Sylvania and Environmental Science at both PCC Sylvania and the Art Institute of Portland. She has tutored off and on for many years and has been tutoring chemistry, physics, earth science, general science, and various math subjects with Three Rivers Tutoring for the past three years.

Terry Shlaes

Terry holds a BS in Special Education from University of Northern Colorado, Standard Handicapped Learner’s Certificate from Western Oregon State College, MS in Special Education from Portland State University Highly Qualified Status in Special Education (Math, Science and Language Arts), High School Biology. She has been a teacher for 27 years and has experience in all levels of education from preschool to adult education. Terry has been a transition specialist and serves as chair for the Special Populations Committee of PAVTEC as well as past president of the Oregon Association for Vocational Special Needs Personnel. She is able to tutor in all subjects for elementary and middle school levels and HS Basic Math, Pre-Algebra, Algebra Explorations, Integrated Science, Physical Science, General Science, Biology and Environmental Science. She is a parent of two grown children and grandmother to an 8 month old granddaughter. She lives in SW Portland and teaches for the Lake Oswego School District. In her spare time she loves to cook and golf! additionally, Terry runs a non-profit social support group for young adults with disabilities called the Portland Area Job Club and also coaches golf for the Lakeridge JV Girls and Clackamas Special Olympics. She has taught for the last 5 years at Lakeridge HS and currently mentors first and second year special education teachers in 5 school districts.She has held positions in the Colorado, Hawaii, Corvallis, Tigard-Tualatin, and Hillsboro school districts. Her summers are spent teaching elementary special education students in Hawaii.