Lara White
Founder, Academic Tutor, and SAT Prep Specialist
Lara has always had a passion for working with kids. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Teaching Secondary Science. Her teaching journey began in outdoor education, where she spent three years teaching science in the outdoors. She then taught in a public middle school for ten years.
After welcoming her first child, Lara transitioned from full-time teaching to part-time tutoring—and quickly discovered how much she loved the one-on-one connection. She enjoys building strong relationships with her students and their families, and she thrives on the creativity involved in tailoring lessons to meet each student’s unique needs. Students appreciate Lara’s calm, encouraging style and ability to explain difficult material in ways that “click.”
Now the founder of Peak Tutoring, Lara works full-time with students across the U.S. and internationally. She is a vetted member of the National Test Prep Association and brings her experience, warmth, and personalized approach to every session.
In her free time, Lara enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, snowboarding, and cheering on her kids in their sports. Her husband is a middle school teacher. During online sessions, students might catch a glimpse of Taz, a spirited terrier/heeler mix, and Lincoln, a lovable Schnoodle.
Taylor Schneider
Elementary Education and Dyslexia Specialist
Taylor is a dedicated elementary educator with over seven years of classroom experience. She holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Northern Colorado, where she was also on the dive team.
Taylor is trained in several research-backed reading instruction programs including Heggerty, Lindamood-Bell, and Orton Gillingham. These programs are designed to support students with dyslexia but also benefit all developing readers. Her approach to tutoring combines proven strategies with a warm, encouraging style to help students build confidence and achieve success in reading, writing, and math.
In addition to her work as a tutor, Taylor has coached diving and loves helping kids grow both in and out of the classroom. When she’s not tutoring, she enjoys gardening with her husband (a personal trainer) and exploring the outdoors with their dogs.
Misti Johnston
Upper-Level Math Specialist
Misti has always had a passion for working with middle and high school students. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Northern Colorado and brings over 11 years of classroom experience to her tutoring.
Misti began her teaching career at a public high school, where she taught for four years before stepping away to raise her family. During that time, she remained connected to education by supervising student teachers through Colorado Christian University and working as a substitute teacher.
Fifteen years and four children later, Misti returned to the classroom at a private middle school. She thrived in the energetic environment of middle school and loved helping students build a strong foundation in mathematics.
After seven years in the middle school setting, Misti transitioned from classroom teaching to private tutoring. For the past eight years, she has specialized in upper-level math courses, including Algebra II, Trigonometry, and AP Pre-Calculus. She also supports college students with Algebra, Trigonometry, and ACCUPLACER test preparation for math placement.
Misti is known for her clear explanations, calm demeanor, and ability to meet students where they are—whether they need extra support or want to be challenged.
Outside of tutoring, Misti enjoys gardening, hiking, and spending time with her family. Her life includes four cats—some of whom may occasionally make an appearance during online sessions.
Aliza Cruz Moore
Chemistry Specialist
Aliza is a passionate educator with over 13 years of experience in science instruction and educational leadership. She began her career as a naval explosives chemist before transitioning into education, inspired by the joy of sparking curiosity in students. She holds a B.A. in Chemistry and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, blending strong subject expertise with a deep understanding of how students learn.
Aliza specializes in building meaningful connections with her students and tailoring her approach to how each one learns best. She meets learners where they are, bridging the gap between current knowledge and complex new concepts. She helps students reframe mistakes as part of the learning process and encourages the development of a resilient growth mindset.
In her free time, Aliza enjoys reading, traveling, and making culinary and artistic projects/messes with her young daughter. An avid outdoor enthusiast, she loves snowboarding, hiking, and camping. She also runs a stump-grinding business with her husband, a former wildland firefighter and wildfire mitigation specialist. She credits her love of exploration to her late Akita mix, Anakin.