Megan Fitzwater (she/her)

Megan graduated from an all-girls high school in Cincinnati, where she experienced firsthand the profound impact of having strong female mentors who cultivate confidence and curiosity. In her senior year, she enrolled in a physics class where her teacher recognized her potential. Thanks to the unwavering support and encouragement of her teacher, Megan found the inspiration to pursue a degree in Astrophysics, a path she might never have considered otherwise.

As she transitioned to college, Megan confronted the stark reality of the gender gap in STEM fields. The once-familiar environment of her all-girls school gave way to a landscape where she was one of only a few women in her program. This shift was challenging, and she frequently grappled with feelings of imposter syndrome, questioning her place in a field dominated by men.

When Megan joined College Planning Partnerships as a tutor, she discovered an opportunity to create change—just as her high school physics teacher had done for her. Megan is dedicated to empowering young women, helping them navigate the barriers and exclusion they often encounter in subjects like math. She believes that everyone deserves to realize their full potential and to be inspired by role models who understand their unique challenges.

In her journey, Megan embodies the spirit of mentorship and resilience, proving that with the right support, young women can thrive and excel in any field they choose. By fostering a nurturing environment, she is not only paving the way for future generations but also reshaping the narrative of women in STEM.

Rebekah was the Salutatorian of the class of 2018 at Hamilton College. They double majored in mathematics and creative writing and were given the school’s highest math award, the Kirkland Prize in Mathematics, as well as the Phi Beta Kappa Book Award, and The Rose B. Tager Prize for short stories. They are a Phi Beta Kappa member and a recipient of the Thomas E. Meehan Prize for creative writing. Rebekah seeks to use intersections and parallels between math and language to help their students better understand both fields. In their free time, they enjoy reading and writing YA fiction, solving puzzles, playing board games, and pestering their cats. Rebekah attended an international high school in Budapest, Hungary before relocating to the United States for college.

Annika Chavez (she/her)

Annika graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in theatre and a minor in film. Along with 7 years of teaching experience, she is a filmmaker. In an industry primarily dominated by men, she has relied on mentorship from other femmes, particularly LGBTQ/POC artists, and understands the power of having someone in your corner.

For the majority of her adolescence, Annika played club soccer and was greatly impacted by the bonds and confidence built from existing in a team space with other women. She values the strength that comes from collaboration and teamwork. She is committed to helping her students develop their unique voices and stories while equipping them with the skills they need to succeed.

Annika takes pride in creating safe, inclusive environments where students feel empowered to express themselves and explore their creativity.

Selene Klasner (she/her)

As a young student, Selene found an early and strong affinity for math and science, which she partially attributes to both her parents being engineers. She graduated salutatorian from her high school class with plans to major in Neuroscience and eventually attend medical school. Along the way, she was bolstered by incredible female colleagues and peers, including her twin sister Carson and younger sister Mia.

During her freshman year at the University of Southern California, her coursework grew more intense, and the long pathway to a medical degree loomed ahead, Selene learned that she did not nurse the same type of passion for math and science that her classmates (and sister) did. She loved to engage in the analytical problem solving of her pre-med coursework and was earning top grades, but knew that she could not ignore her love for the arts. While she ultimately chose a different path, she hoped that math and science could somehow stay a part of her life.

When she moved to New York City and became a tutor, she found that sharing knowledge with her students, particularly in STEM related-fields, was exactly what she needed. Her love for math and science has only grown as she’s tutored students not only in SAT/ACT prep, but also in Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, and more. She believes that no matter what career path or major a student chooses, the benefits of a strong base in science and math are overwhelming. The hours she dedicated working to understand integrals or the citric acid cycle built her resilience, curiosity, and perseverance. Excelling in male-dominated classes has given her confidence to assert herself in all male-dominated spaces, STEM-related or otherwise.

Selene hopes that she can model this confidence for her students, but sadly finds it lacking in her female students, despite their often very impressive performance. She takes pride in helping her students hone their strengths and celebrate their successes.