I’m Monica Lee — educator, tutor, and learning consultant proudly serving families in South Tampa, Davis Islands, and Harbour Island, where I reside. I have 15+ years of experience supporting gifted, neurodiverse, and creative K–8 learners through individualized instruction in literacy, math intervention, social–emotional learning, and executive-function coaching. I hold a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco, and my approach is strengths-based, compassionate, and practical — helping students feel seen, safe, and confident while building real academic skills. Outside of teaching, I stay connected to creativity and community through improv, choir, and dance — passions that bring warmth, humor, and joy into my work with students and families.

I’ve spent over 15 years working in:

• independent schools

• specialized neurodiversity programs

• gifted education and general education

• literacy & math intervention

• social–emotional learning

• curriculum development

• tutoring & educational consulting
  
  

I hold a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco and have worked in schools including The Nueva School, Rawson Saunders (dyslexia school), The Magnolia School (Neurodivergent school) and The Carey School.

My experience spans K–8 learners, especially students who don’t fit neatly in one box.

I believe every child deserves to feel capable, understood, and supported.

My Teaching Philosophy

Children thrive when they feel:

✔️ seen
✔️ safe
✔️ capable
✔️ supported

My work centers on:

• strengths-based learning

• emotional safety & self-confidence

• practical academic skill-building

• brain-based teaching

• compassionate communication with families

I don’t “fix” kids.
I partner with them — so they discover what they are truly capable of.

Kind Words & Testimonials

I’m often described as a calm, caring, and creative educator who helps children feel seen for who they truly are. My work blends social-emotional learning with thoughtful, individualized teaching—especially for gifted, neurodiverse, and creative learners. Families appreciate my warmth and dedication, students say my teaching style is unique and supportive, and colleagues value my emotional insight and commitment to meaningful growth.

"Dear Ms. Monica, Thank you for teaching us about SEL. It helps me so much...I also love the way you teach. it is unique not like any other teacher." 

- Former Student  4th Grade

"Monica thank you for this year. You have been so great to Henry, he adores you...Thank you for your dedication, passion, enthusiam, kindness, patience in helping the children of your class. You have helped them all tremendously and made a difference in their lives."

= Former Parent

"Monica Lee is an exceptional educator, colleague, and friend. Her exemplary work ethic, outstanding teaching abilities, emotional intelligence, data-making skills, and unwavering commitment to student success make her an ideal candidate for any teaching position...I have no doubt that she will continue to positively impact the lives of students and colleagues wherever her career may take her."

-Former Colleague at The Carey School

"Monica was quick to grasp what was shown to her and built strong relationships with her students. She quickly developed rapport with all students and maintained positive relationships with all parents and faculty. Monica’s primary role was to provide differentiated instruction to students who were learning at different levels. Additionally she worked well with students who had diagnosed learning disabilities. As part of this role, Monica would regularly need to problem solve when students did not make expected progress. She was often objective and solution focused in her problem solving. She was an overall asset to our school community and would be an asset to any school moving forward."

-Ellen Carter, Head of School, The Magnolia School

“Monica is a highly committed and talented professional who works tirelessly and collaboratively to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of her students… her positive impact on our community is greatly acknowledged and deeply appreciated on a daily basis.”

-Janice Toben, Former SEL Specialist at the Nueva School

"Monica has helped me in sessions with an individual student who is highly gifted in math. Monica took carefully detailed notes on his performance and accomplishments and I was impressed with the way Monica interacted with the student and the depth of her understanding of the subtle details of the students creativity and inventiveness, which in turn helped considerably in my assessment. I am indebted to Monica for her sensitivity and I feel that she has a good insight into children.

-Peter, Kholer Former Math Specialist at The Nueva School

"Monica is extremely positive and inventive in her teaching...She was terrific at supporting the students as they invented and built any things, using the new discipline of Design Thinking. I have been impressed with her ability to be spontaneous and encourage the students' ideas as well as firm and focued in her ability to maange the student in cleaning up. She has great report with students. The clearly respect and like her...

"Monica is a self-motivated person who always goes beyond what is necessary, showing a clear commitment to high standards for herself...She shows a lot of initiative and a strong capacity for understanding and applying big abstract ideas."

-Kim Saxe, Former Director of Innovation Lab, The Nueva School

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