Our Team | Blue Ribbon Scholaras

Meet Our Learning Coaches

Just a few of our talented educators are shown here. Contact us to set up classes or for a specific tutoring subject area request.

Mira Korber, M.P.P.

FOUNDER OF BLUE RIBBON SCHOLARS
Mira holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies, cum laude, from Yale University. Her ability to think quickly, reflect critically, and communicate clearly allows her to reach students from diverse educational backgrounds. Mira’s teaching focus centers on the humanities, economics, and Spanish language.
Dr. Steve Vaughn

MATHEMATICS, ECONOMICS, AND PHYSICS
Dr. Vaughn has more than 20 years of experience focused on training, coaching, and mentoring others in learner-centered (constructivist) methodology. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management and a Master’s in Math Education. Dr. Vaughn is an adjunct professor at the College of Central Florida and a math coach for almost all levels of math.
Dr. Julie Emerson

BIOLOGY, AP BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Julie has over a 40-year career as a biology educator and researcher. Most recently, she taught introductory biology at Amherst College for 18 years. Julie holds a ScB in Biology from Brown University, a Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of California San Francisco and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Princeton University.
Abbey Alexander

MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS, AND CHEMISTRY
Abbey holds a Biomedical Sciences degree. Before heading to medical school, she is spending some time riding and competing with her horse, Toad. Abbey has tutored Math, French, Statistics, and Science for over six years, helping students of all levels. Abbey understands that balancing school and horses isn’t always easy, which is why she’s so passionate about helping others manage it all.
Dr. Hunt Lyman

HUMANITIES, GOVERNMENT, AND HISTORY
Hunt Lyman has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Yale, a Master's Degree from Wesleyan in English, and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in education. He taught for 41 years in a variety of classes in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and graduate schools. Hunt lives in Middleburg Virginia with his wife, son, two dogs, and several horses.
Claire Edmiston

ENGLISH, WRITING, AND HUMANITIES
Claire is a current law student with an English degree from the University of Cambridge. She has been tutoring for 5 years, with students located internationally including in the UK, China, and the US. She enjoys sharing her deep love of literature with her students through detailed and informed approaches to close analysis and critical schools of thought.
Valérie Chaussonnet

BLUE RIDER ART CLUB, FRENCH, RUSSIAN
Valérie holds a master’s degree from Sorbonne University in Paris in Russian Language and Studies and completed doctoral research in anthropology (ABD) at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Valérie has been teaching French for over 20 years. She is a professional artist and maintains an active sculpture and painting studio.
Justina Rodriguez-Campos

K-8 SUBJECTS, MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH
Justina graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She holds Texas certifications for math and generalist 4-8, as well as a Florida certification for math 5-9.
Michelle Chapman

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA
Michelle graduated from Connecticut College in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology. She is the Blue Ribbon Scholars Social Media Manager and tutors in math and science. Outside of Blue Ribbon Scholars, Michelle teaches beginner riding lessons, takes care of her pony, and is working towards a graduate degree in Animal Behavior.

Mira Korber, M.P.P.

FOUNDER OF BLUE RIBBON SCHOLARS

Mira holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Yale and a Master’s of Education Policy from Vanderbilt. A quick thinking yet deeply thoughtful educator, she leads the college advising aspect of Blue Ribbon Scholars. She also tutors the humanities, economics, and Spanish for students of all levels. Mira is a lifelong equestrian with a passion for the jumper ring.

Dr. Steve Vaughn

MATHEMATICS, ECONOMICS, AND PHYSICS

Dr. Vaughn has more than 20 years of experience focused on training, coaching, and mentoring others in learner-centered (constructivist) methodology. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management and a Master’s in Math Education. Dr. Vaughn is an adjunct professor at the College of Central Florida and a math coach for almost all levels of math.

Dr. Julie Emerson

BIOLOGY, AP BIOLOGY, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Julie has over a 40-year career as a biology educator and researcher. Most recently, she taught introductory biology at Amherst College for 18 years. Julie holds a ScB in Biology from Brown University, a Ph.D. in Anatomy from the University of California San Francisco and completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Princeton University. When she’s not teaching, Julie loves spending time with her retired thoroughbred.

Abbey Alexander

MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS, AND CHEMISTRY

Abbey is a medical student and lifelong equestrian who understands firsthand the challenge of balancing academics with a demanding training schedule. Abbey has tutored Math, French, Statistics, and Science for over seven years, helping students of all levels. Before starting medical school, Abbey spent the winter riding and teaching for Blue Ribbon Scholars in Ocala, FL.

Dr. Hunt Lyman

HUMANITIES, GOVERNMENT, AND HISTORY

Hunt Lyman has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Yale, a Master’s Degree from Wesleyan in English, and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia in education. He taught for 41 years in a variety of classes in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and graduate schools. Hunt lives in Middleburg Virginia with his wife, son, two dogs, and several horses.

Claire Edmiston

ENGLISH, WRITING, AND HUMANITIES

Claire is a current law student with an English degree from the University of Cambridge. She has been tutoring for 5 years, with students located internationally including in the UK, China, and the US. She enjoys sharing her deep love of literature with her students through detailed and informed approaches to close analysis and critical schools of thought.

Valérie Chaussonnet

BLUE RIDER ART CLUB, FRENCH, RUSSIAN

Valérie holds a master’s degree from Sorbonne University in Paris in Russian Language and Studies and completed doctoral research in anthropology (ABD) at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Valérie has been teaching French for over 20 years. She is a professional artist and maintains an active sculpture and painting studio.

Justina Rodriguez-Campos

K-8 SUBJECTS, MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

Justina graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She holds Texas certifications for math and generalist 4-8, as well as a Florida certification for math 5-9.

Michelle Chapman

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Michelle graduated from Connecticut College in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology. She is the Blue Ribbon Scholars Social Media Manager and tutors in math and science. Outside of Blue Ribbon Scholars, Michelle teaches beginner riding lessons, takes care of her pony, and is working towards a graduate degree in Animal Behavior.

Avery Brennan

PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY, CALCULUS

Avery is a Canadian biomedical engineering and health sciences student at McMaster University. He’s currently head teaching assistant in cell biology and is passionate about helping high school and college students with science and math. Avery spent his final two winters of high school in Ocala competing in eventing, so he understands the challenges of balancing horses with academics.

Hannah Joerin

MATHEMATICS, STUDY SKILLS

Hannah holds a BS in Mathematics from Grand Valley State University and a Master’s in Teaching from Western Michigan University. As a teacher, Hannah has a knack for curating engaging learning environments and adapting to the abilities of all students. In her free time, Hannah trains her young horses and competes in eventing and jumpers with her seasoned partner, Liam.

Matthew Knowlton

Matt graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S in biochemistry and a Master’s in Secondary Education. During his undergraduate degree he spent two years teaching cadaveric dissection which fostered his passion for teaching. Since graduating, he has tutored science subjects for 10 years and currently teaches chemistry and physics courses, including APs, as a full time classroom teacher and online tutor.