St. Petersburg Tutoring

Stephanie Achuthan

Co-Owner, Center Director

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), Stephanie moved to Atlanta, where she gained valuable work experience in a variety of industries before landing in HR Technology. Stephanie and Pramod met in Atlanta, where they started their family, having two wonderful sons. After moving back to Florida and learning of her own son’s learning differences, Stephanie became passionate about helping children succeed academically. GradePower Learning Saint Petersburg was born out of the need to support her children as well as to help other families in similar situations. Stephanie has made it a mission to create a place where students can receive the tailored support they need to thrive. Through her firsthand experience of the academic and emotional challenges that families face Stephanie has become dedicated to helping children foster a love for learning and helping each child build confidence.

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family and their pets and exploring new places through travel. The Achuthans love spending time together outdoors in beautiful Saint Petersburg.

Pramod Achuthan

Co-Owner, Center Director

Pramod is the dedicated owner and Center Director of GradePower Learning St. Petersburg. With a master’s degree in computer science from UNC Charlotte, Pramod’s career path took a turn when he and his wife discovered that their sons had learning differences. They utilized GradePower Learning and were immediately impressed with the program’s approach to both academic and cognitive skills. This journey also helped Pramod recognize his own struggles with dyslexia.

After moving to St. Petersburg and driven by a desire to help other families and children, he and his wife opened their own GradePower Learning location. Pramod understands what it’s like to navigate education without the necessary support, and he is dedicated to helping as many students as possible build the skills and confidence they need. He also loves sharing his passion for math by providing tutoring support to students. His goal is for their center to be a place where students and parents can find not only guidance but also hope.

Outside of work, Pramod is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He also loves exercising, traveling, and creating adventures with his family.

Lily Bryan

Education Coordinator

Lily Bryan is a Florida native who was born and raised in South Tampa. During college, Lily spent a summer working with the Conservation Corps, fell in love with SW Colorado, and went on to pursue her education career there. While in Colorado, she was able to merge her love for nature and education by working at schools with alternative philosophies such as Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Project-Based learning. Lily eventually moved into the public school setting, teaching both general and special education students in early childhood, elementary, middle and high school. Lily is most passionate about inclusive, effective, and science-based literacy instruction and is certified by the Institute of Multisensory Instruction in Orton-Gillingham. Bryan holds an MA from the University of Northern Colorado in early childhood special education and is working on completing another in K-12 special education. She also holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the New College of Florida.

In her personal time, Lily enjoys getting out on the water, biking around town, sharing good food with family, and seeing local/live music.

Anne Sawl

Tutor

Anne Sawl is from just outside of Tampa, born in Lutz, Florida. She got her B.S. in Biology in the fall of 2021. She took a liking to high-level math during her time as an undergraduate student and has taught mathematical concepts to many ages, has tutored students in preparation for national placement exams, and has tutored students for college readiness exams.

Following her undergraduate education, she spent a year working at an AZA-accredited institution keeping and educating people about species from all over the world and species of conservation concern. Within this position, she solidified her interest as an educator and her curiosity about biology.

Currently, Anne is working on her master's degree in Conservation Biology, researching a critically imperiled species of millipede, endemic to Florida. While working on her degree, she is a teaching assistant at the University of South Florida, teaching General Microbiology and General Genetics. At GradePower Learning, Anne enjoys teaching mathematical concepts to students in K-12 and at the post-secondary level.

In her free time, Anne likes to paint, go rock climbing, and read books beside her rambunctious grey tabby cat, Salem.

Tahsin Noor (pronounced tah-seen) is a local of St. Petersburg, Florida. A lifelong writer, playwright, and educator, he has passionately taught English, drama, and math for several years—with a special focus on mentoring at-risk youth academically.

Professionally, Tahsin has built extensive experience in the literary arts, theater, and filmmaking. Trained in the Meisner technique, he seamlessly integrates its core principles into his teaching. He is a committed advocate for the arts, believing they possess the unique power to nurture and inspire young people to reach their fullest potential.

Tahsin earned his BFA in theater performance and playwriting from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City and graduated magna cum laude in Humanities from the Honors College at St. Petersburg College. As a former President of the Phi Theta Kappa honors fraternity, he has been recognized in Who's Who of America's Top College Students. His accolades include the annual Dr. Patricia Rowell Provost Recognition Award and the Honors Scholar of the Year.