
Gordon Falk
Executive Director
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Gordon Falk
Executive Director
Gordon Falk has 31 years of experience in supplemental education. After twelve years as a minority owner and director of another tutoring franchise, Gordon realized his dream of owning his own learning center in 2006. GradePower Learning has now been transforming children's lives in Austin for nineteen years. Gordon is just as passionate today about active thinking and independent learning as he was the first day.
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Nicholas Hernandez
Education Director
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Nicholas Hernandez
Education Director
Nicholas joined the GradePower Learning team as our Education Director in July 2022. His prior experience includes teaching middle school social studies and mathematics and educational research analysis. Nicholas has committed his life to education and is passionate about making a positive impact in students' lives. Nicholas enjoys the positive and supportive environment for young learners and their families that GradePower Learning provides. In his downtime, Nicholas enjoys spending time with his family, taking peaceful drives around Austin, and searching for delicious places to eat.
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Maria Garcia
Education Coordinator
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Maria Garcia
Education Coordinator
Maria contributes a strong STEM background to our team. She has experience as a lab supervisor, research scientist, training and development coordinator, and tutor. Maria is proud to be the first member of her family to pursue a university education and is driven to help others further their education. When she isn't instilling a love of learning in our students, Maria enjoys cooking, reading nonfiction, exercising, and spending time outdoors. She is also currently learning how to play the piano!
×Luis Chinchilla
Learning Coach
Read MoreLuis Chinchilla
Learning Coach
Luis is currently a 5th-grade teacher for Austin ISD by day, but he has experience teaching and tutoring students from elementary ages to college. He has two dachshunds, and when he isn't walking them in his free time, he can most likely be found working out or playing soccer. Luis is a soccer fanatic and even has experience coaching his favorite sport. Luis recently had the honor of being named "2024 Teacher of Promise" by his campus colleagues.
×Jocelyn Garcia
Learning Coach
Read MoreJocelyn Garcia
Learning Coach
Jocelyn has five years of experience teaching kindergarten and first grade and is currently employed at an AISD elementary school. She is the oldest of four siblings and is the only member of her immediate family to leave the country life behind for city life in Austin, where she loves water activities and exploring town with her friends. Jocelyn's educational philosophy aligns perfectly with GPL, making her a valued team member!
×Silvia Maldonado
Learning Coach
Read MoreSilvia Maldonado
Learning Coach
Silvia graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2022 before joining the GradePower Learning team in September. She is the second oldest of four sisters and is proud that she and her older sister are the first college graduates in their family! Silvia is a dedicated and diligent learning coach, and she enjoys seeing her students challenge themselves to be their best. In her free time, Silvia enjoys painting, working on puzzles, birding, and learning about nature.
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Brandi Ellsworth
Learning Coach
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Brandi Ellsworth
Learning Coach
Brandi taught 5th-8th Grade science for eight years, served as a curriculum specialist, and was a zoo educator before becoming a GPL coach. She and her husband, Mark, love cats! Brandi also enjoys crochet, cross-stitching, and miniatures. Brandi has a passion for sharing her love of learning with all students and building their self-confidence.
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Brian Carmelli
Learning Coach
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Brian Carmelli
Learning Coach
Brian moved to Austin from Baltimore in December 2024, where he was an assistant high school teacher. His mother, two sisters, and niece all live in the area and drew him here! Brian's hobbies include playing guitar, solving mathematics and linguistic puzzles, and gaming.
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Bailey Judis
Learning Coach
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Bailey Judis
Learning Coach
Bailey graduated from Trinity University in May 2024, where she helped her peers as a writing tutor. She also worked privately as an elementary writing tutor. A native Austinite, Bailey swims competitively and loves volunteer work. In fact, she recently returned from a three-month service trip to Canada.
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Maxine Nichols
Learning Coach
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Maxine Nichols
Learning Coach
Prior to joining the GPL team in September 2024, Maxine was an accounting tutor and supplemental instruction leader at Florida Atlantic University. She grew up in a military family, frequently moving around the world, which provided valuable experiences abroad. She still loves travelling, as well as crochet, philosophical literature, and of course, jamming out to Taylor Swift. Maxine's driving motivation as an educator is to empower young people to take charge of their education.
×Emily Salada
Learning Coach
Read MoreEmily Salada
Learning Coach
Prior to GPL, Emily taught English in Columbia, worked as an Americorps VISTA in East Austin, and served as a student consultant with the City of Austin and UN Info Center in Washington, D.C. Currently, Emily is a substitute teacher with AISD during the day and a dogwalker in her free time. Emily has lived all over the world and loves to travel and backpack. She is always excited to share her unique experiences with curious young learners.
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Joann Yen
Learning Coach
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Joann Yen
Learning Coach
Joann has taught 4th Grade since 2021 and began coaching with GPL in the evenings in October 2024. Joann values the special bond that students and teachers can develop. The role of learning coach, and her positive influence to help students grow intellectually and socially, is very important to her.
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