Michael Howard
Center Director
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Michael Howard - Center Director
“The great thing about GradePower Learning is the transformation we see in children, and the positive impact on their families. We get to teach kids to learn how to learn! Nothing is more rewarding than to see that change taking place; to see that student reach his or her full potential.”
Michael is a native of the Treasure Valley and spent the first 20 years of his professional life in the business world. As the former president of an excavation company, he knows how to accomplish big goals.
In 2014, Michael left the construction world. He felt like it was an ideal time for a significant change. He was looking for a powerful opportunity to do what was truly important to him, to follow his passion: working with kids! GradePower Learning presented a partnership that sparked his interest. After intensive research of the “GradePower Learning difference” and how it compared to other organizations in the supplemental education industry, his choice was easy to join the GradePower Learning family. While training to open his own center in Idaho, he witnessed the true transformation in children’s lives while working in active centers. Since then, working with families serves as his guiding light and keeps him focused, productive, and accomplishing more of what is important to him every single day.
Michael is a proud father of four amazing children and adores his wonderful wife. He is an active outdoorsman and truly enjoys spending time with his family and being an active member of his church. He feels truly blessed to live and work in the great state of Idaho, and to serve his local community.
Michael is a firm believer in the philosophy “never stop learning”, and you can count on him to help your child achieve their highest potential.
Fun Fact: Michael has a dream to be the best fly fisherman EVER! (But he doesn’t practice enough…so….we’ll work on that.)
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Hailey Finnerty
Education Director
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"You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way."
Hailey is a proud native of the Boise area, where she has lived her whole life. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Boise State University and plans to continue her education by earning a master's degree in Math Education upon graduation.
Hailey’s passion for math runs deep. She has been tutoring students in the subject since middle school, which has only fueled her love for teaching. Over the years, she has gained extensive experience working with students of all ages and skill levels, making learning math an engaging and approachable experience for them.
In addition to her work in mathematics, Hailey has also taught music lessons, sharing her expertise in the clarinet and saxophone. Her diverse teaching background highlights her versatility and commitment to helping others succeed in the classroom or beyond.
When she's not tutoring at GradePower Learning or immersed in her studies, Hailey enjoys a variety of hobbies and activities. She loves spending quality time with her husband and their pets, which always brings her joy and relaxation. Additionally, Hailey enjoys crocheting and crafting.
With her strong academic background, dedication to teaching, and a wide array of interests, Hailey is excited to continue making a positive impact on the lives of others while pursuing her own personal and professional goals.
Fun Fact: Hailey has been playing clarinet since she was 11 years old! She can also play saxophone and piano.
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Maren Sibbett
Beyond Tutoring Academic Coach
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“The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.” - Marjorie Hinckley
Maren is an eager learner who loves to ask questions. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis on Teaching English to Students of Other Languages (TESOL), Maren became a mother and now has two beautiful girls.
Maren still felt a need to pursue her passion for education and found her ideal job at GradePower Learning. She was drawn to the unique interactive coaching style at GradePower Learning, along with their outstanding core beliefs. Maren is a firm believer in teaching students to know themselves and the type of learner they are.
Fun Fact: Maren is a DIY and home renovation enthusiast who has never found a project she couldn’t conquer!
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Carlos Kimball
Beyond Tutoring and Advantage Academic Coach
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"While we will never know everything, there is always more to learn, and each day, growth begins with the choices we make."
Carlos recently moved to Idaho in 2024 from California, where he taught middle school history for 5 years. Having grown up in Southern California and worked in the Central Valley, he is still adjusting to Idaho’s four seasons.
Carlos graduated from Sonoma State University in 2017 with a B.A. in Economics. Upon graduating, he followed his passion for teaching and graduated from California State University, Fullerton, in 2018 with a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Studies. Moving to the Central Valley, he worked at a K-8 school where he taught middle school social studies for 5 years. Over his tenure, he blended his social studies curriculum with personal finance. He focused on making his classroom about growing in both academic knowledge and the skills students would need to be successful as future employers and employees. He brings his passion for making education relevant to students at GradePower Learning every day and is excited to help bridge the “why” of learning to skills that your students can use throughout their lives!
Currently, Carlos is attending Boise State University for his Master of Science in Accountancy to achieve his goal of becoming a CPA. When he is not reading textbooks—or financial statements—he enjoys being outside and active in his local community. His favorite hobby, only amplified since moving to Idaho, is fishing, and he has thoroughly enjoyed finding new hiking trails to explore. He also enjoys being active in his church community and learning new facts about current or historical topics whenever possible.
Welcome to GradePower Learning!
Fun Fact:
Mr. Carlos is a triplet!
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Alexandra Riese
Beyond Tutoring Academic Coach
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"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." -Ecclesiastes 3:1
Alexandra, originally from Portland, Oregon, relocated to the Treasure Valley in 2021. She is currently a student at Bishop Kelley High School, where she is actively involved in her studies and extracurricular activities. With a passion for both mathematics and science, Alexandra has set her sights on studying applied mathematics and chemistry in college. She plans to attend Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where she hopes to deepen her knowledge in these fields and pursue a career that combines her interests in both disciplines.
Alexandra has always had a passion for mathematics, which led her to become a tutor at Mathnasium. When she discovered GradePower Learning, she found that she enjoyed teaching even more. At GradePower, Learning she not only helps students with academic concepts but also engages with them on a deeper level, fostering effective learning strategies and building confidence.
Outside of her academic commitments at GradePower Learning, Alexandra is an active member of her school's dance team. She also has a wide range of personal interests, including a love for "old lady crafts," such as knitting and sewing. Alexandra enjoys traveling and exploring new places!
Fun Fact: Alexandra knows how to solder and program a drone! Plus, she holds the record for the longest time a small rocket was in the air.
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