Meet Your Instructors

Art Valenzuela

Lead Instructor

avalenzuela@kaplan.com

Born and raised in Southern California, Art earned his Real Estate License in 1999 and his Brokers license in 2007.  Art started with Kaplan as an instructor in 2002 and became the Lead Instructor in 2010. 

Art has become a sought-after coach and industry leader and has served in a variety of management positions, including Sales Manager, VP of Sales,  and Lead Instructor for well-known companies such as Realty Executives; iPayOne, Inc.; RealEstate.com; Nationwide Real Estate Executives; and Kaplan Real Estate Education.

Bobra Tahan

bobra.tahan@kaplan.com

Bobra started working in the real estate industry as a licensed salesperson in 1978 and became a broker in 1980. In addition to working in both large and small brokerages, Bobra owned her brokerage firm for several years. Bobra also has prior work experience as a licensed Senior Residential Appraiser and expert witness in appraisal-related lawsuits.

These positions were very rewarding, but teaching real estate was—and is—her passion. Bobra has taught real estate courses at adult schools, community colleges, and private companies. Bobra was the first woman to be hired as an instructor by Anthony Schools (later purchased by Kaplan). Receiving the “Golden Apple” award as an outstanding instructor from Kaplan was a highlight of her career. 

Bobra co-created and is the Lead Instructor for Kaplan’s live online LEARN sessions formerly Interactive Study Groups, which is available to students in most states. Bobra still finds it very rewarding to assist students in becoming licensed real estate professionals.

Carson Roberts grew up in a real estate family and so it was no surprise when he became a licensed real estate agent. He was mentored by one of the best brokerages in San Diego, becoming their #3 top-producing agent in 2023. He also earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Marketing and became a Military Relocation Certified agent.

Carson's goal is to use his experience and knowledge to excite and inspire his students to achieve their real estate goals and enjoy the process.

Donna lives in California and brings 25+ years of real estate experience and absolutely loves the challenges and opportunities that real estate brings her way. Teaching is an absolute passion of hers, whereby she enjoys teaching Kaplan's Career Mentor Connect and Real Estate Accelerator and interacting with students.

 Donna is so fortunate to have an opportunity to assist students on their journey to obtain their real estate license. Donna brings her many years of expertise in residential real estate and life events to her students through storytelling of being "in the trenches." Donna "keeps the Real in Real Estate." Donna also loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling to the beach, and dancing.  

Howard Harris

howard.harris@kaplan.com

Howard received both his JD and California Broker’s license in the late 1970s. His work experience includes law, real estate, construction, lending, computers, banking, and construction. He has sold traditional residential real estate, made residential loans, made and monitored construction loans, worked for a lender, restructured or foreclosed upon commercial loans, and has personally invested in distressed real estate. 

Howard began teaching in 1980 and taught real estate courses starting in 1981. Howard has been teaching for Kaplan since 2002 and began teaching virtual licensing classes in 2006.

Lisa E. McKim, a licensed REALTOR® in California, Colorado, and Mississippi with over 18 years of experience, will guide you through your Kaplan education.  Lisa's engaging teaching style and practical approach make complex real estate concepts easy to understand.  Drawing on her extensive experience in residential, multi-family, mixed-use, commercial, and architectural properties, as well as her background in fine art and design, Lisa provides valuable insights and real-world examples.  Her experience as a Real Estate Acquisitions Specialist, closing transactions nationwide, adds another layer of expertise to her instruction.  Join Lisa and gain the knowledge you need to succeed in the real estate market. 

Sergio Rodriguez

sergio.rodriguez@kaplan.com

Sergio has been in the real estate industry for 21 years. Sergio spent five years as a real estate loan officer with Bank of America and 16 years as a top-producing real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. 

Sergio is an active member of the National Association of REALTORS with a laser focus on helping buyers, sellers, and investors purchase and sell residential real estate. His awards include Top Producing Listing Agent and Top Producing Agent Dollar Volume Companywide.  

Sergio has been a Kaplan Real Estate instructor, editor, and content developer since 2013 with a focus on California Real Estate licensing courses. 

Tabitha Hasin

tabitha.hasin@kaplan.edu

Tabitha has more than 25 years of experience in the real estate profession, working in title insurance, escrow, refinances, default services, and reverse mortgages, as well as teaching. While in law school, she specialized in environmental land use and real estate law. After passing the California bar exam, Tabitha worked as an Advisory Title Officer (ATO) at a number of title insurance companies.

In 2015, Tabitha began teaching real estate licensing and exam prep classes for Kaplan and currently co-teaches the weekly California Interactive Study Group. Tabitha’s work at Kaplan also includes researching, editing, and writing content for many of the licensing and exam prep courses. Tabitha believes that with every class she teaches, Kaplan students get closer to a career that rewards hard work and initiative.