About
elevate helps students reach higher
Meet The founder
Laura DeOtte
B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, summa cum laude from LeTourneau University
Laura's favorite hobby is learning new things and she loves sharing that enjoyment with students. She always felt learning was best in a fun environment, which is now backed by neuroscience.
Her passion is that her students know they are cared about and accepted no matter what and helping them reframe mistakes as part of the learning process.
"If I can help my students love learning and not fear mistakes, they will thrive in more than just math and that is my greatest wish"
Meet Our Tutors
Amy Upchurch
B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering from Colorado State University
Amy fell in love with chemistry in high school, and further enjoyed developing her understanding of the natural world in college. She grew up in Colorado Springs and loves hiking, music, and blues dancing.
She loves tutoring because it allows education to be tailored to the individual student, instead of the other way around.
She has always enjoyed teaching herself new things and loves helping her students find the same joy of learning.
PAIGE GONCZERUK
Studying for B.S. and M.S. in aerospace engineering and astrophysics at UCCS
Paige Gonczeruk started to love math after getting a tutor in junior high that introduced math in new ways and with such joy. Paige loves to help students find the same joy and love she has for math that her past tutors helped her find.
Paige wants to help students no longer fear going into math and science classes but look forward to the challenge, knowing someone is always in their corner cheering them on and available to help with questions at all times!
Toby Koch
MPH in Epidemiology of Microbial Disease from Yale University, PhD student at CSU
Toby Koch never thought he would find himself getting a Ph.D. because he never thought himself "smart." It took many years for him to realize that curiosity is the most important factor in having a career in science.
Toby tries to impart this realization to all his students through exercises that promote self-discovery and active learning. The brain functions as a muscle that can expand and grow to comprehend more complex ideas the more we exercise it.
He started tutoring during his undergraduate program and is currently a Ph.D. student at CSU where he also teaches microbiology.
Social impact
elevate STEM tutoring partners with Pikes Peak Academy by offering free tutoring to give students a second chance at earning a high school diploma.
This is part of Laura's life mission of giving access and opportunities where circumstances have denied them. Check out Hidden Lotus Crafts to see how the founder of elevate, Laura DeOtte, is making a global impact in the lives of women.