Meet the Team
At MILE, we’re more than educators - we’re mentors, builders and partners in unlocking brilliance. With diverse expertise and lived experiences, we share one purpose: delivering support that is rigorous, human centered and liberating.
Read the bios below to understand why and how we go the extra mile so you can see firsthand the values, qualifications, and lived experiences that shape our work.
Dr. Zion
Gezaw
She/Her
Founder • Principal • Possibility-Maker
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Equity & Instructional Consulting
Experience
Doctorate in Curriculum & Instruction
Current school leader in Denver
Twice exceptional
First generation college grad
Daughter of Ethiopian immigrants
Trilingual
Why MILE
Co-founded MILE to build liberatory environments where every learner can thrive
What Brings Me Joy
Hiking with family and pups
Vegan cooking and baking
Exploring new coffee shops
Sean
McKenzie
He/Him
Strategist • Educator • Brilliance Liberator
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Strategy & Organizational Consulting
Experience
Postgraduate student at University of Cambridge
Current sustainability advisor in international development
Taught and advised learners across multiple universities
First generation college grad
Son of Trinidadian/Canadian immigrants
Broomfield Councilmember
Why MILE
Co-founded MILE to create spaces where different thinkers are affirmed and equity becomes the expectation
What Brings Me Joy
Listening to jazz, neo-soul, R&B
Exploring sustainability in everyday life, Net Zero living, EVs, and regenerative food
Being at peace in the great outdoors, being active, meditating, or thinking deeply
Maddie
Parker
She/Her
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Experience
Twice-exceptional
Bachelor's in English and Socio-Legal studies; Master's in Leadership for Higher Education
Four years of teaching experience, currently leading Academic Services at CU Anschutz
Why MILE
Joined MILE to support the whole child - fostering growth beyond test scores and advancing equity in education
What Brings Me Joy
Spending time with my pup, Mollie
Reading romance books
Playing board games with friends
Adora
Klinestiver
She/Her
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Experience
B.S. Chemistry and Spanish Minor, and M.S. Biomedical Sciences Research
Tutored Master’s students in cell and molecular biology
Performed Guarani and Spanish health and academic-related activities in Paraguay for two years
Pursue and accepted into medical school
Why MILE
MILE aims to support children and adults holistically, a unique approach that leads to greater success for our clients
What Brings Me Joy
Going on adventures with my partner and two little kids
Walking and doing yoga
Playing ukulele and reading fantasy novels
Kaylee
Schuler
She/Her
Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Strategy & Systems Consulting
Experience
5+ years teaching and tutoring across numerous subjects and age groups
Teaching from a neurodivergent perspective with a focus on curiosity, validation, and accessibility for each learner
Creative and adaptive educational approaches
Why MILE
I believe academic learning cannot be separated from the context in which it occurs-students need support far beyond the classroom, and MILE’s holistic approach to mentoring and tutoring acknowledges, values, and honors the complexity of each client’s situation in a way I find refreshing and wonderful
What Brings Me Joy
Creating! I love to write, draw, sing, make comics, cosplay, and find new ways to express myself
Dressing up for conventions like Comic Con
Seeing people being their authentic selves and engaging with the things they love as if no one is watching
Sebastianne
Kent
She/Her
Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Strategy & Systems Consulting
Experience
Corporate sustainability leader helping large companies understand and address their impacts on the environment and people
Masters of Science in Environment and Resource Management with a focus in ecosystem services and biodiversity from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Bachelors of Arts in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara
Lecturer and educator who has worked with learners of all ages to break down complex topics in an engaging way
Why MILE
Working with MILE will allow me to provide the kind of support I wish I had as a student entering the professional world, in a time when that support is needed even more
What Brings Me Joy
Time with friends and family
My cat, Prince
Spending time in nature
Joe
McComb
He/Him
Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Strategy & Systems Consulting
Experience
I have been passionate about education since I became involved as a high schooler on the Denver Public Schools Board of Education. This led me on a path to pursue my Master’s degree in Educational Foundations, Policy, and Practice at CU Boulder where I also worked with students to improve their written academic performance.
I am currently a full-time paraprofessional at Morey Middle School, serving in the roles of Math Interventionist and 1:1 Dedicated Adult Support in Special Education.
Why MILE
I am thrilled to be part of the MILE team to support families and ensure students have the tools to reach their highest potential.
What Brings Me Joy
Traveling to see new places, cultural sites, and natural landscapes
Exploring all that my home town of Denver has to offer
Organizing with my community to ensure everyone has the resources they need to thrive
Kelsey
Moore
She/Her
Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Strategy & Systems Consulting
Experience
7-12th grade Science & Math teacher
8+ years as a turnaround school leader focused on school climate, safety, and student behavior
Significant experience supporting diverse learners in achieving short and long-term goals
Why MILE
I believe that every child deserves to feel the joy of their full potential with a supportive team at their side
What Brings Me Joy
Spending time with my family
My hobbies (reading, running, and being outside!)
Watching people of all ages and stages achieve their goals
Kim
L.
She/Her
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Experience
Bachelor’s in English and History, Master’s in Art History
Ten years of teaching experience in both traditional classrooms and museum education programmes
Curriculum writing and development
Why MILE
Every person’s brain works and learns in a unique way and I am passionate about helping students discover the tools they need to find confidence, success, and joy in learning
What Brings Me Joy
My family
Hiking
Watching students discover they really are able to do hard things
Aryana
Bolourian
She/Her
Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Strategy & Systems Consulting
Experience
Former middle school math teacher with experience through the pandemic both in classroom and through virtual platforms
Four years tutoring in middle school after-school programme and provided one-on-one academic, study skills, and executive functioning support
Education consultant partnering with school districts, philanthropy, and nonprofits to support strategic planning and implementation
Why MILE
I’m drawn to MILE’s values-driven, student-centered approach and its commitment to meeting learners where they are while uplifting families and community
What Brings Me Joy
Writing and performing original music
Spending time with friends and family
Exploring new cities, trying new foods
Sienna
Lee
She/Her
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Experience
Scholar at Centaurus in IB programme, taking advanced math and science classes
Lived abroad in Lima, Peru for 2+ years and attended a British-Peruvian institution
Why MILE
I am passionate about learning and love helping others grow through education. Working with MILE gives me the opportunity to work in an area I am passionate about and support kids in enjoying the learning process.
What Brings Me Joy
Time in nature
Music
A good joke
Maria
DesMoineaux
She/Her
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Experience
Elementary teacher for past 11 years
RTI support grades 1 & 2
Mother of 2 teenagers
Why MILE
I am excited to join the MILE team because of their philosophy that every child can learn and discover they are brilliant!
What Brings Me Joy
My family
Teaching
The outdoors
Nathan
Megersa
He/Him
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Experience
Mentored peers in effective problem-solving strategies during university projects, translating complex technical processes into understandable concepts for successful team outcomes
Developed clear and concise documentation at my STEM internship, streamlining information workflows and collaborating effectively across teams to help everyone stay organized and on track
Led front-end operations by actively listening to and resolving customer issues, demonstrating strong communication skills and a commitment to helping others succeed
Why MILE
I am passionate about helping students build confidence in themselves while developing the skills they need to succeed academically and beyond. MILE allows me to make a meaningful impact by supporting growth, accountability, and long-term success in every student I work with.
What Brings Me Joy
AI, Game Development, Emerging Tech
Fitness, Nature/Travel
Community Service, Sports
Bre
Douthitt
She/Her
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
Experience
Nine years of elementary classroom teaching experience
Masters in Elementary Literacy, Licensed Reading Interventionist, Orton Gillingham Trained
Four years of private literacy tutoring
Why MILE
I have always believed in supporting the whole-child, and MILE’s mission to provide all students with resources and support to be successful is exactly why I became a teacher!
What Brings Me Joy
Spending time with my family
Running and yoga
Traveling to new places around the world
Cody
DiCesare
He/Him
Academic Advisor
Services Offered
Student & Family Success
College, Career & Life Readiness
Experience
Experience teaching mathematics to students of many backgrounds as a Denver Math Fellow
Seven years of experience tutoring a variety of subjects and knowledge levels ranging from algebra to multivariate calculus and everything in between
IB Diploma recipient, BA in Mathematics from the University of Colorado Boulder, recipient of the Jim and Laura Marshall scholarship in Mathematics, and a published researcher
Why MILE
I would not have succeeded in school without the support of many caring, intelligent instructors that gave me the time and support to succeed. MILE gives me the opportunity to grant this same support to students just like me.
What Brings Me Joy
Playing video games with my friends
Drawing and coloring
Exploring the history and logic of old, complex math problems
