Meet The Team!
Meet Mrs. Rebecca Pastore, Co-founder, Co-owner, and Lead Sun Pod Tutor!
Rebecca began her educational career in 2006 by receiving her Masters of Arts in Elementary Teaching and was lucky enough to gain experience in grades 2-4 across charter, private, and public schools alike within 3 different states.
She is a mama first and foremost to her 3 growing boys (and 3 animals!), and wife of nearly 20 years to Dr. Pastore in the Department of Education of UNCW.
She loves interacting with all of the neighborhood littles, teaching in a small group setting, and getting to know each and every child individually!
She touched on “homeschooling” during virtual pandemic learning, and has been dreaming of starting her own oasis of learning for years.
She believes that school should be focused but fun, educational but supportive, and most importantly, a community! Her dream of TTC has felt magical, and everything she envisioned (and much more!).
She recently published a children’s book called Charlie and the Moon, featuring her rescue pup who teaches bravery.
Rebecca enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, doing yoga, and going to the beach in her spare time.
She can’t wait to tackle Year 3 with her Pod!
Meet Co-founder, Co-owner and K-2 Lead Sand Pod tutor, Mrs. Jolene McDonald!
Jolene started her teaching career in 1989. She has taught kindergarten to 2nd grade for the past 11 years, but has also taught 3rd to 8th grade in 5 different states. Jolene has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has extensive training in the Science of Reading, a comprehensive body of research with 50+ years of interdisciplinary research that documents and describes how children develop reading and writing skills and competencies.
She feels it is imperative students in the lower elementary grades get a strong foundational education in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension and writing. Each component plays a crucial role in developing strong reading and comprehension skills which will enhance their writing and oral speaking skills.
Jolene and her husband Dan, retired Coast Guard, have four adult children living in three different states. We enjoy our local community and traveling near and far whenever possible.
She is excited to continue her third year with Topsail Tutors to teach in a small group setting where you really get to know and connect with each child. Building a community of learners who build friendships with the support from those around them.
Meet Lead Wave Pod tutor, Dr. Elizabeth Anderson!
Elizabeth began her professional career working in programs to help autistic children and children with ADHD learn self-regulation and social skills. In 2008, she earned her M.Ed. in Elementary Education and in 2013, she obtained a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University, where she worked with prospective teachers and researched best practices for teaching children with emotional and behavioral disorders. She has taught in public and alternative schools, as well as in a variety of K-12 and college-level programs. She homeschooled and taught in a homeschool co-op from 2019-2022.
Outside of her educational endeavors, Elizabeth is kept busy and happy with her awesome husband and three beautiful children. She loves to read and write, and she volunteers as a softball coach.
Elizabeth believes that positive student-teacher relationships are vital to a successful learning experience, and she looks forward to meeting all of her new students and embarking on this journey with them for Year 3!
Meet Miss Lily! Between her studies, Lily is working hard for various local businesses, and is our floating aide at TTC! She ensures our hard-working students always have an extra eye and voice of support while working independently between focused lessons with their tutors. The children and team alike adore her spirit, kindness, and structure. We are so grateful for Miss Lily, and we can’t wait for her to join us for her second year at TTC!
Meet our substitute extraordinaire, Kerry Mulcahy! She joined us this year as our go-to sub, and the children love seeing her face pop in from time to time to guide them through their day. Mom to our very own Miss Lily, she is such a wonderful addition to our program, and we are very grateful for her!