Our Team
Our Directors
Chris Schaber
Co-owner, Director and Tutor
He/Him/His
Chris triple majored at the UW, graduating with degrees in Physics, Astronomy and History. Four years later, Chris added to his accolades an MS in Mechanical Engineering. His passion for engineering and alternative energy led to a job at the Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment. Chris believes “patience is the key to tutoring” and loves helping students with difficult concepts. In his words, “education is a joint exploration of ideas. I lead the way and share my experiences so students will develop their own understanding of the subject matter. Tutoring is so fulfilling; it motivates me, and in turn the student, to achieve the educational goals we both desire.” Chris loves hiking, rooting for Seattle sports teams and hanging out with his three boys.
Michelle Schaber
Co-owner
She/Her/Hers
Meet Michelle, an educator with a passion for fostering academic excellence. With a background spanning 25 years in education, Michelle's journey began at the Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest. Her dedication led her to lead classrooms at the University of Washington’s Children Center and Montessori Children’s House, where she nurtured young minds for over a decade. In 2011, Michelle ventured into entrepreneurship, founding her own Montessori school dedicated to providing personalized learning experiences. Beyond the classroom, Michelle co-owns University Tutoring alongside her husband and serves as the Elementary Specialist—guiding young learners to build solid academic foundations through personalized guidance. Michelle also proudly owns and operates another Laurelhurst business, University Wines. Outside of her professional endeavors, Michelle finds joy in cheering on the Mariners, exploring the wonders of nature, and cherishing moments with her three boys.
Alec Downing
Director of Marketing, Educational Consultant
A former radio news anchor and journalist, Alec brings his passion for writing, social sciences and more to University Tutoring. Alec graduated from Seattle University with his bachelors’ in communication and media, specializing in journalism and strategic communications. While in high school, he attended Green River College and earned his Associate in Arts through the Running Start program. Outside of the office you can usually find Alec rooting on the Mariners and Ballard F.C. or learning a new board game.
Dylan Cottrell
Director, Educational Consultant
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Dylan is an experienced educator with recent experience working in Seattle and Portland Public Schools. He earned a Bachelor's in English and a Master's in Teaching from the University of Washington. His favorite recent teaching position was a full year subbing for PE at Franklin High School (2022-23) but the prior year teaching reading and writing at Aki Kurose Middle School was a close second. His favorite subjects are reading, writing and history. He is passionate about music and poetry. In his free time he listens to Mariners baseball and plays with the nearest cat he can find.
Kai Nakahara
Administrative Assistant
Born and raised in Laurelhurst, Kai grew up in the SPS system and graduated from UW with a double major in Linguistics and Sociology. He spent his childhood bouncing between a variety of sports, instruments, and hobbies, giving him the opportunity to meet a wide swath of people and hone his skill at balancing schedules. Now, Kai gets to apply these talents behind the front desk at University Tutoring! Outside of work, you can find Kai testing out different restaurants on the Ave, studying origami diagrams, and hanging out with the close friends he made in college!
Zack Toombs
Director, Educational Consultant
He/Him/His
Zack is an experienced teacher and tutor with a passion for Science, particularly the environment. He studied Environmental Education at Huxley College on the WWU campus in Bellingham. After working in different youth recreation programs and education positions, Zack found his passion in tutoring. Zack works with students of all ages, with his favorite topics being SAT/ACT Prep, Mathematics, and helping teach strong study skills.