Meet Our Coaches
Allen Stone, Ph.D
Chemist and Business Administrator
Dr. Stone (who prefers to be called “Dr. Al” or “Coach Al”) has had extensive experience, and success, in the business world, as well as in Education. He earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Chicago, having authored several scientific papers during his studies there. He spent the next 30 years in the Chemical Industry, serving as R&D Director and, later, Marketing Director for a multinational chemical company. While there, he helped to develop, managed the research, and ultimately manage the business activity of a new $25 million product line. He is a former member of the SPE (Society of Professional Engineers) and editor of the Regional SPE Newsletter. He is also a former member of the ACS (American Chemical Society). Upon retiring from the corporate world, he turned to his first love: Education.
He very much enjoyed serving on the faculty of Southern Connecticut State University for 10+ years, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the Chemistry, as well as the Environmental Science Departments. It was during that time that he also discovered how much satisfaction he derived from working–one-on-one--with students to achieve real academic success.
By now, Coach Al has tutored many hundreds of students (including several adults), from middle-school grades through College, in all subjects Science and Math (except Biology, of which he knows little or nothing!) Some of his tutoring was with a nationally-recognized tutoring company, where he was the “go-to” tutor, especially for the higher-level courses. He has had outstanding success, working as part of a TEAM with the student and parent(s), in improving students’ grades as well as their attitude toward and confidence in the subject matter. He also has an impressive track record of helping students to boost their Standardized Test scores (e.g., an average increase of SAT scores of 80-100 points, out of 1600). He has enjoyed success improving students’ scores in other standardized tests, including ACT, SSAT, GRE, and the NY State Regents exam. More recently his students have benefited from his help in passing AP Exams in science (chemistry) and math.
Two of his favorite activities, aside from his work with students, are tennis and travel. He lived and traveled extensively in Europe for six years, during which time he became well-acquainted with European culture and history. He has visited about 80 countries worldwide and this has enabled him to develop an open, unopinionated, and ever-curious approach to what he undertakes.
He tries his best to bring this approach to his work with students!!
Speaks: English
Coaches: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Business Administration, Standardized Test Prep
Vicki Montessoro, M.Ed.
in Special Education
Vicki Montessoro (formerly Vicki Bonaguro) graduated Cum Laude from Long Island University – Southampton with a B.A. in Biology and a minor in education, when her son with severe ADHD was still 2. There is a Montessoro family legend that said Vicki was related to Maria Montessori. So, Vicki studied Montessori materials and set up a home Montessori environment for her son at this time and continued it with her other children.
Previously, she had founded Art of Swimming in the Hamptons in 1981. She had a daughter, Kim, who is now her manager at Art of Swimming, in 1987. Vicki incorporated the child-centered approach of Maria into her swim lessons. She added infant/toddler educational components too.
In 1990, she had a son that was born with congenital defects and was eventually diagnosed with ADHD, developmental disabilities, autism, and numerous medical problems. Vicki became the Vice-President for the William Floyd School District’s Special Ed Parent-Teacher Organization. She was a parent advocate on the Committee for Special Education, (CSE), advocating with parents for their students with special needs, in the district.
In 2002 Vicki received her certification for teaching in New York State. She is certified in Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Art, and Teaching Students with Disabilities Biology.
When her children were of school age and severely struggling academically, Vicki chose to home-school them rather than send them to school. Her oldest was three years behind when she took him out. She taught her two oldest children at home for 5 years. Vicki then put them back in school a year ahead of their peers. It was during this time that she became proficient at teaching reading and other elementary subjects.
Vicki taught for a private school for three years and was the whole science department. She taught life science, physical science, Earth science, biology, chemistry, environmental science, and marine biology. She was concurrently home-tutoring special needs students for the William Floyd School District. Vicki tutored all subjects and all grades, specifically, elementary reading and high school science.
She continued to pursue her education in 2006 and received her Master’s of Education in Special Education from Liberty University in 2009 with a 4.0 while continuing to run her swim school. Tutoring became her winter occupation and Vicki worked for several tutoring agencies teaching all grades and all subjects for numerous districts.
In 2021, Vicki passed her EDPNA (Eligible For Direct Pay – Non-Attorney) exam and became a Social Security Disability Advocate authorized by SSA to be paid directly. Now Vicki has started Disability Support Services LLC, providing advocacy for Social Security as well as educational advocacy and testing. She is a member of Mensa, NADR, and ASCA. In her free time, she travels extensively, runs half Marathons at Disney, is a semi-pro photographer also enjoys pottery and other crafts.
LIMITED SUMMER AVAILABILITY
Speaks: English
Coaches: PreK to 6th grade All Subjects, especially Reading, PreK-10 Mathematics, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Art, Special Education, Regents Test Prep
Students
Preferred Student Age
Vicki is proficient in teaching all ages from babies to remedial adults, Allen enjoys working with motivated Jr high schoolers to college graduates.