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About Whiz Kids

Founded in 2001, Whiz Kids is a research-based educational enrichment program with an active and fun approach to learning. Small groups learn together in exciting and innovative ways to enhance their skills and confidence in phonics, reading, writing, and many other curricular areas. Classes are differentiated based on each group’s needs and classes are small enough to personalize instruction to every child’s specific learning level and style. With a team of highly qualified and caring credentialed teachers, we place great importance on our small class sizes and our ability to really get to know our students and therefore help them to succeed.

The Directors

Stephanie Wallace is a credentialed teacher and mom who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Irvine, and who has been trained and certified as an elementary educator at UC Irvine and Chapman University. Stephanie has taught and tutored preschool through sixth grade, including five years at Harbor View School in Corona del Mar, where she was selected as Teacher of the Year in 1997. Stephanie is a UCI Writing Project Fellow and has been involved with the Writing Project since 1997. She has studied emergent literacy and taught with the UCI Young Writers’ Program, where she focused on the reading-writing connection and teaching writing as a process. Her most valuable research has been in her own classroom, finding ways to best respond to children to enhance learning. Stephanie’s love of teaching and of children inspired her to create Whiz Kids, where learning is as exciting and meaningful as possible for students. Stephanie and her husband Jay live in Newport Beach with their two children, Sophie and Luke.

Angie McCunniff is a credentialed teacher and mom who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from the University of California, Berkeley, and obtained teaching credentials (K-9) from the University of California, Irvine. Angie taught kindergarten and first grade in Tustin Unified School District, and became a UCI Master Teacher after only two years of teaching. As a designated Reading Specialist for Tustin Unified, Angie led many workshops and in-services for teacher training. She taught small groups of emerging readers and tutored on-site after school. Angie has tutored grades pre-K through high school and has also taught after-school enrichment writing courses at Mariners Elementary School. Angie and her husband Kelly live in Newport Beach with their two children, Molly and Cole.

"My daughter has attended Whiz Kids classes for three years. She would rather go to Whiz Kids than dance, soccer or any of her other after school activities. Believe me, that is quite an endorsement from her. My preschool-age son goes there now too and loves it as much as his sister. And I love that my kids are enjoying learning. They talk about Whiz Kids all the time. Of course, they talk about the puppets, animals, crafts, etc., but I know that through those activities they are mastering the alphabet and reading. Every teacher we have had at Whiz Kids has been dedicated, talented and an all-around happy person. It is a special gift to be able to make learning fun--and that is what Whiz Kids does."
-Shelley Orcutt

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"Pierce has enjoyed his year of Whiz Kids so much! It is great to see him so excited and eager to learn! It doesn't matter how tired he is, he always runs out the door to make it to his class in time! He comes out happy, energized, and with a fun treasure! Thank you for a great program that we feel good about and our children LOVE!"
-Cherie Hemphill