Rising Minds Learning
Rising Minds Learning, a premier tutoring company based in Pensacola, Florida, has been serving the community since 2019. Founded to address a growing need for quality educational support, Rising Minds Learning has quickly become a trusted partner for families seeking personalized tutoring services.
As a direct pay provider for the Step Up for Students Unique Abilities and PEP scholarships, the company is dedicated to ensuring that all students, regardless of their learning differences, have access to the educational support they need.
Your Trusted Education Advocates
Your Trusted Education Advocates
With a convenient location in downtown Pensacola, and options for virtual or in-home sessions, Rising Minds Learning offers flexible solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients.
We created the Rising Minds learning center with all of our students in mind. We provide all of the school supplies and learning resources any k-12 student would need in a safe, comfortable, and stimulating learning space.
In a Safe, Comfortable Space For All Learners
In a Safe, Comfortable Space For All Learners
The team at Rising Minds Learning is comprised of certified teachers and trained tutors who specialize in homeschool support and creative teaching methods. Known for thinking outside the box, the company designs customized learning plans tailored to each student and family's unique requirements. Whether in person or online, the innovative approach of Rising Minds Learning ensures that every student can reach their full potential in a supportive and engaging environment. Their commitment to excellence and personalized education has made them a cornerstone in the Pensacola educational community.
About Our Team
Our Admin Team
Karyn Scarbrough
Owner & ceo
Karyn is the owner and CEO of Rising Minds Learning. Originally from Panama City, Florida she found her home in Pensacola after attending UWF and moving back here after teaching abroad. She has her Master’s degree in Education and has over 10 years of education experience. She has taught all ages and has a passion for finding a student’s unique way of learning. As a small business owner she enjoys making Rising Minds Learning a welcoming place for tutors and families. Outside of work Karyn can be found wrangling her toddler, hanging with her husband, or enjoying an iced coffee on the beach.
Tracy Morgan
Family Liaison
Tracy Morgan is a teacher with thirty-six years of experience. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. She is also certified in Reading. Most of her teaching experience has been in Special Education and she has worked with students from Pre-K through adulthood. Throughout her career she has taught students with a myriad of special needs ranging from mild to severe. Along with her formal education, she brings invaluable classroom experience in helping students achieve their best potentials to each session.
“I know that all students can learn if given the right tools, encouragement, and support. I believe in educating the whole child which includes social skills as well as academics.” When she is not teaching she enjoys being with family and friends, enjoying our beautiful beaches, festivals, cooking, painting, and reading.
Mayce Morgan
Program Manager
Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Mayce has 8 years of teaching experience working with students across various grades. She has taught 1st and 3rd grade, served as a special education inclusion teacher, and spent 2 years as an EIP (Early Intervention Program) teacher. Rising Minds Learning has given her the opportunity to apply her professional knowledge and work with students of all ages, from elementary to high school!
One of her proudest achievements was being selected for the Design Thinking Team, where they tackled school issues creatively. Through the team, Mayce made significant progress in boosting parent involvement and streamlining our new student process.
Billing & Test Prep
Michelle Braun
Michelle studied Mathematics at UNC-Chapel Hill. During college college, she worked at a local middle school with America Counts to tutor a variety of students both one-on-one and in group settings before moving to Sylvan Learning Center, where she worked with k-12 students on everything from basic phonics to SAT/ACT prep. From there, she moved to a triangle-based test prep company in Cary and Raleigh, NC where she tutored for the SAT, ACT, and high school math classes for 8 years. While new to the Pensacola area, she looks forward to continuing to help students find their own "aha" moments and overcome whatever academic struggles they're currently facing!
Brenda Raulston
Lead Teacher
Brenda holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, Learning Disabilities K–12 from the University of South Carolina Upstate and a Master of Science in Special Education, Mild to Moderate K–12 from Western Governors University. With more than fourteen years of experience teaching in both self-contained and inclusive classrooms, she is committed to fostering growth in every learner. Brenda believes that education is a shared journey and is passionate about guiding students, equipping them with the tools and confidence they need to reach their fullest potential. She strives to make learning meaningful, enjoyable, and empowering for all.
Billing & Test Prep
"Rising tides lift all ships"
At Rising Minds, we believe that better education for one student creates a better school, community, and world for us all. Our name, Rising Minds, is inspired by this ideology. If nothing else, we hope that our work here helps even just one student feel more confident, capable, and ready to take on this big world.
Our Microclass Teachers
Christy Munro
Ms. Christy has experience teaching pre-school, 2nd grade, music, and high school English. She believes education is the foundation upon which individuals develop the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to participate meaningfully in the world. Knowledge is not merely the accumulation of facts, but a dynamic process of understanding, questioning, and applying ideas to real-life contexts. Ms. Christy's goal is to have instruction that honors multiple learning styles so that students are more likely to experience success in the learning process. She looks forward to getting to know each of her students and building positive relationships this school year!
Ms. Austin has over 20 years of experience teaching elementary-aged students, and she also holds a Master's in Music Education, which inspired her to include music and movement in her classes even more. All of this has shaped her love for teaching through creativity, play, and hands-on exploration - meting each child where they are. Ms. Austin is looking forward to a classroom where children feel excited to learn, make new friends, and discover their strengths. Her hope is that every child feels welcomed and celebrated in a joyful year! Outside the classroom, she enjoys yoga, teaching piano, the beach, and homeschooling her own daughter.
Rebecca Austin
Claire Clark
Mrs. Clark has been in education for 7 years, teaching students in Atlanta, New Orleans, and most recently Pensacola. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University. Throughout her career, she has loved helping students build confidence, discover their strengths, and develop a genuine love for learning. Her goal is to create a classroom where every child feels seen, challenged, and inspired to grow. When not teaching, Mrs. Clark works as a part-time Pilates instructor - she has always had a passion for fitness, movement, and overall wellness. She can't wait for a fun, engaging, and meaningful year of learning!
Rising Roots &
Rising Branches
English Instructor
Rising Roots
Math Instructor +
Friday Focus teacher
Rising Branches
Math Instructor
Our Elective and Small Group Class Teachers
Valeria Babbitt
Valeria Babbitt was born In Chile, so Spanish is her native language. She has always had a passion to help children with either Spanish, English or Writing. She has worked as a tutor for other companies before.
What Valeria loves about tutoring is the fact she can help others to comprehend educational subjects in a better way. Her goal is to make sure the students are understanding, learning and having fun.
Spanish teacher
Description & photo coming soon!
Art teacher
Laura Wanek
Before joining Rising Minds Learning, Laura taught for 30 years in Pensacola, teaching VPK, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, art, and STEM classes. She is a lifelong learner who wants to instill a desire to learn and grow in others. She has been married to her husband for 27 years, and they have two college-aged young adults. Laura enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling when she is not teaching.
Debra Gulley
Steam teacher
Garden & gut teacher
Sarah Burr
Description & photo coming soon!
Our Tutors
Ashley Wiggins
Ashley is a former educator turned tutor with a passion for helping students discover their strengths and build confidence in their learning. With over 7 years of classroom experience, Ashley understands that every student learns differently, so she tailors her approach to meet each learner’s unique needs. She loves seeing those moments when concepts click and students feel proud of their progress. Her goal is to create a supportive, encouraging space where students feel comfortable asking questions and motivated to keep growing. She's excited to be part of your student's learning journey!
Amanda Vasquez
Amanda is a fourth-grade teacher at Rhodes Elementary School in Santa Rosa County. She am certified to teach kindergarten through sixth grade and exceptional student education kindergarten through twelfth grade. She has been teaching for almost eight years (both 4th and 5th grade) and also has experience working with PreK students. In her time as a teacher, she has taught students with a variety of learning needs. She loves tutoring because it is more individualized, allowing her to really help students make gains! Amanda's approach to supporting students is to help them realize that she is there to help them and that learning is achievable. She 100% believes in the power of "yet."
Audrey Carroll
Audrey provides structured, research-based reading and spelling instruction tailored to each student’s unique learning needs. Her tutoring focuses on building confidence by strengthening foundational skills while supporting students who struggle with memory and spelling. She is passionate about helping students become successful, confident readers who enjoy learning. Audrey has earned a Specialist of Education in Special Education, is trained in Orton-Gillingham methods, and served as an ESE Lead teacher for 3 years. Outside of the classroom, Audrey is also an avid backpacker and scuba diver.
Ezra Manansala
Ezra Manansala is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. With a strong passion for math, he is equipped to tutor students in topics ranging from kindergarten math to advanced subjects like differential calculus. Ezra’s long-term goal is to become a licensed engineer, with a keen interest in embedded systems and antenna design. Outside of academics, Ezra enjoys staying active through exercise and unwinds by playing video games. His enthusiasm for both learning and teaching makes him an engaging tutor who is dedicated to helping students strengthen their math skills and achieve success.
Blake Hutcheson
Blake studied Psychology at the University of West Florida, which he has used in his previous work as a Registered Behavior Technician. He is able to tutor most subjects k-12, and he will be assisting in The Grove classroom this school year.
Marcus Wright
Marcus recently graduated with his Master’s Degree in Mathematical Sciences, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of West Florida and a minor in statistics and computer science. He is passionate about one-on-one, individualized teaching because every student learns and conceptualizes ideas differently. His goal as a tutor is to tailor instruction to each student’s learning style, helping them develop understanding and confidence by presenting concepts in ways that align with how they process and interpret information.
Nicki Campbell
Nicki is an experienced educator and tutor and has a joy for helping students grow their skills in different academic areas to grow their confidence to be independent in their own learning. She has a passion for tutoring because it allows her work with a student's individual needs to improve skills and scaffold when needed. She's able to speed up or slow down in skills based on the student's progress. Nicki is motivated to help all students achieve success because as an educator she knows all students can be successful. Outside of the classroom, Nicki is an avid runner and enjoys experiencing new places with her family.
Ryan Graber
Ryan has over 15 years of teaching and summer camp experience. He also holds a Masters in Exceptional Student Education and is currently completing a second Masters in Educational Leadership. Ryan is certified to teach K-6, ESE, and 9-12 English, and he is ESOL and Reading endorsed. He has taught in K-2 behavior units and ESE inclusion K-5 classrooms, and he has been a classroom teacher for 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades. He loves when students are able to understand something that has been challenging them in the past. When not teaching, Ryan loves Disney, reading, and completing escape rooms!
Morgan Bradley
Morgan is a kindergarten teacher and tutor with a background in ESE, ESOL, and Elementary Education. She graduated from the University of West Florida, where she earned summa cum laude honors. She loves helping students build confidence through structured, supportive, and engaging learning experiences. She enjoys getting to know each child’s unique strengths and creating a warm, encouraging environment where they feel successful. Supporting students—especially those who need a little extra guidance—truly motivates her every day.
