Academic Coaches

Revathi Balakrishnan

Revathi Balakrishnan is a Texas Teacher of the Year and the recipient of numerous teaching awards such as the Horace Mann Teaching Excellence Award and the Texas A & M Excellence in Teaching Award. She believes that every child should have access to a rigorous and relevant education.

She has taught for 19 years as a Talented and Gifted Specialist and as a fifth grade teacher.  A retired assistant principal, she holds teaching certifications in K-8 all subjects, English as a Second Language, Gifted and Talented, and Special Education and Principalship.

Aside from teaching students, Revathi has also worked with teachers in Texas, Philippines, and India on improving the art of teaching. 

Revathi believes in service learning and RISE Learning Centers incorporates this  into its business. See Service Learning tab for more details.


Revathi Balakrishnan named 2016 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year

Revathi Balakrishnan, 2018 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence Recipient

Divya Shannon is a former high school math and science teacher. She has taught Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus and Statistics for 12 years in Newton, MA and Leander, TX. Divya is dedicated to supporting students as they gain confidence and a love for math and science. She wants to help students identify their own strengths in math, and discover how they personally learn.