Michael M. Coates, M.Ed.
Director and Founder of Trusted Tutors

For the past 13 years, Michael has been an elementary educator in the Medford Public School system.  His career began at the Hervey, a unique public elementary school founded by teachers and parents to offer an alternative, developmental approach to teaching and learning.  In addition to teaching at the Hervey full-time, he also served as the assistant principal for two years before it closed in 2002.  Michael is currently a third grade teacher at the Brooks Elementary School in Medford.  He founded Trusted Tutors in 2004.
 
Inspired by his father, Paul Coates, a Brookline middle school math teacher for over 35 years, Michael decided to pursue a career in education.  He holds a master’s degree in education from Wheelock College in Boston and is licensed as an elementary educator in the state of Massachusetts.  His undergraduate work was done at Emerson College in Boston where he obtained a B.S. in business communication and speech.

Michael comes from a family that has worked for many years in educational settings.  His sister, Betty, is an assitant principal in Beverly, Massachusetts.  Michael’s mother, Pat, worked in higher education for over 20 years, first at Regis College, and later at Emerson College as the Director of Health Services. His father, Paul, was also a private math tutor with an exceptional reputation for raising SAT scores and providing valuable instruction for many students.  In fact, it was Paul’s positive experience with tutoring that inspired Michael to found Trusted Tutors.  Sadly, Paul passed away before Trusted Tutors began, but would be extremely proud of its mission to provide students with high-quality, experienced tutors.

Maria Amato Coates, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Trusted Tutors

For over 11 years, Maria has been an elementary teacher at the Bishop School in Arlington, Massachusetts.  She has experience at a number of grade levels including fourth and fifth and is currently job-sharing in a third grade classroom.  In addition to staying home with their 6-year-old son, James, Maria tutors elementary math, writing, and reading for Trusted Tutors.

Maria holds a master’s degree in education from Harvard Graduate School of Education.  She obtained her teaching license at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and is currently licensed in grades 1-6.  Her undergraduate work was done at Emerson College in Boston where she majored in Communications, Politics, and Law.

Like Michael, Maria comes from a family of educators.  Her father, Dr. Philip Amato, is a college professor and former Dean of Academics at Emerson College.  Her mother, Carol, worked for many years in the public schools as a speech and language pathologist and is a published children’s book author.