Our Team – Test Preps, Inc.

Get to know the people at Test Preps!

Melissa Cook - Owner/Director

B.S. The Ohio State University
MS Ed. SUNY College at Buffalo Permanently Certified New York State Teacher

For 28 years, I have been fortunate to facilitate innovative SAT and ACT preparation in Western New York while raising a family.

I am so proud that my team at Test Preps has successfully prepared thousands of area high school students for college admission and beyond. Great scores and satisfied parents resulted in a snowball of referrals—from one terrific family to the next. Test Preps offers an exceptional option for parents and students seeking a distinct advantage in their college preparation.

We look forward to working with your family!

Erin Kausner - Tutor

B.S. Education – SUNY College at Buffalo
Professionally Certified Teacher

Erin spent the first five years after college teaching in Hawaii, leading one of the school’s first inclusion classrooms. She also mentored college-level students, modeling lessons and guiding their first attempts at classroom instruction. As a full-time tutor with Test Preps for almost 2 decades, Erin focuses on the details while helping students build self-confidence as they take measured steps toward their goals. She would tell you that she loves helping students navigate the college testing process and seeing them apply to schools they may have only dreamed of attending.

When she’s not teaching, Erin is a mom to five busy young adults and a teen! Free time is limited, but she tries to find an hour or two for volleyball, a workout at the gym, or a Bills game – including an annual away game!

Leslie Koral - Tutor

B.A. – SUNY College at Oswego
MBA Finance – State University of New York at Buffalo
MS Ed. – SUNY College at Buffalo
Permanently Certified New York State Teacher

For the past 13 years, Leslie has been teaching in various settings for the Williamsville Central School District, with a focus on differentiated instruction in small groups. Now retired, Test Preps was the perfect fit for her, incorporating personalized instruction while teaching strategies and tactics that work for students at all levels. As a Mom of two college athletes, Leslie understands the rigors of balancing school and sports and helps students find ways to manage their workload while still participating fully in something they are passionate about.

When you’re out in the community, you might catch Leslie running with her 2 dogs. She also enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, and supporting Buffalo sports teams. Let’s go Buffalo!

David Bevilacqua - Tutor

B.A. – Ithaca College
MS Ed. – SUNY College at Buffalo

After completing his undergraduate degree, David spent eight years teaching in Japan and South Korea, specializing in college entrance exam preparation for international students planning to study abroad. After returning to the United States, he completed a Master of Education while continuing to tutor high school students across Western New York and also remotely. Teaching a wide range of subjects to students of varying ability levels has enabled David to develop in-depth content knowledge and refine pedagogical techniques to help his students gain confidence and acquire the skills necessary for academic success.

David spends his free time running a freelance design business, playing and recording music, and tinkering with vintage audio equipment. He also enjoys traveling, especially to meet his friends in other cities around the world. In fact, he’s probably planning a trip right now!

Joanne Herberger - Administrative Assistant

B.S. in Elementary Education
SUNY College at Buffalo

Joanne has led a life of mentoring and educating children of all ages, as a Preschool Teacher, a volunteer catechist at a church for grades 3 and 5, and an Educational Aide in the guidance office at a Williamsville high school for 13 years.

In 2014, she joined the awesome Test Preps team as our Administrative Assistant, bringing a wealth of skills to the table from her business background in a family-owned company. At Test Preps, she manages all the behind-the-scenes operations that set up our tutors and students for success!