Meet Our Team
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 25 years, I have been fortunate to facilitate innovative SAT and ACT preparation in Western New York while raising a family.
I’m 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 provides an exceptional option for parents and students looking for a distinct advantage in their college preparation.
I 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 out of 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 their own instruction. As a full-time tutor with Test Preps for the past 15 years, Erin focuses on all the details while working to build students’ self-confidence as they make measured steps toward their goals. She would tell you that she loves helping students navigate the college testing process and being able to then apply to schools they may have only dreamed of.
When she’s not teaching, Erin is a mom to six busy kids! Free time is limited but she tries to find an hour or two for volleyball, a workout at the gym, or a Bills game. Erin would love for Joanna Gaines to re-decorate her entire house.
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 a small group setting. Naturally, 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 that balancing school and sports entails and helps students find ways to manage their workload while still participating fully in something that they are passionate about.
If you’re out in the community, you might catch Leslie running with her 2 dogs. She also enjoys travel, cooking, gardening, and supporting Buffalo sports teams. Let’s go Sabres!
Abigail Cimato - Tutor
B.S. Mathematics – The Ohio State University
M.S. Ed. – Buffalo State University
Professionally Certified Mathematics Teacher (Grades 7-12)
As a former Test Preps student, Abigail knows firsthand what it takes to earn an excellent score! She crushed the ACT in 2012, became a Buckeye, and continued her education back home in Buffalo to pursue her love for teaching. Abigail has been teaching Math in Newfane for 5 years and shares her passion with her students as the advisor of the school’s Math Club. She is excited to be a part of the Test Preps team to help students achieve their college goals, just like she did.
In her free time, Abigail enjoys traveling to exciting new locations, walking her beloved dog, and when time allows – a good Netflix binge.
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 church for grades 3 and 5, and as an Educational Aide in the guidance office at a Williamsville high school for thirteen years. In 2014, she joined the awesome Test Preps team as our Administrative Assistant, bringing a wealth of skills to the table with her business background from working many years 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!
On her days off, Joanne loves being an active grandma to her 3 amazing grandchildren and enjoys cooking, baking, and gardening.
Ready to register?
If you would like to register for one of our small-group digital SAT or ACT Courses or private tutoring, please visit our Registration Page.