Santa Rosa Tutoring

Santa Rosa Tutoring offers private tutoring, group lessons for preschoolers through 2nd graders, ELA instruction for 3rd and 4th graders, and remedial tutoring. The program also offers a complete 2–4 day a week curriculum for PreK–1st grade and Mini Curriculum Kits for PreK–2nd grade. Educational services focus on early reading and writing skills for children in PreK through 3rd grade, with one-on-one, hands-on learning and individualized curricula that focus on shaping the whole child, and tutoring services include materials, homework, and advice for parents.

• Ages: 3–10 years old
• Schedule: Private weekly tutoring sessions are available in 60-minute or 90-minute formats, with 50–80 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes for pick up, drop off, or a small break; remedial weekly tutoring sessions are 60 minutes, with 50 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes for pick up, drop off, or a small break.
• Price: Private Weekly Tutoring: 1 child 60 minutes $95.00; 1 child 90 minutes $150.00; Remedial Weekly Tutoring: individualized educational plans starting at $110.00 per session

Santa Rosa Tutoring follows Dr. Maria Montessori’s philosophy and pedagogy and uses Mini Curriculum Kits designed to keep students on track with specific resources and materials. The classroom environment is prepared for a higher level of learning and is set up for positive learning experiences and intrinsic motivation.

The program is led by early childhood educator Michelle Lazuka. Her experience includes over 15 years as an ECE teacher, work as a private tutor and reading specialist, and roles as Director, Co-Founder, and Teacher at Little Monk Seal Montessori in Kihei, HI, and Director and Lead Teacher at Kansha Preschool in Wailuku, HI. She has worked with gifted students, children with special needs, and in both Montessori and traditional classrooms. Her education includes a Masters Degree in Education, summa cum laude, from Chaminade University of Honolulu; a BA in Child & Family Studies from Ohio University; and a Montessori AMS teaching credential from Chaminade University of Honolulu. She is DHS & PATCH Director & Lead Teacher Certified and a Certified Registered Keiki & Adult Yoga Instructor, and she previously wrote the monthly Educational Keiki column in the Neighbors of Wailea and Makena Magazine.

Santa Rosa Tutoring was established in 2020 by Michelle Lazuka. Its stated mission is to create a solid academic foundation at an early age to provide the child with the confidence and skills needed for future academic excellence.

Parent testimonials describe children who were behind in first-grade reading and later considered ready for 2nd grade after working with Michelle, and parents report that both of their boys made what they call “astronomical” progress in private tutoring sessions. Other parents describe Michelle as sincere, caring, warm, kind-hearted, patient, and say she makes learning fun, has a deep understanding of the Montessori way of teaching, and is “a treasure to our community.” One family notes that, because of her, their children have what they describe as a deep love of learning and a strong devotion to protecting the planet.

Last updated March 28, 2026.