About Us

Sherman Oaks Placement Center has been Building Stronger Families™ in Sherman Oaks and the Los Angeles surrounding communities since 2009. Locally owned and operated, we are part of your community, here to serve your family. Whether your family needs the quality care that comes from our role model nannies or the one-on-one attention from our College Tutors, we are committed to helping you build a stronger family. Please call today to schedule a personal family consultation at #818.817.5389.

Our Staff

	London Born and raised in Los Angeles, London is a certified and licensed reading and English educator in grades K through 12. She completed her post-secondary education at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee and graduate program at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. London holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Education, specializing in the areas of curriculum and instruction and adolescent/adult learning theories. Prior to accepting her current role with College Nannies and Tutors, London taught high school English in Michigan and Tennessee. During that time, she was instrumental in supportively transforming the lives of hundreds of inner city, at-risk youth. She has also worked as a corporate trainer, dental office manager, and an executive assistant. She is passionate, enthusiastic, and committed to the work of developing the lives others, of all ages. London is a dedicated mother of two sons and two fluffy cats. She enjoys picnicking with her family, reading science fiction novels, volunteering her time, and trying new adventures!
	Lara Lara Thomas Ducey assists the Beverly Hills Placement Center as their Online Marketing Director in addition to working as a nanny & tutor. Lara grew up in Overland Park, KS and upon graduating high school moved to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Theatre with Honors. Throughout college she was a nanny for a very special family, where the son and daughter were the ring bearer and flower girl in her wedding. After graduating college, Lara moved to Los Angeles and began working at a large studio preschool. She also tutored low-income, inner-city kindergarten through 12th grade students in the evening. In March of 2010, Lara joined the College Nannies & Tutors team as a nanny and tutor. She loves working with this company - helping to Build Stronger Families in the Beverly Hills area. In addition, Lara is an energetic, dedicated, and caring individual who loves spending time with her husband and two cats. In her spare time she works with a local youth theatre company, watches an unhealthy amount of sports (rock chalk jayhawk!), plays the piano, does crossword puzzles and tends to her ever-growing garden.
	Ellen Ellen Sandweiss has been the Owner and Managing Director of College Nannies & Tutors of Beverly Hills since 2009. She came to the nanny/tutor placement business after a long exhaustive search for a business she could be passionate about! With a background in non-profit administration and small business management, she started out managing a symphony orchestra and finally wound up running the business end of a manufacturer’s rep agency. However, once her two children were born, she found part-time jobs with flexible hours so she could be available to them – a privilege she never took for granted, given the fact that some women have no option but to work full-time and find full-time childcare. Now that her daughters are grown and (basically) on their own, she finds that she’s drawn both to college-aged kids with their idealism and energy, as well as the little kids who crave that energy and attention! And she has the passionate belief that after a long challenging day at school or daycare, children need that one-on-one nurturing and attention in the comfort of their home from an energetic, loving caregiver whose sole duty it is to help them grow and thrive. And voila - College Nannies & Tutors fits that bill!

Some of our Nannies

Shaundra Shaundra recently relocated back to the west coast! She lived in Minneapolis, Denver and Rome (as an au pair!) prior to her return to Los Angeles. She missed the west coast and only left in order to complete her undergraduate degree. Now she is studying for her Master's degree in Child Psychology. She has two adopted Persian cats that have moved across the country with her throughout all of the different locales. She enjoys yoga, volunteering for animal rescues, live music, and exploring the area. Shaundra's related job experience includes: 4 years as an elementary school teaching assistant, 5 years in daycare centers as a Primary Caregiver, and 6 years nannying.

Stefanie Stefanie is from Redondo Beach, California and her overall goal is to finish her master’s degree in clinical psychology. She then plans to acquire her licensing requirements to become an MFT in order to begin a PhD or PsyD program. Throughout high school and college she spent much of her time working with children. For one year she worked with a program called Jumpstart where she worked to promote literacy with at risk children. She also spent a year working as the activities leader for an afterschool care program where she helped supervise and train high school students in caring for elementary school aged children. Stefanie assisted the high school students in leading children through art and recreational activities. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, knitting and photography. Stefanie works for College Nannies & Tutors because she enjoys interacting with children and watching them grow and learn.

Some of our Tutors

Amartya Marty is a native of Evansville, IN, where he attended William Henry Harrison High School. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2004 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Economy. While in undergrad, he worked for the Princeton Review of Northern California and consistently had one of the highest average score improvements in the region. He is now enrolled in the Masters of Education program at Pepperdine University, and will be a credentialed Mathematics teacher by the summer of 2011. Marty teaches all levels of math and economics.

Lara Lara grew up in Overland Park, KS and upon graduating high school moved to Lawrence to attend the University of Kansas where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Theatre with Honors. Throughout college she was a nanny for a very special family, where the son and daughter were the ring bearer and flower girl in her wedding. After graduating college, Lara moved to Los Angeles and began working at a large studio preschool. She also tutored low-income, inner-city kindergarten through 12th grade students in the evening. In March of 2010, Lara joined the College Nannies & Tutors team as a nanny and tutor. She currently tutors students from elementary school to high school in all subjects. She particularly enjoys teaching students how to read and write. She is excited to be working with this company - helping to Build Stronger Families in the Los Angeles area. In addition, Lara is an energetic, dedicated, and caring individual who loves spending time with her husband and two cats. In her spare time she works with the Shine! Youth Theatre company, watches an unhealthy amount of sports (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!), plays the piano, does crossword puzzles and tends to her ever-growing garden.