Basic Information
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Company
The Rebel Academy -
Phone
503-878-1654 -
Mobile phone
503-878-1654 -
Email
contact@therebelacademy.org -
Describe How You Would Like To Be Introduced Via Email
The Rebel Academy, would like to be introduced in a way that highlights its mission, accessibility, and impact. The introduction should emphasize that The Rebel Academy is a student-centered, nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down educational barriers, particularly for BIPOC students, those with learning variances, and justice-impacted individuals.
The introduction should also make it clear that The Rebel Academy is different from traditional GED programs because it meets students where they are, rather than requiring them to navigate institutional bureaucracy. It should highlight the three main ways students can access services: through online GED math courses, partnerships with local agencies, and private tutoring with scholarship options available.
Additionally, the introduction should include the organization’s commitment to hiring and supporting formerly incarcerated individuals as tutors, reinforcing the broader mission of creating both educational and employment opportunities. It should also establish credibility by mentioning that The Rebel Academy is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Oregon and Washington.
Overall, the introduction should feel warm, approachable, and mission-driven, making it clear that The Rebel Academy is ready to collaborate, provide services, and support learners in ways that traditional institutions often fail to do. -
What is your "why"? Why do you do what you do?
Our "Why" – The Heart of The Rebel Academy
We do what we do because education should be a right, not a privilege—but too often, it’s treated as something only accessible to those who can navigate rigid institutions, afford tuition, or fit into a traditional classroom setting.
At The Rebel Academy, we see firsthand how systemic barriers, economic hardship, learning differences, and the justice system keep people from reaching their full potential. We refuse to accept that reality. We exist to change the narrative, to meet students where they are, and to create a space where learning is empowering rather than discouraging.
Our work is about access and justice. We recognize that BIPOC students, individuals with learning differences, and justice-impacted individuals are disproportionately locked out of education. Instead of waiting for institutions to change, we built something better—something that works for the people who need it most.
Beyond teaching, our "why" is also about economic justice. By hiring and training formerly incarcerated individuals as tutors, we’re not just helping students—we’re creating living-wage jobs and second chances for those who have been systematically excluded from opportunity.
Ultimately, we do this work because we believe in people—their potential, their intelligence, and their right to learn in a way that works for them. We believe that education should be liberating, not limiting, and we are here to make that a reality. -
Qualifying Questions: What are three questions we can ask clients to help pave the way for a referral? List them here.
Do you know someone who could benefit from flexible, student-centered GED instruction or tutoring—especially someone who has struggled with traditional education settings?
*This helps identify potential referrals who may be facing barriers to education and would benefit from The Rebel Academy’s approach.
Are you connected with any community organizations, nonprofits, or agencies that serve individuals who might need GED support or tutoring?
*This opens the door for potential partnerships with organizations that work with underserved communities, increasing referral opportunities.
Have you (or someone you know) ever struggled to find affordable or accessible educational support? What challenges did you face?
*This encourages the client to reflect on the barriers to education and positions The Rebel Academy as a solution, making them more likely to refer someone who needs help.
These questions help uncover direct referrals, organizational partnerships, and broader community needs, all of which support The Rebel Academy’s mission. -
Unique Selling Proposition
Breaking Barriers, Meeting Students Where They Are
The Rebel Academy is not just another GED program—we are a student-centered, justice-driven nonprofit that removes the institutional barriers that keep too many people from succeeding.
🔹 We bring education to the student, not the other way around. Unlike traditional GED programs that require students to enroll in colleges or follow rigid schedules, we offer flexible, accessible instruction through online courses, in-person agency partnerships, and private tutoring.
🔹 We serve those who are often left behind. Our focus is on BIPOC students, those with learning differences, and justice-impacted individuals—populations that have historically faced the greatest challenges in accessing education.
🔹 We don’t just teach—we create economic opportunities. By hiring formerly incarcerated individuals as tutors, we’re not only helping students pass the GED but also creating living-wage jobs and second chances for those who have been systemically excluded from the workforce.
🔹 We are fully independent and mission-driven. Unlike traditional institutions, we are unrestricted by bureaucratic red tape—which means we can truly prioritize student success over policies and paperwork.
At The Rebel Academy, we believe education should be liberating, not limiting, and we are here to make that a reality. -
About me
The Rebel Academy is the brainchild of Lauren Zavrel, our Founder and Director, but the concept was built from the lived experiences of those who have navigated—and challenged—the barriers of traditional education. Our mission is shaped by the resilience, determination, and firsthand knowledge of people who have not only overcome obstacles but have also worked to change the system from within.
At the heart of The Rebel Academy are three extraordinary individuals whose journeys define our vision:
Timothy Tipton – The Scholar & Mentor
Once a student behind prison walls, Timothy Tipton is now a CRLA-certified tutor and an accomplished computer scientist. Before his release in 2019, he co-authored the first-ever accredited prison tutor training curriculum, providing incarcerated students with access to high-quality peer-led education. He trained countless tutors, shaping a generation of educators behind the walls. His dedication to education continued post-release, working with Clark College while earning his transfer degree. His incredible transformation and success landed him on the front page of The Columbian newspaper, and he has since delivered inspirational speeches to audiences eager to learn from his experience. In 2024, he earned his BS in Computer Science from Washington State University, proving that second chances can lead to extraordinary futures.
Lauren Zavrel – The Fearless Rebel Leader
Known affectionately as "Ms. Z" by her students, Lauren Zavrel has been a relentless advocate for accessible education since 2010. Teaching and tutoring GED courses in both English and Spanish, she quickly recognized that traditional education models weren’t built for those who needed them most. In 2018, alongside four dedicated incarcerated tutors, she launched Washington’s first CRLA-certified prison peer tutoring program, earning national recognition—including a feature on the cover of The Columbian newspaper. Her dedication to education reform earned her the Faculty Excellence Award from Clark College in 2020, and her expertise led her to write a groundbreaking book on teaching in correctional settings in 2023. She is currently completing her Ed.D. at Arizona State University, focusing on training GED educators in prisons and jails, ensuring that future generations of incarcerated students receive the education they deserve.
Christopher Randon – The Educator & Advocate
A veteran tutor and formerly incarcerated student, Christopher Randon has dedicated his life to expanding education access for justice-impacted individuals. While incarcerated, he worked closely with Ms. Z to build Washington’s most successful high school completion program in the prison system, proving that education can be a gateway to transformation. Since his release in 2018, Christopher has become a powerful voice for change, speaking at events and conventions about the impact of education in prisons. He has tirelessly worked to build a network of advocates, educators, and justice-impacted individuals committed to dismantling barriers to learning and ensuring that every student—regardless of their past—has access to a brighter future.
Why We Exist
The Rebel Academy was founded because traditional education systems often fail the students who need them the most. Instead of forcing people to fit into outdated models, we bring education directly to them—whether through online GED courses, agency partnerships, or private tutoring with scholarship opportunities. More than just a learning institution, we are a movement, dedicated to ensuring that education is a tool for liberation, not a privilege reserved for the few.
At The Rebel Academy, we don’t just teach—we empower. We don’t just educate—we break barriers. And we don’t just believe in second chances—we create them.
Join us in redefining education. The revolution starts here. -
Profession
Certified Tutor, Computer Scientist, and Mathematician -
Title
Tutor Lead -
Hobbies and interest
Music, art, festivals, rockhounding, anything nature related (camping, fishing, hiking, nature/animal watching, etc.), food, cultural events. -
Website
www.therebelacademy.org
Contact Information
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City / Town
PORTLAND -
State
OR -
Zip
97267 -
Country
United States -
Special offers to the group
n/a -
Google Business Review URL
https://g.page/r/CWiQDU2cnrk8EBM/review -
Facebook Business Page URL
https://www.facebook.com/therebelacademy -
LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rebel-academy/posts/?feedView=all
Education
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College / University
Washington State University -
Graduation Year
2024