Lyfting As We Climb
Lyfting As We Climb is dedicated to empowering students and families through personalized guidance. Our mission is to provide the academic planning and emotional support necessary for students to navigate their unique educational pathways with confidence and excellence.
Tim (Tre) Mickens
Founder & Principal Consultant
Tre Mickens is a certified school counselor with 12 years of experience in youth development, academic planning, college admissions, and student success. He holds a Master’s in Professional School Counseling (PreK–12) and is a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership. As founder of Lyfting As We Climb, Tre provides personalized support that helps students build academic achievement, resilience, and life readiness skills.
A former collegiate and professional basketball player with international experience in Europe and the U.S. Department of Defense, Tre brings valuable insight into NCAA recruiting, leadership, and cultural awareness. He has guided hundreds of families through college admissions, SAT/ACT preparation, athletic recruiting, and social-emotional development, helping students identify their strengths and confidently pursue their goals.
Ms. Edwards
Science Tutor
Kathryn Polcz
student Tutor
Mr. Labes
Math Tutor
Isabella Parissos
Tutor
Edgar Lescas
Spanish Tutor
Ms. Edwards Dunkley is a certified Science and Biology teacher with 14 years of experience in the Palm Beach School District. She has taught all levels of middle school science, including Physical Science Honors and Pre-Biotechnology, and currently teaches Environmental Science and Biology at the high school level.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Edwards Dunkley serves as the Assistant Coach for the JV Girls Volleyball Team, co-sponsors the Science National Honor Society, and provides Biology tutoring to support student success.
Katheryn is a rising senior currently on track to earn my AICE Diploma and graduate early. She has completed college-level coursework in science, history, English, and math, building a strong academic foundation across subjects. She is a prospective student for the University of Florida or Florida State University and am committed to continuing my academic success while helping others achieve theirs.
Mr. Labes is a certified math teacher and has taught since 1985. His experience includes teaching in Athens, Greece and in U.S. private and public schools. He has taught in the Palm Beach County School District for 28 years and will retire in June 2026. He has taught middle and high school, including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors, Math for College Algebra, Probability and Statistics Honors, and Math for Data and Financial Literacy. He is married and has two children. Besides teaching and math, he enjoys reading, writing, running, and playing the guitar.
In addition to the subjects mentioned above, he is available to teach SAT prep.
Isabella is a dedicated and motivated tutor who will be attending the University of South Florida as a Pre-Med major. A recent high school graduate, she earned Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship and completed the AICE Studies Diploma, while earning several college credits. She is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and is passionate about helping students build confidence and succeed academically through patient, personalized instruction.
¡Hola! Edgar Lescas is a native Spanish speaker from Oaxaca, Mexico, with over 15 years of teaching experience. He teaches all levels of Spanish, from Spanish 1 through AP Spanish Language and Culture, helping students develop confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
His lessons are personalized, engaging, and culturally rich, designed to meet each student’s unique goals and learning style. Whether you’re a beginner, a student preparing for exams, or an adult seeking conversational fluency, he creates a supportive environment that makes learning Spanish effective and enjoyable. He helps you achieve your language goals while exploring the diverse cultures of the Spanish-speaking world.
Core Consulting Areas
Academic Planning
Comprehensive guidance for navigating school systems, building effective study skills, and optimizing academic performance through personalized strategies and 504/IEP advocacy.
Social & Emotional Support
Empowering youth through character development, behavior guidance, and emotional resilience building to ensure students are well-equipped for life's challenges.
College & Career Guidance
Expert strategic counseling for college admissions, trades preparation, and entrepreneurial guidance, helping students bridge the gap between education and excellence.