About Dogwood Tutoring & Test Prep
A Longstanding Tutoring Legacy
Dogwood Tutoring & Test Prep has proudly served North Atlanta families since 2011. Originally founded by Ivan Mervis as a Chyten franchise, Dogwood became an independent center in 2015. In early 2025, ownership passed to Elma Kajtaz and Mitchell Reed, who continue Dogwood’s mission of guiding students to success.
Meet Elma & Mitch
Elma grew up in Bosnia, earned her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Sarajevo, and completed her PhD in Quantitative Biosciences at Georgia Tech. After a career in data science at CVS and Deloitte, she returned to her passion for education, helping students excel academically and plan for future careers.
Mitch, from St. Louis, holds a bachelor’s and PhD in biological sciences from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with formal training in STEM education. A scientist in the U.S. Navy and now with the U.S. Public Health Service, Mitch remains dedicated to teaching and mentoring.
Together, they’re the proud parents of a young son, and are committed to high-quality tutoring and positive community impact.
Our Philosophy
Like the dogwood flower, we believe every student blooms when nurtured. Dogwood Tutoring is dedicated to building confidence, improving grades, and fostering long-term academic growth.
The Dogwood Difference
Reach Out & Say Hello
We’d love to support your family’s educational goals. Get in touch to learn how we can help.
What They Say
“We saw improvements in just a few weeks!”
– Parent of 7th grader
“They helped me get into my dream school.”
– High school senior
Ready to take the first step? Let's talk about your goals.