Our Story

What began as a simple request from a local school teacher seeking a tutor for one of her students quickly evolved into something much greater—Kids Under Construction. Our mission grew organically from that first partnership: to connect struggling students with passionate, dedicated local tutors who truly care.

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At Kids Under Construction, we believe that learning is not one-size-fits-all. Every student has a unique learning style. Some thrive with hands-on activities, while others do better with repetition and structure. That’s why we take a collaborative approach—drawing on input from the people who know the student best (you and their teacher), and aligning it with grade-level academic standards to create a personalized learning plan that works.

 

Meet the Founder: Kristen Wielert Peters

Kristen Wielert Peters, founder and owner of Kids Under Construction, holds a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA (2005) and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from CSULB (2008). In response to the nationwide education budget crisis of 2009, which caused soaring student-to-teacher ratios, Kristen saw a need—and an opportunity—to support students in a more individualized setting. That same year, she founded Kids Under Construction and opened our academic studio on 2nd Street in Naples Island, Long Beach.

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With a strong commitment to education and community, Kristen also served as Secretary for the Naples Island Business Association starting in 2010 and completed a two-year Induction Program with LBUSD in 2013, working alongside experienced educators and district leaders.

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In 2020, when COVID-19 brought unprecedented school closures and a rise in homeschooling, Kristen responded quickly by launching homeschool support tutoring for the 2020–2021 academic year. She continues to lead Kids Under Construction while splitting her time between Long Beach, CA and Franklin, TN—working one-on-one with students in both traditional and homeschool settings, and staying connected as a substitute teacher when not spending time with her own children.

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Kristen specializes in elementary-level reading and math, working hand-in-hand with both parents and classroom teachers. She stays up-to-date on the latest curriculum changes, including the implementation of Common Core State Standards, and ensures that her team of educators provides every student with a nurturing environment where they can grow and thrive.