Learning at a young age sets a foundation for the rest of a person's life, says Flathead Valley Tutor & Prep owner M’Liss Heimbigner.  

“If we can fill in any missing part or any gaping hole... that will just help them build on that for their next thing,” she said. “Who knows how we can change their trajectory in the path they go on or what they end up studying.” 

The tutoring center seeks to assist students and others in the accomplishment of intellectual tasks, whether that be homework help, concept tutoring, test preparation and more, all while encouraging confidence. The tutoring service expanded by opening a new center in Kalispell in January after opening its original location in Whitefish in 2018.  

Originally from Abeline, Texas, Heimbigner moved to the Flathead Valley in 2016 when her husband took a job at Logan Health. With three children, one nearing high school graduation, Heimbigner looked across the valley for college test preparation help, finding limited options.  

“When we moved [to Whitefish] and my daughter was a senior, I was looking for tutoring support and I was having a hard time finding something, so that probably started a little thing in my mind,” she said. “Although at the time I would have never known I’m going to service the community with tutoring, but I am so lucky now to do so.” 

Before coming to Montana, Heimbigner went to Arizona State University and majored in physical exercise with a teaching credential in physical education for pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade students. She met her husband at school and after marrying in 1999, Heimbigner taught in Texas while the U.S. Navy put him through medical school.  

They officially left Texas when he completed school in the early 2000s and were subsequently stationed with the Navy in San Diego for 11 years, where she would occasionally work as a substitute teacher.  

Heimbigner began working for another tutor in Whitefish until the owner decided to go back to the classroom full-time. Heimbigner, who ended up taking a physical education position at Muldown Elementary School in Whitefish, still would tutor occasionally on the side.  

In 2018, a spot next to the Whitefish Middle School became available and Heimbigner jumped on the opportunity. First posting a job listing on Craigslist, Heimbigner now has a tutoring team of 15 people, all of them certified teachers or subject specialists. The tutoring staff is incredible, Heimbigner said, and is a key reason for the business’ success.  

The latest advancement is the expansion of services with a location in downtown Kalispell on Third Street East.  

“I named it Flathead Valley Tutor and Prep because of my vision at that time. I wanted to grow into a bigger team, to where it wasn’t just me and we were servicing students all around the valley, not just Whitefish,” Heimbigner smiled, sitting in the new location downtown Kalispell. “I’m really happy with how it turned out.” 

Tutoring services are important to families and children, Heimbigner said. Helping kids understand concepts they may not understand in a classroom setting is incredibly rewarding and results in added confidence for students.  

Although the prep courses are not just for traditional students. Heimbigner noted that they've worked with a pair of plumbing apprentices who reached out for help before a final exam and a mother-daughter duo who took a few French classes before a trip to France.  

“Every tutor has their niche, and I will always look for someone who can fill the service someone needs,” she said.  

The new space features a seating area and three individual study rooms. One-on-one sessions start at $65 an hour with group sessions, college advising, test prep and essay editing sessions offered for a range of other prices.  

The new location is located at 20 Third St. E. in Kalispell. The Whitefish location is located at 525 Railway St., #204 in Whitefish. Interested families can inquire about services at flatheadvalleytutor.com. 

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or [email protected].