Our Story
Rooted in a passion to empower students through education.
Welcome to MaranathaEd Prep. Founded in September 2012, our journey began long before that — inspired by Duane’s daughter, Maranatha Joy Joseph — and rooted in the belief that every student deserves a tailored path to test day.
Veteran & Minority Owned & Operated
Duane A. Joseph Sr.
Founder & President
Duane A. Joseph Sr. is the Founder & President of MaranathaEd Prep LLC, a premier test preparation company established in 2012. MaranathaEd Prep currently operates in six locations nationwide, delivering all instruction online via Zoom to provide students with flexible, high-quality academic support regardless of location. In 2014, Joseph launched The Joseph Family Foundation to support inner-city youth, families, and educators by providing accessible test prep services and helping teachers offset the cost of classroom supplies.
Widely known as an educator’s educator, Joseph brings over three decades of experience in education, consistently serving both students and teachers with excellence. His passion for learning and teaching began early in his career and remains the driving force behind his work. Intentional in every endeavor, Joseph is deeply respected by colleagues, students, and families for his authenticity, discipline, and heart for service.
Before founding MaranathaEd Prep, Joseph taught 14 years in the classroom and then served as an Academic Coach for the Kauffman Scholars Program at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City from 2008 to 2012. Joseph is the author of two test prep manuals: Rule the Kingdom of ACT and Rule the Kingdom of SAT. His book Protect The Brand will be out in November 2025.
“Students learn best when they have the most enthusiastic, engaged teachers possible.”
Joseph manages MaranathaEd Prep in a more hands-off, strategic capacity, taking on a few students per test while allowing his team of trusted educators to lead the day-to-day operations while he continues to focus on vision, growth, and impact.
Our Leadership Team.
At MaranathaEd Prep, our greatest strength is our people. Our team is made up of experienced educators, subject matter experts, and student engagement leaders who are passionate about helping every student reach their highest potential. Together we bring decades of classroom experience, proven test preparation strategies, and a geniune commitment to student success.
Our Leadership team works closely with tutors across our locations to maintain high instructional standards while ensuring that each student receives personalized guidance based on their individual strengths, challenges, and goals.
What makes our team special is our belief that test preparation goes beyond a score. We build skills, preparation habits that students can carry into college and beyond.
At MaranathaEd Prep, we don't simply prepare students for a test. We prepare them to believe they can succeed.
Foundation + Confidence = Success
Mission
Equip students with the tools they need to succeed in their academic endeavors — through personalized, high-quality test prep accessible from anywhere.
Vision
Quality test prep accessible to everyone — with community reach in eight cities and online options worldwide.
Philosophy
“Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Our Values
What families count on us for.
Care First
“Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Intentional Impact
Every strategy, every session, every student — chosen with purpose and executed with discipline.
Educator’s Educator
Over three decades serving students and teachers with excellence and authenticity.
Community & Access
The Joseph Family Foundation extends test prep and classroom support to inner-city youth, families, and teachers.
Journey
From a Louisiana classroom to eight cities nationwide.
2006-2007
After Hurricane Katrina, Duane teaches math at H.L. Bourgeois High School and builds an ACT program for 20 students — 15 score 22–25 and 5 score 27–30. MaranathaEd Prep was developed and it wouldn't be until 6 years later the dream would come to fruition.
2012
MaranathaEd Prep is founded on September 3rd, focused on ACT Prep and Math Tutoring.
2016
Starts the SAT program in Seattle, sunsets Math Tutoring, trains new staff, and formalizes the S-K-P Model (Strategies • Knowledge • Practice).
Today
Operates in eight locations nationwide with all instruction delivered online via Zoom to students in countries: Australia, England, Germany — plus community workshops across eight locations.
2008–2012
Serves as Academic Coach for the Kauffman Scholars Program at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City.
2014
Launches The Joseph Family Foundation to support inner-city youth, families, and educators.
2020
Duane Joseph Sr. and Ana "Anchi" Novicic published their first Test Prep book called Ruled the Kingdom of ACT.
August 2026
Anchi and Duane’s 2nd Edition of Rule the Kingdom of ACT and Rule the Kingdom of SAT will be published by LaunchCrate Publishing.
Why Students & Families Trust Us
Double-digit score jumps. Dream-school acceptances.
“We had both of our daughters go through the MaranathaEd Program and they both improved their ACT scores double digits from their initial attempt prior to the program. We were very pleased with the progress they made.”
Adisim Sarris
“Our daughter worked with MaranathaEd and jumped 185 points in Reading & Writing and 165 points in Math. Thank you for helping our daughter get a 1490 on the digital SAT and into UCLA.”
Terry Petersen
“My son’s score improved multiple points, he gained an understanding of how to take the ACT, and he also gained a great mentor. Full academic scholarship secured.”
Tiffany Barnes
Contact Us
Call for a free consultation.
Discover how MaranathaEd Prep can help your student achieve their goals.
816.366.PREP
Kansas City · Seattle · Omaha · Lincoln · Austin · Houston · San Antonio · Online