Meet Our Real Estate Instructors

At Level Up Real Estate Academy, our students learn from experienced, licensed real estate professionals.

Our instructors bring real-world brokerage knowledge, industry insight, and a passion for teaching to every class—helping students succeed in Tennessee real estate licensing, continuing education, and career growth.

Marlene Bernasconi is a Principal Broker and licensed Real Estate Instructor in Tennessee with extensive experience guiding new and seasoned agents through licensing and professional development. Her practical, student-focused teaching style helps learners understand real-world transactions, compliance, and long-term career success.

With over 25 years of hands-on experience in real estate and 5 years of teaching aspiring agents, Marlene Bernasconi brings a rare blend of real-world knowledge and educational excellence to the classroom. As a seasoned Principal Broker and licensed Real Estate Instructor, Marlene is dedicated to shaping the next generation of real estate professionals with the skills, confidence, and ethical foundation needed to succeed in today’s market.

Her teaching approach blends practical industry insight with engaging real life situations, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply. Known for her exceptionally high student passing rate, Marlene’s classes consistently produce well-prepared graduates who go on to thrive in their careers. Students appreciate her supportive teaching style, real-world examples, and deep understanding of Tennessee’s real estate laws and practices.

Over the years, Marlene has earned numerous five-star reviews from students who describe her as patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in their success. Her ability to simplify complicated material and create a positive, motivating learning environment has made her one of the most respected instructors in the region.

When she’s not teaching, Marlene continues to lead as realtors,  mentoring agents and helping clients throughout East Tennessee achieve their real estate dreams. Her passion for education and dedication to excellence make her a true advocate for professionalism in the real estate industry.

Elizabeth Snyder is a licensed Tennessee broker and approved real estate instructor specializing in pre-licensing and continuing education for real estate professionals. With over a decade in brokerage leadership, operations, and compliance oversight, she brings real-world insight into the classroom- bridging legal requirements with the realities of daily practice.

A ninth-generation East Tennessean and direct descendant of the Watauga Association, North America’s first constitutional government, Elizabeth has a deep understanding of land, property rights, and market evolution in Northeast Tennessee. This historical and regional fluency informs her teaching and reinforces the ethical and fiduciary standards central to real estate practice.

Elizabeth has guided clients through a substantial volume of residential real estate transactions, including primary residences, legacy properties, investment portfolios, and complex 1031 exchanges. She has served as affiliate broker, trainer, brokerage owner, and principal broker- overseeing operations, contracts, financial documentation, and regulatory compliance in high-volume, high-stakes environments.

Known for cutting through complexity and translating it into actionable instruction, Elizabeth emphasizes judgment, compliance, and practical application- preparing students to make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and perform confidently in real-world transactions