Sarah: Cleveland tutor

Certified Tutor

Hello! My name is Sarah, and I have been an English teacher since 2005. I graduated from Wheaton College--a small liberal arts school outside of Boston, MA--with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature (education minor). My first teaching job was through New York City Teaching Fellows; I taught 7th grade English in a South Bronx public school for three years while completing a Master of Science degree in Secondary Education from Pace University in Manhattan. I then accepted an English teaching position at Blair Academy, a private boarding school in New Jersey. I taught 10th grade English, as well as a senior elective course that I designed called "Literature and the Sea". I also lived in a dormitory and head coached the girls' varsity tennis team. After two years at Blair, I had the opportunity to move back to New Hampshire (where I am from) and work for Appalachian Mountain Teen Project -- a small, experiential education non-profit that I had been interested in for years. Ultimately, though, I longed to be back in a traditional classroom, and after a year with AMTP I moved back to New York to work at EF (Education First) International Academy, a private boarding school in Westchester County. Initially, I taught all grade levels (9-12), but soon became certified to teach International Baccalaureate English A: Language and Literature. I was with this uniquely diverse school for just over six years as a teacher, tennis coach, and "house parent", but when I moved off campus, the commute became too much. I took some time away from teaching to work on some personal writing projects, and I am now a published author of poetry and short stories.

Writing has been a passion of mine since I was young. I tested second in the state of NH as a high school sophomore, and I was selected to attend an Advanced Studies summer program for writing at Phillips Exeter Academy -- an incredible experience that changed my perspective on teaching and learning indelibly! I was invited to be a peer writing tutor by the English department at Wheaton, and I have done private tutoring at various points in my teaching career. I enjoy both academic and creative pursuits and truly value the writing process!

I also recently spent a few months filling a maternity leave position as Head Upper School Librarian at Gill St. Bernard's School, a private day school in New Jersey.

On a personal front, I live and currently work on a horse farm in New Jersey with my partner Lisa and our retired Foxhound, Exo. I have more books than I probably should, and I think puns are the highest form of humor. I enjoy horseback riding, tennis, surfing, and snowboarding. I have a healthy obsession with Taylor Swift, and I try to do the New York Times crossword puzzle every day.

I look forward to working with you!