As a professional educator with over a decade of experience, I specialize in delivering personalized, high-impact instruction across the humanities, test preparation, and college readiness. I've taught everything from early literacy and middle school ELA to AP-level history, civics, and economicsand I've guided students through the full academic journey, from mastering foundational skills to crafting standout college essays and preparing for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. My background spans elite classrooms and enrichment programs alike: I've taught in college-preparatory high schools, developed curriculum for national nonprofits, and designed one-on-one tutoring plans for students ranging from advanced learners to those seeking targeted support. I bring a calm, structured, and student-centered approach to every sessionhelping students build confidence, sharpen their critical thinking, and reach ambitious academic goals. Whether your child is preparing for a top university or looking to deepen their academic engagement, I offer rigorous, thoughtful instruction with results you can trust.

My job as a teacher is to collaborate with a student to overcome a challenge. Do you want to write a term paper? Great! Do you want to learn how to use a semi-colon? Let's do it! I'm on your side. With every lesson, I meet students where they are and together we tailor our lessons to fit their skills, interests, and needs. By approaching lessons collaboratively, we create an environment that emphasizes progress over perfection and uses their existing strengths to build new skills.

I received my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Princeton University with minors in Materials Science & Engineering and Chinese Language & Culture. I am most passionate about Mandarin, Math, English, Chemistry, and ACT prep. As someone who has benefitted from tutoring services in the past, I have always been passionate about helping others succeed. I have tutored various ages from 4th grade up to adults pursuing additional college education. I enjoy helping each person I interact with achieve their goals. I believe in creating a connection with each person I tutor so that I can tailor my tutoring approach to their needs. Outside of academics, I am an avid reader and enjoy learning about new cultures through food and dance.

Current 4th year Medical Student Previously a Writing Center tutor for three years at University of Connecticut Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Cell Biology and Sociology I can provide both structured tutoring, where I assign work in between sessions, and more free-form tutoring. I can tutor topics regarding medicine (including MCAT) or medical terminology as well topics in chemistry (high school/intro college chemistry and organic chemistry), biology (high school/college), and statistics (AP statistics specificaly). I joined Varsity Tutors to give students an easy resource to access when they are struggling. I also can help students with writing assignments for ANY class as well as for college/medical school applications.

My love affair with language began in 8th grade when, as I read short stories, I saw how word-crafting could issue in what I call 3-D thinking. Good writing breathes sharp life into ideas, fosters synergy across them while creating new thought patterns for writer and reader. Throughout my 25 years of teaching and tutoring college students at an Ivy League university and at other local institutions guiding them through class essays, research projects, honors and masters theses, and graduate school personal statements--I always found joy in helping students discover what they wanted to sayand to express themselves coherently and persuasively. I hold a B.A. in English from Fordham University summa cum laude and in 1998 I earned a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. In the course of completing my doctoral project after a long pause from grad school to raise my son, I cultivated the ability, and empathy, to look at academic challenges resourcefully from both sides of the desk. Given that my research on Hamlet was highly interdisciplinary-- joyous and original--I have carried that intellectual exhilaration into all my work as a lecturer, writing specialist, tutor, academic advisor and administrator, always urging students to seek out more conceptual connections and to write as integratively as possible. Currently I am working part-time by choice, but my staunch resolve that the pen is mightier than the sword remains intact and never fails to excite me. I want to share my excitement, expertise, and love of writing with you--and am ready to motivate you and empower you, as I have done so for numerous students, to write your best thinking!

I hold a B.A. from Yale University and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut. In addition to teaching at both the high school and college levels, I also spent many years working in advertising (where I was a Vice President at two New York City agencies), health insurance administration, and as a newspaper editor. I have published a novel, have my own blog, and over 125 personal commentaries in both newspapers and on education websites.

Learning is exciting! Anything new that you learn - an idea, a skill, a fact - changes you and paves the way for the next new idea, skill or fact to come along. I love learning. I love helping other people to learn. Be patient! Learning isn't always easy. (Teaching isn't always easy either.) So, be patient. Students need to be patient and teachers need to be patient. Sometimes, a new idea seems too challenging. That's the first time you see it. The second time, it starts to become more clear. Sometimes, our brains just need a little time to absorb. So, be patient! It will come.

Hello! My name is Sam Bicking. I am an alumni and student at The University of Pennsylvania studying Pre-health sciences before entering medical school. I have been tutoring for several years with students with disabilities (and amazing students without disabilities).

The very first student whom I tutored received a perfect score on the ACT. That is why I have continued tutoring for the past seven years. Throughout the course of my tutoring, I have had the pleasure of working with a wide variety of students from kindergarten to graduate school.

Hello! My name is Kirstine (Kyr-STEE-na). I am excited to meet and talk about your learning needs. A strong working relationship is important for your success. What are your dreams and goals, your strengths and challenges? What kind of learner are you? You should know what kind of teacher I am! I'm a retired Dance and Theater educator, with thirteen years of service in public education. In the decades before I got my teaching license, I worked as a teaching artist in the Twin Cities and the New York City metropolitan area, teaching hundreds of students, pre-K to adults. I am also an actress, and I look forward to returning to the stage as the world opens up! My areas of expertise include English Literature, (BA, Carleton College, 1983), Acting and Shakespearean performance (National Shakespeare Conservatory, 1991), and Educational Theater (New York University, 1997). Educational Theater encompasses a wide variety of practices, including, but not limited to performance skills. Theater and drama modalities are used around the world to enhance learning across the curriculum. We can find ways to use those learning tools, if you are interested! I offer particularly strong skills in language and literacy. I provide my students reading and writing support in traditional and non-traditional ways, often using speaking and listening (two under-appreciated aspects of literacy) to explore language, meaning, story, and structure. We'll find ways for you to succeed, as the learner YOU are. Let's read together, write together, think together, and build your success. You can do it! I can't wait to get started!

As a professional educator with over a decade of experience, I specialize in delivering personalized, high-impact instruction across the humanities, test preparation, and college readiness. I've taught everything from early literacy and middle school ELA to AP-level history, civics, and economicsand I've guided students through the full academic journey, from mastering foundational skills to crafting standout college essays and preparing for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. My background spans elite classrooms and enrichment programs alike: I've taught in college-preparatory high schools, developed curriculum for national nonprofits, and designed one-on-one tutoring plans for students ranging from advanced learners to those seeking targeted support. I bring a calm, structured, and student-centered approach to every sessionhelping students build confidence, sharpen their critical thinking, and reach ambitious academic goals. Whether your child is preparing for a top university or looking to deepen their academic engagement, I offer rigorous, thoughtful instruction with results you can trust.

My job as a teacher is to collaborate with a student to overcome a challenge. Do you want to write a term paper? Great! Do you want to learn how to use a semi-colon? Let's do it! I'm on your side. With every lesson, I meet students where they are and together we tailor our lessons to fit their skills, interests, and needs. By approaching lessons collaboratively, we create an environment that emphasizes progress over perfection and uses their existing strengths to build new skills.

I received my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Princeton University with minors in Materials Science & Engineering and Chinese Language & Culture. I am most passionate about Mandarin, Math, English, Chemistry, and ACT prep. As someone who has benefitted from tutoring services in the past, I have always been passionate about helping others succeed. I have tutored various ages from 4th grade up to adults pursuing additional college education. I enjoy helping each person I interact with achieve their goals. I believe in creating a connection with each person I tutor so that I can tailor my tutoring approach to their needs. Outside of academics, I am an avid reader and enjoy learning about new cultures through food and dance.

Current 4th year Medical Student Previously a Writing Center tutor for three years at University of Connecticut Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Cell Biology and Sociology I can provide both structured tutoring, where I assign work in between sessions, and more free-form tutoring. I can tutor topics regarding medicine (including MCAT) or medical terminology as well topics in chemistry (high school/intro college chemistry and organic chemistry), biology (high school/college), and statistics (AP statistics specificaly). I joined Varsity Tutors to give students an easy resource to access when they are struggling. I also can help students with writing assignments for ANY class as well as for college/medical school applications.

My love affair with language began in 8th grade when, as I read short stories, I saw how word-crafting could issue in what I call 3-D thinking. Good writing breathes sharp life into ideas, fosters synergy across them while creating new thought patterns for writer and reader. Throughout my 25 years of teaching and tutoring college students at an Ivy League university and at other local institutions guiding them through class essays, research projects, honors and masters theses, and graduate school personal statements--I always found joy in helping students discover what they wanted to sayand to express themselves coherently and persuasively. I hold a B.A. in English from Fordham University summa cum laude and in 1998 I earned a Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. In the course of completing my doctoral project after a long pause from grad school to raise my son, I cultivated the ability, and empathy, to look at academic challenges resourcefully from both sides of the desk. Given that my research on Hamlet was highly interdisciplinary-- joyous and original--I have carried that intellectual exhilaration into all my work as a lecturer, writing specialist, tutor, academic advisor and administrator, always urging students to seek out more conceptual connections and to write as integratively as possible. Currently I am working part-time by choice, but my staunch resolve that the pen is mightier than the sword remains intact and never fails to excite me. I want to share my excitement, expertise, and love of writing with you--and am ready to motivate you and empower you, as I have done so for numerous students, to write your best thinking!

I hold a B.A. from Yale University and an M.A. from the University of Connecticut. In addition to teaching at both the high school and college levels, I also spent many years working in advertising (where I was a Vice President at two New York City agencies), health insurance administration, and as a newspaper editor. I have published a novel, have my own blog, and over 125 personal commentaries in both newspapers and on education websites.

Learning is exciting! Anything new that you learn - an idea, a skill, a fact - changes you and paves the way for the next new idea, skill or fact to come along. I love learning. I love helping other people to learn. Be patient! Learning isn't always easy. (Teaching isn't always easy either.) So, be patient. Students need to be patient and teachers need to be patient. Sometimes, a new idea seems too challenging. That's the first time you see it. The second time, it starts to become more clear. Sometimes, our brains just need a little time to absorb. So, be patient! It will come.

Hello! My name is Sam Bicking. I am an alumni and student at The University of Pennsylvania studying Pre-health sciences before entering medical school. I have been tutoring for several years with students with disabilities (and amazing students without disabilities).

The very first student whom I tutored received a perfect score on the ACT. That is why I have continued tutoring for the past seven years. Throughout the course of my tutoring, I have had the pleasure of working with a wide variety of students from kindergarten to graduate school.

Hello! My name is Kirstine (Kyr-STEE-na). I am excited to meet and talk about your learning needs. A strong working relationship is important for your success. What are your dreams and goals, your strengths and challenges? What kind of learner are you? You should know what kind of teacher I am! I'm a retired Dance and Theater educator, with thirteen years of service in public education. In the decades before I got my teaching license, I worked as a teaching artist in the Twin Cities and the New York City metropolitan area, teaching hundreds of students, pre-K to adults. I am also an actress, and I look forward to returning to the stage as the world opens up! My areas of expertise include English Literature, (BA, Carleton College, 1983), Acting and Shakespearean performance (National Shakespeare Conservatory, 1991), and Educational Theater (New York University, 1997). Educational Theater encompasses a wide variety of practices, including, but not limited to performance skills. Theater and drama modalities are used around the world to enhance learning across the curriculum. We can find ways to use those learning tools, if you are interested! I offer particularly strong skills in language and literacy. I provide my students reading and writing support in traditional and non-traditional ways, often using speaking and listening (two under-appreciated aspects of literacy) to explore language, meaning, story, and structure. We'll find ways for you to succeed, as the learner YOU are. Let's read together, write together, think together, and build your success. You can do it! I can't wait to get started!