Jenny

Certified Tutor

I am a professional tutor specializing in academic writing and verbal/writing SAT and PSAT prep. I graduated in 2014 from Duke University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Theater Studies. My past tutoring experiences include a year with the Duke Athletics Department tutoring undergraduate athletes in anthropology, critical reading, and college-level writing. I have tutored with America Reads/America Counts (ARAC) and co-founded a tutoring program that continues to serve the language education needs of refugee youth in Durham, NC. I’m passionate about not only teaching students the material they need to be successful, but also how to think critically and independently.

I start my tutoring sessions with a simple and individualized evaluation—sometimes I will look over students’ past work or practice tests to supplement a discussion about goals for our time together. Once we move on to subject material, my approach is to start with what students already know. When we’re faced with a seemingly impossible essay prompt or test question, we always have piece of knowledge that can help. I help students learn how to use their existing bodies of knowledge to find a way to a solution. We then work on building a toolbox of techniques they can use to handle the kinds of questions and tasks that are particularly challenging for them.

I have two big picture goals for my students. First, I want them to leave my sessions feeling heard. I want to address my students’ most pressing questions and concerns, so I strive to create an environment where they’re comfortable articulating them. Second, I want them to walk into their tests or classrooms feeling confident. Even if they won’t know every answer, they'll have strategies and some tricks up their sleeves that will allow them to reach their personal education goals.