Kaitlin: Woodstock tutor

Certified Tutor

When I was in ninth grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher and coach someday. I idolized my advisor, my coaches, and favorite teachers, and hoped that I too would be able to have an iota of influence on my students and athletes down the road. I was so lucky to be surrounded by such incredible grown-ups in my life that I hoped to be like them one day. It is because of these role models that I pursued a double major in Secondary Education and English at Connecticut College. In my fifth year as an English teacher, dorm parent and coach, I decided to apply to graduate school programs to support my growth as a professional, and was accepted to Columbia University Teachers College. At TC, I was able to complete my Masters in the Arts of Teaching English in two years while working full time at a boarding school, which goes down as one of my proudest accomplishments to date!

As an educator, my practice and scholarly work are focused on the belief that education is both inspiring and empowering. English as a subject is not a survey of the Western cannon or vocabulary memorization, but a comprehensive learning experience that is enhanced from the use of various media and the reading of diverse texts. My approach to mentorship, tutoring, academic coaching and instruction involves positivity, constant support, and verbal encouragement to motivate students to create their own ideas while holding them to high standards. I love working with kids and feel so grateful for the job that I have!