Experienced teacher here, having just stepped away from the daily adventures of the classroom - though undeniably proud at leaving a fully formed poetry society in my wake - "O Captain, my Captain!" :) Tutor by day, poet by night, I find the written word a captivating way to expand one's mind, and rather amazingly, engage with the wisdom and humanity of authors from centuries long ago, from nations far and wide. Why does literacy matter? Reading deepens our empathy with fellow humans, reminding us that each person contains a rich inner world and stories all their own. The act of writing synthesizes what we learn. It helps us think critically and logically, equipping us to spot faulty arguments and discern truth from falsehood. Writing elucidates the inner self: it leads us to arrive at what we really think, feel, or believe. It connects us with the outer world by encouraging observation, and gives us the ability to praise its many beauties, protest its many injustices, and process or explore its mysteries. Each of us has a unique storytelling voice that can come across in our writing - often discovered through self-reflection, or by sharing experiences, just as you would tell a friend face-to-face. I love helping students find their own voice, especially if writing has always felt like a chore (at best) or an unassailable mountain (at worst). If needed, we can review style & mechanics (form/structure, grammar, tone, etc). Then, we're ready to light the fires of the piece and get cookin'! My expertise further resides in various intersections of the humanities, including literature, art, religion, philosophy, & music. We might investigate how these are connected or situated in response to the politics/history of a time and place. Finally, I'm happy to work with you on reading comprehension or fluency, expand your vocabulary, hone your academic writing, cultivate your creativity, partner with you to brainstorm for a project, or help you prepare for a test. Let's get started!

I love reading, writing poems and silly stories, spending time around animals of all shapes and sizes, hiking, the mountains, and going to concerts! Let's exchange book and song recommendations :)