I am a Ph.D. Candidate in Medieval European History at the Catholic University of America, which means that I am a life-long learner who believes in the power of the humanities. My greatest attributes as a teacher are my patience, empathy, and humor - and of course my memory for random historical facts! I am originally from Columbus, Ohio and moved to Boston in 1999 to attend Boston University. There, I majored in History and English and minored in French, receiving my B.A. in 2003. I went on to receive an M.A. in Medieval History from Catholic University in Washington D.C. in 2007, and my Ph.D. dissertation, which is on religious women in 15th century Italy, is slated for completion in 2014. I currently reside in the New York City area as I finish researching and writing my thesis. I have taught World History (101-102), Medieval Europe and Pre-Modern Historical Seminar at the University level. My most recent teaching position was at Harvard as a teaching fellow for a class called Making the Middle Ages. Doing history well means being a convincing writer, and I have experience helping students at all levels write with both substance and style. In addition to perfecting English language skills for tests or essays, I love sharing knowledge about other languages like French, Latin, and Italian. Since I study a period that can be confusing - in languages other than my own- I am good at figuring out how to present complex material using diverse and engaging methods. Each of us has a different way in which we learn best and no way is better than another! As far as my interests outside of academia, I have a true passion for theatre. My performance experience helps me to be an outgoing and enthusiastic instructor who excels at both strictly organized lectures and more improvisational lessons. I have held numerous positions in arts non-profits in both Boston and D.C., as I love having jobs that support the community and promote creativity. In such customer service positions I have learned to communicate with people from all walks of life in a down-to-earth way. Thus, I have become a great listener, a quick problem-solver, and a better teacher. I look forward to using these skills to to create a unique and challenging tutoring plan centered around your needs.