Green Lake, Ravenna, & University District Tutors

Stephen

I am a full-time tutor and educator. For more than ten years, I've been helping students of all ages develop their reading and writing skills, organization and accountability, and overall academic curiosity and confidence.

During that time, I've learned as much as my students have. My mom was a resource teacher who helped students with disabilities thrive in the classroom and later worked as an educational consultant for international schools: between my own experience and my regular "consultations" with her, I've developed a pedagogical approach that emphasizes relationship building, student-led discovery, and a growth mindset.

I hold a Master's degree in Creative Writing from the University of Washington and a Bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy from Concordia University in Montreal. As an undergraduate, I won the MacGuigan Essay Prize and the Compton-Lamb Memorial Scholarship. At the end of my Master's program, my creative thesis won the David Guterson Award.

I hold a Cambridge CELTA, a certificate in ESL teaching, and have taught in North America and South Korea, in classrooms and one-on-one. Additionally, I used to teach the verbal side of GMAT and GRE prep classes for PrepCorps, a former Seattle test-prep company.

Norah

I am a lifelong lover of language who is passionate about mentorship and education, so I look forward to helping you or your student grow as a reader, writer, and communicator!

I'm an east coast transplant currently pursuing a Master's in Library and Information Science at the University of Washington, with hopes to work as an academic librarian in the future. Prior to graduate school, I worked in publishing in New York City, so I have extensive professional experience finding books to suit a particular reader's taste and needs!

I have a Bachelors of Arts in English with a Citation in French from Harvard University, and a Masters of Philosophy in Irish Literature from Trinity College, Dublin. (I wrote my master's thesis on the plays of Samuel Beckett, but that doesn't mean I don't love a beach read!) I have experience writing and editing for both student and professional publications, and also have experience tutoring students in ACT reading and English, with a focus on holistic growth. I look forward to working together to help you or your student achieve your goals!

Meera

I am currently a PhD graduate student at the University of Washington studying Molecular Medicine, and graduated from UCLA with an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and a minor in Biomedical Research.

My journey in teaching began almost 10 years ago, after I had been a competitive speller for 5 years and successfully competed at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. in 2015. After my journey exploring, understanding, and dissecting hundreds of thousands of words, I wanted to teach students to think critically about the English language, and tutored almost a dozen students aged 6-13 1:1 over the course of 6 years to become competitive spellers. My students went on to do amazing things in and outside of spelling, winning numerous local spelling competitions and competing at the national level themselves.

As an avid speller and reader from a very young age, writing has always been an outlet and a source of expression for me. As I continued to explore various types of writing styles and genres through school, I peer tutored students for years in high school. Together, we learned what it meant to restructure pieces of work, organize thoughts, and most importantly, how to apply those skills to future writing.

I'm very passionate about working with young students and fostering their creative and technical writing abilities. Reading and writing are skills that I value incredibly in my life on a day-to-day basis and cultivating that ability to eloquently and accurately express oneself through writing is so exciting to me. I believe in collaborative learning and adapting course lessons & projects to a student's mindset, and to constantly evolve teaching styles and materials over time as a student grows. I look forward to working with students and parents to ultimately build effective communication skills, foster curiosity, and express themselves to the fullest!

Jasper

I received my B.A. in Literature from Columbia College Chicago in 2019 and became a
regular presenter and organizer for the Chicago Writer’s Association as well as the Chicago
Book Expo. Since moving back to the Pacific Northwest I have started a new chapter as a
College and Career Counselor in Lake Washington School District, tutoring numerous students,
some of whom have gone on to study at Stanford, Vanderbilt, the University of Washington, and the
UC schools. In 2023, I was awarded the National Association for College Admission
Counseling’s Rising Star Award, exemplifying excellence and dedication to serving the needs of
students.

Committed to empowering student voices, I specialize in developing engaging curriculum
for those with learning differences. Since everyone encounters unique barriers when developing
their literary voice, I use a collaborative approach, leading students to uncover answers in their
own way. My goal is to help students develop an appreciation for the power of the written word,
seeing it is a form of self expression, a way to take on the perspective of another, a tool for communication, and a place for play.

As for me, I’m fascinated by myths and legends, finding inspiration in folklore, philosophy, anthropology, and theology. I love sitting in the garden, watching my ducks play, or
spending the afternoons tending to my beehive. Recently, I’ve picked up film photography, making
my roadtrips much more exciting. A collector of stories, I am always trying new things, seeking
new knowledge, and keeping my eyes on the horizon line.

Ruth

I’m Ruth — a passionate and empathetic educator with a background in tutoring, teaching, childcare, and psychology. I specialize in helping students strengthen their academic skills and build confidence, self-awareness, and resilience.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Washington. Currently, I am a graduate student pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University, in training to become a licensed mental health professional.

My background includes extensive experience working with children and neurodiverse students. As a peer mentor at Bellevue College, I provided both academic and social-emotional support to students with learning differences, including autism and ADHD. During the pandemic, I worked as an in-home educator, supporting distance learning and facilitating individualized sessions in language arts and math. Before beginning my graduate studies, I spent a year teaching English in Thailand, where I developed culturally responsive lesson plans and helped multilingual learners build confidence in their language skills.

My approach is warm, patient, and highly individualized. I believe learners thrive when they feel seen, understood, and encouraged. My tutoring approach emphasizes collaboration, reflection, and skill-building that extends beyond the classroom. I want my students to walk away not only understanding the material but also feeling empowered by their ability to learn, adapt, and grow.

Christine

I am currently a Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at the University of Washington. I graduated summa cum laude from Chapman University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Law, Justice, and Social Control. I have always loved reading and my passion for writing developed from my own desire to tell stories. I have nearly ten years of experience mentoring and tutoring students of all ages. I began tutoring as a high school freshman, working with elementary school students. I continued throughout college, helping students strengthen their essay writing and navigate the college application process. My goal of teaching writing is to have my students enjoy the process of storytelling. What I enjoy most about teaching writing is helping students discover their own voice and connect more deeply with themselves. As a graduate student, I see every day how important clear communication of ideas is. I’m passionate about teaching and look forward to supporting students as they learn to express their ideas with confidence.