I have been teaching English and coaching writers for over twenty years. My specialties are college essay writing, close reading, AP English, and building students’ confidence. I have addressed a whole spectrum of needs over the last 20 years, helping good writers become great writers and guiding students with learning differences through challenging skills and assignments. (See Testimonials page for details.)

I graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College at UC Santa Barbara before pursuing a PhD in English at Brown University. After teaching at Brown and at Polytechnic School in Pasadena — from 1999-2017 continually — I achieved a Master of Divinity in Interfaith Chaplaincy, a caregiving degree that trained me to listen deeply, offer compassion, and cultivate curiosity — all skills that enhance my relational approach to tutoring and coaching.

This relational approach is key to my work as a writing tutor and college essay coach. I have a real passion for helping students use writing to find their voice — exploring their strengths, their values, their passions, and their world. For me, the first step in helping students is developing trust and rapport; I find that students' best writing emerges out of this relationship because they feel comfortable discussing their challenges, receiving feedback, and trying new things. 

I typically tutor students in junior and high school, but I have also tutored fifth and sixth graders and taught classes for adults who want to reconnect with their creativity.

Reach out to learn more and discuss your student’s writing journey.