I am originally from Newington, Connecticut and graduated from Newington High School. I then headed up to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where I majored in music and took courses in German Studies, Physics, European History, and more, graduating in 2009. In college, I tutored as a classroom aide for the America Reads program in West Fairlee, Vermont and for my peers informally in various classes while also working as a manager/office administrator for Dartmouth Dining Services. Of course the economy collapsed into the Great Recession right when I graduated, and the job I thought I had lined up disappeared.
For the first few months after graduation, I tutored for a boutique company near my hometown, but in pursuit of greater opportunities, I relocated to the Boston area at the beginning of 2010. I found myself working for MIT, first at MIT Press and then in the university's writing program for a few years, where I met some wonderful people, became active in the school's Musical Theatre Guild, and began building a tutoring reputation on my own via word of mouth. In November 2013, I left MIT, having built enough of a reputation to support myself tutoring full-time. And that's what I've been doing ever since.
I've been very lucky to be able to work with some wonderful families, frequently staying on for multiple years and supporting kids through middle and high school, through the college admissions process, and eventually into college for some. Many of my students are diagnosed or are in the process of being evaluated for ADHD/dyslexia/processing disorders, and where I excel is as an empathetic part of the support team. I especially love working with kids and adults who may have a diagnosis but do not necessarily need a ton of school resources (think kids with 504 plans rather than IEP's). As I have learned more about my own learning journey over the years, I have become very aware that I am likely neurodivergent myself. I had an easy time through high school and even through parts of college, but once I arrived in the working world, I freely admit it was difficult for me to build time management/organizational skills and to self monitor. Because I have had those difficulties, I am particularly keen to help students build executive functioning and coping skills early and to help them learn how they learn best.
In addition to my teaching persona, I am an active musician. I have participated in musical theatre productions with MIT, the Wellesley Players, and others. I am an alumnus of the New England Classical Singers and Boston's Spectrum Singers, where I also served on the board of directors. I was a founding member of Boston heavy metal band Adamantis as well as others, and I am constantly writing and looking for avenues to create. I am an active member of the North Shore karaoke community with friends.
During the pandemic, my now husband Erik and I would meander along the beaches of Cape Cod as a means of getting out of the house. I had a cheap DSLR camera, and I began to develop a passion for nature photography. I now have an Etsy shop where I sell digital photos and prints (that needs its own overhaul!), but I am going to create a page here to also feature some of my work. I work best with students when we form a real connection, and I want people to know who I am. One blessing of the pandemic was that I discovered that photography is an important part of who I am.
When not teaching, you can find me chasing sunsets on a beach, hiking local trails, or bowling in Kingston, MA. I live in Weymouth with my husband Erik (also an educator and musician!) and two cats Fricka and Freia (named after Norse goddesses).
Relevant Educational Experience:
For the first few months after graduation, I tutored for a boutique company near my hometown, but in pursuit of greater opportunities, I relocated to the Boston area at the beginning of 2010. I found myself working for MIT, first at MIT Press and then in the university's writing program for a few years, where I met some wonderful people, became active in the school's Musical Theatre Guild, and began building a tutoring reputation on my own via word of mouth. In November 2013, I left MIT, having built enough of a reputation to support myself tutoring full-time. And that's what I've been doing ever since.
I've been very lucky to be able to work with some wonderful families, frequently staying on for multiple years and supporting kids through middle and high school, through the college admissions process, and eventually into college for some. Many of my students are diagnosed or are in the process of being evaluated for ADHD/dyslexia/processing disorders, and where I excel is as an empathetic part of the support team. I especially love working with kids and adults who may have a diagnosis but do not necessarily need a ton of school resources (think kids with 504 plans rather than IEP's). As I have learned more about my own learning journey over the years, I have become very aware that I am likely neurodivergent myself. I had an easy time through high school and even through parts of college, but once I arrived in the working world, I freely admit it was difficult for me to build time management/organizational skills and to self monitor. Because I have had those difficulties, I am particularly keen to help students build executive functioning and coping skills early and to help them learn how they learn best.
In addition to my teaching persona, I am an active musician. I have participated in musical theatre productions with MIT, the Wellesley Players, and others. I am an alumnus of the New England Classical Singers and Boston's Spectrum Singers, where I also served on the board of directors. I was a founding member of Boston heavy metal band Adamantis as well as others, and I am constantly writing and looking for avenues to create. I am an active member of the North Shore karaoke community with friends.
During the pandemic, my now husband Erik and I would meander along the beaches of Cape Cod as a means of getting out of the house. I had a cheap DSLR camera, and I began to develop a passion for nature photography. I now have an Etsy shop where I sell digital photos and prints (that needs its own overhaul!), but I am going to create a page here to also feature some of my work. I work best with students when we form a real connection, and I want people to know who I am. One blessing of the pandemic was that I discovered that photography is an important part of who I am.
When not teaching, you can find me chasing sunsets on a beach, hiking local trails, or bowling in Kingston, MA. I live in Weymouth with my husband Erik (also an educator and musician!) and two cats Fricka and Freia (named after Norse goddesses).
Relevant Educational Experience:
- B.A. Dartmouth College, 2009: Music major with significant coursework in History, German Studies, Physics, and Math
- Teacher's Aide: Westshire Elementary School, West Fairlee, VT (2005-2008)
- Leader, After School Program: Marion W. Cross School, Norwich, VT (2007-2008)
- Administrator: Program in Writing and Humanistic Studies, MIT (2011-2013)
- Private Tutor: Various locations in Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts (2000-present)