Jan L

Certified Tutor

I'm a grammar nerd. I'm the kid who read prescription bottles in the bathroom if I couldn't find anything else. I'm the ghost writer a book client told me made him sound more like himself than he did. I also wrote a historical field guide to Michigan and hundreds of articles for newspapers and magazines.

I have a BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and an MS in Journalism from Ohio University. As a tutor, I draw from both backgrounds. In school, kids learn the rules. That's important, but I like to add in some creativity--stories, fun. I enjoy the intimacy of one-on-one tutoring.

I tutor SAT/ACT English and Reading test prep and have helped students improve their English scores by up to 7 points (ACT). I also teach writing; I've worked on college essays with dozens of students who successfully applied to great schools, including Ivies.

Previously, I taught college English and interpersonal communications. During the pandemic, I tutored elementary and high school kids. I've even taught preschool. I love to work with students who love to learn.

I learn from all my students. My first tutoring student taught me to hear the words between words as he gained independence and confidence through his writing skills. His mom saw it too and wrote to me: "I am seeing [my son]'s confidence grow with each session with you. What a gift you have to be able to pull that out of a kid." It's my honor and privilege to watch students mature and take pride in their ability to master challenges.

Aside from teaching, I love friends and family, my sweet rescue dog, cycling, and the elegant Oxford comma. I'm learning to knit and plan to take an ASL class. We should never stop learning.