About Me
I'm a certified teacher of English grades 7-12 with a BA in English from UC Berkeley and an MA from California State University, San Francisco.
Over the years, my local tutoring in Connecticut has grown to include New Hampshire, Virginia, California, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. I can work with students wherever we can use the Internet. I often work with students remotely via Skype, FaceTime, ZOOM, and phone. Google Docs makes it all possible.
Also, I work extensively with students who have so-called "learning disabilities," which I prefer to call "different learning styles."
As time has passed, former students have come to me for help with their college term papers and applications to law schools, MBA Programs, and medical schools.
I'm a professional writer; I've written four screenplays, a novel, a memoir, and several short stories.
So proud of a video my students made for me!
Miracles happen when students and I discover ways to realize the goal, whether it's to write a great College Essay, study for the SAT or ACT, or to improve current course work. Along with my work with middle school, high school and college students, I also offer services for those adults who want support with speeches, business letters, articles, and whatever involves excellent writing. For online services, I use Skype, ZOOM, FaceTime, and phone. It's all so easy with Google Docs.
English Writing
In order to write well, one must master the rules of writing, which include grammar, syntax, and usage. When I work with students, I want to know how they learn. I believe that we all have our own way of taking in information. Sometimes these ways are different. If schools label students "learning disabled," I quickly translate that to unique learning styles. I listen carefully to what students tell me. By providing attentive support, I help them become more confident in their ability to write well.
Private Tutoring
I've learned that giving my students recognition for what they do well is one of the most important gateways to success. I find that I have a gift for finding the best in students, and this offers them valuable paths to assuring a good outcome. I also guide students to discovering how to write well by reading works of those who do write well. When I can, I promote reading great expository prose and learning new vocabulary. After all, our English language has the largest vocabulary of any language in the world! I tutor students in all coursework that involves writing, including APUSH, APEURO, APLANG, APLIT, and APGOV.
College Essay
The college essay and supplements become more important every year. I'm here to help. College Essays are not essays - they are 'Personal Statements', and writing them should not be a painful experience. There's no need to be paralyzed with anxiety. I provide whatever support students need for as long as they need it. I also work with college grads on applications for Graduate School, Medical School, and Law School.
"I can't say enough about the help that Deirdre gave to my grandson. She was genuinely interested in his success throughout the whole process. She helped, not only with his SAT preparation, but also with his senior year homework, filling out the Common Application, his essays and even suggesting colleges. I am very grateful to Deirdre for providing outstanding support for my grandson and for making the experience so much less stressful with her caring and enthusiastic encouragement."
--Sandy Goldman, Westport, CT
"Deirdre has had fabulous teaching abilities with my daughter, Kelly. She is the reason why my daughter is finally feeling more confident and not afraid of what is ahead of her in college. When Kelly started working with Deirdre, she struggled with her writing. Now she knows how to put her ideas on paper and is able to work with her material until she knows she has it right."
--Jen Whipple, Wilton, CT
"Deirdre has helped two of our kids with their college essay planning and writing. Each of them applied for early decision to the one school they each loved, and wrote really in depth and interesting essays for their schools. Both kids got into their first and only choices. In one case, the school was Sarah Lawrence, which prides itself on being a writing centric college. When the admissions officer called my son to tell him he had been accepted, he praised his essay, in particular. I think Deirdre deserves a full measure of credit for helping both of my kids achieve what they were capable of doing, which was to have written well and from their hearts. She knows how to coach, coax and push high school kids to do their best work, and to learn what they are capable of accomplishing. That is all we could ever ask of the people who work with our kids. Each of mine knows they wrote their own essays, but each gives credit to Deirdre for how she got them to achieve their best, and knows that what she did for them is truly powerful."
--David Wilk, Weston, CT
"Deirdre has worked with both my daughter and son helping them to successfully achieve very different goals. Because they both have suffered from Lyme disease which prevented them from being in school regularly, they both needed at home tutoring and extra assistance to keep up with classwork. Her understanding of their health issues made it easier for them to work with her and focus on getting their assignments completed in a timely manner. Deirdre was wonderful in guiding my daughter through the writing process of her college essay as well as helping her meet the timeline of applying to colleges. She also assisted my son who struggled with writing to complete his sophomore research paper and other major assignments. Since he was unable to graduate with his class, she assisted him in preparing for the GED which he passed with high 90's percentile in all areas."
--Susan Byron, Weston, CT
"My son's experience with Deirdre encompassed several years of individualized teaching as she developed creative ways of supporting an independent learner. Deirdre was available morning, night, weekday, weekends, even holiday and vacations to assist, critique, consult, and most importantly teach our son while he navigated a difficult course of medical treatment. His studies with Deirdre included English, history, government, politics, etc. The effort that she put into developing a respected student-teacher relationship with my son was beyond anything one could expect from a traditional teaching situation. During his senior year, she was completely involved in the college application process, which was crucial to his successfully being accepted into a wide choice of specialized programs. The vital role she played in helping with essays, supplements, etc. has resulted in his being accepted to a variety of top tier schools. We are pleased that he will attend the highly selective and innovative program within NYU's Stern School of Business this fall."
--Arlene Block, Weston, CT
"What can I say about Deirdre? She's great. She worked with my son for several years during high school. She tutored him in English and Spanish. She is patient, really gets to know the child and their individual needs. She also knows her stuff and can convey this to the student in a way they can understand. Deirdre also worked with my daughter on her college essay. She helped her find an idea and find her voice. With Deirdre's help, my daughter was able to submit a truly great essay, one I'm sure helped her get into the school of her choice."
--Bonnie Hassan, Weston, CT
"Deirdre helped both my step son, Ben Selman, and my daughter, Taylor Zinman, with their college essays. Ben's top choice of colleges was Columbia University; he has now completed his first year! Taylor was accepted into Tulane, which was one of her top choices, and she starts there in the fall. Thank you so very much, Deirdre!"
--Lisa M. Albano, Oyster Bay, NY
