Hi! I'm Claire, I'm a Smith College graduate in my 30's with a major in Sociology and a minor in Mathematics. I enjoy supporting students to analyze and organize information, think critically, and solve problems in a wide variety of subjects. Whether they are writing mathematical proofs or computer programs, analyzing literature, or creating art, my goal is to help students clarify their own ideas and communicate them effectively. I believe that successful students, in school and in life, practice befriending their own learning process, maintaining a growth mindset, and focusing on working smarter, not necessarily harder. I simply love to learn, and I love the experience of helping students tap into their own love of learning. I love to learn about the different ways we learn and to facilitate that process. Neurodivergent myself, I especially enjoy working with neurodivergent students. I have greatly enjoyed camp counseling, especially for children with emotional and intellectual disabilities, and peer-coaching speech writing and delivery. Friends and relatives have sought my advice on planning the end of a semester or an international trip, writing a proposal for work, supporting their children with behavioral challenges, and tutoring math and computer science, despite my minimal experience with some of these endeavors! In my spare time, I enjoy singing choral music, playing chess, and spending time with my family, especially outdoors.
If you have a specific tutor in mind, you're welcome to request them directly — we'll confirm whether they're available and the right fit for your student. Otherwise, Ryan writes a personal email to understand your student's needs, learning style, and goals — then handpicks a tutor from the roster. You're not filling out a form and getting assigned randomly. If the first tutor isn't the right fit after the first session, we'll find you a better match at no extra charge.
Yes. Many families start with a single session to see how the tutor and student connect before committing to a regular schedule. There's no pressure to book in advance — reach out and we'll set something up.
Yes. Many of our tutors are strong across several subjects, and sessions can cover more than one if that's what the student needs that week. Flexibility is built into how we work.
Most of our tutors continue working through breaks, either online or in-person at the college if the tutors remain on campus during that vacation. We'll let you know in advance if a tutor has a gap in availability and arrange coverage with one of our other tutors — in-person or online — in the required subject.
Occasionally, if the student lives very close to the tutor's campus. Most sessions take place on or near the college campus or online. This keeps sessions in an academically focused environment — which tends to produce better results.
The families who see the biggest results are the ones who commit to a regular cadence — typically once, twice, or three times a week. One-on-one tutoring with a student from an elite college, who genuinely understands the material, is a fundamentally different experience from a tutoring center or an app. Most of our clients stay with us for multiple semesters.
Email Ryan@ShiresTutoring.com and mention which tutor and college town you're interested in, or fill out our Request a Tutor form. We typically respond within one business day.
That depends on where your student is starting and how consistently they show up. Claire will identify the specific gaps, focus sessions on them, and adjust as the student progresses. Families who stick to a weekly schedule typically see meaningful progress within four to six weeks.
Email Ryan@ShiresTutoring.com and mention you'd like to work with Claire at Smith College, or fill out our Request a Tutor form — you can also click the Request a Tutor button at the bottom of this page. We'll follow up within one business day to confirm availability and schedule your first session.