Hi! My name is Dennese (Den-nees). I graduated from Classical High School and went on to get my degree in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Brown University. I chose engineering because it forced me to learn how to solve complex, messy problems, and it really taught me how to enjoy the process of learning things from scratch. I love passing that mindset on to the students I work with, whether we are working out a tough calculus problem or working through college applications. I’ve been tutoring for over 10 years now, working with everyone from elementary schoolers to college students. I’ve done a mix of informal tutoring for friends, formal work with companies like Varsity Tutors, and international student instruction at Roosevelt International Academy. Because of that, I can jump between a lot of different subjects comfortably, from AP Calculus, Organic Chemistry, and Physics to humanities, fluent Spanish, and college essay prep. Outside of the classroom, I'm also a commission-earning fine artist and a former championship-winning field hockey player, so I can occasionally mentor students in visual arts and athletic conditioning, too. When it comes to my teaching style, my biggest rule is to meet students exactly where they are. There’s really no single "correct" way to learn something, and every kid's brain works a little differently, so I focus on changing up how I explain things until we find the way that clicks for them. I like to keep things patient, relaxed, and encouraging. My goal is to build up students’ confidence with clear communication so they eventually don't even need my help anymore. I’d love to team up with you and your child to make school feel a lot more manageable.
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. Dennese 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 Dennese at Brown University, 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.