My name is Dylan, and I am a sophomore at Duke University studying Psychology, with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in Child Education Policy. I plan to pursue a PhD in educational psychology, with a focus on supporting neurodivergent learners and improving how we support students in academic settings. I offer tutoring for elementary and middle school students in math, English, and Spanish (beginner to intermediate). I’m especially passionate about working with younger students and helping them build long-lasting academic skills in a way that feels engaging and fun. I have several years of experience working with children in both academic and classroom settings. For the past two years, I’ve worked part-time as a co-lead teacher at a preschool, where I help plan activities, build confidence, and work with families. I was also a peer tutor in high school and have additional experience tutoring elementary and middle school students. I’ve volunteered at Club Boulevard Elementary School in Durham, where I worked in their first Spanish/English bilingual kindergarten classroom, helping students with math and reading skills in both languages. I have experience working with neurodivergent learners, particularly students with ADHD, dyslexia, and autism. I enjoy working collaboratively with students to figure out what strategies work best for them to become excited about learning, even for kids who don’t think they like school Outside of academics, I enjoy painting and drawing, as well as running and playing lacrosse, and I bring that creativity and energy to each tutoring session.
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. Dylan 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 Dylan at Duke 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.