I’m Ethan, and I’m a freshman at Duke University, majoring in Neuroscience on the pre-med track. Throughout my academic journey, I’ve experienced both the frustration of not understanding something and the satisfaction of finally having it click. Those moments have shaped my passion for tutoring, and I enjoy helping others regain that clarity. In high school, I was very involved in tutoring–helping students in a variety of STEM subjects such as Math, Chemistry, and Biology. I was also captain of the varsity fencing team and gave many private lessons to beginner fencers. Now at Duke, I am part of a volunteer program where I tutor kids on how to play piano! Beyond academics, I am on the Division 1 fencing team at Duke, which has shaped my ability to stay patient, adapt quickly, and be disciplined. I’ve also played piano for 13 years, which has reinforced my attention to detail and ability to break down complex things into simple steps. These are qualities that directly translate into how I aim to help students. My goal is to support students not just in getting better grades, but in building confidence and a stronger mindset towards learning!
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. Ethan 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 Ethan 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.