Hi! My name is Madalyn, and I'm a rising junior at UC Berkeley studying economics, with an expected graduation date of May 2028. My mom is a first-grade teacher, which shaped my love for learning from a young age and inspired my interest in helping others build confidence in subjects ranging from Calculus and English to micro- and macroeconomics. At Berkeley, this passion has translated into creating engaging learning environments where students feel excited to ask questions and actively immerse themselves in their courses. I am about to begin my third semester as an undergraduate instructor for the Introduction to Real Estate Investing course at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, where I teach real estate math and modeling at an introductory level each week. Outside the classroom, I have supported first graders in my mom's class by helping at her elementary school throughout my entire life, and I have also volunteered with children through an organization that works with students living in transitional housing in the Bay Area. In these roles, I have mentored students in reading, math, and creative projects, guiding each child with patience, encouragement, and individualized support. I am very excited to work with students in the Berkeley area and help them grow into confident, lifelong learners.
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. Madalyn 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 Madalyn at University of California Berkeley, 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.