Hello! My name is Melana, though I typically go by Mel. I am a student at the University of Chicago, class of 2029, planning to pursue studies in Psychology, Linguistics, or Comparative Human Development, along with minors in Spanish and Education and Society. I am passionate about education and aspire to become an impactful, student-centered educator. I am originally from Lima, Ohio, where I attended Lima Central Catholic High School and graduated at the top of my class with honors. I have been tutoring peers and younger students throughout my academic career, beginning in elementary school and continuing through college. What started as helping classmates has grown into a central passion that shapes my career goals. In high school, I tutored through Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. I have also tutored through the Neighborhood Schools Program at the University of Chicago. These experiences have strengthened my ability to adapt my teaching style to meet individual student needs. I am especially effective working with elementary and middle school students, where I create engaging, multi-method learning environments. I bring patience, creativity, and structure to each session. I have primarily supported students in math (pre-algebra through calculus), reading, and writing. Additionally, I have a strong foundation in inorganic chemistry and Spanish (B1 proficiency). My goal as a tutor is to create a supportive and challenging environment where students feel valued, confident, and motivated to grow! I am highly active and enjoy running, swimming, and playing softball. I have played competitive softball since age nine and am currently a member of the University of Chicago softball team. In addition to competing, I have coached athletes ages 8–14 in both defensive and offensive skills and have served as an umpire for 10U and 12U games. I enjoy creating handmade cards for family and friends, using a variety of materials for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. I also enjoy running and plan to run a half marathon this summer.
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. Mel 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 Mel at University of Chicago, 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.