Hi! My name is Natalia, and I am a Neuroscience major at the University of Pennsylvania on the pre-med track. I tutor Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, and SAT preparation. I grew up in Colombia and China before moving to the United States for high school, so I have experienced different educational systems and cultures throughout my life. Because of this background, I am fluent in English, Mandarin, and Spanish. I have also taken a variety of standardized tests, including the TOEFL, ISEE, SAT, and AP exams, which has given me a strong understanding of the challenges students face when preparing for school and standardized testing. At Penn, I study neuroscience because I am interested in understanding how the brain works and how people learn. I am currently involved in developmental neuroscience research and plan to pursue a career in medicine. Through my coursework and research experience, I have developed a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and related sciences, which I enjoy sharing with students. My tutoring experience includes both helping classmates and younger students throughout high school and tutoring SAT students through local community centers. I enjoy working with students one-on-one and adapting my explanations to fit their learning style. My goal is to help students develop a solid understanding of the material while building the skills they need to approach new challenges independently. Outside of academics, I enjoy traveling, visiting museums, film photography, and learning about different cultures and languages.
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. Natalia 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 Natalia at University of Pennsylvania, 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.