Hi! My name is Tessa. I’m a junior at UNC Chapel Hill, double majoring in Biology and English & Comparative Literature, graduating in 2028. I work with 7th-12th graders, and I’ve tutored various students in the Sciences, Math, and English. I also have been an official coach for Mock Trial. I love to help students learn and understand the material on a deeper level. I discovered my passion for learning through Shakespeare classes in middle school and I love all things Early Modern English. I enjoy Computer Science and Calculus, and I have a special interest in Biology, especially genetics! Having moved a lot throughout my childhood, and transitioning between the English and American school systems, I know what it is like to feel behind and to struggle with coursework. I have the unique perspective of understanding many different cultures and ways of studying and learning. I want to help any other students feeling behind and help other students to discover their love for learning. I want to make every session engaging and a comfortable place for students to be themselves and engage with the material in the ways that suit them best. In high school, I was the captain of my Mock Trial team. I participated in the YMCA Youth & Government program for two years and attended the national competition during both of those years. Last year, I officially volunteered with the YMCA as a Mock Trial coach. I also was a member of the Junior Fire Department and have been involved in musical theater for most of my life! I love music and reading, and I crochet in my free time!
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. Tessa 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 Tessa at UNC Chapel Hill, 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.