Hi! My name is Zahra, and I offer tutoring in Biology, Math, Chemistry, AP US Government, and English in South Hadley. I’m a first-year student at Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Psychology on the pre-med track. I’m fluent in Urdu and English, and advanced in Spanish. I’m comfortable working with elementary, middle, and high school students. I’ve worked with students across a wide range of ages in both classroom and one-on-one settings. With younger students (ages 5–7), I worked as a teaching assistant, supporting small groups in reading and math and helping build strong foundational skills. I’ve also taught English as a second language to native Urdu speakers at the elementary level, focusing on vocabulary, sentence structure, and building confidence. With middle school students, I spent two summers as a teaching fellow with Generation Teach, teaching math to rising 8th graders and environmental engineering to rising 7th graders. I also worked one-on-one as a peer mentor for an 8th-grade student, helping her build study habits and stay organized over time. Through my independent study, I taught neuroscience in Spanish to students ages 8–10 through hands-on workshops, helping them connect abstract concepts to real-world examples. I focus on helping students build real understanding and confidence in their work. I adjust how I explain concepts based on each student and make sure they feel supported while learning. My goal is for students to leave each session with a clearer understanding and stronger problem-solving skills. I’ve completed college-level biology and chemistry coursework and have a strong background in math. I’d love to work together!
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. Zahra 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 Zahra at Mount Holyoke College, 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.