By day, I help restore buildings; by night, I help students succeed. I have a Master of Science in Historic Preservation and Architecture from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While both of these degrees are design-oriented, each placed heavy emphasis on research and writing, public speaking, art and general history, logical reasoning, and a clear synthesis and presentation of ideas. I specialize in grammar and writing technique; study skills and organization; public speaking; reading comprehension; world, US, medieval, and art histories; ACT Reading, Writing, and English; AP English Language; and college admissions essays and preparation. I love conducting sessions as "learning labs" where open and honest discourse is the foundation from which critical knowledge is gleaned. My approach is threefold: create an inclusive, welcoming learning community that encourages and rewards exploration and curiosity; present the course material in a way that resonates deeply with each unique student and introduces them to new ideas each week; and foster critical thinking skills that can be applied in all schoolwork. Instead of recitation or simple coverage of lecture and reading material, my goal is to encourage students to consider differing viewpoints, feel comfortable expressing their beliefs, and reflect deeply upon how their values and learning style can translate to all work, both inside and outside of the classroom. Overall, I believe teaching and tutoring should foster skills that afford practical, tangible applications in other courses as well as in personal, professional, and social realms.