"Hi! I'm Joanna. I specialize in helping people of all ages, including rising law and medical school students, craft original narratives and compelling essays. A creative writer myself with more than twenty-five years of teaching experience, I bring authentic, deep knowledge of the elements of writing (such as voice, structure, imagery, and interiority) to the job. I also know the rules of grammar inside-out.

I earned my M.F.A. in creative writing and English from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where I also won the University’s Outstanding Teaching Assistantship Award and started publishing in nationally renowned journals. I’m a winner of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Writing, a recipient of the Iowa Book Prize, and a former professor of writing at Penn State and Franklin & Marshall College. Before going full time, I worked as an adjunct professor at the City University of New York and as a visiting writer in schools and community centers.

In all my work with students, I draw on the sensitivity to experience that I've developed over years of working with diverse populations. The breadth of my background enables me to see beneath the surface and thus gently push students to explore ideas they may not know they already have.

In addition to individual coaching for higher education, I tutor younger, neurodiverse students in inferencing and critical thinking skills. By tailoring instruction to individual needs, I foster confidence and help ensure that young people enjoy the experience of reading and writing while also exceeding expectations.

My students are knocking it out of the park! Let's chat about your needs and hopes for tutoring." less...