hi!
ny name is jenna
i use she/they pronounsand work as a
Essay Coach
Academic Tutor
D'var Mentor
supporting students across skill sets —
from test prep and writing development to storytelling and personal reflection
at a glance
* professor of writing with 20 years teaching experience at elite universities in the US and EU
📚* author of The Princeton Review college essay teaching model
✍🏽* BA in History from Dartmouth College (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa)
🎓* MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia (fully funded)
🎓* completing a PhD in American Studies at Freie Universität Berlin (fully funded)
🎓* proven success helping students gain admission to the Ivy League
🏫* a New Yorker review & Sundance Screenwriters Lab Second Round Selection
🌠* a Trinity School alum ('02) and two-time Hawley Prize Winner
🐯* a former AP grader (#InsiderKnowledge)
🔑* a gender-affirming educator
🍭
tutoring
mentoring
coaching
I've worked for over 20 years with learners of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.I offer one-on-one:* application support
(essays, personal statements & interview prep)* writing coaching
(creative & analytic)* subject tutoring
(English, History, Government)* test prep
(SAT, GRE, GMAT, AP)* d'var Torah prep* thesis & dissertation support* help with high-stakes speechwriting & public speaking* language tutoring
(English & German)🌈✊🏾⚧️
personal statements & essays
While I tutor across subjects, the college essay is my specialty – my own was chosen by both The Princeton Review and Trinity School as a teaching model, helping thousands of high school juniors and seniors get into the college of their dreams.
Most people applying to elite schools have the grades and scores to compete. What really sets an applicant apart is a convincing essay, one that shows who they are as a thinker – and a human being. Beyond opening doors, writing a stand-out essay builds skills that last for life — critical self-reflection, effective self-presentation, and the ability to incorporate feedback and revise with confidence. The essay isn’t just a requirement; it’s an art form. I can help you master it.
For two decades, I've supported students in finding their voice, telling their stories, and making a big impression when it matters most. Drawing on my unique mix of storytelling expertise, insider knowledge of elite academic environments, and decades of teaching experience, I’ll help you write a statement that catches admissions officers’ eyes – and sticks in their guts.
how i work
I help ambitious thinkers thrive — with smart strategy, clear goals, and a personal touch. Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked with students at prep schools like Trinity and Dalton, mentored incarcerated writers in the US and Europe, coached successful applicants to Ivy League and other top-tier programs, and taught at major universities in the US and Germany.
Methods
My approach is tough-meets-tender: rigorous and structured, but also collaborative, compassionate, and personal 🐻. I combine classical methods with modern media — from close readings to TikTok analysis, sentence diagramming to Insta-rhetoric — using tools like Google Docs, digital whiteboards, and LLMs. I don’t shy away from AI: part of my job is helping students learn to use new tools thoughtfully and responsibly. Depending on the student, I draw on methods like project-based learning, gamification, experiential learning, and interactive exercises to keep progress measurable, motivating, and fun. Together, we’ll set and track objectives so growth is clear and success is tangible. 🎯 If desired, I also assign structured homework between sessions.
Tailoring
I work with students across learning styles, identities, and goals — and tailor everything we do to who you are. That means building trust, setting boundaries, and checking in about what’s working (and what’s not). Anxious overachievers might need support breaking free from formulaic essay writing or staying steady under pressure 😰, while multilingual learners may benefit from a focused strategy for the SAT’s Reading and Writing section. You’ve got big goals. My job is to help you reach them — with focus, feedback, and accountability. We’ll set targets, talk through roadblocks, build better habits, and maybe even laugh a little. Whether you’re applying to college, studying for an AP exam, trying to make your writing ✨ sparkle ✨, or preparing for your B-mitzvah — I’m here.
Background
My approach is shaped by where I’ve been. I bring firsthand experience navigating elite academic environments and understand the pressures, expectations, and anxieties that shape ambitious students' lives. I’ve also spent over a decade working with incarcerated individuals and mentoring students from underrepresented communities. That range keeps me rigorous and compassionate. In two decades of teaching, every college student I’ve ever taught has rated me 5/5 on respect in anonymous university evaluations. That mutual respect is what allows me to motivate students, support their growth, and push them to succeed — especially when the stakes are high. 💫 I did my own B-mitzvah at B’nai Jeshurun in New York City, where I’m still an active member, and have since supported students across a wide range of communities — from isolated rural towns to major urban centers like NYC and LA. And as a queer, gender-affirming educator, I always hold online slots free for students living in LGBTQIA*-unfriendly environments. (You got this, it get’s better!💪🏽)
Academic Career
All of this is backed by an interdisciplinary academic career. I have an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia (a global top 3 program) and am completing a doctorate in American Studies at the Freie Universität Berlin, supported by the German Research Foundation. I’ve taught across the humanities and social sciences — from history and literature to journalism and law — at universities in the US and Europe. I also run workshops in transformative and restorative justice. My professional background is in narrative strategy and strategic communications, which I bring into sessions when students need help presenting themselves powerfully
Strengths
My strengths? Getting students unstuck. Making reading and writing less painful — even fun. Helping people say what they really mean. Figuring out how to sound impressive without sounding fake.
If you’re looking for serious support with a personal touch — I’d love to hear from you. Contact info’s at the bottom 👇
sessions, packages & rates
I work with students around the world — including many in Berlin and New York City, where in-person sessions are often an option. I’m fully available for Zoom-based tutoring across time zones and occasionally offer short-term intensives or travel-based arrangements, depending on timing and fit.
My services are tailored and flexible. I offer both hourly sessions and customized packages — from College Application Deep Dive to Grad School Gameplan, Essay Mastery to Thoughtful Oratory. Packages are often the best fit for students tackling a specific project, whether it’s crafting college applications, preparing a d’var, or mastering a major exam. If, on the other hand, you’re seeking long-term academic support, we can devise a plan that fits your goals.
Rates are in line with NYC independent school tutoring norms, reflecting the scope and intensity of support. I also reserve part of my schedule for sliding scale, barter/exchange, and occasional pro bono work — especially for underrepresented students who might not otherwise have access to private tutoring. My mentorship is always queer-affirming and student-centered.
References are available upon request. And I'm happy to offer a complimentary 15-minute consultation — send me a few sentences about your goals, and I’ll reply with a scheduling link. Let’s design a plan that works for you!
