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Certified ELA Teacher | AP Lang, SAT/ACT & College Essay Specialist
Merritt M.

4.9 (31 ratings)

142 hours tutoring

Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee
Hourly Rate: $45
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Response time: 42 minutes

About Merritt

Bio

Hello! My name is Ms. Michelbrink. I'm a National Board Certified English Language Arts teacher and Teacher of the Year nominee specializing in reading and writing support, SAT/ACT prep, AP Lang / Lit, and college admissions essays. I create individualized learning plans that raise grades, increase scores, build confidence, and help students gain admission to highly selective programs.

With over seven years of classroom experience teaching middle and high school English, including AP...

Hello! My name is Ms. Michelbrink. I'm a National Board Certified English Language Arts teacher and Teacher of the Year nominee specializing in reading and writing support, SAT/ACT prep, AP Lang / Lit, and college admissions essays. I create individualized learning plans that raise grades, increase scores, build confidence, and help students gain admission to highly selective programs.

With over seven years of classroom experience teaching middle and high school English, including AP Language and Composition, I've helped hundreds of students strengthen literacy skills. I have also worked extensively as a college admissions coach for students applying to undergraduate, masters, law school, medical school, and PhD programs, supporting them in crafting powerful personal statements and competitive scholarship essays.

My tutoring blends rigorous academic instruction with student-centered support. For academic reading and writing, I build strong literacy foundations. My highly interactive lessons use a combination of guided and independent practice to help students think like historians, scientists, and authors. I have worked with all learners, including students with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning needs, and I have a proven track record of success. My approach consistently boosts test scores, grades, and confidence.

My SAT/ACT and AP test programs combine skills development with test-taking. I design targeted plans to teach students how to break down complex reading passages, recognize question types, write stronger essays under time constraints, and use time management to increase scores.

For college admissions and scholarship essays, I guide students to tell a compelling story that shows who they are and why their chosen program is the next step in their story.

Across all services, I focus on supporting students as whole learners. I value communication with families, and I am always available to discuss goals and progress.

I look forward to working with you!

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Education

Western Washington University
English Literature
Western Washington University
Masters

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $45
  • Rate details: Cancellation fees will equal the full amount of a scheduled lesson not cancelled 12 hours in advance.
  • Lesson cancellation: 12 hours notice required

  • No background check

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ADHD

ADHD

I am a public school teacher, and I have experience working with students with ADHD in my classroom. I understand that students with ADHD are not lazy or "bad kids." They just need extra support with organization and planning. I design my lessons to be interactive and engaging, building on students' strengths so that they can feel successful. I include plenty of movement, breaks, and student interests to keep students on task.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I teach English Language Arts in public schools, and I have experience preparing students for college admissions. Whether it is creating a list of potential colleges, writing the personal statement, crafting a resume, or applying for financial aid, I am here to guide students in their college journey. I specialize in catering college applications for specific colleges and programs to help students stand out from the crowd. I am here to help your student gain acceptance into their top choice schools!
Common Core

Common Core

I am a certified teacher in public schools. I am familiar with Common Core standards and use them in my classrooms. I design my instruction to break down the standards into manageable skills, teach specific strategies to achieve the skills, and practice to strategies with students so they can perform the skills independently in class or for standardized tests.
English

English

Washington state certification with endorsement in 6-12 language arts.
Grammar

Grammar

I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Washington state. I have a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, which included course work in linguistics and grammar. As a public school teacher, I have taught and developed curriculum to teach grammar and writing rules.
Homeschool

Homeschool

I am a certified teacher in Washington State. My educational background includes a Masters in Teaching and a Bachelors in English Literature. I am experienced in designing lessons that align to state standards as needed, developing specific strategies to meet students' needs, and creating activities that are engaging and interactive for students. I work with both the student, family, and other teachers to ensure that homeschooled students are receiving a well-rounded education.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

Hi! I'm a certified teacher and have been working in public schools for the past 6 years. I have worked as a college admissions coach for students applying to university, Masters programs, and PhD programs. I specialize in helping students tell a story that showcases why they are the best fit for their programs of choice. I can help students brainstorm, select, and organize their ideas. We then work together to write a cohesive story that shows, rather than tells, what makes each student special. I have helped dozens of students gain acceptance into their top choice schools, and I'm excited to help you too!
Reading

Reading

Washington state certified teacher with endorsement in 6-12 language arts.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

I taught AP Language and Composition to junior and senior students in public school.
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

Washington state certified teacher. Taught AP Language and Composition to juniors and seniors in public schools.
Social Studies

Social Studies

I received a Bachelors in English Literature and minor in Social Studies from an accredited university. I have taught social studies at a variety of academic levels.
Spelling

Spelling

I am a National Board Certified Teacher (highest teaching credential) and have 6 years of classroom teaching experience. I have taught all ages of students and have a track record of success. My students can significantly increase their spelling skills in 3-6 months.
Study Skills

Study Skills

I am a certified teacher and have been a tutor for over 10 years. I have helped numerous students with learning effective study and organizational techniques.
World History

World History

I hold a Bachelor's in English Literature with a minor in history. I have taught history classes in public schools, including Ancient World History, AP Human Geography, and AP US History.
Writing

Writing

I am a certified English teacher, and I have taught classes at numerous levels including AP Language and Composition. In my work as a tutor, I have helped students improve their writing for a variety of situations, including test prep, college admissions, and scholarship applications.
Vocabulary

Examples of Expertise

Merritt has provided examples of their subject expertise by answering 4 questions submitted by students on Wyzant’s Ask an Expert.

See all of Merritt ’s answers ›
Merritt M.'s Photo

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Response time: 42 minutes

Ratings and Reviews

Rating

4.9 (31 ratings)
5 star
(28)
4 star
(3)
3 star
(0)
2 star
(0)
1 star
(0)

Reviews

First Lesson

Very good energy, confident, knowledgeable, understanding, patient, good communicator I feel very optimistic about improving. Off to a solid start.

Layton, 9 lessons with Merritt

Gave good feedback

She gave me good feedback on my college essays she also did them fast and I feel like they helped me finalize it more she fixed grammar and included things I should include

Parmida, 1 lesson with Merritt

Empathetic and organize tutor

Merritt was very flexible and explained the process step by step and created a plan to follow in the subsequent sessions. I sincerely appreciate her listening. She is just unique, intelligent, organized, honest, and has a lot of positive attitude to motivate me to continue pursuing my goals.

Angela, 8 lessons with Merritt

Super helpful and kind

Merritt is great with my daughter and is able to help her in the areas where she struggles. Highly recommend! She was quick to respond and is easy to coordinate with.

Jenn, 3 lessons with Merritt

Capable, organized, and encouraging!

Merritt has been really terrific. First, she is a wonderful tutor, but she also was very understanding with our technical issues and helped our daughter find workarounds and keep making progress! Thank you!

Connie, 7 lessons with Merritt
Hourly Rate: $45
Response time: 42 minutes
Contact Merritt