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JD | Former College Professor | AP Gov Reader | SAT/ACT & Writing
Jessica W.

5.0 (140 ratings)

468 hours tutoring

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About Jessica

Bio

I hold a J.D. and B.S. in Political Science, spent more than 15 years teaching at the college level, and have nine years of private tutoring experience. I’m also an AP U.S. Government Reader. I specialize in admissions and academic writing, SAT/ACT English, AP Government, and history.

My teaching starts with how a student thinks. I don’t just look at whether an answer is right or wrong—I listen to how the student got there. That lets me find the actual gap and choose an explanation that...

I hold a J.D. and B.S. in Political Science, spent more than 15 years teaching at the college level, and have nine years of private tutoring experience. I’m also an AP U.S. Government Reader. I specialize in admissions and academic writing, SAT/ACT English, AP Government, and history.

My teaching starts with how a student thinks. I don’t just look at whether an answer is right or wrong—I listen to how the student got there. That lets me find the actual gap and choose an explanation that makes the material click without lowering the academic standard. A math-minded student may understand an essay when we map its structure almost like an equation; another may need to talk through the logic. The standard stays high. The route changes.

Whether we’re working on an admissions essay, an SAT question, an AP FRQ, or a history paper, I teach students to understand the reasoning and structure behind the work. We identify what isn’t working, build a clear system for approaching it, practice it together, and gradually remove the support.

The goal is independence. I want students to leave tutoring knowing not only what to do, but why it works—and eventually be able to do it without me.

Instant Book is welcome. If you have an upcoming test, essay, or assignment, send the material before our session when possible so we can make the most of our time.

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Education

Columbus State University
Political Science
Roger Williams University School of Law
J.D.

Policies

  • Hourly Rate: $75
  • Rate details: 24-Hour Notice Required: To cancel or reschedule your lesson. Late Cancellations: Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours' notice will be charged the full lesson fee.
  • Lesson cancellation: 24 hours notice required

  • Background check passed on 11/27/2023

  • Your first lesson is backed by our Good Fit Guarantee

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Approved Subjects

ACT English

ACT English

With 10+ years of test-prep experience, I use an oral diagnostic and five-tier system to identify exactly where students are losing points and why. We target grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, transitions, and rhetorical skills while building the speed and accuracy needed for ACT English.
ACT Reading

ACT Reading

With 10+ years of test-prep experience, I begin with an oral diagnostic so I can hear how students arrive at their answers—not simply whether they are right or wrong. My five-tier method identifies where reasoning breaks down and targets the reading and analysis skills needed for faster, more accurate ACT performance.
ADHD

ADHD

As a former college professor with over 12 years of experience teaching freshman orientation and advising students, I specialize in clinical executive functioning support for neurodivergent learners. I am trained in and have taught the college-level cognitive mindset curriculum developed by The Pacific Institute, allowing me to help students identify behavioral blind spots, reframe negative self-talk, and master task initiation. My tailored framework focuses on eliminating calendar "dead time" by protecting a student's personal downtime first, then building customized time-management structures around the remaining available hours. I have more than 400 hours of 5-star student tutoring and coaching experience on Wyzant, with a proven track record of helping undergraduates successfully return from academic probation and achieve lasting academic success.
American History

American History

As a former college professor with experience teaching audited AP and high-school history courses, I help students understand the connections between events, ideas, primary sources, and historical arguments—not simply memorize dates. I also teach the writing and document-analysis skills students need for strong history essays and AP-style responses.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I am a dedicated educator with a passion for supporting neurodiverse learners. With experience as a college instructor, I focused on teaching essential life skills, study techniques, and behavior management to students on the autism spectrum. As a certified 6th-12th grade teacher in Florida's alternative education system, I worked with students facing autism challenges, behavioral issues, mental health concerns, and ADHD. Additionally, I served as a legal aid for Individualized Education Program (IEP) students, ensuring their rights were upheld. My commitment to inclusive education extends to training as an IEP advocate equipped to navigate the complexities of special education. I bring to my work a blend of innovative teaching methods, advocacy, empathy, and patience to create a positive and inclusive learning environment tailored to the unique needs of each student.
Career Development

Career Development

With a solid educational background, holding a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate, I have dedicated over a decade to teaching at the college level. My passion for education extends beyond traditional classroom settings. I have also taken on the responsibility of leading the Career Development class, where I guide students on the path to success in their professional journeys. One of my key roles involves assisting students in securing internships within the medical field and facilitating job placements upon graduation. I understand the importance of practical experience in shaping a successful career and actively contribute to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. My expertise goes beyond the confines of academia, as I am well-versed in resume writing, cover letter crafting, and honing networking and interview skills. I believe in empowering individuals with the tools they need to successfully navigate the competitive job market. Whether it's helping a soon-to-be college graduate take their first steps into the professional world or guiding seasoned professionals seeking new opportunities, I provide comprehensive support tailored to individual career goals. As a seasoned tutor, I am committed to imparting knowledge on transferable skills essential for career development. I understand the dynamic nature of today's job market and strive to equip individuals with the skills necessary for their current positions and future career endeavors. Whether someone wants to advance within their current industry or explore opportunities in a different field, I am dedicated to fostering their growth and success. My multifaceted background, encompassing education, career development, and expertise in transferable skills, positions me as a valuable resource for individuals at various stages of their professional journeys. I am passionate about helping others realize their full potential and achieve their career aspirations.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I have more than a decade of experience in college counseling, freshman advising, and student success at the collegiate level. During that time, I advised students on degree planning, course selection, prerequisite sequencing, academic policies, and semester scheduling to help them stay on track for graduation. My background includes extensive work in student retention, executive functioning, study skills, time management, academic planning, and transition-to-college success. I have helped students develop personalized systems for organization, assignment planning, syllabus analysis, test preparation, note-taking, and effective learning strategies while addressing challenges such as procrastination, task initiation, and executive functioning deficits. As a former college professor who taught freshman orientation for more than 12 years, I combine academic advising with evidence-based coaching techniques. I am trained in the college-level cognitive mindset curriculum developed by The Pacific Institute, enabling me to help students recognize behavioral blind spots, reframe negative self-talk, develop resilience, and build sustainable academic habits. In addition, I have accumulated more than 400 hours of 5-star tutoring and coaching experience on Wyzant, where I have successfully guided college students from academic probation to good academic standing through individualized executive functioning support and customized learning strategies.
Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

As a former Criminal Justice professor with two years of faculty teaching experience at South University and holder of a Juris Doctorate (J.D.), I provide a rigorous academic framework for mastering legal studies. My extensive educational background in law allows me to deeply specialize in substantive Criminal Law and Constitutional Law concepts. Backed by over 450 hours of 5-star tutoring experience on Wyzant, I train undergraduate and pre-law students to navigate complex academic materials with confidence. I focus heavily on critical university-level skills, including IRAC case briefing (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion), statutory analysis, and constitutional interpretation. Whether a student is struggling with foundational criminal justice course loads or preparing for advanced exams, I provide the precise structural guidance they need to succeed.
Dyslexia

Dyslexia

Experienced in the Orton Gillingham reading method, I have served as a certified teacher specializing in instructing dyslexic students. Employing a multisensory approach, I utilized the 7-step writing method to bolster the writing skills of dyslexic students. Additionally, I have extended my expertise to collegiate settings, where I provided tailored instruction for dyslexic college students, addressing study skills and co-occurring conditions. My background includes teaching and serving as legal counsel for Individualized Education Program (IEP) students, complemented by training as an IEP advocate.
English

English

With 25 years in education, I work with middle and high school students who need stronger skills in reading comprehension, literary analysis, and academic writing. I teach students how to analyze what they read, organize their thinking, and turn that analysis into clear, well-developed writing—with the goal of building independent skills they can carry into high school and college.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

As a former college professor with over two decades of teaching experience and a Juris Doctorate (J.D.), I approach essay writing from the perspective of the person who actually designs and grades the assignments. Having taught essay writing within college social science curricula and developmental reading courses, I know exactly what instructors look for when evaluating student arguments. I specialize in teaching students how to move past surface-level summary and build sophisticated, evidence-backed academic papers. Leveraging over 450 hours of 5-star tutoring experience on Wyzant, I help high school and undergraduate students master thesis development, structural transitions, and critical analysis. I demystify the grading rubric by training writers to outline with purpose, evaluate source materials, and articulate complex ideas with absolute clarity. Whether a student is navigating an Honors high school research paper or an advanced college social science essay, I provide the insider frameworks necessary to earn top marks.
European History

European History

With 25 years in education, including teaching history and social sciences at the high school and college levels, I help students understand European History through cause and effect, historical context, and connections across events rather than memorizing isolated facts. I also teach students how to analyze primary sources and turn historical evidence into strong, well-supported written responses.
Executive Functioning

Executive Functioning

As a former college professor with over 12 years of experience teaching freshman orientation and advising students, I specialize in clinical executive functioning support. I am trained in and have taught the college-level cognitive mindset curriculum developed by The Pacific Institute, allowing me to help students identify behavioral blind spots, reframe negative self-talk, and master task initiation. My tailored framework focuses on eliminating calendar "dead time" by protecting a student's personal downtime first, then building customized time-management structures around the remaining available hours. I have more than 400 hours of 5-star student tutoring and coaching experience on Wyzant, with a proven track record of helping undergraduates successfully return from academic probation and achieve lasting academic success.
Geography

Geography

I have taught audited AP Human Geography courses and work with students on both content mastery and AP exam preparation. I help students connect population, culture, migration, economics, politics, and the environment while also teaching the structure, evidence, and analysis needed to write strong AP Human Geography FRQ responses.
Government & Politics

Government & Politics

I’m a JD, former college professor, AP U.S. Government Reader, and longtime instructor of audited high-school government courses for homeschool students. I help students connect constitutional principles, institutions, Supreme Court cases, and political behavior so they understand how government works—not simply memorize facts.
Homeschool

Homeschool

Experienced and dedicated homeschool educator with a passion for fostering a love of learning in students. With 7 years of hands-on experience working with and tutoring homeschool students, I have honed my skills in tailoring education to meet individual needs and preferences. My expertise extends across various curriculum methods, including Charlotte Mason, constructivism, unit study, and project-based learning. I am well-versed in adapting these methodologies to create a dynamic and engaging educational experience for students at the elementary and middle school levels. One of my key strengths lies in preparing students for state tests by meticulously aligning curriculum with state standards and exploring alternative methods to ensure comprehensive understanding. Through this approach, I have consistently helped students achieve scores at or above grade level. Additionally, I have successfully worked with high school students, providing focused preparation for standardized tests such as the ACT and other high-stakes assessments. The results speak for themselves, with all students under my guidance scoring at grade level or beyond. My commitment to fostering a positive and supportive learning environment, coupled with my in-depth knowledge of various educational methods, positions me as a valuable resource for homeschooling families seeking a dedicated and experienced educator.
Legal Writing

Legal Writing

I hold a Juris Doctor (JD) and spent 15+ years teaching at the college level, including law-related courses such as Constitutional Law and Medical Law & Ethics. My teaching required instruction in case analysis, legal reasoning, issue identification, application of law to facts, and structured analytical writing. I have extensive experience teaching and evaluating research-based and analytical writing and can teach legal writing methods including IRAC/CREAC, case analysis, organization of legal arguments, use of authority, citation integration, and clear legal analysis. My JD training and years of teaching law and college-level analytical writing provide the academic and professional foundation for tutoring Legal Writing.
Personal Statements

Personal Statements

As a former college professor with a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, and more than 135 five-star reviews on the Wyzant platform, I provide elite, high-level strategic guidance for crafting standout personal statements. My extensive academic and legal training allows me to teach students how to build unshakeable essay architectures, compelling introductory hooks, and seamless thematic transitions that capture the attention of admissions committees. I completely reject rigid, cookie-cutter advice, choosing instead to design custom developmental feedback systems tailored to each student's unique personality and authentic learning style. Throughout my instructional career, I have successfully mentored high school and collegiate applicants to streamline their narrative portfolios, refine their rhetorical syntax, and elevate their unique personal stories so they can confidently navigate highly competitive admissions processes.
Proofreading

Proofreading

As a former college professor and AP Reader, I have evaluated thousands of student papers and written responses. I provide detailed review of academic, admissions, and professional writing, focusing on grammar, syntax, clarity, organization, transitions, and readability while preserving the writer’s voice. Live sessions and detailed draft review are available through Wyzant.
PSAT

PSAT

With 10+ years of SAT/PSAT prep experience, I begin with an oral diagnostic so I can hear how students arrive at their answers—not simply whether they are right or wrong. My five-tier method identifies specific gaps in reading, grammar, and test reasoning, then targets those skills to build accuracy, speed, and confidence for the PSAT and future SAT.
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

With 10+ years of SAT prep experience, I begin with an oral diagnostic so I can hear how a student reasons through each question—not just whether the answer is right or wrong. I use a five-tier system to pinpoint skill gaps, correct the reasoning behind missed answers, and build students toward faster, more accurate, independent test performance.
SAT Writing

SAT Writing

With 10+ years of SAT prep experience, I use an oral diagnostic and five-tier system to identify not only which Writing questions students miss, but why they miss them. We target grammar, sentence structure, transitions, rhetorical analysis, and recurring SAT patterns, building from foundational skills to faster, more accurate test-day decisions.
Social Studies

Social Studies

Hello, I'm Jessica, and my educational journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, followed by a Juris Doctorate. With two decades of teaching experience in college and certification for grades 6-12, I've tutored students in various subjects, including AP Government, AP US History, and both regular and honors-level courses in Government, American History, and World History. My expertise extends to teaching government at the college level. I take pride in designing lessons that cater to students' unique learning styles. I'm equally comfortable offering single classes focused on specific topics, ensuring a tailored and effective educational experience for each individual.
Study Skills

Study Skills

With 25 years in education, I am a former college professor who also held a 6–12 Social Studies teaching license while developing secondary-level programs. I help middle and high school students understand history, government, civics, and geography through connections and analysis while strengthening primary-source and academic writing skills.
United States History

United States History

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science alongside a Juris Doctorate (J.D.), and drawing from over two decades of college teaching experience, I bring an elite level of analytical and historical context to United States History. Because the evolution of America is deeply intertwined with legal, political, and constitutional frameworks, my educational background allows me to help students master both the core narrative and the complex structural shifts in U.S. history. Backed by over 450 hours of 5-star tutoring experience on Wyzant, I specialize in helping high school and undergraduate students navigate General, Honors, and Advanced Placement (APUSH) courses. I focus heavily on the precise mechanical skills required to earn top grades, including primary source analysis, historical contextualization, and thesis-driven essay writing. Whether a student needs foundational chronological review or advanced test-taking strategies to conquer the AP U.S. History exam, I provide the insider frameworks they need to excel.
World History

World History

With 25 years in education, I am a former college professor and private homeschool instructor with experience tutoring high-school students in World History, including college-level dual-enrollment courses. I help students connect civilizations, geography, events, and cause and effect while building the source-analysis and evidence-based writing skills needed for strong essays and higher-level coursework.
Writing

Writing

I teach middle and high school students how to build strong essays from the ground up—not just fix the paper in front of them. Using a structured outline-and-scaffolding method developed through 15+ years of teaching, I help students learn to break down prompts, organize ideas, develop paragraphs, and move toward clear, independent writing.

Examples of Expertise

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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (140 ratings)
5 star
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4 star
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Reviews

Exceptional History teacher

Miss. Jessica is an amazing teacher, human being and a friend to my 7th grader. Her dedication, passion with knowledge about History has helped my daughter immensely so much so that my daughter has started taking interest in the subject and scoring A ➕️ in the subject. Miss. Jessica goes out of her way to make her understand the subject in terms of explanation , patience and spending extra time if needed. She is so sweet to my daughter that my daughter looks forward to her class every week. Because of her engaging teacher method , my daughter confidently talks about the subject. We truly feel very grateful and appreciative to have found her as out daughter's teacher come friend. I sincerely hope other parents should take advantage of this genuine teacher. Thank you Miss Jessica !

Jayashree, 98 lessons with Jessica

Knowledgeable and patient tutor

Jessica continues to guide me on my journey with tools and accountability. She gives me testing knowledge to help me study for my license exam. She has the strength to help those with mental challenges of coming up with new methods.

Gabrielle Sundhari, 4 lessons with Jessica

Excellent TLC with a student who has never before had a tutor

An experienced teacher who can share the value and practical implementation of good study skills. Old school (which of course is a good thing :-) My kid loves her, she's the best.

Don, 1 lesson with Jessica

Thorough and patient tutor for your most precious cargo!

Jessica has moved the needle with our precious Charli quickly. We've found ourselves in a unique situation with some foundational reading issues and we've felt her steady hand and thorough advice every step of the way. She was straightforward and sobering in a time where we could have reacted emotionally as a family. If you're looking for a turnaround that's backed up with a plan, bet on Jessica!

Tiffany, 34 lessons with Jessica

Knowlegeable and fantastic teacher

Jessica helped my daughter with some assignments for her government class. I was not only very impressed with the fact that she was knowlegeable but had my daughter engaged, smiling and actually enjoying the class. I say this because this was the first time I ever saw my daughter smile or be enthusiastic working on this subject that she hated all year long. In my daughter's own words "Jessica is an awesome teacher" Thank you Jessica!

Gabriela, 2 lessons with Jessica

Helpful, knowledgeable, and patient tutor!

Jessica is helping my son learn study skills and testing taking techniques for college level courses. She has created a plan for him based on his strengths and weak areas, as well as the specific classes he will be taking this semester. Thanks Jessica!

Katie, 55 lessons with Jessica