Ivy League-trained journalist specializing in reading/writing

Dan S.

Hi there, I'm Dan! I'm a Columbia University alum and former newspaper reporter and editor eager to make a difference.

I work with students who need support with reading and writing to help them realize their full potential. I believe people learn best when they're enjoying it — in a focused but low-pressure environment — so I aim to provide a personalized and down-to-earth approach with each student. I like getting to know different kinds of students and understanding how to help them do their best work based on their personalities, learning styles and what they know works best for them.

I graduated from Columbia in 2017 with a double major in anthropology and nonfiction creative writing. After school, I spent seven years as a journalist, mostly at Dallas' Pulitzer Prize-winning 140-year-old newspaper, The Dallas Morning News, where I ran teams of writers covering arts and culture and mentored recent graduates in their writing careers. Every day was an adventure in covering breaking news and working with writers of different skill levels — from those fresh out of school to ones who'd interviewed presidents in the Rose Garden. One of my favorite parts was helping young writers succeed in the fast-paced setting of a daily newsroom by building meaningful relationships with them.

I started tutoring fellow students when I was in high school and continued through college. I have experience working with middle and high school students.

I welcome any guidance from parents about their goals for their kids and how to help them succeed. Feel free to ask away if you have questions. I respond quickly.

I specialize in writing (all levels and styles), reading comprehension, English and language arts, SAT/ACT reading and writing sections, college essay and application writing, grammar, research skills and academic writing, history and social studies.