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ELA, Reading & Essay Specialist | SSAT, SHSAT, SAT/ACT Tutor
Wendy S.

5.0 (272 ratings)

841 hours tutoring

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About Wendy

Bio

Hi, I’m Wendy, an experienced full-time tutor dedicated to helping students excel in reading, writing, and test prep. Over the past decade, I’ve guided hundreds of students to top scores on the SSAT, SHSAT, SAT, ACT, TACHS, PSAT, and Regents exams (ELA and U.S. History). I also specialize in AP Literature, AP Language, and selective admissions exams such as the Hunter College High School Entrance Exam.

I tailor every lesson to each student’s learning style, using proven strategies to build...

Hi, I’m Wendy, an experienced full-time tutor dedicated to helping students excel in reading, writing, and test prep. Over the past decade, I’ve guided hundreds of students to top scores on the SSAT, SHSAT, SAT, ACT, TACHS, PSAT, and Regents exams (ELA and U.S. History). I also specialize in AP Literature, AP Language, and selective admissions exams such as the Hunter College High School Entrance Exam.

I tailor every lesson to each student’s learning style, using proven strategies to build confidence, reduce test anxiety, and deliver real results. Whether you're preparing for a major exam or need help with essays and classwork, I’ll meet you where you are and help you get where you need to go.

I hold a B.A. from Skidmore College, a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law, and an ESL certificate from The New School. My diverse academic background allows me to simplify complex material and design engaging, effective lessons. I combine structure, warmth, and accountability to ensure every student makes real progress. Let’s work together to help you succeed.

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Education

Skidmore College
B.A.
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
J.D.
The New School - ESL certificate
Other

Policies

Schedule

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Approved Subjects

ACT English

ACT English

I have successfully guided many high school students through the English & Reading Sections of the ACT. I have done this both in group sessions and via private tutoring. My goal is to customize an individualized plan for each student and work with them towards achieving it.
ACT Reading

ACT Reading

I have been teaching ACT Reading & ACT English professionally for CUNY's grant program. I also help students with reading comprehension and test-taking in a private capacity.
American History

American History

As an American Studies major and former attorney, American History is my passion. I enjoy helping high school students supplement their coursework and successfully prepare for the AP American History examination.
College Counseling

College Counseling

I have helped many students navigate the college application process both publicly, (as part of a city grant program) and privately. Currently, I teach high school students how to master the college admissions process. This includes identifying their core values, interests, and academic goals. From there, I help students navigate their universal statement to help them best showcase their highlight reel within the confines of a word character count. I also help students prepare for standardized testing when necessary. I have helped countless students get into their dream schools and universities, and I truly enjoy helping them find the right fit.
Creative Writing

Creative Writing

With a strong background in English and years of experience guiding middle and high school students through essays and narrative writing, I bring structure and inspiration to creative writing sessions. I help students in these age groups develop authentic voices, build engaging story arcs, and refine their use of literary devices. My approach blends encouragement with clear, constructive feedback so they feel confident taking creative risks. Whether they’re crafting a short story, a personal statement, or a creative response for class, I provide the tools and support they need to express themselves with clarity and imagination.
Debate

Debate

As a former litigator, I spent years sharpening my debate skills in the courtroom. Now, as a tutor, I teach students to do the same: to identify key issues, research thoroughly, build persuasive arguments, anticipate and address counterclaims, and deliver their points with confidence and clarity.
English

English

I have been working as an English Tutor for the last ten years in various capacities. I have helped students reach their reading and writing goals both inside classrooms and via private tutoring. I have worked with students on everything from standardized test-taking to writing competitions to personal statements and so much more...
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I have been teaching ESL for the last 10 years. I have my ESL Certificate and have taught the spouses of diplomats at the United Nations. My lessons include an emphasis on day-to-day conversation, literacy, and grammar. I am happy to tailor our sessions to suit your specific goals and needs.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

I guide students through everything from timed standardized test essays (ISEE, SSAT, AP Language, AP Literature & Composition etc.) to academic papers and personal statements. My method equips students with a practical writing toolbox to develop, organize, and express ideas clearly and confidently. With a focus on structure, clarity, and voice, I empower students to write purpose-driven essays for any subject or setting.) to academic papers and personal statements. My method equips students with a practical writing toolbox to develop, organize, and express ideas clearly and confidently. With a focus on structure, clarity, and voice, I empower students to write purpose-driven essays for any subject or setting.
Grammar

Grammar

I have worked with students of all grade levels to improve their grammar. This frequently includes punctuation, paragraph formation, spelling, vocabulary, and language errors. Depending on each student's specific needs and abilities, I will do my best to find creative ways to ensure they meet their academic goals. This can range widely from weekly homework assignments to standardized test preparation.
Homeschool

Homeschool

As an experienced tutor specializing in standardized test prep and literacy development, I provide tailored, engaging instruction that aligns with homeschooling needs. I have worked closely with parents to plan and build comprehensive ELA programs for all grade levels, ensuring a structured and effective approach to reading, writing, and critical thinking. My hands-on teaching style helps students grasp complex concepts through interactive learning, fostering both academic growth and confidence. With a background in English, law, and ESL instruction, I bring a well-rounded skill set to support diverse learning styles and curriculum goals, making me a valuable asset to any homeschool program.
ISEE

ISEE

With extensive experience in standardized test prep, I provide targeted, effective tutoring for the ISEE, helping students master verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and the essential ELA and vocabulary skills needed for the exam. My hands-on approach ensures students develop test-taking strategies, time management skills, and confidence. Having built ELA programs for all grade levels, I specialize in strengthening vocabulary, reading, and writing—key components of the ISEE. I customize lessons to ensure optimal results.
PSAT

PSAT

I have helped many students conquer the reading and writing sections of the PSAT. For many, this test is a teen's first experience in the world of standardized testing. My goal is to ensure they are well-prepared and set up for success on test day.
Reading

Reading

Struggling with reading comprehension or vocabulary? I provide expert reading tutoring tailored to all grade levels, helping students build confidence, fluency, and critical thinking skills. With a proven track record of success, I customize lessons to fit individual needs, ensuring measurable progress. Whether prepping for standardized tests or enhancing literacy skills, I make reading engaging and effective!
Regents

Regents

I have successfully tutored numerous students for their Regents examinations in English Language Arts (ELA) and American History. I provide tutoring for both these exams as part of my job with CUNY's STEM program. Additionally, before law school, I majored in American Studies (an interdisciplinary degree combining English and American History).
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

I help students raise their SAT Reading scores by teaching targeted strategies that build confidence and improve comprehension with every passage. We focus on identifying main ideas, analyzing tone and author’s purpose, and mastering inference and vocabulary-in-context questions, which are some of the most challenging parts of the test. My students learn how to read actively, annotate efficiently, and apply techniques that lead to measurable score increases. With personalized guidance, even reluctant readers build the skills and confidence needed to succeed on test day.
SHSAT (NY HS admissions)

SHSAT (NY HS admissions)

I have successfully tutored numerous New York City students in preparing for the SHSAT, helping them meet and exceed their academic goals. My expertise lies in the ELA section of the exam, with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Many of my students have gained admission to top specialized high schools as a result of our focused and personalized preparation.
SSAT

SSAT

I have helped many students drastically improve their scores on the SSAT. I tend to work best with students who are having difficulty navigating the reading, verbal, and essay sections. This includes the challenging analogy questions, frequently foreign to first-time test takers. I enjoy this exam because it provides ample opportunity to build test-taking strategies, that carry over for the remainder of students' academic careers.
Social Studies
Study Skills
Vocabulary
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Ratings and Reviews

Rating

5.0 (272 ratings)
5 star
(271)
4 star
(1)
3 star
(0)
2 star
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1 star
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Reviews

5 stars!

Wendy is an absolute gift to work with. She tutored me on the verbal section of the SSAT and my percentile went from 70% to 98%. I've had other tutors and no one else could bring my score up by that much. Wendy was also able to help both my sister and me with our admission essays, and the grammar and language of both essays improved tremendously. My sister was accepted to the school that Wendy helped with, and I was accepted to every school I applied to. Additionally, Wendy not only made a difference, but she made it fun. Whenever a tutor session was mentioned, my sister and I would absolutely refuse to do it with anyone other than Wendy, because Wendy was the only tutor that we actually had fun with. I would look forward to my lessons every week because of the positive and energetic manner that Wendy taught her lessons in. I already recommended her to my friend Aftab who loves her just as much as me. I can't even imagine working with anyone else for vocab or essays. If you are thinking about working with Wendy, I cannot tell you how much I hope you do work with her! I cannot recommend her enough, and we will definitely be booking lessons with her in the future.

Lin, 13 lessons with Wendy

Absolutely Amazing ELA tutor !!!

Wendy was a wonderful resource for my son's High school ELA regions test. She was always punctual and well prepared. Wendy was extremely detailed on her end of session reviews. I would highly recommend her service !! With Wendy’s help , my son achieved a very satisfactory score in his English regents .

Anni, 7 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much! This makes my day!

Excellent Creative Writing Session

My daughter really enjoyed her first session with Wendy and is looking forward to working with her going forward. Wendy was very engaging and made the work fun.

Ingrid, 9 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

Yay! Thank you !!

Knowledgeable & Patient

Wendy has been tutoring my son for a few weeks now, and he’s much more confident when it comes to comprehending the reading he’s doing in his 10th grade English class.

Jose R, 9 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much!

SSAT Prep

Wendy has been an exceptional tutor for our son as he prepared for the SSAT. Her expertise in test-taking strategies and understanding of the exam structure was incredibly helpful. Wendy provided clear guidance on what to expect, which greatly reduced our son's anxiety and boosted his confidence. One of the standout aspects of Wendy's tutoring was the custom Quizlet content she created for our son. This personalized approach allowed him to practice effectively and consistently improve his performance. Thanks to her efforts, he reached a point where he was getting the majority of the answers correct on his practice tests. In addition to test preparation, Wendy also worked on enhancing our son's essay writing skills. Her feedback was constructive and insightful, helping him to express his ideas more clearly and cohesively. Overall, Wendy's dedication and personalized approach have made a significant difference in our son's SSAT preparation. We are extremely grateful for her support and highly recommend her services.

Peter, 7 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much!

Excellent tutor

Wendy is an excellent, tutor she helped me understand very well the articles from my grad school program. She also helped me prepared for a leader discussion in my class and a presentation too. I got both A's on both assignments. Wendy also give me strategies on how to read articles. I highly recommend Wendy.

Blanca, 58 lessons with Wendy

Very caring and patient teacher, very professional approach, I am very pleased , thank you very much ! !

Classic conversation and grammar, And STILL the teacher helps me overcome my accent! And STILL the teacher helps me overcome my accent! In general, teacher Wendy taught me new words, I began to speak more boldly thanks to teacher Wendy, teacher Wendy helped me a lot with grammar and continues to help me cope with my accent

Sam, 72 lessons with Wendy

Very knowledgeable and fun to work with tutor.

Wendy has taught my daughter a lot in these two sessions so far. My daughter enjoys having a great tutor and she and I are looking forward to the next lessons she will have.

Lily, 51 lessons with Wendy

Great teacher

Explained very well, very good amount of patience. Really looks like she knows and professionalizes in what she does with her testing.

Jane, 32 lessons with Wendy