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Think critically.
Write excellently.

Tutoring writing, critical thinking, and humanities subjects for middle school, high school, and college students.

About MaryRachel
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    Writing & Essay Coaching

    Essays, research papers, college applications & more.

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    SAT / ACT & APs Prep

    Reading comprehension, grammar & style, argument analysis & logic.

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    Humanities Tutoring

    Classics & ancient history, philosophy & critical thinking, government & civics.

Hi, I’m MaryRachel!

I offer virtual & in-person tutoring in writing, critical thinking, and the humanities subjects for middle school, high school, and college students!

I help students learn to organize their ideas, strengthen their arguments, and communicate with clarity whether they’re working on school essays, preparing for the APs/SAT/ACT, or navigating humanities coursework.

My approach is calm, structured, and tailored to each student. I’m especially well-suited for students who feel overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or capable but not yet confident!

Together, we focus on building skills that last well beyond a single assignment or test.

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FAQ

  • Sessions last 60 to 75 minutes and are calm, structured, and supportive. Meeting virtually is the default, but if you’re local to Austin, TX I’m happy to meet in-person!

    I start with a brief check-in to understand what feels most challenging or stressful. This helps students settle in and gives them a chance to articulate where they’re coming from.

    Next, I do a short diagnostic based on the subject reviewing a piece of writing, working through a brief SAT-style passage, or talking through a humanities concept to understand how the student is thinking, where they’re getting stuck, and whether the challenge is confidence, skill, or both.

    Each session focuses on teaching one clear, practical skill, such as building a strong thesis, organizing an argument, or knowing how to start when a task feels overwhelming. This keeps sessions focused and ensures students leave with a tangible takeaway.

    We close by reviewing what we worked on and setting a clear plan for next steps.

    Any follow-up work is light and manageable, designed to steady progress without adding stress.

  • My hourly rate varies based on stage and need:

    • Middle School: $65/hr

    • High School: $75/hr

    • APs, SAT/ACT, college admissions: $90/hr

    Packages help students make real progress and keep things consistent.

    • Essay Coaching Package
      3 sessions (brainstorm → draft → polish)
      $275

    • APs & SAT/ACT Reading & Writing
      6 sessions
      $500

    • Weekly Humanities Support
      4 sessions/month
      $350

  • I have degrees in journalism, classics, and philosophy, politics & economics from UNC-Chapel Hill, plus a 10-year professional background in marketing, branding & communications, writing & content development, student ministry & mentorship.

    I leverage my academic and professional experiences in how I tutor students with warmth, intelligence & excellence!

    For more details on my experience, visit my LinkedIn.

Get in Touch!