PrepNow Tutor - Michelle S.
“I’m someone who thrives at the intersection of creativity and conviction—I love big questions, bold ideas, and turning both into action,” Michelle says. Michelle graduated from Cornell University with a BA in government and China and Asia-Pacific studies, and minors in law and society and the history of capitalism. She received distinctions in all subjects and was the recipient of the Sherman Cochran Prize for outstanding scholarship in the humanities and China and Asia-Pacific Studies. Michelle is currently the campaign manager for a Cambridge City Council campaign and has a long history of involvement with local politics and policy. She has served as a private tutor, writing center coach, and classroom instructor.
Michelle started teaching when she was twelve, helping younger students with visual arts in multiple mediums. Following that, she worked in various after-school programs teaching pre-algebra, geometry, introductory coding, and animation. Eventually, she started tutoring her peers through the honors program at her high school and taking on private clients. “My proudest moment was when one of my SAT students, who initially doubted her abilities, raised her Reading/Writing score significantly and was accepted to her dream college,” Michelle recalls. “Seeing her confidence transform reminded me why I do this work—it’s not just about scores; it’s about self-belief.”
Michelle has a robust background tutoring the SAT, and she has also tutored college-level writing, visual arts, and math at various levels. “My style is relationship-driven, encouraging, and highly adaptive,” Michelle says. “I center each student’s unique strengths and learning style while using structure and clear goals to guide progress. I believe that great tutoring builds not just knowledge, but also confidence and resilience, and that this process can be empowering while remaining results-oriented.” Additionally, Michelle brings a growth mindset to every session, helping students take ownership of their success.
As a student, Michelle was involved in theater and performing arts, student government, Model UN, parliamentary debate, and humanities research.
“I ran for Ithaca City Council at age 19, earning 48.2% of the vote in a historic youth-led campaign that mobilized hundreds of voters,” Michelle shares.
She was the recipient of numerous honors and earned scholarships to study abroad in high school and college. Michelle enjoys working with polymer clay and making jewelry, attending live music and theater performances, and exploring new cities. She is also a passionate advocate for youth civic engagement and spends time volunteering in voter education efforts. “At heart, I’m curious, driven, and endlessly fascinated by the world and the people in it,” Michelle says.
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