Danielle

• Calm, patient, & encouraging support with Latin, Greek, & Oxbridge/Ivy League applications • PhD Princeton • MSt. (Distinction) Oxford • BA (1st class) Cambridge • Award-winning Classics teacher with 12+ years' experience, including in leading independent secondary schools in London & NYC. •

For the 2023-24 academic year, I'm working as a full-time tutor with around thirty tutees across various platforms and via word of mouth. Please note that my term-time availability is quite limited, especially at popular tutoring times (evenings and weekends), but do feel free to get in touch to see if we might be able to find a mutually convenient slot. My schedule will open up from June onwards, once exam season is over.

I’m happy to offer online tuition in Latin and Ancient Greek at KS3, GCSE/iGCSE and A-Level (particularly OCR board), and degree level, as well as preparation for entrance exams for top schools (e.g. 13+, Westminster's 16+). I also regularly support Humanities students with successful applications for top UK and US universities, in addition to providing shorter-term Oxbridge interview practice. My students' recent admissions include Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, Columbia, and Yale. With experience of the university systems in both the UK and US, I can provide tailored writing support on UCAS personal statements and US Common App essays alike.

I have experience tutoring students at Birmingham University, Cambridge University, Channing School, Cheltenham Ladies' College, City of London School, Downe House, Durham University, Edinburgh University, Eton, Exeter University, Fettes, Francis Holland, Harrow, Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Old Palace School, Oxford University, Queen's College, Sevenoaks, St Mary's Calne, St Mary's University, St Paul's Girls' School, The Pilgrims' School, Tonbridge School, University College London, University College School, Westminster, Winchester College, Wolsey Hall, and Wycombe Abbey, among others.

I’ve previously received two institutional awards for teaching excellence based on my students’ nominations: a 2013 Princeton University postgraduate award for my beginners’ Latin course, and a 2018 faculty award at my previous school in New York for my commitment to pupils.

I seek to bring kindness, patience, and creativity to my interactions with all my students, from Year 7 beginners to Year 13s planning their path to university and beyond. My little cat, whose sense of professional boundaries is a work in progress, sometimes climbs on my shoulder during the sessions and helps out.

Tutoring Experience

I've been a classroom teacher and/or private tutor in Classics in both the UK and USA for many years, most recently at a GDST school where I was also a Year 12 form tutor and supported students through the UCAS process. I have extensive experience in developing tutoring strategies and resources, and have previously designed and led pedagogy workshops at Princeton University’s Writing Centre.

Deeply committed to helping my students to achieve the very best results, I stay up-to-date with my professional development training as a teacher. I recently attended the Keynote Educational webinar, “A Level Latin - Aiming for A/A*”, as well as a two-day residential conference on the application of cognitive science and psychology research in the secondary school classroom, to learn how to coach my students to implement effective memorisation techniques. With a particular interest in the pastoral side of the teaching and learning relationship, especially in light of the educational and emotional upheavals caused by the pandemic, I've completed a year-long foundational training in mental health counselling as professional development (370 hours’ total qualification time).

Tutoring Approach

Latin and Greek are hugely rewarding subjects but can also be daunting, so I see my job not only as equipping learners with the necessary grammatical and contextual tools to access a different language and culture, but also putting them at ease with warmth, encouragement, and calm. I aim to strike a balance between organisation and versatility, remaining attuned to their changing needs and adapting my approach accordingly. Whether I’m teaching in a classroom or one-to-one, my goal is that students come away equipped not simply with new-found abilities, but also with a new-found sense of confidence and a desire to improve and refine those abilities further.

I also enjoy supporting applicants through the rigorous Oxbridge application process: guiding them as they craft a compelling personal statement which reflects their own voice, interests, and experiences; assisting them as they prepare for the language admissions test (Oxford’s CAT and Cambridge’s at-interview assessment); pointing them in the direction of relevant articles, books, and podcasts to extend their own learning; helping them to hone their discussion and analytical skills for interview, including planning for questions on material sources and literary interpretation at sight, and considering current issues within the discipline.

Alongside tutoring, I spend my time volunteering as a coach/mentor with an educational charity.

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Testimonials

“I was tutored by Danielle through my whole application season, and she is the best teacher I have encountered in my study career so far! Her advice on my personal statement was very helpful, and our mock interviews have covered a wide range of possible questions. She was cautious and patient throughout the whole process. Without her help, it would have been impossible for me to get the offer from Cambridge. I think there is no better proof of her ability than helping a Chinese autodidact, who had no opportunity to receive any systematic training on the subject, get an offer of Cambridge's Classics course.”
Successful Cambridge University applicant

"Excellent, organised, highly experienced and specific - totally the best."
Parent of a home-educated Latin GCSE student

"Danielle was my Latin tutor, allocated to me by Cambridge, from January to the end of exams (A Levels). I am so grateful for her. She has helped me so much and carefully guided me throughout every single session we have had. She has shown me so much support and given me so much confidence and eased my anxiety. I went from getting Bs/Cs to As and A*s, which is literally insane. Danielle has helped me to consolidate the foundations of my subject in order to flourish. She is so passionate at what she does and also very empathetic."
Year 13 Student

"Highly recommend -- I was really struggling with my dissertation but Danielle has helped me so much. Her patience, expertise and humour has helped me to create something I am proud of. Worth every penny!"
MA student in Educational Leadership

"Due to lockdown, [my son] failed his final year but was allowed to resit. Danielle was fantastic. Her patience, insight and kindness were exactly what my son needed."
Parent of a 3rd-year undergraduate

“I don't believe I've ever met a tutor more thoughtful and truly invested in seeing her charges succeed.  For that, I am deeply thankful.”
Parent of a Year 9

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your working with [my daughter] this summer. You have inspired her and also helped immensely in her maturity at identifying strengths and weaknesses, all while instilling a sense of confidence and nurturing her love of learning.  I am so impressed with your methods and strategies. I will definitely be in touch with any future need.”
Parent of a Year 10

"[My daughter] says you’ve been amazingly helpful, more so than anyone else. She LOVES your sessions and says how much you make her laugh, which makes learning less anxious."
Parent of a Year 9

"[My daughter] was laughing so hard with the way you taught her how to remember some declension. You are great for her and the mnemonic tricks to help her do work!! She said that you are the best tutor she has ever had."
Parent of a Year 9

"We normally refrain from sending compliments from our kids about teachers to the teachers concerned (which I think is all for good reasons), but I decided to make an exception for a quote from [our daughter] last night: "Dr M. teaches me better than all of my other teachers combined".  I wanted to share that with you!  Thanks for making her experience and Latin class so enjoyable."
Parent of a Year 10

"Thank you for providing [our daughter] with another wonderful year in your Latin class. She has come to love the study of Latin and will be studying it next year. We feel this is all due to you; your kindness, sense of humor and unique ability to not only connect with teenagers on a personal level but deliver material at an age appropriate level is truly a gift. When she started Latin in 7th grade, I don't think she ever imagined that it would become her favorite subject, but that is where she finds herself now. This is all due to your care and expertise, and for that we will be forever grateful. We will also never forget that because you expressed your concerns about her last year, we got her tested, and this action truly changed the trajectory of her academic life. She is now a much more confident and competent student who loves learning."
Parent of a Year 9

"Thank you so much for everything that you have done for [my daughter] these past two years. You have been an incredible teacher and role model for her. She absolutely adores you and will miss you dearly next year. You have been the biggest influence in her decision to pursue the study of Classics in college. A heartfelt thank you for your dedication and commitment to your students.  Your sincere passion in your field has made her even more enthusiastic about Latin and Greek!"
Parent of a Year 13

"I want to thank you for the kindness and joy you brought to your classroom. You have conferred a real gift to the community by making yourself so available to students and generously offering your time and compassion. You are one of those teachers they will cite years hence, when reflecting on high impact figures in their education."
Parent of a Year 10