Isabel Elson - Private Tutor in New York

I grew up in London, and was in school at Godolphin and Latymer before deciding to head to the US to attend Phillips Academy, Andover for high school. I then went on to study History of Art at Harvard University where I graduated magna cum laude with high honors. After two years working at an art gallery in New York, I returned to London where I received my Master's degree at the Courtauld Institute of Art. I have since returned to New York where I am working toward my PhD at CUNY Graduate Center.

Throughout my education I have benefitted form tutoring to help me achieve my academic goals and I understand how effective one-on-one teaching can be in preparing for big tests, catching up in a specific subject, and also building confidence. I am particularly experienced in helping students prepare for US independent and boarding school entrance examinations (ISEE, SSAT) and in working with students who need help with their personal essays or general applications for boarding school or university. As an alumni admission representative at Phillips Academy, I have worked with many students who are working on preparing applications to boarding schools and enjoy helping them to identify their strengths and use those to build a strong application.

Subjects I Teach

My Education & Qualifications

• The Courtauld Institute of Art, 2018 – 2019
  History of Art (MA): Distinction
• Harvard University, 2012 – 2016
  History of Art and Architecture (BA): Magna Cum Laude
• School: Phillips Academy, Andover
  Boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts Honor roll, 5.3 GPA (on a scale 1-6).
• School: Godolphin and Latymer School, London
  Private day school in London

My Tutoring & Teaching Experience

Phillips Academy Alumni Admission Representative (2016 - present): Alumni interviewer for prospective students and school representative at Phillips Academy events for prospective families

Freelance advising and essay editing for applicants to US colleges and boarding schools (2014 - present)

English Language Tutor, Paris, France (2014 - 2015): Weekly tutoring in English language, ages 8-12

Art at the Addison, Andover, MA (2010 - 2012): I founded and led an educational arts program for students aged 10-14

My Approach to Tutoring

In my teaching, I am particularly concerned with building up my students' confidence. Particularly for test preparation, becoming confident in one's ability to master the exam is vital for success. I do this by coming up with creative ways to ensure that my students can find a way to enjoy the subject we are working on together. I particularly enjoy helping students with their writing, teaching them how to get their arguments across concisely and effectively while making sure that he or she develops their own voice in their writing. I am very quick to spot and support a student's individual strengths which helps not only in personalizing my lesson plans, but is why I am particularly helpful in assisting students prepare school and university applications that emphasize their skills, passions and individuality.

My Client Testimonials

• ISEE
  "Isabel worked wonders preparing our 10 year old daughter for a US standardised test. Always organised and thorough, her support was individualised and motivational, understanding and meeting her student on a personal level. Our daughter felt that Isabel genuinely cared and was on her “team”, which meant that she trusted her implicitly and enjoyed the process of working together towards a shared goal that much more. We are extremely grateful to Isabel for all her help and have already recommended her to our friends!"
• Upper Level SSAT
  "Isabel helped us navigate US boarding school applications as well as the SSAT from London — we had a niche set of needs and Isabel was the right woman for the job! I was impressed with her knowledge and the calm, systematic way she helped all three of my teenagers while they were also in GCSE year."