Siena Tutors

Reading is taught using multisensory methods, cementing sound to symbol relationships and building awareness of the morphological parts of words. Teaching literacy by providing individualized reading/language remediation through explicit, systematic instruction in the five essential skills of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. Methodologies are used to strengthen decoding, spelling, comprehension and fluency.

Tutors will work with students to help maintain a positive outlook on education through distance learning. Students will have guided instruction while completing work given by their teachers. Through individualized, multisensory instruction, students work to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and acquire the tools and strategies needed to become successful and independent learners building confidence and self-advocacy skills. Tutors will also give extra support and instruction in areas as needed.

Students will enhance their reading comprehension and written expression skills through creative, evidence-based practices.  Tutors will cover topics based on student need and can include grammar and sentence structure, essay writing, creative writing, poetry, and literature.  Writing is honed through the Step-up-to-Writing program where students learn to not only compose expository and persuasive writing but peer review, revise, edit, and publish their work. Grammar is taught using multisensory techniques. Students practice with assistive technologies such as Read & Write (reading/writing) and Mindomo.

Tutors will help students grasp the mathematical concepts from their courses by allowing them to think through their thoughts aloud, using virtual whiteboards to show work and practicing with online manipulatives. 

Executive functioning refers to the mental steps individuals take allowing them to plan, organize, and accomplish tasks. Students are provided with tools and strategies to help them acquire and refine these regulatory skills. Tutors will work with students to maintain strategies to help form routines within the new structure of online learning. Topics covered can include scheduling, prioritizing tasks, managing workloads, organization, and goal setting.

Tutors will help students with understanding content, vocabulary, and study strategies.

Students will enrich their historical knowledge of the United States and the world through the use of critical thinking skills, discussion, and the utilization of both primary and secondary sources. They will gain a greater comprehension of past events, cultures, and trends.

Jennifer Pettey holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Goucher College and an M.S. in Instructional Leadership from Towson University. She is also a Certified Academic Language Therapist (CALT). She has experience teaching in classrooms ranging from early childhood to higher education. She is enthusiastic about meeting the needs of students using research-based methodologies. As a former Siena teacher, she is excited to return to Siena in the role of Director of Tutoring. 

Jessica Sanders, high school English teacher, is in her third year at The Siena School. She teaches English, and Writing. She previously spent eight years at KIPP Pride High School in Gaston, North Carolina teaching English 12 and AP Literature. Dr. Sanders holds a B.A. in Russian Literature from Reed College and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures from the University of Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys historically inspired sewing, gardening, and going on adventures with her dog.

David Bonner, middle and high school science teacher, is in his 7th year at Siena. He holds a B.S. in Biology cum laude and a Master's Degree in Science Education, both from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. He has worked in a variety of public and private schools in Georgia, North Carolina, and the D.C. area for nearly twenty years, teaching and developing curricula for Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and International Baccalaureate Physics. Prior to joining The Siena School, he also served as Librarian, Director of Technology, and JV Tennis coach at The Field School in Northwest DC, where he was actively engaged in multicultural work. Mr. Bonner was awarded the Presidential Award and a degree from the professional culinary program at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD.

Peni Critchell, Reading Tutor & Reading Teacher, has been with Siena for seven years. She earned a B.A. in American Studies from the University of North Carolina and a M.A.T. from George Washington University. She is certified as an LD tutor through the Lab School of Washington. Ms. Critchell has worked in education in the metropolitan area for over 30 years; she began her career as a classroom teacher at Georgetown Day School and has most recently worked as a learning specialist at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School and as a tutor at the Lab School of Washington Summer Camp.

Stefanie Hjalmervik, reading teacher, received her B.A. in Elementary Education at the University of Iowa, her M.Ed. in Reading Education at Georgia State University, and a Master's Certificate in Dyslexia and Language-Based Learning Disorders from Landmark Outreach Program. See her Siena faculty profile page here.

Justin Kanka, high school internship coordinator and middle school math/science teacher, joins Siena with 7 years of teaching experience and a love for helping students find their passion for learning. He graduated with a B.A. in Italian Studies from the Honors Program at Providence College in Rhode Island. See his Siena faculty profile page here.

Brendan Kennedy, Multi-Subject Tutor, holds a B.A. in Chinese Language and Culture from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland and an M.Ed. from National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan. He has experience teaching in various online and school settings, including at a Chinese High School, a US elementary school, and a Taiwanese elementary school. As an Academic Language Therapist, trained at ASDEC in Rockville, his main focus is multisensory reading and math, and his passion is helping every student activate their innate potential. His favorite hobbies include hiking, pottery, and board games, and he's always excited to learn something new.

Subject Areas: Reading 3-12, Elementary 3-5, English 6-12, Math 6-12, Executive Function, Social Studies 6-12. 

Carly McClelland-Richards, Reading, Language Arts, and Math Tutor for elementary, started with Siena Tutors after teaching at the Chartwell School, a school for children with language-based learning differences in Seaside, CA. Carly holds a B.S. in International Affairs from Georgetown University and an M.S. in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration on Leadership in Literacy at the University of Virginia. Previously, Carly worked as an interventionist school leader and district leader in Hawai’i. While at the Chartwell School, Carly received extensive training in Preventing Academic Failure (Orton-Gillingham), The Writing Revolution (expository writing), and in various multisensory math methods. Carly earned a certificate in Orton-Gillingham and Morphology from Orton-Gillingham International in 2015 and has been tutoring children with diverse needs since 2014. 

Mimi Pham, high school government and English teacher, is in her second year at The Siena School. She teaches English, Writing, and History. She previously spent two years at Fusion Academy as a teacher/mentor, where she taught students with dyslexia, ADHD, and language-based learning differences. Ms. Pham holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and is working towards her M.A. in Political Science from the University of Illinois-Springfield. At UIS, she is a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society for political science. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking.

Per tutor availability and location, tutoring may be offered in-person at The Siena School, at 4 pm. ET on weekdays. Additionally, virtual tutoring is a popular and convenient option that provides flexibility for families. 

No. Siena Tutors is open to students throughout the United States in grades 3-12

No, the Siena Tutors program accepts any student who would benefit from The Siena School’s unique teaching methods.  Siena Tutors are trained to work with students with language-based learning differences, who may have IEPs, 504 plans and other evaluations, but these are not a requirement.

The length of time a student needs support varies by the individual student and is determined by the parents and the tutors.  When first engaging with Siena Tutors, there is a minimum requirement of four weekly, one-hour sessions.

After your inquiry form is received, the Director of Tutoring will contact you to answer further questions you may have, and to set up an Intake Meeting.  This meeting is a 20-30 minute conversation where you let us know about your student and the tutoring goals you have in mind.  After learning about your child and the areas where they need support, an appropriate teacher from our tutoring staff is matched with the student.

Tutoring sessions are held after school, evenings and weekends as mutually agreed upon between the parent and tutor.  During the summer, day-time hours are also available.

Tutoring expenses may be tax-deductible as a medical expense for a student with a diagnosed learning disability. Individual circumstances will vary, so please consult your personal tax advisor about whether you will be eligible. 

Treatments for learning disabilities require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) in order to be reimbursed through consumer-directed healthcare accounts - FSAs, HSAs and HRAs. Please consult with your benefits administrator for details.