Ashley Knolton

Biography

My passion for education began very early in my life. I was raised to value not only the pursuit of education, but also the lasting impact it can have on the way we think and understand the world. Thus, I was inspired to start tutoring others when I was a sophomore in high school, and I have continued working with students ever since. I developed an even stronger love for learning through my years studying at Pomona College as an English major, where I focused my research on literary and film techniques, along with the relationship between historical and contemporary perceptions of various social identities.

While I have tutored students in a variety of subjects, including English, history, and ASL, I especially enjoy helping students prepare for important academic milestones such as the SAT. I want my students to leave our sessions with more than just improved knowledge or test scores; I want them to feel more confident in their ability to learn, tackle difficult material, and succeed academically.

I believe learning does not always have to feel like a chore, but can instead be entertaining and fun. This philosophy has shaped the way I approach tutoring. Fun games and creative study strategies can make even challenging material more engaging. Throughout my years as a tutor, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching my students grow not only academically, but also in confidence. I encourage students not to shy away from academic challenges, but to approach them step by step and recognize that struggling with something is a natural part of learning.

Outside of education, some other passions of mine are music, art, and film. I am a self-taught pianist and guitarist, and I have also dabbled in some traditional Afro-Cuban drumming, such as the conga and the batá drum. I am a strong believer in expressing oneself creatively, whether through instruments or other forms of art, such as water coloring, painting, and sketching. I am also a devoted moviegoer and film critic who will watch just about anything to dissect its messages and themes. My all-time favorite movie is Ryan Coogler’s 2025 film, Sinners.