Hannah Estolano

Biography

Born and raised in the Bay Area to a family of educators, I have always had a passion for reading and helping others. Growing up, the library was my favorite place––a great, resourceful sanctuary of books and movies where I was free to exercise my imagination and pursue my curiosities.

In college, I tutored and mentored students from a multitude of diverse backgrounds at De Anza College’s Writing and Reading Center. Tutoring from ESL (English as a Second Language) to college-level English courses, I collaborated closely with both students and instructors on improving students’ reading comprehension and writing skills. Eventually, I transferred and graduated from UC Berkeley, earning my bachelor’s degree double-majoring in English and Ethnic Studies. In my time at UC Berkeley, I became heavily involved in my community’s literary arts magazine, where I helped edit and curate both literary and visual content. I also helped relaunch the university’s Teaching in Prison program, where I assisted in creating a curriculum for students who would be English and math tutors at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

Such formative experiences inform my own tutoring praxis to meet students where they are at, factoring in their background and educational level in order to provide a more personalized instruction that is suitable for their academic growth. I view tutoring as a constant cycle of action and reflection, where I reflect on the effectiveness of certain teaching methods I enact to consider any changes or improvements to my teaching that would better suit a student’s needs.

At AJ Tutoring, I enjoy one-on-one sessions helping K-8 students develop their fundamental study skills in language arts and math, as well as assisting older students improve their critical thinking and writing skills. I hope to create a warm and encouraging learning environment that supports students’ individualized needs and overall boosts their academic productivity. I always look forward to motivating students in taking on new academic challenges and building more self-confidence.

When I am not tutoring, I enjoy cooking/baking, going to concerts, watching movies, playing video games, and reading.