Isabel O'Connor Writing & Learning
About Isabel
In my decade as a middle and high school teacher in independent schools, students & families perennially highlighted my passion for learning, organization, and, most importantly, excellence in instilling a love of learning & robust academic skills in all students.
In particular, I found that 1:1 engagement with students, whether in the classroom or during student-teacher periods, yielded dramatic gains in academic skills, particularly in writing.
I founded Isabel O'Connor Writing and Learning to leverage my strengths by specializing in the transformative process of 1:1 teaching and learning.
If, like me, you prefer that broad claims be backed up by reputable evidence, consider this academic evidence review entitled, "The Transformative Potential of Tutoring" which concludes:
"Across all studies included in this analysis, tutoring programs consistently lead to large improvements in learning outcomes for students, with an overall pooled effect size of 0.37 standard deviations. This impact translates to student advancing from the 50th percentile to nearly the 66th percentile. Effect sizes greater than 0.3 standard deviations are considered to be large impacts, especially in the context of education interventions."
My Credentials:
A decade teaching middle and high school students at Boston-area independent schools, during which I designed, implemented, and honed my highly-effective academic-skill-building & writing curricula
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Boston College)
BA Cum Laude in History & Economics (Harvard College)
High honors senior thesis evaluation/excerpt
Significant coursework in French and English literature & STEM
75 hours of coursework in supporting students with learning differences (The Landmark School Outreach Program)
Language-Based Learning Disabilities: Strategies for Success
Supporting Students’ Reading: Phonemic Awareness to Comprehension
Understanding Students with Dyslexia
Executive Function: Impact on Academic Proficiency
Study Skills: Strategies to Support Executive Function
Professional writing experience (Harvard Magazine)
Fluency in STEM through my own academic background & collaboration with my husband, Dr. Luke J. O’Connor (Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School)
My Competencies:
Tailoring instruction to serve students with diverse learning profiles (including dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, ASD, and executive functioning challenges)
Supporting English language learners and international students
Accelerating the growth of high-performing students who are not receiving sufficient enrichment in a mixed-ability classroom
How do I connect with students?
Got a student who likes sports?…I captained the Harvard varsity sailing team, played varsity lacrosse and field hockey in high school, and have coached all these sports, as well as tennis and squash
Got a student who likes to go on adventures?…I am a life-long “summer camp devotee” and a huge fan of international travel
Got a student who loves art?...I am a needlework aficionado and love a good museum outing
Got a student who loves to read?...I can’t wait to tell them about my favorite childhood series and the “grown-up” books that still keep me up at night reading
Got a student who’s into theater?...Have them ask me about my breakout acting experience as a shy 14-year-old or my favorite recent theatregoing experiences
Got a student who really likes to nerd out?...Yup, I am intimately familiar with D&D, Chess, and Settlers of Catan (see: husband)
Got a student who’s devoted to community service?...I’d love to tell them about my powerful experiences building mutually supportive relationships with my unhoused neighbors