School is tricky, and there is no universal pathway to success. I started Carpenter Tutoring for those seeking a little help finding their way.

Amy Carpenter
Amy Carpenter, M.Ed.

I received my B.A. from The College of William and Mary in 2018 and received my M.Ed. from W&M in 2020. As an undergraduate, I worked and was trained as a tutor at W&M's peer tutoring center, the Tribe TutorZone. During this period, I conducted over 150 one-on-one appointments with W&M students in 26 different content areas. I earned lifetime Advanced Tutor Certification, the highest level W&M can grant, through the College Reading and Learning Association, and I was trained as a time management consultant. I took on leadership roles within the TutorZone until I was working alongside its director. As a graduate student, I became one of the Graduate Assistants helping oversee the TutorZone as well as an academic coach to students with high need for academic support.

I loved getting to work with the Tribe TutorZone tutors, but I realized that I missed being the tutor. There's just nothing like watching the light bulb of understanding go off or seeing students who had struggled with material master it! With that realization, I decided to dedicate my life to my passion -- helping students of all ages learn, succeed, and believe in themselves.

My instructional approach focuses on meeting students where they are and supporting them through any hesitations or discomforts from which academic difficulties may arise. Whether your student only has to brush up on a few concepts or is resistant to completing coursework, I will come to each session with patience, understanding, and just the right amount of discipline. I truly believe that excellent educational relationships begin with mutual respect, and I work to build meaningful relationships with all of my clients.

Thank you for considering Carpenter Tutoring.

Genevieve Akins

Genevieve is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the College of William & Mary. Previously, Genevieve earned a master’s in Equality Studies from University College Dublin and bachelors’ degrees in Political Science and Women and Gender Studies from St. Olaf College. In high school, Genevieve began tutoring elementary and middle school children in piano and violin. While in college, Genevieve worked as tutor in a local elementary school, focusing on language arts, reading, and math. Genevieve continued to seek tutoring opportunities while living in Dublin and gained experience working with middle school- aged children in reading and language arts. Through her work as a tutor and additional employment experiences, Genevieve has worked with individuals of variety of ages, academic levels, and children with additional support needs. Genevieve loves supporting students and working with them to foster a love of learning and overcome any challenges. As a Carpenter Tutor, Genevieve welcomes students seeking assistance with all levels of reading, writing, and language arts; elementary and middle school math; piano and violin; and additional skills such as time management and study skills.

Genevieve Akins
Genevieve Akins
Ian Wilenzik
Ian Wilenzik

Ian Wilenzik

Ian Wilenzik, PhD candidate, graduated from William & Mary with a degree in biology, a minor in chemistry, and an honorary minor in geology. Ian spent three years as a tutor at William & Mary, logging over 150 tutoring hours and receiving tutoring certification through the CRLA. Tutoring became a passion of his, which led to him forming a network of dedicated clients. Ian strives to create an educational, safe, and judgement-free environment during his tutoring appointments. Ian resides in Northern Virginia and is currently a PhD student in evolutionary biology at George Washington University. His central thesis is guided by the idea that the only stupid questions are the ones left unasked. He is happy to contribute to Carpenter Tutoring, assisting with high school biology and chemistry (including at the AP level) in addition to college-level evolutionary/cellular biology, chemistry, and organic chemistry, which is his tutoring specialty.

Joel Monroe

Joel has been a math nerd since he first discovered the number 11. Since then, he has worked to develop his skills in both studying and teaching math. Joel earned his Bachelor's in Mathematics and his Master's in Computational Operations Research from the College of William & Mary. Throughout his education, he has consistently sought opportunities to tutor, whether it was helping friends in high school, peers in college, or other students during his Master's program. Joel has a passion for seeing students break through the barriers which can form when studying math and discover the amazing language hidden within. As a part of Carpenter Tutoring, Joel is happy to offer assistance to students in high school and college math and introductory physics.

Joel Monroe
Joel Monroe, M.Sc.
William Brubaker
William Brubaker

William Brubaker

William Brubaker graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in Architecture and Business Administration. He subsequently worked as project manager for real estate developers of very large commercial projects in multiple cities in the United States and in Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. In 2011, William began tutoring GMAT prep and later, GRE prep, full time and has done that ever since. Over the past 11 years he has tutored over 7,500 hours to hundreds of students. During that time he has gradually developed a structured system designed to optimize graduate students' tutoring experience. William is the father of three children and lives in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California.