Olivia graduated cum laude from USC with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and a minor in French. She spent a year studying abroad in France and working as an au pair helping young children with mastery of the English language. During her undergraduate years, she also served as a student teacher for USC's Joint Educational Project, where she provided academic support to local elementary school students. She currently specializes in tutoring French through the college level (including AP), Italian I, English, grammar, writing, and college application and essay support. Additionally, Olivia serves as an Executive Functioning coach, helping students further develop their time management, organization, and study skills. She is also a trained Step Up to Writing instructor, able to provide structured writing support to students of all grade levels. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys watching films, writing, reading, running, and politics.

 

We Asked, Olivia Answered 

  • What is one of your fundamental beliefs about education?

    I believe that every student deserves to gain confidence in order to overcome any adversity they may have in learning, whether it has to do with a learning disability or simply a need to believe more in themselves.

    As a tutor, I strive to let my students pave their own way to success (with the help of educational tools I give them) so that they can activate the confidence and courage it takes to overcome anything getting in the way of their full potential. 

  • What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

    My favorite subject to teach is French because learning a language is an art in and of itself! I love seeing students make progress in learning French because it allows them to truly embrace all aspects of the process and take pride in knowing a second language.

  • Share an anecdote about a time your student hit a wall and how the student overcame it.

    One of my students who has struggled with ADHD and perfectionism her entire school career hit a wall with a particular essay prompt. The brevity and broadness of the prompt spiraled her into anxiety which then prevented her from starting the paper at all. Together, we worked through several different meanings of the prompt and how it could be interpreted which gave her room to explore ideas. From there, she brainstormed thesis statements for each interpretation which helped her better organize her thoughts. When she looked at all of her various ideas, she realized she had come to fully understand the prompt and how she was going to tackle it in her essay. In fact, she even became (a little) excited about writing the paper! The process of talking things out and getting ideas down on paper ultimately broke down her perfectionism piece by piece and gave her permission to have confidence moving forward.

  • What makes Hayutin different?

    What makes Hayutin so unique is that everyone who is involved in the process of helping a student achieve success plays a significant role, from the beginning stages of matching a student with a tutor for the correct personality fit, to ensuring continual improvement throughout the period of time in which a student works with us. Amy, Matthew, and the other education directors and coordinators at Hayutin care very deeply about each and every student who walks through the office doors (literally and figuratively) which is the fundamental reason why being an educator at Hayutin has always felt, to me, like being a part of a family. The entirety of the Hayutin office functions first and foremost as a team dedicated to the success of students and of each other.

  • What is the favorite thing you've learned from a student?

    I love when my students teach me gen Z and gen alpha terms; they are essential for building rapport and keeping me up to date!

     

  • Other than education, what is something you are passionate about?

    College football (fight on!)

  • What’s something you learned about yourself after high school that you wish you knew back then?

    Something I learned about myself after high school that I wish I knew back then was that I was quite capable of raising my hand and answering a question correctly! In high school, I let my fear of what others thought of me overpower my ability to take risks, holding myself back despite knowing the right answer. In college, as my confidence grew, I learned to lean into my instincts and trust myself.

  • What is a stretch you experienced growing up?

    Growing up I was a perfectionist which is something I continue to struggle with in most aspects of my life! Working with students who also struggle with perfectionism has helped me reflect on my own ways of overcoming it.

  • If you could tutor any historical figure, who would it be and what would your focus be?

    I would tutor Beatrix Potter, the beloved author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, mostly because we share birthdays and because my entire childhood bedroom was decked out in Peter Rabbit accoutrements down to the light switch cover. We would focus on all things animals and storytelling!

  • What’s the book on your nightstand you are dying to read?

    [all of] Toni Morrison's The Source of Self-Regard

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