Classically Modern Teaching
Academic skills.
Independent learners.
Students still need to read closely, write clearly, think critically, manage increasing academic demands, and develop the confidence to do difficult work. They also need to know how to make thoughtful decisions about college and use tools like AI without giving up the thinking.
I provide academic writing, reading and critical-thinking support, executive function coaching, AI literacy, and college planning for students, along with practical guidance for parents who want to support greater independence.
Services
Focused services.
Clear next steps.
Choose the area that best matches what you or your student needs right now. Each service is designed to build practical skills, stronger judgment, and greater confidence over time.
AI & Learning
Use the tools.
Keep the thinking.
Practical AI literacy for students and parents, with an emphasis on verification, judgment, academic integrity, writing, research, privacy, and responsible use.
Explore AI & LearningCollege Prep
Build the plan.
Make informed choices.
Private guidance for college research, school lists, application planning, résumés, essays, and SAT/PSAT preparation.
Explore College PrepWriting & Academic Support
Strong skills.
Lasting confidence.
Academic writing, reading, research, grammar, executive function, and study skills designed to help students become stronger, more capable learners.
Explore Academic SupportParent Services
Parent guidance.
Student growth.
Practical support for executive function, college planning, homeschool decisions, AI expectations, academic routines, and helping students take on more responsibility.
Explore Parent ServicesWhat does “Classically Modern” mean?
Education changes. The tools change. The expectations change.
But some things remain essential.
Students still need to know how to read with attention, write with clarity, build an argument, evaluate evidence, ask good questions, and think for themselves.
At the same time, they are growing up in a world shaped by AI, digital research, changing college pathways, and an overwhelming amount of information.
Classically Modern Teaching brings those two realities together.
I help students develop strong academic foundations while learning how to use modern tools thoughtfully, responsibly, and independently.
For Students
Build the skills.
Own the work.
Student services focus on the academic skills, judgment, planning, and habits that make it easier to take on more challenging work with confidence.
AI & Learning
Use the tools. Keep the thinking.
Learn how to use AI thoughtfully without letting it replace research, writing, verification, judgment, or authorship.
- AI foundations
- Research and verification
- AI and the writing process
- AI as a study partner
College Prep
Build the plan. Make informed choices.
Work through the practical and academic parts of college preparation with individualized guidance.
- College research and lists
- Application planning
- Résumés and essays
- SAT / PSAT preparation
Writing & Academic Support
Strong skills. Lasting confidence.
Strengthen the core skills students use across subjects while developing better systems for managing academic work.
- Academic writing and grammar
- Reading and critical thinking
- Research skills
- Executive function and study skills
For Parents
Parent guidance.
Student growth.
Supporting a student can be difficult when you are trying to help without becoming the person managing every assignment, deadline, decision, or problem. I work with parents who want practical guidance for navigating academic expectations, college decisions, executive function, and the growing role of AI in education and family life.
Executive Function at Home
Learn ways to support planning, organization, routines, deadlines, and follow-through while helping your child take increasing ownership of the process.
College Planning
Get guidance on researching colleges, comparing options, building a thoughtful college list, and understanding what matters in the decision-making process.
AI & Family Technology
Understand how students are using AI, where it can support or interfere with learning, how to set thoughtful expectations around responsible use, and how AI can also help families with planning, organization, research, and everyday decision-making.
Parent Strategy Sessions
Sometimes you do not need an ongoing program. You need a knowledgeable person to help you think through a specific educational challenge, decision, or concern.
Upcoming Classes & Webinars
See what's coming next.
View upcoming student courses, parent programs, and free webinars. Event listings include dates, audience, format, enrollment information, and registration details.
Find upcoming:
- Student group courses
- Parent courses and workshops
- Free parent webinars
- Programs currently open for enrollment
About Deanna
An educator’s perspective.
I have spent my career teaching, designing curriculum, and helping students make sense of complex ideas.
My background includes college-level teaching in humanities, history, and anthropology, years of curriculum and educational leadership work, and ongoing tutoring and writing instruction with students from a wide range of educational settings.
Doctorate in Higher Educational Leadership, with graduate degrees in History and Anthropology.
My career has also included distance education, curriculum review, educational research, museums, archaeology, and faculty development.
That range of experience shapes how I work with students today: with high expectations, respect for individual learners, and a focus on helping them understand not only what to do, but why it matters.
Learn More About DeannaClasses & Humanities
Learning beyond the assignment.
Some of the best learning begins with curiosity. Throughout the year, I offer individual and small-group classes that give students the opportunity to explore literature, history, civics, and the humanities in greater depth.
Literature in Context
Explore literature alongside the history, culture, philosophy, and ideas that shaped it.
History & Civics
Go beyond dates and definitions to examine events, institutions, primary sources, competing ideas, and enduring questions.
Humanities
Interdisciplinary courses drawing from history, anthropology, archaeology, philosophy, art, and culture.
Reading & Writing Workshops
Focused classes that strengthen academic skills or allow students to explore a topic through reading, research, and writing.
How I Work
Thoughtful support. Increasing independence.
Good teaching is not about giving students the answer. It is about helping them build the skills, habits, and confidence to do more for themselves.
I meet students where they are, but I do not leave them there.
Depending on the student, our work may focus on understanding a difficult concept, organizing a long-term assignment, improving a piece of writing, preparing for a test, researching colleges, or learning how to use AI more effectively.
Make the work manageable
Break complex assignments, decisions, and long-term projects into clear, workable steps.
Ask better questions
Use questions to help students think more carefully, make connections, and arrive at stronger conclusions of their own.
Teach strategies that transfer
Focus on methods students can use again—not just solutions that work for one assignment.
Give clear, useful feedback
Help students understand what is working, what needs improvement, and what to do next.
Build confidence through competence
Real confidence grows when students understand the work and know they can handle more of it independently.
Testimonials
What families say.
If you're seeking a truly engaged, personalized approach to supporting your child's educational practice, seek the support of Deanna — she's a gem of an academic guide for both my son and me.
— Alexandria M.
So much of today's curriculum attempts to make things palatable for the students, when what they really yearn for is substance. And this is what Deanna offers.
— Jennifer T.
Her passion and attention to detail is bar none. She cares about you and yours.
— Aimee A.
Deanna is strong in this department as it doesn't leave the student making it up as they go. The concrete examples provide the student with great models to help them get started.
— Sarah F.
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Let’s figure out what support would be most useful.
You may already know exactly what you need, or you may simply know that something is not working as well as it could. A consultation is a good place to talk through your questions, identify the next useful step, and see whether working together is a good fit.