Amy Ruff
Tutoring, Test Prep, & Homeschool Classes in Literature & Writing, Spanish, History, and Psychology, as well as Executive Function Coaching
Amy is our fearless leader! Fabulously fun and brilliantly clever, so caring and quick she already made you a cup of tea. Settle in and enjoy the growth that’s inevitable in her sunny presence!
Amy Ruff lives next to her beloved alma mater, Duke University, & enjoys teaching, tutoring, & test prepping students in person as well as online in her areas of specialty: literary analysis; writing & composition; Spanish; psychology; philosophy & religion; SAT, ACT, AP, & SAT Subject Tests; & study skills.
Having completed her BA from Duke University with double majors in English & religion, Amy also earned a Certificate in Duke’s rigorous interdisciplinary Women’s Studies Program. While an undergraduate & after graduation, Amy worked in editing for the Duke University Press & continues to freelance edit.
Intuitive and seasoned at identifying & developing the potential in her students, Amy’s energetic & engaging style enables students to grow in their knowledge of subject matter while also honing their critical-thinking skills & elevating their character. Having homeschooled her own children through highschool, Amy continues to support the homeschooling community by offering group-class tutorials.
Counseling students to align self-understanding with their envisioned future, Amy has aided many to make wise choices for their post-high-school paths. She has assisted students to succeed on test prep & applications for acceptance into a range of schools—from Harvard, Duke, & Stanford to UNC & NCSU to community colleges across NC. Amy’s students thrive on diverse academic, artistic, athletic, trade, & professional paths.
Of Argentine-Italian descent & hailing from Italian roots in Pittsburgh, PA, Amy attended boarding school on a full scholarship & received a scholarship from the Spanish National Honor Society. Amy continued her Spanish studies at Duke & served on short-term missions as a Spanish interpreter. From the rudiments of grammar & vocabulary to encounters with cooking & dancing, Sra. Amy’s students learn to love Latina language & culture!
Always eager to serve & support the local & global community, Amy is a member of Durham’s Centro Hispano, a volunteer with the YMCA, a graduate of REI training (Racial Equity Institute), a promoter of ROAR (Raleigh Organizing against Racism), & a supporter of several overseas NGOs.
Kendrick V. Harvard 2017 (Economics and Computer Science)
I attribute my success at Harvard, in large part, to Mrs. Ruff’s development of my critical-thinking skills.
Matthew M., Vanderbilt 2013, UNC Law 2018
Before taking Mrs. Ruff’s classes, I was completely terrified of writing, but by working with her, I found a writing style that worked for me. Her constant encouragement and detailed, personal feedback gave me the skills and, more importantly, the confidence to tackle any writing task.
Professional Writer, Olivia B., UNC-CH School of Journalism 2012
Mrs. Ruff’s classes helped set me up to succeed as a full-time writer for four years as a newspaper reporter, and now as a freelance content marketer. I couldn’t recommend her classes more!
Miriam Kome
Tutoring and Test Prep in Mathematics and Physics
A calm and encouraging STEAM enthusiast who takes an adaptive, balanced, and collaborative approach to tutoring. She celebrates curiosity and knows she’s doing well when students ask her lots of questions!
Miriam has taught and tutored diverse ages in a variety of contexts and subjects as follows: cohorts ranging from one-on-one to 30+ students; ages from preschool to school teachers; settings that include classrooms, galleries, libraries, and outdoors; and curriculum that covers every letter of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math).
Miriam graduated from Olin College of Engineering in Needham, Massachusetts with a Bachelors of Science in Engineering with Human-Centered Design. Curiosity, listening, and creativity—the tools of human-centered design—permeate Miriam’s work as a tutor and as an artist-engineer.
As a tutor, Miriam seeks to balance the requirements of today’s assignments with a cultivation of the students’ skills, engendering confidence for successful approaches to STEAM and passion for lifelong learning in all subjects. Miriam employs a collaborative and flexible approach to tutoring. She intentionally and intuitively matches the student’s pace and supports them as they discover strategies for understanding and enjoying the subject at hand. Miriam personalizes the tutoring experience to engage students’ curiosity and celebrate their learning.
Miriam G.
Miriam is clearly committed to her students and is willing to adjust the lessons to the student’s learning style. We love her flexibility and friendliness.
Isabelle G.
Miriam has been incredibly patient and organized. There is no doubt that she has bolstered our son’s confidence and assisted him with a greater skill set to better navigate through a challenging 7th grade. We would highly recommend Miriam, especially with ADHD children.
S.Z.P.
Miriam is very patient and was able to work with our daughter for an entire year to help her be more confident with 6th grade math. Our daughter liked her sessions and she progressed well.
Amy Ruff's School 