Looking for an experienced tutor in Adair County?

I’m Elaine, a K–6 tutor based in Columbia, Kentucky (Adair County). I work with students of all abilities, with a focus on ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning differences.

After recently moving here from Indiana, I’m now accepting new students for in-person sessions at Compass Learning Columbia Kentucky. I also offer hybrid online tutoring, but I prefer to begin by meeting each student face-to-face.

My sessions are structured yet flexible, designed to follow a student’s curiosity—whether that means solving math problems, exploring nature, or turning play into meaningful learning.

Want to see my approach in action? Take a look at my interactive book with photos, credentials, and examples of how I help students grow.

Throughout this page, you’ll also find links to apply for tutoring. Fees are based on a sliding scale according to income and household size, keeping sessions affordable and fair for every family.

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Note: fees are calculated using a no-questions-asked sliding scale, adjusted for household size, income, and life circumstances—because students always come first.

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TUTORING

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Intervention

Am I the right tutor for your family?

I’m more than a tutor—I’m a mom, an auntie, a big sister, a stand-in grandma, and an interventionist. For over 15 years, I’ve worked with students of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Families come to me when they feel I’m the right fit, because as a child’s first teachers, parents usually know best.

I’ve supported an 8th grader who needed help with 5th grade writing after a prolonged illness, and a 22-year-old still building reading skills after “aging out” of public school. Those are my students—I don’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. I meet learners where they are and help them grow at their own pace, regardless of age or grade.

Many families reach out around 3rd grade, a pivotal year when students shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Standardized testing begins, interventions are often considered, and research shows that children not proficient by this stage face long-term academic challenges. Parents notice obstacles—difficulty focusing, rushing, avoiding reading, losing work—and seek extra support when schools can’t move quickly enough.

I also work with students transitioning between public and private schools. Even strong students can fall behind when adjusting to new pacing and expectations, often doing double the work that first year. This shift can be stressful and affect confidence.

Academic skills matter, but so do “soft skills” like time management, organization, and working with others. I help bridge school and home, whether it’s guiding families through IEPs, ADHD, or autism, or setting up tools like picture schedules. Parents often tell me, “I’m not sure what else to do.”

My sessions are structured but flexible, combining academics, organization, and social-emotional growth. I use fun incentives and celebrate progress each semester. Whether it’s building confidence in reading and math, staying on top of assignments, or easing big school transitions, I provide more than “sit time”—I offer individualized support that helps students succeed in school and beyond.

Meet Meredith

In this photo Meredith is learning to type. Another project based activity we worked on together was writing a book using Canva. Check out Meredith's book titled "Meredith Goes To The Library" by clicking the image below.

Tutoring Session Structure

All tutoring sessions are a minimum of one hour. I do not offer 20- or 30-minute sessions. My approach is intensive and intervention-based, designed for students who need more than surface-level support. Many of the students I work with have ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyscalculia, behavior challenges, or other learning differences. While I do welcome typical learners, every session is structured as intensified instruction to ensure growth.

I offer virtual tutoring only under specific circumstances—such as when I am traveling (generally once per year) or when a student has built enough rapport with me in person to successfully transition online. Virtual tutoring is best used as a supplement, not a replacement. In my experience, student enthusiasm tends to drop after three weeks online, and consistent in-person sessions yield stronger results.

Some students require extended time or multiple days per week. In those cases, I may offer bundled scheduling, including multi-day or multi-hour sessions with school pick-up, at a flat weekly rate. These arrangements are made on an as-needed basis in collaboration with families.

Check Out My Flip Book

Sliding Scale Tuition For All

To keep tutoring fair and accessible, I calculate fees for every family using a simple formula that considers both household income and the number of dependents. This way, no one feels singled out and every student has the same opportunity to receive support. Families who prefer not to share financial information can skip those questions and simply pay the full rate. My goal is to make tutoring affordable, transparent, and sustainable for all.

Payments & Policies

All tutoring sessions must be paid in advance. I cannot meet with a student unless payment has been received.

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash, credit cards (via Venmo), Zelle, Cash App, Chime, Payoneer, Affirm, and Facebook Pay.

Discounts for Advance Payment:

5% discount if paid two weeks in advance.
10% discount if paid one month in advance.

Cancellations & Make-Ups:

If your child is sick, please notify me as soon as possible.
Unless pre-arranged sessions last minute cancellations must be rescheduled within the same week if there is availability; otherwise, the session is forfeited.
Make-ups must be scheduled in the same week of the missed session—no carryovers to future weeks.
Planned absences should be communicated 2-weeks in advance.

General Policy:

I value consistency and structure for students. Regular attendance ensures steady progress. Payment policies and make-up rules are in place so that both students and families can rely on a predictable schedule.

Megan A.
New Palestine, IN

Child 1: Teen

Elaine has done a great job working with my pre teen with special needs. She's been a life saver keeping her on track and filling in where the teachers leave off.