Dr. Amy Corbin (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Film Studies and Media & Communication at Muhlenberg College, and holds a PhD from UC Berkeley. Amy is drawn to film because of the power of visual storytelling, and embraces film’s capability to expose viewers to new places and cultures. She has been teaching at the college level for 20 years and enjoys helping students learn to be stronger critical thinkers and writers. She chairs the Writing Program Committee at Muhlenberg, helping to oversee writing instruction in all disciplines.

Amy brings that sense of empowerment to one-to-one tutoring: she finds students’ natural strengths and builds on them, coaching students towards working more independently and at a higher level. Her high school success in AP Calculus, despite it not being her “favorite” subject, gives her empathy for students who are working on skills that may not come naturally to them—and reinforces her belief that students can succeed in any subject with the right work ethic and guidance.

As RTC’s Writing Program Coordinator, Amy supports tutors, especially in college application essay writing, through a collaborative approach. Her approach to writing of all types—but especially personal essays—is to help students articulate their life experiences and perspectives in a way that connects with readers. She meets each student where they are starting in the writing process and focuses on strengthening ideas with vivid examples, while retaining each student’s unique voice.

Amy is a mother of two young children, and together they enjoy playgrounds, walks in local parks, and reading. She loves art movie theatres, live music, and yoga.

Jordan Heil (he/him) is an educator and editor, specializing in composition and developmental writing courses, with over six years of tutoring experience. His passion for reading and writing formed at an early age, leading to his study of literature at Kent State University, where he gained expertise in the field of American literature.

With the reading, critical theory, and writing skills he earned at KSU, Jordan entered Saint Joseph’s University as a master’s student in Writing Studies driven to advance his knowledge of composition pedagogy—best practices in the teaching of writing. As the first student to receive full funding in the history of the program for his outstanding work, leadership, and contributions to the program, Jordan graduated SJU as a member of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, a national honor society for graduate-level students. Post-graduation, he has served students across the spectrum of experience in the Philadelphia region—from K-8 students in an afterschool arts program in West Philadelphia to MA and PhD students at Drexel University—in his capacities as an instructor, writing center administrator, and tutor.

Jordan’s approach to education is centered in the ardent belief that writing is liberation and that all people, regardless of their backgrounds, can learn to do it well with the aid of a gentle, guiding hand. His practice as an educator proceeds from a service mindset and the Jesuit principle of cura personalis, which emphasizes care of the entire person. This ethos grew through his years of service as an ESL Specialist in the Drexel University Writing Center and as the Assistant Director of the Writing Center at Saint Joseph’s University, where he developed programs to facilitate the increased engagement of deaf/hard of hearing, adult returning, ESL, and commuter students with online writing services. He is additionally trained in the service of the LGBTQ+ community, needs of individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as those with diverse learning needs and mental health issues.

Through thousands of individual tutoring sessions and the accomplishments of his former students, Jordan is proud to have witnessed the impact comprehensive writing guidance and support can make in the lives of those who receive it. This impact is perhaps most evident during his interactions with students seeking feedback on personal statements and scholarship and college application essays. As such, Jordan is eager to help RTC students achieve their goals through similar writing tasks and much more.

When not in the throes of an academic project, Jordan enjoys writing screenplays, reading long novels, editing food-themed podcasts, cooking Mexican food, and playing with his dachshund-blue-heeler mix named Elvis. Jordan looks forward to expanding the margins of his international travel in the near future, and he’s excited to help RTC students progress in their own unique learning journeys!

Peter Ferris (he/him) graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations. He received the Political Science Award for Academic Achievement, having achieved the highest GPA of all Political Science majors in his graduating class. Peter also tutored students of all ages and experience levels on writing development and editing as a Writing Fellow in his university’s Writing Center. He has over six years’ experience teaching both writing and guitar performance, and currently teaches English at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School in South Philadelphia.

Peter firmly believes that positive learning experiences are defined by discovery and self-determination. His favorite creative works are often defined by unique, personal observations, and he encourages his students to find similar inspiration through their own experiences.

In teaching, Peter likes to think of himself as a guide on his students’ writing journeys. He takes a malleable approach around each student’s individual learning strengths and goals, by directing them towards understanding what conditions most positively influence their work and taking the steps they feel are best for their personal development. He views each lesson as a gateway for students to experience joy and fulfillment through writing in their own ways.

When he is not teaching, Peter spends his free time volunteering with the Women’s Community Revitalization Project (WCRP) in Philadelphia as an outreach coordinator. He also enjoys film photography, powerlifting, strenuous day hikes, watching baseball and basketball, and playing with his cat, Star.

Casey Burke (he/him) is a writer, mentor and digital marketer living in West Philadelphia. Growing up as the oldest of four siblings taught him patience and provided a foundation for the mentoring efforts he went on to pursue. These included a summer job as a camp counselor and a role in his high school’s mentoring program for disadvantaged middle schoolers, both of which cemented a passion in him for helping children grow and find joy in working toward their goals. Casey knows that every child thinks differently, and as a tutor, he is determined to identify and cater to each of his student’s individual learning styles.

Casey earned a double B.A. in English and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia, with a concentration in literary prose. After college, he started working as a paid search analyst for a digital marketing agency, where he consistently sought opportunities for teaching and mentorship. He was selected to participate in an externship program, and these teaching experiences drew him closer to a transition to education in earnest.

Writing has been one of Casey’s passions since he was old enough to spell. For Casey, any kind of writing is a form of self-expression: helping students improve their written work is ultimately a way to help them find a singular voice and build confidence, both on and off the page. In teaching, Casey relishes the challenge of connecting with students and helping them achieve.

In his free time, Casey enjoys fiction, distance running, cooking, playing the acoustic and bass guitars, listening to his sizable record collection, and reading about philosophy and music.