"Mrs. Allen-Kearney was my teacher for a total of two years, and in that time she helped me to develop immensely as a critical reader, an effective writer, and a successful student. In the first semester of my junior year in her IB World Literature class, we studied many intimidating classic works, including The Scarlet Letter and Macbeth. She was thoroughly knowledgeable (and eager to convey this knowledge) about the stories’ meanings and historical contexts, as well as their authors’ lives and stylistic tendencies. I came away feeling like such an expert on the works’ main content and significances that I could enjoy studying their subtleties, too.

When I decided to switch to the AP program the following semester, Mrs. Allen-Kearney was invaluable in helping me through the transition. While supporting me emotionally, she put in extra effort to catch me up on an entire semester of the challenging AP Language and Composition coursework. The class was entirely different from any other I’d taken, requiring extensive knowledge of technical terminology, and skill at analyzing new short works quickly and thoroughly. The AP exam also requires the student to write complete essays in a short period of time (something I’d always struggled with). Mrs. Allen-Kearney provided me with every resource imaginable and forced me to practice writing timed essays. In the end, after taking only half of the class, I passed the exam because of her efforts.

My senior year, Mrs. Allen-Kearney continued to enrich my education by sharing her wealth of expertise on the works we studied in AP Literature and Composition and helping me to hone my writing skills. Ultimately, I got credit for two university English courses, and got into many great colleges with the help of my improved essay-writing skills and her beautiful recommendation letters. In my first year of college, I was better prepared to critically analyze works (even in subjects other than English, like art history, biology, music, and religion) and write papers because of Mrs. Allen-Kearney’s skill and dedication. I highly recommend the services of this kind, talented and spirited teacher and friend to everyone."

Lauren Fowler

IB World Literature, AP Language and Composition, and AP Literature and Composition student 2005-2007

Honors College at USC

PASSED AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION EXAM & AP LITERATURE  AND COMPOSITION EXAM

 

"Mrs. Kearney was the most dedicated teacher I have ever had when it comes to ensuring her students' success. Her passion for teaching was reflected in everything she did; she created countless powerpoints to help us understand her lectures and took time out of her busy schedule to provide one-on-one lessons to those of us in need of extra help."

Leighton Norvell

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008 

PASSED AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION EXAM & AP LITERATURE  AND COMPOSITION EXAM

" Mrs. Kearney is a teacher that truly shows her students that she really cares for them. She taught me how to get things done, all the while showing me that you have to apply yourself and work hard, but you also need compassion, because without, it your accomplishments don't seem as worthwhile. She is one of the best teachers I have had in my high school career."

Alexa Matlack

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2007-2008 

AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION STUDENT

"When I think of my high school years and of all the teachers I've had, Mrs. Kearney is the first to come to mind. Not only did she fulfill the requirements of being a teacher, but she went above and beyond the protocol to insure that every single one of her student's educations was well rounded, honestly earned, and full of fun and endurance. Mrs. Kearney taught me to work hard and never give up because an education can open up doors that without one, would be forever locked. If I could suggest anyone as a tutor for anyone ages 6-106, it would be Mrs. Kearney because she will not stop until her student understands the material at hand and feels confident in themselves not only as a student, but as an individual as well."

Kelsey Gordon

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

 

PASSED AP LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION EXAM & AP LITERATURE  AND COMPOSITION EXAM

" Mrs. Allen-Kearney is an astounding teacher and an excellent choice to be your tutor. She has a phenomenal grasp of grammar and syntax which is very important when it comes to the IB World Lit essays that you will have to write.  She is also very well read cand can greatly help you in the understanding of the literature that you are reading.  However, the most astounding part about her is her will to go above and beyond to help you succeed, whether it is in writing your World Lit papers or just understanding the meaning behind the text"

Chris Tipley

IB WORLD LIT STUDENT

2005-2006

 

PASSED IB WORLD LIT EXAM

"Mrs. Kearney truly set the foundation for my respective International Baccalaureate Class in terms of comprehending and thoroughly understanding various types of English literature. Without a doubt, one of my favorite and most memorable high-school experiences was Mrs. Kearney's I.B. English III class. There are several explanations as to why this was for me: her enthusiasm & passion for teaching, her experience with the material, her dedication to making each and every student succeed, and the interaction between both my classmates and herself during lectures. With that being said, I personally believe that all of us became more mature writers, better at analyzing prose and poetry, and of course, better at taking standardized tests (i.e. the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II Literature). Please give her the opportunity to teach you not only lessons regarding academia but also lessons regarding how to holistically become a better student in life."

Matthew G. Frias        

School of Arts and Sciences 

&                     

The Wharton School of Business 

University of Pennsylvania  

Class of 2011!          

PASSED IB WORLD LIT EXAM and IB DIPLOMA RECIPIENT

"I can honestly say that I came out of Mrs. Kearney’s IB World Lit class as a stronger writer, reader, and overall student. Throughout the year, Mrs. Kearney gave us the crucial skills necessary to comprehend and discuss the most complicated pieces of literature. From creating detailed, but interesting PowerPoint presentations to providing additional essay editing help after school, Mrs. Kearney ensured every student had a thorough understanding of the material. Furthermore, I was always amazed by Mrs. Kearney’s ability to balance learning and fun in the classroom. Through creative projects, she encouraged us to appreciate the authors and poets we studied and explore our own capabilities as writers. After Mrs. Kearney’s class, I was not only better prepared to tackle IB Exams and standardized tests, but also succeed in my classes at the college level."

Sheena Bhalla

STUDENT, MIT

IB WORLD LIT STUDENT

2005-2006 

PASSED IB WORLD LIT EXAM AND IB DIPLOMA RECIPIENT

"Mrs. Allen-Kearney was the best AP Lit Teacher I could ever have. Every day seemed like a different adventure. Reading different stories, analyzing all the points, and just talking to Mrs. Allen-Kearney made a difference in my life. When I entered her class, she could easily tell that I had a hard time doing some of the activities we did, but she always went above and beyond to help me succeed. She didn't just treat us like kids or student-Mrs. Allen-Kearney treated us like adults.  Some days, we would make remarks that teachers would laugh at or just turn around and not listen to, but not her--she always helped and understood what we would be saying. Mrs. Kearney is by far the best teacher I ever had and there will not be one like her. She is the best teacher/tutor you can have."

 James Maltese

AP LITERATURE STUDENT

2006-2007 

"Mrs. Kearney was easily the best literature teacher around in my high school career. Not only was she passionate about her work, but she related the text to the average student. As opposed to most other teachers, Mrs. Kearney did not treat her students as students. We were all treated as adults and all of our opinions were heard, no matter how odd they were. I was never above average in literature, but with the assistance of her class, I have excelled in the college level. She is truly an excellent teacher and person. I highly recommend her to anybody needing help in the English field."

Danny Cepeda

AP LITERATURE STUDENT

2005-2006 

"I actually learned a lot in Mrs. Kearney's AP English  classes. I did not realize it at the time, but now that I am in college, I have really picked up on it. We would read through stories and analyze them. The things that I learned in her class really helped me out with all of this. She always found a way to make the class fun--watching movies, interactive conversations and even writing essays to prepare us for the AP test. Her class really made entering college a lot easier. Thank you for everything, Mrs. Kearney!"

MARK PETERSON

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2005-2007

When I think of my high school career, I remember all the times I struggled, except for in my Junior and Senior year. The difference between my Freshman/Sophomore year and my Junior/Senior year, was I had a teacher that cared. Mrs. Allen-Kearney was the one teacher that no matter what, cared about me as a person and my grade. She knew that I was having trouble with her classes so she figured out a way to get me to understand. She realized my learning habits and made adjustments so I could understand better and keep up with the pace in her class. To this day, she is still offering to help me with my college English because she is not like any normal teacher. She is the one teacher that it's more than a job to her. Her students are her life and she cares more than any teacher you had before. She isn't doing this job because she has to. She is doing it because she loves it. Without Mrs. Kearney, I would probably not be as skilled as I am today and I truly believe she made me a better person all around. She has inspired me so much and I can guarantee she will be the best person to help you understand everything.

KATIE GARCIA

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA

 

I would have to say the number 1 thing that motivated me to try, and ultimately pass, the AP exam was how much Mrs. Kearney believed not only in me, but in all of her students, and her wonderful teaching methods. Mrs. Kearney told us from day 1 that if you were not in the mood for trying and working hard to go down to the guidance counselor and ask to be transferred out of the class. From that day, on she exhibited the most dedication I have ever seen a teacher show to their students. She told us each and every day that she will put in as much effort as we did, and if we tried hard, she would try even harder to help us pass not only the class but the AP exam. She made teaching fun with her group projects and class discussions, and she showed us that learning difficul material can be a blast, and that life does not always have to be boring, boring, boring. It can be tons and tons of fun. I can truly say that the main and biggest reason I passed my AP exam was because of the dedication of Mrs. Allen-Kearney.

JASMINE MERRITT

AP LITERATURE STUDENT

2007-2008

PASSED AP LITERATURE EXAM

"Hi my name is Caitlyn and I have had Mrs. Kearney as my Advanced Placement English teacher for the past 2 years.  Both years I have passed my AP exam, so now that I am going to be a freshman in college I don't have to take half of the required English courses.  She has truly prepared me for my future education, and put me ahead of my peers in my knowledge of literature and rhetoric.  Other students in the class and me have often found ourselves analyzing everything we see or hear now because of Mrs. Kearney's class.  I have finally felt that I actually understand some of Shakespeare because of Mrs. Kearney.  She also encouraged me to read different books that I would have never thought of reading before, like the Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.  (This turned out to be way better than I thought.)  She is also the type of teacher that is always trying to keep the classroom interesting.  She uses technology to her advantage, by using presentations and movies to teach in a more interesting way.  A day in Mrs. Kearney's class was never boring and always new."

 Caitlyn Debevec

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008

PASSED AP LANGUAGE AND AP LITERATURE EXAMS

"From the first day I walked into Mrs. Allen-Kearney's class room it was evident that she had a passion and enthusiasm for teaching like no other professor I had ever met.  In the two years I was fortunate enough to have her as my teacher, there was not one day that passed that she approached a subject without excitement.  This method of teaching was contagious and kept each and every one of her students engaged, and it is what I owe my success in language and literature to.  Mrs. Kearney never stopped motivating her students to explore English in ways we had never known it before.  We approached books that we thought were too difficult, poems we were sure we could never analyzed, and plays with vernaculars that stumped us.  In the end though, with eloquent teaching, dedication, and persistence each of us accomplished those things we felt were never possible.  Mrs. Kearney is a brilliant and magical women who brings a subject to life the moment she begins to explain it.  It was a privilege to be in her class, and I will forever be a stronger student because of her."

Megan Iseman

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 

PASSED AP LITERATURE EXAM

"It would be an understatement to call Mrs. Allen Kearney a great English teacher. She is AMAZING! I passed both of my English AP exams because of her guidance, teaching and advice. She will make you work hard, but in the end it will be worth it. Her quirkiness and excitement make learning a fun experience.
I'm so glad she cared enough about my fellow classmates and me to take the time to make tons and tons of Powerpoints. They increased my understanding and knowledge of every aspect an AP student needs to know about English. During the actual AP exams, I found it easy to recall the information in my mind because of those Powerpoints.
Mrs. Allen- Kearney is saving me money for college because she motivated me to work hard enough to pass my exams, so I have most of my English college credits. =)"

Jonelle Earl

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008

PASSED AP LANGUAGE AND AP LITERATURE EXAMS

"I was born in a family of six which means there's much competition in my household. I was always the artistic child - not much for the academics but with all of my years in school I've got to say that the two years with Mrs. Allen-Kearney were truly unforgettable. Not only was she an approachable and loving person, she was also very honest and understanding. Her personality reigned over her teaching methods. She sacrificed everything she could to keep you involved and knowledgeable of the lessons. Mrs. Kearney even took the time to write a passionate and professional recommendation for my college resume. I passed my Advanced Placement exams and got A's and B's in her class. Getting great grades made me feel like I wasn't just the artistic sibling in the family but like I was going on to the next level achieving everything I could. She changed my views about English and literature and did it without shoving information down my throat. She made learning fun and exciting yet very informational and I'll never forget that. Now I am going to a University to become a Music Educator and I am definitely going to use Mrs. Kearney's tools for learning and acquire them into my profession. Thank you Mrs. Kearney you'll always be in my heart!"

 Bridget Bellach

AP ENGLISH STUDENT

2006-2008

PASSED AP LANGUAGE AND AP LITERATURE EXAMS

"Mrs. Allen-Kearney has been more than a teacher to me. She's my mentor, friend, and one of the best teachers I've ever had. She's highly qualified, and after having her for two years, I went from a 2 to a 5 on my AP Exam. I couldn't have done it without her. As a result I receive credit for completing two college English courses. Mrs. Kearney is the most dedicated teacher I have ever had, which is a result of her love for teaching and her students. Mrs. Kearney finds ways to productively engage her students in her lessons through projects, power points, and other colorful ways that result in her students learning and remembering what she has taught them even months later. She has a way of teaching and engaging students of all learning personalities. I've never had a teacher who had most, if not all, of her students engaged and wanting to learn. She is rare gem to be treasured and anyone who has the privilege to be taught by Mrs. Kearney is fortunate."

Nadia Hosein

"I found Sandy on shared talk.She was very kind helping me with my englih.I think i have improved my english because we have a lesson every day and i feel better about my english.I must say she is very patient with me and explains the topics very well."

George Mongibeaux

"Mrs. Kearney was my AP Language and my AP Literature teacher back in high school, and not only does she have a clear reach over every aspect the English language has to offer; but she cleverly presents these concepts to make even the worst debaters excellent in the realms of rhetoric. She also takes the time and effort to analyze each one of our personalities to present her ideas in the most effective way. "

Brittany (Moe) Alkire

WANT ANOTHER FREE LESSON?  SEND US YOUR TESTIMONIAL, AND WHEN WE PUBLISH IT, YOU WILL RECEIVE A FREE ONE HOUR LESSON!