About Gretchen Nordleaf-Nelson

I am an educator, mentor, and academic coach with more than three decades of experience helping young people develop as thinkers, writers, learners, and decision-makers. My professional background is deeply rooted in the International Baccalaureate, where I have served as a teacher, coordinator, and a current IB examiner, supporting students across disciplines and stages of their development.

My Professional Perspective

Over the course of my career, I have taught language and literature, theatre, and interdisciplinary humanities courses while guiding students through major projects and assessments.

This experience has given me a clear understanding of how academic programs function from the inside: how expectations are communicated, how student work is evaluated, and how growth unfolds over time. It has also shaped my commitment to ethical practice, transparency, and student voice—values that guide every aspect of my work with students and families.

While my expertise is grounded in the IB framework, the skills I emphasize—critical thinking, strong writing, reflection, and purposeful planning—are transferable across academic pathways. I work with students in IB, honors, AP, independent, project-based, and other academic programs who are seeking thoughtful guidance rather than formulaic answers.

A Parent’s Perspective

In addition to my professional work, I am also the parent of four children—each with distinct interests, strengths, and learning styles. Supporting them through their own academic journeys deepened my understanding of how personal, complex, and emotional this process can be for families.

How I Work With Students

I approach academic coaching and tutoring as an educational process, not a transaction.

My role is to help students:

  • Develop confidence in their own thinking and voice
  • Build the skills needed to manage complex academic demands
  • Reflect meaningfully on their experiences and goals
  • Navigate academic demands and important decisions with intention rather than urgency

I do not write or “fix” student work, nor do I offer shortcuts that compromise authenticity or integrity. Instead, I focus on teaching students how to think, plan, and communicate effectively—skills that serve them well beyond any single application cycle.

What Families Can Expect

Families who work with me can expect:

  • Individualized, student-centered guidance
  • Clear communication and ethical boundaries
  • A calm, grounded approach to decision-making
  • Respect for student well-being and long-term growth

I work with a limited number of students at a time in order to provide thoughtful, responsive support and to ensure that each student receives the care and attention they deserve.

Education & Professional Preparation

  • Master of Arts (MA), Theatre — University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA), Education, English, and Theatre — Western Washington University

  • Graduate-level training in International Baccalaureate curriculum, assessment, and pedagogy

My formal education in writing, performance, and critical analysis, combined with graduate-level preparation in IB curriculum and assessment, underpins my work with students across disciplines. This academic training, together with decades of classroom teaching, program leadership, and assessment experience, informs my reflective, student-centered approach to academic coaching, college guidance, and post-secondary planning.

An Invitation

Choosing academic guidance and/or tutoring is an act of trust. I invite families who are seeking a reflective, ethical, and student-centered approach to reach out for an initial conversation to explore whether working together is the right fit.