Testimonials

 
 

“Phil helped my daughter write her college essays during all the stress and pressure of the college application process. He did a great job guiding her in choosing the right topic and structuring her essays. He made the writing process a positive experience for her. He was patient and reassuring, and helped make her personality stand out ‘on paper.’”

— Susan Cohen-Golper, Highland Park

 

“My wife and I have employed Phil on several occasions to coach both of our children. He has a gift for helping kids organize their thoughts and create good, solid, coherent papers. More importantly, his process builds the skills and confidence kids need as they get older and their assignments become more challenging.”

— Curt Hartig, Bucktown, Chicago

 

"We were recommended to Phil Rockrohr to help with my son Patrick’s writing dysgraphia a couple of years ago. Phil is a very patient teacher/writing coach who is very organized. His skills and innovative ideas to help formulate subject goals really stood out to me when my son had different school topics. He is very efficient in providing relevant support in today’s learning environment. The new ideas and techniques made my son a better writer. Phil is an asset to any family for his strengths. I recommend him for any writing endeavor your student may have."

— Frank Hayden, Evanston, IL

 

“As a research-based reading instructor for 20 years, I had never attempted to teach writing. I gave Phil an opportunity to work with some of my students with the most severe writing challenges. His patient, meticulous approach worked almost like magic with children who feared writing but grew to love Phil. I soon hired him as a contractor to work with children, teens and adults of all levels. Intuitively following the best practices, Phil is blazing a trail in a field with very few clear research guidelines. He is one of my favorite instructors and the only one to whom I entrust my students with writing instruction.”

—Dr. Holly Shapiro, Founder & Director, Ravinia Reading Center, Highland Park, IL

 

"We home-schooled our son for high school and hired Phil to be his writing tutor.  Phil worked individually with our son on the subjects of expository, narrative and persuasive writing; creative writing; and journalism.  Phil developed a great rapport with our son and provided him with invaluable instruction in the skills of numerous writing styles.  Our son took a particular interest in creative writing, and wrote a 70-page story in his spare time.  After sharing the story with Phil, our son was encouraged by Phil to submit his story to a writing contest.  He did so and won a writing award.  This was a significant moment for our son in developing his confidence and pride in his work, and it would not have happened without Phil’s support and encouragement.   Phil was professional, accessible, flexible when needed, and great to work with in every way. I highly recommend Phil to anyone considering hiring him for writing tutoring/lessons.”

— Noelle McWard, Lincoln Square, Chicago, IL

 

“Phil was an amazing help to my son getting his application for college together! What seemed initially like a daunting and frustrating process, was turned into simple and manageable steps. He was thorough, but efficient, and my son, who hates writing, even had fun! It could have been a very stressful time for my son; instead he has gained confidence in his abilities and is proud of what he accomplished. I will definitely be reaching out to Phil when my next sons are starting their application process!”

— Sandra Faeh Butler, River Forest, IL