Welcome to Novel Exchanges!
Prepare your child for success in the 21st century.
Develop your child’s critical thinking skills through professional tutoring.
Learning doesn’t stop after you graduate.
Participate in meaningful, story-driven dialogue with fellow adults.
Story-Driven Dialogue: Facilitation Services for Organizations
Jesse is incredibly well-prepared and excellent at facilitating conversations. The discussions are thought-provoking, accessible, and will leave you thinking critically about various themes from the text that are highly relevant to today’s society.
– Cara G.
Novel Exchanges is a wonderful way to explore a book. There was a diverse group of participants which brought new perspectives. Jesse, the host, encouraged participation and everyone had the opportunity to share their ideas.
– Kathy M.
I loved the open-ended discussion style and how free everyone was to jump in, add on, and contribute their thoughts. Jesse is a powerful teacher who leads the discussions and keeps everyone on track, and he has obviously put a lot of effort into preparing for each session.
-Richard K.
✓ Custom curriculum
✓ Private tutoring
✓ diverse literary works
✓ Passionate educator
✓ Virtual and in-person discussions
Learning is for Life.
Novel Exchanges prepares scholars to navigate the world by developing self-directed learning skills that allow young people to pursue their interests and achieve their goals in the 21st century.
Don’t Waste Time Doomscrolling
Doomscrolling isn’t helping you escape the exhaustion of your work day — it’s making you more tired.
You need an activity that brings you joy and excitement and understanding about the world. You need to create, and connect with fellow human beings.
Stories are an opportunity to understand ourselves and the world more deeply. Discussing stories is an opportunity to learn from other’s perspectives and clarify our own thoughts.
It’s easier not to think—but only temporarily. True comfort lies in confronting the world and seeking understanding. The more we understand, the clearer the path forward becomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why join Novel Exchanges?
I am a passionate educator, and I am deeply committed to creating valuable learning experiences outside of the school system. I love to engage in discussions with children and adults alike about what it means to live meaningfully in the world today. I am on a mission to foster critical thinking and empathy so that we can build connections between people of diverse experiences and perspectives. I hope you’ll join me on this journey!
How do I enroll in a course?
You can visit our “Adult Seminar Discussions” page to see a list of the courses offered each month. Press “Enroll today!” to be taken directly to our booking page. You can also use our calendar to see all our courses for the month!
How much do courses cost?
Adult seminar classes are free to join! However, you are welcome to provide a tip at the end of the session.
Do you facilitate private sessions?
Yes! You can hire me to facilitate book discussions for a family book club, friendly gathering, a company retreat, or a youth activity group. Email jesse@novelexchanges.com or call/text 443-792-9813 with inquiries.
I’m interested in tutoring – how should I proceed?
Reach out to jesse@novelexchanges.com or 443-792-9813 to schedule a free consultation. We’ll discuss what you are seeking from tutoring, as well as my rate and availability.
What are your rates for private tutoring?
My standard rate is $65/hour for virtual sessions and $80/hour for in-person sessions. This includes all preparatory work, including individualized curriculum design and post-session feedback! I offer discounts for bundling sessions, sessions longer than 1 hour, and group tutoring. If this rate doesn’t work for your budget, reach out! Cost should never be prohibitive when it comes to learning. I am happy to work with families in order to arrive at a rate that works for you.
No-shows and last-minute cancellations: tutoring
I charge a 50% fee for last-minute cancellations (less than 24 hours in advance of the session) and a 100% fee for no-shows (not on the call 15 minutes after scheduled start time).
What are your qualifications?
I have my Bachelor’s degree in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, where I graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. I went on to earn my Master’s of Education from Johns Hopkins, becoming dual certified in 7-12 ELA and Special Education. I taught in the Baltimore City Public School System for 6 years and was consistently rated “highly effective”.