Julia Shealy

Julia Shealy is excited to partner with Varsity Vine, assisting students and their families on the college application and matriculation journey. Julia has worked with countless students over the years as a French teacher (at all different levels) and has a true passion for identifying what makes each student unique and authentic. Most recently, Julia was a high school French teacher at Porter-Gaud after teaching at her alma mater, Ashley Hall, in Charleston, SC. With 22 years in the classroom, Julia also understands the personal and academic relationships between students and their teachers; she is uniquely positioned to give Varsity Vine students and their families insight on what teachers are thinking when asked to write those important letters of recommendation! Julia will guide Varsity Vine students on how to best request those teacher letters of recommendation – as well as how to answer those student questionnaires requested by teachers and “brag sheets” for the guidance office! Julia can also gently advise how to best build relationships with teachers – from a teacher’s inside perspective – so the student can help ensure a strong letter of support. Julia will also assist Varsity Vine students by creating/reviewing resumes, reviewing LinkedIn and social media footprint, and conducting mock interviews.

Julia graduated Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in French from Davidson College in 1993. At Davidson, she also received Phi Beta Kappa Distinction and was the recipient of Davidson’s French Award. After a few years of teaching in an International Baccalaureate Program in Charlotte, NC, Julia went back to graduate school at the University of Georgia and received her Master’s and ABD (All But Dissertation) in Romance Languages. After retiring from her full-time teaching career, Julia decided to focus her efforts working one-on-one with students, including college admission and matriculation advising and support; academic tutoring in writing, French, and math; and teaching executive functioning skills.

In addition to working with students, Julia has a passion for photography, travel, and good food. A mother of two grown children, she lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC, with her husband, an adorable labradoodle, and Maine Coon cat.