DANA M.

Dana is an Ontario Certified Teacher. As a Bachelor of Education graduate in the Primary/Junior division at York University, and a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Early Childhood

Studies Bachelor’s of Art program, Dana brings both a deep respect for developmental, play-based learning and a strong commitment to inclusive, student-centered education. Dana has been working with children in instructional roles for 13 years. She has taught skiing lessons, nannied, worked in Daycares, and is now an Occasional Teacher with both the Toronto District School Board and the Durham District School Board. Dana takes time to know who her students are, their interests, their motivations, and how they learn best. She uses that knowledge to design sessions that are engaging and meaningful for that unique student.

When Dana is not teaching, she loves to bake for her friends and family, get creative with her sewing machine, do an impromptu photoshoot with her film camera, or dig into some Sudoku.

Tanya Y.

Tanya holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Wilfrid Laurier University and has over four years of experience tutoring and teaching students from Grades 1–12. She has taught mathematics, science, English, French, and computer science and has experience working with students with a wide range of learning styles and academic needs.

Tanya’s tutoring style is creative, interactive, and highly personalized. She believes students learn best when they are actively involved, so her sessions often go beyond traditional worksheets. She enjoys turning concepts into games, challenges, discussions, real-world examples, and hands-on activities that make learning feel more approachable and memorable. She also takes the time to understand each student’s personality, interests, and learning style so that no two sessions feel exactly the same.

Most importantly, Tanya wants her students to feel comfortable making mistakes, asking questions, and developing confidence in their own abilities. She aims to help students understand not only how to solve a problem, but why their approach works.

Outside of tutoring, Tanya enjoys listening to music, spending time with pets, watching movies, and exploring technology. She loves finding opportunities to bring students’ interests into her lessons and make learning something they can genuinely enjoy.

Melissa G.

Melissa is a Psychology graduate from York University with a strong passion for education and supporting children in reaching their academic and personal potential. She brings experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities in educational and developmental settings, along with knowledge and hands-on experience in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Through this experience, she has supported children in developing communication, social skills, emotional regulation, independence, and academic learning using individualized and evidence-informed strategies.
As an academic tutor, Melissa provides support in French Immersion, Spanish, English reading and writing, and elementary-level mathematics. She understands that every student has a unique learning style and works to adapt her approach to meet each child’s individual strengths, needs, and goals. Her background in psychology and ABA allows her to incorporate structured learning strategies, positive reinforcement, encouragement, and individualized behavioural supports to promote engagement, focus, and confidence.
Melissa strives to create a positive, patient, and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and developing new skills at their own pace. She believes that academic success goes hand in hand with confidence, motivation, and independence, and she takes the time to recognize and celebrate each student’s progress, no matter how big or small.
With a student-centered approach grounded in empathy, patience, and encouragement, Melissa is dedicated to helping learners strengthen their academic foundations while developing a genuine enjoyment of learning. She is committed to providing individualized support that helps students overcome challenges, build confidence, and develop the skills necessary to become more independent learners. Through her academic tutoring and ABA-informed experience, Melissa strives to empower every student to recognize their strengths, reach their goals, and feel confident in their ability to succeed both academically and personally.

Molly R.

Molly is a Florida-certified educator with experience working with students from early childhood through high school. A lifelong Floridian born and raised in Naples, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and has developed a diverse background working in public schools, private academies, religious settings, and project-based learning environments.
Molly has taught in elementary through high school and is comfortable supporting a broad range of subjects and grade levels, including ELA, mathematics, biology, social studies, and entrepreneurship. She also has extensive experience working with children with unique learning needs and within the ESE population, with a particular specialization in reading instruction for students with dyslexia. Molly currently serves as a Kindergarten Teacher with Collier County Public Schools and an Infant-Toddler Development Specialist with Early Steps of Southwest Florida.
Molly believes that every child is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning. She understands that students develop at different paces and may need additional patience, encouragement, structure, or individualized support to reach their potential. Her approach focuses not only on academic growth but also on building trust, confidence, and positive relationships with her students.
Molly finds great fulfillment in helping students recognize their strengths, overcome challenges, and become more confident learners. She is passionate about creating a supportive environment where every child feels understood, valued, and capable of success.

Julie G.

Julie has 10 years of teaching experience working in a variety of special education settings with students in grades K–6. Most of her experience has been with students in grades 2–5. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment that meets the unique needs of every student and helps them grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

Jessica L.

Meet Jessica! Jessica is a Zachary native and an experienced elementary educator dedicated to helping students learn, grow, and thrive. She graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2016 with degrees in both Elementary and Special Education and has experience working with students across all elementary grade levels. With a strong passion and expertise in math, Jessica specializes in breaking down challenging concepts into simple, easy-to-understand steps. She believes that every student learns differently, which is why she focuses on meeting students where they are, building their confidence, and creating a positive learning experience tailored to their individual needs. Whether a student needs extra support, a confidence boost, or a challenge to reach the next level, Jessica is here to help them succeed!

Kristen M-F.

Kristen is a passionate, caring, and dedicated educator who loves helping students build confidence, develop new skills, and discover their love of learning. Kristen has five years of classroom teaching experience in Minnesota, USA, including four years teaching Grade 6 and one year teaching Grade 3. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education: Grades K-6 and holds a Minnesota Teaching License: Grades K-6. She is also certified with the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and is excited to continue supporting students and families here in Ontario!

Throughout her teaching career, Kristen has worked with students with a variety of learning styles, strengths, and academic needs. She believes that every child learns differently and deserves to feel supported, encouraged, and successful. Her teaching philosophy focuses on creating a positive and welcoming learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying new strategies. Kristen’s goal is to help students develop a strong understanding of concepts while building the confidence and independence they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Kristen’s tutoring approach is personalized to meet each student’s individual needs, interests, and learning goals. She has experience supporting elementary students in literacy, reading comprehension, writing, spelling, mathematics, science, social studies, STEM, critical thinking, and independent learning skills. She enjoys incorporating engaging, interactive, and meaningful activities that make learning enjoyable while strengthening foundational skills. Whether a child needs extra support with classroom concepts, help building academic confidence, or opportunities to extend their learning, Kristen makes every session purposeful, encouraging, and rewarding.

Kristen understands that learning can feel challenging at times, and she wants students to know that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process. She celebrates progress, encourages perseverance, and helps students recognize their strengths while working through areas of difficulty. Kristen also values building positive relationships with families and believes that communication and collaboration are important in supporting a child’s academic growth. She strives to ensure parents feel confident that their child is receiving individualized attention in a supportive, encouraging environment.

Outside of the classroom, Kristen enjoys spending quality time with her husband and family, staying active, and cheering on the Minnesota Wild! Having recently moved to Ontario from Minnesota, USA, she is excited to continue her journey as an educator and connect with local families. Kristen’s goal is for every student to leave their sessions feeling more confident, capable, and excited about what they have learned. She looks forward to getting to know each family and helping students grow into confident and successful learners!

Sarah H.

Marsha H.

Marsha has been working as an Educational Assistant with the Durham District School Board for over four years. In this role, she has gained extensive experience supporting students with a wide range of learning needs and abilities. She has had many opportunities to work with children on a one-on-one basis, providing individualized support and helping students develop the skills they need to feel successful and confident in their learning.

Marsha is passionate about working with children and takes pride in creating a positive, supportive, and encouraging learning environment. She understands that every student learns differently and enjoys finding creative and engaging ways to help make learning meaningful and enjoyable. Whether a student needs additional practice with foundational skills, support understanding a new concept, or encouragement to build their confidence, Marsha strives to meet each student where they are and adapt her approach to their individual needs.

Her experience as an Educational Assistant has helped her develop strong communication, patience, and relationship-building skills. She believes that building a positive connection with a student is an important part of creating a successful learning experience. Marsha looks forward to helping students reach their goals, develop greater confidence, and discover new and exciting ways to learn.

Brooke P.

Brooke is an educator and academic tutor who believes that meaningful learning begins with understanding the individual child—how they think, communicate, process information, and experience the classroom. She earned her bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, where she double majored in Global Studies with a focus on European and Russian societies and cultures and
Slavic languages and literature. She is currently completing her master’s degree in special education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Brooke has worked with children for 20 years and has extensive experience providing academic and individualized support to students ages 4–14. Her skill set includes early literacy and phonics, individualized kindergarten readiness and admissions preparation for children applying to selective New York City independent schools, English language arts, research and essay writing, study skills, and supporting children with diverse learning and developmental needs. Her special education experience includes working with children with ADHD, ASD-related needs, physical and motor challenges, and emotional dysregulation, and teaching coping and self-regulation strategies to children who struggle with attention, frustration, and impulse control. Her interdisciplinary studies at UC Berkeley also give Brooke particular strengths in the humanities, encompassing history, literature, culture, and international relations. This training provided a strong
foundation in critical reading, analytical writing, research, source evaluation, and synthesizing complex ideas across disciplines—skills she brings to her work with students in English language arts, history, research, and essay writing. At the heart of Brooke’s teaching is a genuine love of helping children recognize their own capabilities. She considers it her responsibility to understand what each child needs to succeed and to provide individualized support that helps them build confidence, independence, and the skills to tackle new challenges on their own.