Courtney P.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nutritional Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy at the same institution, having successfully completed three out of four years of the program. Last year, I took a break from my studies to teach mathematics and science to 4th and 5th graders at Prairie Lea ISD. In addition to my teaching role, I provided after-school tutoring for students ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade in subjects tested by the STAAR exam.

I possess considerable experience in delivering small-group and individualized interventions for students in need of remedial support, as well as those who are bilingual emergent or have special educational needs. While my formal educational experience is less extensive, I have a rich and varied background in tutoring that dates back to my freshman year in high school. Over the years, I have assisted students in navigating challenging Advanced Placement courses, including Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, U.S. History, and World History.

In my leisure time, I enjoy managing the 35-acre farm where I reside, engaging in kickboxing, playing with my two dogs, and sketching. I consider myself a skilled cook and a passionate baker. Additionally, I have developed a strong knowledge base in war and military collectibles, antique firearms, sports card trading, and coin collecting, largely influenced by my fiancée’s business in these areas.

Heather M.

Heather loves meeting students where they are. She approaches teaching by first asking what is it the student understands and where are the gaps in knowledge that block success. Then, with sensitivity to how the student learns best, she works with the young person to fill in those gaps. She enjoys learning along with the student if it is new subject matter or if there is a new way of learning the subject matter. When she was in the classroom, in three years, Heather taught three different Geometry curriculums as directed by the Math Chair because of her ability to implement new ideas quickly. Heather is an educator, a writer, an encourager, and one who makes learning fun. Heather asked a student “Isn’t it fun to learn about these things?” And the student looked at her and said, “It is fun with you.”
Heather looks forward to making learning fun again for your child.

Arthur P.

Arthur is a Teacher Candidate at York University’s Faculty of Education with History and Instrumental Music as his specializations. At the University of Toronto he completed both a Bachelor of Arts with History and Anthropology as his majors, as well as a Bachelor of Music majoring in Music Education.

Arthur has been tutoring in various subjects ranging from History to Music to Essay Writing for over 6 years now and has also shared his love of learning and teaching with youth of all ages as a summer camp counselor. He is also a lifelong learner, completing courses in TEFL certification, as well as courses to teach CELPIP and IELTS specific test preparation.

Arthur believes in building strong relationships with students in order to support them to do their best. This means getting to know a student both as learner to develop the best learning strategies for them, but also as a person to help them enjoy and feel excited about the learning process.

Outside of work you can usually find Arthur going on a hike, learning a new instrument, studying Korean, or just hanging out with his two cats Beanie and Taavi.

Caroline F.

Caroline, an educator with a degree from Brigham Young University, brings a unique blend of enthusiasm and expertise to her tutoring sessions. To Caroline, learning is an exciting challenge, and she strives to cultivate that attitude in her students by making each session engaging and enjoyable for her students. She believes that her students have just as much to teach her as she does to teach them, fostering an environment of mutual respect and curiosity. She is deeply committed to helping children not only excel academically but also develop essential life skills that will serve them far beyond the classroom. Caroline’s goal is to inspire her students to see learning as an adventure, empowering them to approach each new challenge with confidence and a sense of fun. In her spare time, Caroline enjoys channeling her inner grandma by completing puzzles and reading dusty history books.

Francesca S.

Francesca S. graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree from York University and received her Bachelor of Education degree from York University as well. Francesca’s areas of specialty include the Intermediate/Senior divisions, but she has ample experience teaching in the Primary and Junior divisions as well.

Fully trilingual, Francesca has extensive experience working with students at most grade levels of core French, specifically, Primary to Intermediate.

Francesca inspires and motivates her students with her patience and support. She believes there is a solution to every obstacle. As a dedicated teacher, Francesca finds fulfillment in witnessing her students’ progress and success.
She utilizes numerous engaging and varied teaching strategies and resources that are reflective of the different interests and learning styles of the students. Moreover, Francesca maintains open communication with parents, providing regular feedback and next steps on their child’s progress.

JENNY C.

Jenny is a motivated, career-oriented, and organized individual originally from Shanghai. Growing up with two younger sisters, Jenny developed patience, responsibility, and a natural ability to work with kids. She has a unique and multicultural background as she attended an international school in Shanghai from primary through secondary. Jenny is very familiar with the IB Program as she took MYP and DP, graduating at the top of her class with an IB score of 44/45. During the DP program, she specialized in Higher Level English, Economics, and Business Management. Jenny has lived in Toronto for four years, and she is currently in her last semester of undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, where she double majors in Economics, focused on Data Analytics, and Public Policy. The majority of her coursework is in microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, data analytics, computer programming, and policy. Jenny also has a creative side as she is very passionate about fashion. Outside of school, she works on fashion styling projects, which require strong communication, organization, and innovation. Professionally, Jenny has completed two summer internships in the luxury and fashion industry. During her free time, Jenny enjoys cooking, workout classes, and spending time with her friends and family.

Charlie M.

Colleen S.

Colleen Simmons realized as a child she wanted to become a teacher. She loved learning how to read and do basic math from her mother, Donna, who she says was still her best teacher ever! Growing up in Illinois, she started helping her peers and younger children with reading and math homework when she was in 6th grade. Like the acting bug that some folks get, teaching became her passion. Graduating in 1981 from Millikin University with a B.S. in Biology, she pursued further training and completed a teacher certification program at the U of I Springfield soon after. She began teaching and continued to add certifications and degrees to her resume. She obtained a middle school concept endorsement on her standard certificate, a second B.S. in Special Education from EIU, and two M.S. degrees in Educational Administration from EIU and Teacher Leadership from U of I Springfield, respectively. Throughout her career, she has not only worked in the classroom, but she also has privately tutored students after school. Her reputation as a caring and supportive teacher is something she cherishes. In 2019, Colleen and her husband retired to Texas. Retirement didn’t last long, since she found herself missing the enjoyment she got from working with students. In 2021, she began working once again as support staff, tutor, and ultimately, teacher in a science classroom. This year, she is working on a new challenge. She, along with a couple of friends, began developing a home-school pod service to help families who want another option for educating their children. Along with tutoring, Colleen enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and learning something new, like painting a watercolor, playing a new strategy game, or reading a mystery novel.

VANESSA G.

Vanessa graduated with a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, specializing in cell and developmental biology. She is currently a Research Scientist at the University of Toronto, studying a protein pathway involved in epithelial (skin) cancers. Vanessa is also a Teacher’s Assistant and teaches lab sections of undergraduate level biology courses. She also has 3+ years of formal tutoring experience, teaching all levels of Biology and Chemistry (AP, IB, University level), as well as Science at the elementary-high school level. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys going out for coffee and pastries with her friends, and training martial arts. Vanessa believes that each student learns differently, and she believes that getting to know your student is the best way to understand how they learn, as well as implementing accountability and self-discipline through a mentor-mentee relationship rather than the traditional teacher-student relationship.

SHELDON G.

Sheldon Gomes, an Ontario Certified Teacher, is a dedicated and success-driven educator with a strong commitment to fostering student learning and engagement. With a Master of Education from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, he specializes in teaching general science, biology, chemistry, and social sciences to students in grades 6-12. Throughout his career with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Sheldon has cultivated inclusive, dynamic classroom environments that encourage curiosity and collaboration. His expertise in differentiated instruction, curriculum development, and student assessment ensures that his teaching practices effectively support diverse learners. Passionate about integrating technology and innovative teaching methods, he continually seeks ways to enhance student engagement. Outside the classroom, Sheldon enjoys hiking scenic trails, capturing moments through photography, traveling to new destinations, and immersing himself in a good book, always eager to explore new ideas and perspectives.