NADER A.

Nader is an experienced educator with a strong academic background in mathematics, education, and applied linguistics. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics overseas, followed by a Bachelor of Education from York University. He also completed a Master’s degree in Mathematics for Teachers and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics.

Since 2010, Nader has taught Mathematics and Science at the high school level throughout York Region. In addition to his classroom experience, he has taught SAT and SSAT preparation as well as English, giving him a broad range of experience supporting students with different academic needs and learning styles.
Nader has received training in a variety of effective teaching strategies, including Direct Instruction, Differentiated Instruction, and Design Down. He uses these approaches to adapt his teaching to individual students, build their confidence and strengthen their understanding.

With his extensive teaching experience, strong subject knowledge, and ability to connect with students, Nader is dedicated to helping students reach their academic potential.

Gabriel J.

EN: Gabriel is a pre-service teacher currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Secondary English at McGill University. He has experience working as an educator, substitute teacher, and tutor, and has had the opportunity to support students in both English- and French-language school settings.

Through his work with the English Montreal School Board and several French-language school boards, including the CSSPI, CSSDM, and CSSMB, Gabriel has worked with students of different ages, academic levels, and learning needs. He has also volunteered as a tutor with McGill’s LearnQuest program and Batshaw’s Youth program, where he has had the opportunity to support young people through accessible and individualized learning support.

Gabriel’s main area of expertise is English, but he has also provided academic support in French, history, geography, and mathematics. He enjoys helping students understand material that may initially feel difficult, adapting his explanations to their needs, and creating an environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and building confidence.

Gabriel is fortunate to be working toward a career in education and values the opportunity to support students not only in their academic progress, but also in developing the confidence and independence they need to succeed.

FR: Gabriel est étudiant en formation à l’enseignement secondaire en anglais à l’Université McGill. Il possède de l’expérience comme éducateur, enseignant suppléant et tuteur, et a eu l’occasion d’accompagner des élèves dans des milieux scolaires francophones et anglophones.

Dans le cadre de son travail auprès de l’English Montreal School Board et de plusieurs centres de services scolaires francophones, notamment le CSSPI, le CSSDM et le CSSMB, Gabriel a travaillé avec des élèves d’âges, de niveaux scolaires et de besoins différents. Il a également fait du bénévolat comme tuteur auprès du programme LearnQuest de McGill et du programme jeunesse de Batshaw, où il a eu l’occasion d’offrir un soutien scolaire accessible et adapté aux besoins des jeunes.

Le principal domaine d’expertise de Gabriel est l’anglais, mais il possède également de l’expérience en français, en histoire, en géographie et en mathématiques. Il aime aider les élèves à comprendre des notions qui peuvent leur sembler difficiles au départ, en adaptant ses explications à leurs besoins et en créant un environnement où ils se sentent à l’aise de poser des questions et de développer leur confiance.

Gabriel est heureux de se préparer à une carrière en éducation et accorde beaucoup d’importance à l’accompagnement des élèves dans leur progression scolaire, tout en les aidant à développer leur autonomie et leur confiance en eux.

Sarah K.

Sarah is a lifelong educator, and has worked with kids and teens from kindergarten through high school on writing, reading, and general studies, including science, history, and literature. She has a particular focus on building confidence, executive function skills, and support for learning differences, and brings mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques into her sessions when it’s helpful.

Sarah was educated at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn Heights and Sarah Lawrence College, and trained at the Royal Court Theatre in London. She has gone on to teach at every level, from the classroom to the graduate seminar — including as an Adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco’s School of Education and currently as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Westminster, CAMRI in London. She is also a writer, with two published books.

As the parent of a high impact and creative son now in college, Sarah understands both sides of the process, the excitement and the stress, and brings that firsthand perspective to her work with students and families. Working with children is core to her values, and she loves partnering with families to help their kids thrive. Her approach is to help every student find their own words and ideas, their confidence, and their sense of self.

AARON L.

Aaron is an executive functioning coach and Ontario Certified Teacher with over 20 years of experience teaching and mentoring students of all ages. He specializes in helping students build essential skills for academic success and personal growth, including organization, task completion, time management, problem-solving, and goal setting.

In his sessions, Aaron uses practical tools, custom templates, and interactive digital strategies to make managing schoolwork structured and achievable. Leveraging his specialized background in Middle School Math, Special Education, and Educational Technology, he creates low-floor/high-ceiling approaches that build confidence and keep students engaged. Aaron works closely with each learner to set personalized short- and long-term goals tailored to their unique strengths and learning styles.

His coaching philosophy focuses on helping students build sustainable habits, manage their workloads, and take true ownership of their learning. Aaron has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent learners, including students with ADHD, learning disabilities, and IEPs. Drawing on his background as a classroom teacher and youth sports coach, he provides a structured, encouraging environment where students feel supported to overcome challenges.

Aaron is passionate about empowering students to reach their full potential. His goal is to help learners build the resilience, independence, and self-belief needed for lifelong success both inside and outside the classroom.

CAMERON C.

Cameron brings genuine curiosity and care to every student he teaches. As a BC certified science teacher with a degree in Chemistry from Simon Fraser University, he combines subject-matter expertise with a hands-on, approachable teaching style. Over the past 1.5 years, he has taught in formal classroom settings, building on more than five years of experience supporting children with diverse learning needs and abilities.

For Cameron, teaching starts with connection, not curriculum. He takes the time to get to know his students and their families first, believing that trust and rapport lay the groundwork for real academic progress. This relationship-first approach shapes how he tutors: patiently, attentively, and with a genuine belief that every student can grow with the right support. When he’s not teaching, Cameron can usually be found outdoors hiking, camping, gardening, or getting active with friends. That same energy and hands-on spirit show up in how he engages his students, making learning feel less like a chore and more like an adventure.

Andrew D.

Andrew has been a dedicated and passionate classroom teacher for 25 years and an effective, engaging tutor since his early undergraduate days over 30 years ago.
After completing a master’s degree in mathematics at Indiana University, he moved to New Orleans, a city he had grown greatly fond of through many visits in his college years. He is a dedicated husband and father of two daughters, and maintains strong interests in jazz music, hiking in mountainous lands (when he can get to them!), and making real “fermented” pro-biotic pickles.
He has always found great joy in mathematics from his earliest memory, looking forward each night to discussing childhood math topics with his mother, who instilled in him a goal to always treat math as an entertaining puzzle to solve for its own pleasure and intrigue, not something to be dreaded.
Andrew is enthusiastic to work with students at all levels, from middle school up through early college undergraduates. Among his strengths are demonstrating myriad pathways to address most any math question, explaining the “why” behind common formulas and patterns that are often left to simple robotic-memorization, and striving to help students to avoid the many common pitfalls and errors in any process or technique. He is an extremely detail-oriented and expert instructor, but strives always to show the inherent “fun” of succeeding at math, especially for those who have had histories of struggle and dislike of the topic.

SAYEEDA A.

Sayeeda is an experienced middle school math teacher who has been teaching since 2017. She currently teaches 6th grade mathematics and has also taught 8th grade mathematics and Algebra I. She holds a New York State Professional Certification in Mathematics for Grades 5–9. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Fordham University and a Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Lehman College.

Throughout her career, Sayeeda has focused on creating engaging and accessible math instruction that strengthens students’ problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, and confidence. She is committed to meeting the individual needs of her students and creating a supportive learning environment where students can develop their skills and confidence in mathematics.

Cassie M.

Cassie is a retired Software Engineer who has taught robotics programming to 8th-12th grade students, and has instructed Computer Science courses at the University of Michigan. She earned a Biology minor while in college, and is passionate about subjects that relate to human health, such as Genetics, Anatomy, and Biochemistry.

She loves teaching any STEM subject, and believes that there are few better motivators than understanding and caring about real life applications. Her teaching style is flexible, encouraging, and patient, and she will notice and celebrate even the small wins. Each semester she signs up for at least one college course that catches her interest, and has lots of tips and tricks to share for learning and remembering new content.

In her free time, Cassie is learning Portuguese, and enjoys lifting weights, taking science classes, and playing board games with her friends.

EMILEE D.

Emilee Duquette is an Ontario Certified Teacher with a passion for creating engaging and supportive learning experiences. She grew up in Sarnia, Ontario, where she attended French-language schools. She later moved to Toronto to study Psychology at York University and graduated with a bilingual certification in French and English. Before completing her Bachelor of Education, Emilee’s teaching journey took her to France, where she worked as an English teacher, teaching assistant, and tutor. Since becoming certified, Emilee has been employed by the Toronto District School Board, teaching across a variety of subjects, including Core French, English, Canadian and International Law, Civics and Citizenship, and Career Studies. Emilee’s diverse experiences have shaped her ability to create engaging, individualized lessons that respond to each student’s unique strengths and needs. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in building meaningful student-teacher relationships and creating a positive learning environment where students feel supported, confident, and motivated to succeed. As she joins Prep Academy, Emilee is excited to bring her enthusiasm, adaptability, and diverse teaching experience to support and inspire students while continuing to grow as an educator. When she’s not tutoring, Emilee enjoys spending time outdoors, playing the guitar, and hunting for hidden gems at Toronto’s best thrift stores. Her creative spirit carries into the classroom, where she believes that teaching is like a puzzle and sometimes all it takes is a little creativity to find the perfect fit.

Gabriella H.

A passionate writer and mentor, Gabriella Hirshfield completed her Bachelor’s degrees in English &
Creative Writing and Jewish Studies at Muhlenberg College. She then went on to receive her Master’s
Degree in Hebrew & Judaic Studies from New York University. While excelling in her course work, the
most meaningful aspect of Gabriella’s academic career was her work as a tutor at both schools’ writing
centers where she taught academic writing to hundreds of students across disciplines. As a result of four
years of experience, her tutoring strategy prioritizes writers, not just writing; she loves collaborating with
students to empower their individual interests and unique voices, thinking beyond individual assignments
towards larger academic goals. Gabriella specializes in English Language Arts subjects, college essays,
and writing assignments, focusing on close reading, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills. When
she’s not tutoring students in writing – her favorite activity! – Gabriella spends her free time painting,
doing yoga, and, like most former English majors, reading as many books as she can!