KRISTEN P.

Kristen just retired after 32 years of teaching in the Ardsley School District. She started out in a self-contained Life Skills program for 8 years and then moved on to the CORE program in grades 2,3,4 where students were pulled out of their mainstream classes for direct instruction in ELA and math. She co-taught in grades 1, 2 and 3. Kristen was a Direct Teacher Consultant in K-4 and did direct reading instruction for grade 5. Kristen has a great deal of experience supporting students with Emotional and/or Behavioral needs both in and out of the mainstream classroom. She also directed an extended school year program for students needing summer services. In addition to planning and adapting curriculum, differentiating lessons, completing assessments and evaluations and collaborating with teachers and parents, Kristen has participated in a great deal of professional development and is trained in Fundations, Thinking Maps, LLI reading programs, Envisions, Do The Math and Investigations math programs and more. She has created curriculum for and taught after school Mindfulness and Introduction to French classes for K-2 students. Kristen mentored teachers and worked with staff to help develop their co – taught programs. She has pretty much done it all! Kristen enjoys baking, traveling, hiking, biking, reading and watching movies. Kristen is excited to be able to work with students to help facilitate their learning in fun and engaging activities!

Keira M.

Keira relocated to Whistler from Alberta in 2016 to experience the endless outdoor recreation opportunities that the Sea to Sky has to offer. As an outdoor educator with a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education, Whistler turned out to be the perfect place for her and it became her long-term home. As a current Teacher Candidate in the Bachelor of Education – Early and Middle Years program at the University of British Columbia, Keira comes with a diverse range of experiences having worked in both classroom settings and outdoor education environments. Believing that learning should be fun, Keira adopts a strength-based approach that empowers students to build confidence and discover their own inspiration. Utilizing multi-modal teaching methods, she tailors each session to meet the unique needs and learning styles of her students, ensuring that every learner feels valued and engaged.

Julia V.

Julia has a Masters of Science in Psychology, with a focus on Applied Behaviour Analysis from Capella University, is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) and is a Registered Behaviour Analyst with the College of Psychologists in Ontario. She has experience supervising and working with clients between the ages of 4-17 with ASD and developmental disabilities on a variety of academic, social and life skills, as well as behaviour management strategies for clients and their families. She has experience with staff and parent training and loves to help families meet their goals!

Estelle S.

Estelle Saroukian is currently pursuing dual majors in Sociology and Law and Society at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. With a strong academic foundation, Estelle has been consistently recognized for her dedication and performance, achieving Honour Roll status during her high school years at both Virtual High School and St. Georges School of Montreal.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Estelle has an impressive background in athletics, having competed as a swimmer for over eight years. Her competitive swimming career has instilled in her the values of punctuality, efficiency, and a strong work ethic, which she applies to all aspects of her life. Beyond sports, Estelle has honed her skills through various internships, including her role as a Leasing Administrator for SHL Management, where she developed her organizational, administrative, and communication skills.

Estelle is also committed to giving back to the community, having volunteered at senior care homes, the SPCA, and Moisson Montréal. Her diverse experiences have shaped her into a dependable, tech-savvy, and creative individual who is eager to use her expertise in both academia and future professional endeavors.

Ashley N.

Ashley is an engaging and dedicated elementary educator with six years of experience teaching in San Diego schools. She has a Master’s Degree from San Diego State University in Curriculum and Instruction, and has enjoyed working with children and families in a number of capacities in and out of the classroom for the past 15 years. She has been a classroom teacher for Kindergarten through 2nd grade, run an independent childcare business, and worked as a homeschool advisor and guest teacher. Ashley knows how a strong foundation in early literacy can pave the way for future academic success. She understands that taking the time to get to know the whole child is essential to providing engaging and strategic interventions to help them thrive, whether in a classroom or homeschool setting. As a tutor, Ashley’s goal is to help your child build both academic competence and self-confidence.

In addition to her passion for teaching, Ashley is an avid adventurer, and an expert snack-packer. She is kept on her toes by her four rambunctious children ages 8 to 13 who love rock scrambling, ocean sports, and backyard engineering. Most weekends you will find her camping, beaching, or tromping around in nature with her family.

Karina R.

Karina is a retired teacher and administrator with over 38 years of experience teaching and leading communities of learners. She has a love for education and connecting with her students and families.

Karina believes that the key to successful learning is making it fun, engaging and appropriate for each child’s instructional needs. Her specialty is differentiating and individualizing according to each child’s interests, strengths and academic goals. She is also a lifelong learner and enjoys traveling, reading, surfing, birding and hiking. Karina is thrilled to be a Prep Academy Tutor, which allows her to help children develop confidence in their abilities and achieve their full potential.

Zeke T.

Zeke is a credentialed social science and special education teacher with over eight years of classroom experience. He holds a BA from UCLA and an MA from UCSD. Zeke is a patient, personable, and adaptable teacher who loves creating the spark that fosters lifelong curiosity and exploration.

In his free time, Zeke enjoys traveling, playing guitar, hiking, cycling, reading, and watching sports. His favorite teams include the San Diego Padres, UCLA Bruins, and anything Team USA.

Bianca G.

Bianca is a distinguished graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, earning her Baccalaureate in English Literature, with a minor in Journalism, and concentrations in Document Design, Publishing, and Grant Writing for Non-Profits—all achieved with cum laude honors and five academic honors society inductions. Raised in the heart of South Texas, Bianca’s passion for learning and teaching has been evident since childhood.

With extensive experience spanning multiple subjects, Bianca has a proven track record in education, tutoring, and career guidance. Her expertise includes English, Language Arts, ESL, Reading, Handwriting, Computer Skills, Spanish, Resume Writing, Debate, Speech, Communications, Public Speaking, GED/High School Equivalency, ASVAB, ACT/SAT prep, and College/Scholarship essays. She has taught students from 6 weeks to 93 years, continuously demonstrating her adaptability and commitment to her students’ success.

A dedicated wife and mother of three, Bianca also homeschools her children while actively contributing to her local homeschool co-ops. Her work with youth, particularly those with disabilities such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia, is a testament to her patient and compassionate nature.

Bianca’s love for teaching stems from the fulfillment she feels in seeing her students grasp new concepts, grow in confidence, and achieve their goals. Whether volunteering or in a professional capacity, she continues to be a guiding light in the lives of those she teaches.

“What a great experience for my son, he was looking to move his SAT score but only had a few weeks to accomplish this. Bianca spent 5-6 days with him and he was able to raise his score to where he wanted it. We had used another service and didn’t see the same results as we did with Prep Academy. I would highly recommend contacting Taira so she can get you aligned with a high quality tutor, the value returned well outweighs the cost.”

JACQUELINE D.

Jacqueline has a Graduate Diploma in Education and has 11 years of experience in education. She is an Ontario and UK certified teacher with expertise and success in Toronto’s model schools. Jacqueline has worked in Special Education with knowledge of direct instruction programs like Reading Mastery and Visualizing and Verbalizing, as well as phonics instruction programs such as UFLI. Jacqueline has taught Kindergarten to Grade 6 and is currently working as a Kindergarten teacher. Jacqueline is driven and committed to cultivating an equitable, inclusive and safe learning environment that supports all learners.

Shannon D.

My name is Shannon. I have 25 years experience as an OCT certified teacher, teaching all students K-8. I have a vast knowledge in special education, having both my qualifications and in-class training. I enjoy getting to know children, their families and how to work together to achieve success. My passion is watching students realize their potential and feel good about themselves in the school setting. I understand the individuality of academic success and always create a student centered focus.