MICHELLE P.

Michelle is a dedicated educator with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from York University, earned through the Concurrent Program. As an Ontario Certified Teacher, she specializes in the Primary/Junior Division and has taught grades K-6 across both public and private schools. Michelle is pursuing French certifications at the University of Toronto, with plans to attain FSL additional qualifications in the coming year.

Through her teaching experiences, Michelle has developed a keen ability to facilitate dynamic classroom environments and adapt her methods to accommodate diverse learning styles. She employs a range of strategies to engage students effectively, recognizing that each child learns differently and tailoring her approach to meet individual needs. Her belief in the potential of every student fuels her teaching approach, which prioritizes instilling confidence, promoting hard work, and cultivating perseverance.

Michelle is committed to the principles of a growth mindset, striving to inspire and support her students in reaching their full potential. Her dedication to education is reflected in her proactive pursuit of professional development and her unwavering support for her students’ learning journeys.

Matthew N.

Matthew’s journey as an educator began at George Brown College where he studied Early Childhood Education, and later obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. Matthew aspires to become a teacher, and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Education at York University. He has experience teaching children in a variety of different settings, which includes working at a childcare centre with children between the grades of 1 and 7. There, he developed lesson plans for his students, which included activities surrounding their interests, and focused on improving skills such as language, math, gross/fine motor skills, and social development. He also has experience being a swim instructor, and assistant coach for a soccer team, where he enjoys the opportunity to learn and connect with the students he works with.

Jiyeon I.

EN: Ms. Jiyeon is pursuing her Bachelor of Education in French Immersion Kindergarten and Elementary Education at McGill University.
Ms. Jiyeon will be entering her 4th year into the program and embark on her third student teacher placement this fall 2024.

Ms. Jiyeon has taught French as a second language for students aged 5 through 12 with diverse cultural and linguistical backgrounds, along with various elementary subject matters at the French Immersion schools in Montréal during the past two years. Ms. Jiyeon believes in connection before curriculum, meaning that a relation must be built between the student and the teacher, in order for learning to occur.

When Ms. Jiyeon is not teaching, she likes to write, meditate, hike, and venture through the many bookstores and the beautiful landscapes of Montréal!

FR: Mme Jiyeon poursuit son baccalauréat en éducation en immersion française pour la maternelle et l’enseignement élémentaire à l’Université McGill. Mme Jiyeon entamera sa quatrième année dans le programme et débutera son troisième stage d’enseignement à l’automne 2024.

Mme Jiyeon a enseigné le français langue seconde à des élèves âgés de 5 à 12 ans, issus de divers horizons culturels et linguistiques, ainsi que diverses matières au niveau élémentaire dans les écoles d’immersion française de Montréal au cours des deux dernières années. Mme Jiyeon croit en l’importance de la connexion avant le programme, c’est-à-dire qu’une relation doit être établie entre l’élève et l’enseignant pour que l’apprentissage ait lieu.

Lorsque Mme Jiyeon n’enseigne pas, elle aime écrire, méditer, faire de la randonnée et explorer les nombreuses librairies et les magnifiques paysages de Montréal !

Taylor R.

Taylor is a fourth-year teacher, having first taught in the North Shore of Quebec for 2 years and now living and teaching in Montreal. Originally from Ontario, Taylor completed her undergraduate and teaching degree at Bishops University from 2016-2021 with a focus on Social Studies (Geography and History).

Away from teaching, Taylor enjoys travelling to new locations, learning how to snowboard, reading and rollerblading. She also enjoys walking her dog, James!

Alvaro D.

Alvaro Drake-Cortes is a certified facilitator, trainer, teacher and mentor who has worked with children, adolescents and adults in academic and professional settings in government and private sectors.

Alvaro has over 20 years of experience empowering clients to meet their goals and potential across a wide range of disciplines, using tailored and personalized instruction and guidance. With Prep Academy Tutors, he offers students an opportunity to immerse themselves in the Spanish language through lessons and workshops.

Alvaro has a Master of Education from Temple University and acquired his teaching certification in the state of Pennsylvania.

MAYA B.

Maya has completed a degree in English Education and a Master’s in Teaching Primary Specialization. Being a full-time teacher for six years, Maya has enriched students’ lives both in Malaysia and Australia. Clearly, her teaching experience has been as diverse as her travel itinerary! She is a firm believer in the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education. She focuses on creating effective learning experiences tailored to each student’s strengths and areas for growth. Her skills in patience, creativity, and adaptability ensure that every lesson is as engaging as a page-turning novel or a catchy tune. In her spare time, Maya enjoys reading novels, listening to music and traveling with family and friends.

Vincent De J.

Vincent De Jesus is a teacher, musician, and creative technologist from San Antonio, Texas. His interests are at the intersection of arts, design and creative technology. He is a graduate of Southwestern University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies with a minor in philosophy (2009). Today he splits his time between performing music (in musical theater productions, recording studios and stages around the world) and teaching and tutoring. With over 15 years of teaching experience, he has taught multiple subjects including math, science, video game design, design thinking, 3D design and printing, music, drumming and creative technology. He loves cooking Mexican and Puerto Rican foods, playing music with friends, creating music in his home studio, and going on nature walks. He enjoys reading, discussing ideas and learning about how the human brain works.

Diana F.

Diana grew up in San Antonio, Texas and attended UTSA for her BA in English, then UIW for her Masters in Management. She worked for several years in the training department at a large insurance company writing policies and procedures, and conducting training classes. The idea to switching careers from teaching adults to teaching children came about when she had her own children, one of which has Down syndrome. Working with her son really opened her eyes to how all children learn differently. Diana enjoyed the challenge of discovering how to best help her son learn.

Diana strongly believes in the power of relationship building. “It’s important that my students trust me and understand that I want to help them be successful.” Throughout her 12 years as a classroom teacher, Diana has spent time on the social emotional skills necessary to build relationships and boost student confidence. She believes that once trust is built, students are ready to learn.

In her free time, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, and keeping her home and classroom clutter-free, and organized.

Mary R.

Mary has been teaching for the past 15 years, including working 9 years as a special education teacher for grades TK-12, 4 years as a general education high school English teacher, and 2 years as a Creative Writing adjunct professor at the University of California Riverside Extension. She has also worked as a writing tutor for the University of California, Santa Cruz for two years, and as an in-home tutor for students grade K-8 for 3 years (tutoring reading, writing, and math), and as a college admissions essay tutor. She currently works as a special education teacher for a local charter school, teaching reading, writing, and math, as well as supporting students in Social Studies and Science, for students grades TK-8 both virtually and in person at a local learning center.

Mary has a BA in Literature from UC Santa Cruz, where she received College Honors and Honors in the Major. She has also received an MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, and California credentials in Single Subject English and Mild/Moderate Special Education from Brandman University, and is certified to teach Wilson Reading. She has experience teaching and tutoring both online and in person, and worked as a freelance writer, and an editor of books and magazines before she became a teacher and tutor.

Mary has a great love of learning, which she brings to her students when teaching reading and writing. As an avid reader, and experienced writer of fiction, poetry, plays, and articles, she imparts her enthusiasm of reading and writing on her students. She especially loves to help her students improve their writing, and uses tools such as the Wilson Reading program to help struggling readers and spellers learn how to read and spell. As a teacher of students with a variety of ability levels, including students with disabilities, gifted and Honors students, and twice exceptional students, she knows how to tailor instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.

Andrea T.

EN: Andrea has a Bachelor’s Degree in High School English Education from McGill University. She has also completed her Master’s in Teaching and Learning from the University of Ottawa. She has four years of teaching and tutoring experience including ESL and loves being able to connect with students. Andrea completed her education in French and is bilingual in French and English.

FR: Andrea est titulaire d’un baccalauréat en éducation en anglais au secondaire de l’Université McGill. Elle a également complété sa maîtrise en enseignement et apprentissage à l’Université d’Ottawa. Elle a quatre ans d’expérience en enseignement et en tutorat et adore pouvoir se connecter avec les élèves. Andrea a complété ses études en français et est bilingue en français et en anglais.