Shelley M.
Shelley has been teaching in Ontario schools since 2005 in the Elementary and Secondary panels, as well as, Continuing Studies. A graduate of the University of Toronto (B.A. English Literature) and D’Youville College (Master of Science in Education), she holds teaching certifications from Kindergartento Grade 12, with expertise in Language Arts and Intermediate/Senior English.
Shelley enjoys curriculum projects and educational research. She as an interest in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) and Teaching English Language Learners. She has done significant work preparing students for the O.S.S.L.T. grade 10 literacy test. In 2010, Shelley received and Inclusion Excellence Award from Simcoe County Community Services for curriculum projects and inclusive practices in grade 9 and 10 classrooms.
Shelley aims to foster self-efficacy in all learners by supporting students as they build confidence throughout the learning process and self-confidence as young people striving to reach their academic and extra-curriculum goals. She enjoys serving as an Assistant Coach for many school sports teams like Cross Country, Soccer, Hockey, Basketball, Swimming, Tennis, and Volleyball. In her youth, long distance endurance running was Shelley’s best sport, although she played many sports recreationally and enjoyed intramurals at University of Toronto earning her Minor & Major “M’s” for participation in athletics at St. Michael’s College (U of T)
Today, she models resiliency in life and learning. Currently, Shelley is studying Adult Learner Dance, Nutrition and Visual Arts. She lost her father 4 years ago, and through her grief journey she discovered Art Therapy (Waldorf Tradition). Shelley incorporates Art into her daily activities of living. She also hopes to achieve Yoga Teacher & Therapy designationssometime soon with a special interest in overcoming trauma.
An avid dog-lover, Shelley enjoys dogs and conversations about dogs with other dog-lovers.
Shelley continues to believe it’s a GREAT day for a GREAT day!
Primary Junior (1-6) – All Subjects, Senior English (9-12), Intermediate English (7-8), Intermediate Science (7-8), Senior Science (9-12), Academic Coaching
SYLVIA C.
My goal is to help each student develop confidence in their ability to learn and to build new skills. I have an Educational Assistant diploma. I have experience working in a French Immersion school with a variety of learning levels and abilities as well with special needs. I have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a minor in History and am currently working towards a degree in Education.
Eileen H.
Eileen is a Speech Language Pathologist with experience working in the education, healthcare, and private systems across Canada and the United States.
She enjoys working with children and adults with various backgrounds in-person and virtually. Eileen uses creativity when collaborating with families in order to achieve overall speech, language, and communication goals. She holds a special interest in providing services to remote communities and bringing a positive experience to families.
In addition to her MSc. in Speech-Language Pathology, Eileen’s advanced training includes Canadian Hemispheres Level 1-8 (Stroke Competency Series), MBS IMP Certification, SCERTS training, Hanen’s Learning Language and Loving It, and she is currently studying towards her Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy certification. She has taken additional coursework in the areas of trauma practices, neurological approaches for self-regulation, and articulation and language treatments.
In her spare time, Eileen enjoys a variety of hobbies, except needlepoint. She has tremendous respect for those who engage in needlepoint. She is a published author and holds a deep compassion for others and their journeys.
Eileen is a member of College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of British Columbia (CSHBC), British Columbia Association of Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists (BCASLPA), Speech-Language Audiology Canada (SAC), and is a Past member of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA).
Lori P.
Lori Pollock is a Certified Teacher. She grew up in Alberta, then moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in the teaching area of Secondary Sciences. As well, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Lori was given the opportunity to teach high school science for several years. Lori then moved up into higher education to work at the university level. For many years now Lori has assisted thousands of students to successfully transition from high school to university life. Lori has a passion for engaging and inspiring students to find success. She works with students to set goals and create their own personal success plans. Lori gives guidance on; time management, organization, decision-making, academic skill building, and exam taking. Lori believes that by building strong relationships with her students she is better able to meet their needs. As an experienced mentor, Lori has many strategies to work with students and continues to develop new and innovative ways to guide students to reach their full potential.
Lori now lives in West Kelowna and loves to spend time with her family, read novels, garden and travel. It is through these experiences that her love of life, nature, and science shines through. Lori has a passion for learning, lots of patience with a pinch of sense of humor, a great blend for a teacher!
JAMIE Z.
Jamie is currently a grade 2/3 teacher with the Toronto District School Board. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education, and is currently completing his Master of Arts in Social Justice Education. He also holds additional qualifications in Special Education, Primary/Junior Literacy, Mathematics, Reading, ESL, and Kindergarten.
During the summer months, Jamie fulfills the role of Program Director with Westcoast Connection. Over the past 10 summers he has directed programs all over Canada, USA, Europe and Australia.
Jessica D.
Jessica has a Master’s degree in French and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She has been teaching for the last 10 years and she has recently moved to Canada after many years of teaching in Dubai. Her expertise lies in languages.
Darien K.
Darien has been teaching for 5 years. He also has a Psychology degree and is certified by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He developed a Mindfulness Committee throughout his school’s community to better support mental health initiatives.
Darien has the experience to understand and tailor instruction to the many different learning styles, abilities and backgrounds. He has taught people with various and complex disabilities for 10+ years, is comfortable teaching various levels of English Language Learners and can teach foundational knowledge through Indigenous perspective.
As a teacher his focus is on an well rounded educational plan that consists of physical and mental wellness, cultivating self-worth, morals, values and supporting students’ expressions of identity. He received multiple scholarships based on athletic merit as a member of the University’s Cross Country Running team. He loves to take his dog paddle boarding and hiking. When they are not in the sunniest spots, he’ll likely be found playing Arceus or Zelda on his Nintendo Switch.
Janet D.
Janet is a Certified Teacher, with four years of teaching experience. She has worked in both the private and public sectors. She specializes in a variety of subject areas from MYP IB, to PE, Outdoor Ed, Business, Human Sciences, and Primary School English & Mathematics.
She grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and moved out west in 2015. She has an Undergraduate Degree in Physical and Health Education and a Minor in Business Admin. As well, she’s completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from UBC.
Janet has taught a variety of high school specialized courses outside of her teachables including ESL, Home Economics, Yoga, and Basketball Academy. She also spent a year teaching a grade 4-7 elementary school class, with a special focus on literacy and mathematics in those years.
She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and got into teaching physical and health education not only because of her love for sports, but because she thoroughly enjoys helping build her students’ confidence to succeed. She prides herself on the connections she’s built with her students and parents over the years.
Janet’s approach fosters an environment where community, global perspectives, and social responsibility become key fundamentals that will prepare her students to be true world citizens. Her goal is that the connections she makes allow others to leave at the end of the day feeling supported, and respected and that their opinions are heard. Since starting her career, she’s made it her mission to make her classroom environment a safe space for all everyone, where they can share experiences, and use their innovative thinking and creativity, to flourish. She loves working amongst the leaders of tomorrow and greatly appreciates all the connections she’s made along the way.
Additional Details
Aliya R.
Aliya graduated from McGill University in May 2024, and acquired her Bachelor of Arts with a major concentration in political science and a minor in economics. While not currently enrolled in school, she is taking online business courses and plans to return to pursue an MBA.
She attended high school and Pre-University at Lower Canada College (LCC), completed and obtained her IB diploma, certificate of bilingualism and graduated with honours.
Her previous experience in tutoring includes peer tutoring through LCC for junior school students to prepare them for weekly evaluations in English, French, Science and Math. She has tutored elementary and middle school education in Math, English and Science consistently for seven years, as well as high school Math and Science, and believes that with the right tools and support, every student can reach their full potential.
WIKI K.
Wiki is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT # 721107) with experience teaching science, chemistry, business studies, mathematics, and English in Grades 7-12. As an Assistant Lecturer in Chemistry at IMC Education Inc. in Colombo, Sri Lanka, he earned the award for the best lecturer of the year. Wiki completed his Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto, following three previous degrees: a BA (Hons) and a Master of Science in Strategic Marketing from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and a BSc (Hons) in Applied Sciences (Chemistry) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Wiki is fluent in English and Sinhala and has proficiency in Tamil.