Steve D.

Steve is a highly experienced and certified teacher who resides in Vancouver, British Columbia. Originally from Saskatchewan, he completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Double-Honours) in Political Science and Religious Studies from the University of Saskatchewan in 2008. Steve then decided to move abroad to Korea to try his hand at teaching English as a Second Language (ESL). Despite only planning to teach abroad for a year or two to travel and pay off his student loans, it was during his time in Korea that he obtained his TESOL certification, got married, became a father, and decided to pursue teaching as a long-term profession.

After nine years of teaching experience in Korea, Steve decided to move back to Canada in the summer of 2017 with his wife and daughter. He completed his Bachelor of Education Degree in Elementary Education (with a specialization in teaching English language learners) at the University of British Columbia in 2018. Shortly after, Steve was hired by the Burnaby School District where he currently works as a Grade 6/7 teacher.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys watching his favourite English Premier League soccer team, Arsenal, playing badminton, reading, playing guitar, singing, songwriting, and spending time with his family and friends. Steve also moonlights as the lead singer and guitarist of his rock band, Pen Pal Aloha! Steve’s guiding philosophy as an educator can be summed up by Aristotle’s quote: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Steve always makes it a point to infuse “heart” and “head” knowledge in the minds of his students, believing that both are equally important in the development of fully educated citizens.

CHRISTINE D.

Christine Duff is a very experienced Special Education Teacher who is passionate about empowering students to excel in school. Christine brings to her lessons lots of colorful hands-on learning materials and games, as well as an infectious attitude that makes learning much more fun! Christine loves working with individual students – as well as their families – to better understand how learning differences can impact experiences in the classroom, as well as academic performance. Christine spends 1-1 time with each student to ensure that they are equipped with the kinds of skills and strategies that will help them to gain more confidence and independence – and improve their overall grades!

Christine is qualified to lead academic tutoring and coaching programs for students in Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, as well as those in college and university. She strongly believes that experiencing school success is closely tied to quality of life, and that all students should have access to fair and appropriate educational opportunities.

-Knowledgeable about learning differences such as LD, ADHD, and ASD
-Appreciative of how learning differences impact students’ mental health and well-being
-Experienced in supporting the development of Reading, Spelling, and other Literacy skills
-Skilled in helping students develop Writing Skills that enhance school performance
-Very capable of teaching Math skills and concepts, as well as new approaches to problem-solving
-Competent in Organization and Executive Function Coaching, ADHD Coaching, Academic Coaching
-Subject Areas: English and Language Arts K-12; Math and Science K-9; Social Studies K-8, Grade 9 Geography, Grade 10 History; Civics and Careers; Paragraph and Essay Writing; Applications to Colleges and Universities

KAROLINA S.

Karolina Solovka is a recent graduate of York University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance Creation and Research and a Bachelor of Education in Teacher College for grades 4-10. She currently teaches dance and drama at Ms. Marianne’s Power of Performing Arts studio, where she leads both recreational and competitive classes. Karolina also plays a key role in the studio’s productions, with the upcoming show being, Into The Woods Jr!

Karolina’s teaching philosophy is rooted in flexibility and adaptability, tailored to meet the diverse needs of her students. She is committed to continuous growth and development as an educator, aiming to provide her students with a rich foundation of knowledge and unforgettable learning experiences. Her ultimate goal is for her students to leave her classroom feeling confident in their abilities, eager to learn, and ready to seize every opportunity, regardless of the outcome. She is super happy to join the team here at Prep Academy and is so excited to meet her future students!

Zoë M.

Zoë graduated magna cum laude from the University of Toronto, specializing in research psychology and minoring in English.
They graduated from York University with an MA in critical psychology, their thesis focusing on accessibility in undergraduate education.

Zoë’s passion is teaching and learning, and they have expertise in a variety of subjects. Most notably, they have been an SAT tutor for over ten years — tutoring 1-1, teaching intensive courses, designing lesson plans and curricula, training other instructors, and even writing an SAT Teacher’s Manual, which was sold to various test prep and tutoring companies, and which they still update yearly for personal use.

Zoë’s teaching style is reflexive, engaging, agile, and learner-centred, informed by their extensive knowledge of psychology and pedagogy, and enriched by their confidence in every student’s ability to succeed when given the right tools.

ASHLEI S.

Ashlei S. is a graduate of the Master of Teaching program at the University of Toronto, and she specializes in teaching English and visual art. From a young age, she was an avid reader and frequent creative writer. Ashlei discovered her love of teaching when she began volunteering as a summer camp counsellor, and afterwards, decided to work with students as much as possible. While earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts at York University, she earned several awards in essay writing and for her academic standing. She has experience teaching students of a variety of ages: elementary school students in afterschool art programs, high school students in her teaching placements, and university students whom she worked with as a teaching assistant. She enjoys helping students strengthen their communication skills and reading comprehension and hopes to guide them in building confidence and a sense of achievement in their progress.

Abigail T.

Abigail T. is a passionate and experienced educator specializing in Elementary Education (K–6), as well as music instruction in Harp, Piano, and Music Theory. Raised in a homeschool environment that nurtured her love of learning and music, Abigail began teaching at an early age—giving private music lessons to children throughout high school. She later earned her degree in Music Education from Baylor University, further solidifying her foundation in both academics and the arts.

With experience teaching in classrooms and tutoring students from kindergarten through seventh grade, Abigail brings a compassionate and patient approach to every session. She is especially committed to supporting students who face academic challenges, helping them build confidence and master new skills. Her warmth and dedication make her a favorite among young learners and parents alike.

Outside of tutoring, Abigail enjoys spending time with her cat, Rory, playing with her young nieces, and diving into complex board games.

Testimonial:

“…Abigail was amazing and customized each lesson. By end of semester my daughter was able to complete and turn in all her assignments. Plus the confidence boost she had in class now reading and answering questions out loud! Looking forward to starting her back again end of summer get her back and ready for new school year. THANK YOU Prep!”

Julia G.

Julia is a teacher candidate at York University’s concurrent education program. She aims to teach the Intermediate/Senior age groups when she graduates from university. She completed her undergrad at York University with a major in theatre and a minor in history. Julia has gained most of her teaching experience through working with different age groups at daycares and previous tutoring opportunities. Prior to university, Julia has tutored different subject matters including english, geography, history, and the arts.

Aside from her passion for teaching, Julia has worked as an assistant manager at a retail store and volunteered with drama camps over multiple summers. Julia used to take dance and singing lessons recreationally throughout her childhood. She also enjoys music and movies that she can share with others. Julia is very passionate when working with students and aims for each student to leave working with her to enjoy at least one element of what they have learned together.

Hazel T.

Hazel has 7 years experience working with children and teens and has been an art teacher for 3 years.

She graduated with distinction from Concordia with a BFA (Computation Arts Specialization) in 2021.

FR: Hazel a 7 ans d’expérience avec les enfants et les adolescents et est professeur d’art depuis 3 ans.

Elle a obtenu un baccalauréat en beaux-arts (spécialisation en arts informatiques) avec distinction à Concordia en 2021.

Lucía L.

Lucía L. was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. In Colombia, she attended an Italian immersion school for twelve years. She moved to Canada in 2014 and graduated from York University with a BFA in Dance. Since graduation, Lucía has worked as a professional dancer and teacher for over five years. Simultaneously she worked as a Student Recruiting Associate at The Bishop Strachan School, interviewing and assessing Junior School and Boarding School student applicants. At BSS, she developed strong relationships with incoming students and families and learned different teaching and learning methods from exceptional faculty. Lucía is a Master of Teaching (Primary/Junior) candidate at OISE, University of Toronto. She enjoys teaching Math, Spanish and Italian, supporting students studying skills and strategies. She is an enthusiastic and creative teacher passionate about building confidence in students learning.

Aubreyana R.

Aubreyana is currently in her final year pursuing her Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto. With a rich history of 15 years working with children, Aubreyana is passionate about fostering their growth and supporting them in their educational journeys. Her educational background includes an Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies from the University of Guelph, providing her with a solid foundation in Early Childhood Education (ECE). Aubreyana’s experience spans a diverse range of learning abilities, beginning with her work in an Early Intervention Program and progressing to her role as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). Currently aspiring to become a Primary/Junior teacher, Aubreyana’s dedication to working with children extends beyond the classroom. Her commitment is evident through her volunteer work at the Hospital for Sick Children and with Behaviour Matters, a mental health program. Aubreyana’s teaching philosophy revolves around creating conceptual lessons, establishing strong rapport with learners, and adapting teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student. Her approach is characterized by enthusiasm, adaptability, and creativity, qualities she believes define a great teacher. Outside of her professional pursuits, Aubreyana enjoys various hobbies, including walking her dog, engaging in artistic activities such as painting and sketching, immersing herself in reading, and maintaining an active lifestyle through running. Her diverse experiences and genuine passion for education make Aubreyana an ideal candidate for any tutoring program.