NICOLLE B.

Nicolle graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University (USA) with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree and is entering her second year of her Bachelor of Education program at Brock University. She is specialized in teaching the primary/junior grades (k-6) but has qualifications in special education and English up to grade 12. Nicolle is familiar with EQAO and volunteers to scribe each year at different schools across Halton. This year, Nicolle taught all subjects in a grade 5/6 class, with a focus on grade 6 EQAO practice. Combining what she has learned at Brock and in her practicums, Nicolle has been able to develop different methods and styles of teaching to reach differentiated learners. Through her inclusive teaching practices and interactive lessons, Nicolle creates a fun and positive learning environment where students feel comfortable to explore new and different ways of thinking. She has tutored in the past and has also worked with little readers programs teaching students as young as 3 to start reading. Nicolle feels that it is extremely important to get to know her students and find out how they learn to forge a unique path to success for each individual student. On her spare time, Nicolle loves to read, watch hours of cooking shows and then attempt (and fail) at making the recipes and gardening. Tomatoes are her specialty!

TAMARA M.

Tamara has been an Ontario Certified Teacher (O.C.T.) since 2005, teaching grades K-12 across most subject areas. Tamara held a variety of classroom teaching positions with the York Region District School Board for 11 years before transferring to private education, then more recently, tutoring. Tamara is certified and trained in specialized reading programs such as Direct Instruction (D.I) and Wilson Reading Systems (WRS). She has Teachables in the following subjects: Reading, Primary/Junior Mathematics, Special Education, Visual Arts, Instrumental/Vocal Music, and Guidance/Career Studies. Tamara also holds a Master’s of Psychology from Chicago School of Professional Psychology, specializing in Child/Adolescent development and behavior. (M.A. Psych) She is certified in Mental Health First Aid/Crisis Intervention (M.H.F.A., 2018), and has co-facilitated a therapy group for counseling children ages 7-9 years who present with A.D.D./A.D.H.D. at Kinark Family Services. As well, at Prep Academy Tutors, Tamara teaches and coaches students at all grade levels, and differentiates instruction for a variety of learning needs and diagnosed learning challenges,  supporting them through many academic, and social-emotional  challenges. Tamara believes in a holistic approach to teaching, and designs lessons that adhere to most recent evidence-based teaching practice (such as learning for/as/of understanding), develop social-emotional learning (SEL), which promotes students’ overall intellectual, social/emotional and mental needs. Outside of teaching, Tamara enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, as well as reading, exercise, painting, and photography.

Emily M.

Emily is a Bachelor in Child and Family Studies with Honours graduate with her Bachelor of Education and OCT in progress with Nipissing University. She also has her Early Childhood Education diploma from Conestoga College. Emily has 10 years of elementary school experience in a grade 1 classroom. She is also Strong Start certified. Emily also tries to incorporate interests of the students and relates lessons back to their interests. She would love to make a good relationship with the students which will lead to improvement in skills and lessons.

RYAN C.

Ryan is a passionate educator who believes in harnessing the unique interests and potential of each student. He graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in music, has conducted graduate research in music theory and education, and is currently a Junior/Intermediate teacher candidate in the Master of Teaching program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Ryan has been working with children as an educator and mentor since he was 14 and started as a hockey referee, which he still loves doing to this day. He has also worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, where he learned that play and imagination are just as important as learning the skills. Ryan is also a trained SSAT coach, and he enjoys guiding students to achieve success in the test-taking process. For the last five years Ryan has worked as a private music instructor, working with children of all ages to foster a love and passion for music and the arts. It is his goal to always ensure that students leave each lesson with new ways of engaging with their music. These experiences have helped develop Ryan’s philosophies around education; that each student is unique and should be given the chance to engage and produce knowledge in their own way. When students feel a connection to knowledge that is made meaningful from their own experiences, the passion for learning will follow.