Neha N.
Neha is currently a teacher candidate with the Master’s of Teaching program at the University of Toronto. She recently moved to Canada, having completed her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Chapman University in California. After graduating, Neha started working as a tutor at an adolescent rehabilitation centre, where she discovered her love for teaching. She delighted in sharing her love of science with young people, organizing lab activities and educational games with the students while helping them keep up with their regular schoolwork. Working at the rehab, Neha learned the importance of rapport: she approaches each individual with compassion, humour, and the impel to not just teach, but also learn about the unique people under her care.
Neha has previously tutored in math, English, and science, teaching students from grades 2 to 12. Currently she is in the intermediate/senior cohort of her program, specializing in general science and biology. Neha also has experience tutoring in Dubai, where she attended high school and completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. While she enjoyed the warm weather of Southern California and the Gulf, Neha fell in love with the Canadian winter. In her free time she takes pleasure in admiring and appreciating nature, where she undeniably finds much of her inspiration for teaching about the natural world.
Annie D.
Annie is a current MD/PhD student at UT Health San Antonio. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech and an M.S. in Medical Science from UNT Health Science Center. She has tutored and taught math, science, and engineering courses since 2012. Annie enjoys one-on-one or small group interactions, preferring to personalize her tutoring to the student(s). She also enjoys getting to know students and providing help in tutoring-adjacent skills such as time management, prioritization, and organizational skills. In her spare time, Annie enjoys spending time with her partner and dog, doing barre and yoga, playing the piano, reading, figure skating, and discovering new board games.
Florina C.
Florina is a junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago completing her undergraduate studies in biological sciences. She grew up with natural curiosity making sense of the world around her. Florina has always been eager to learn and explore new information around her. It was during her sophomore year of high school she discovered her passion for chemistry. Her chemistry teacher facilitated the learning of a difficult subject that inspired Florina to teach teenagers and young adults in the same manner.
Florina was a college tutor and TA in her local community college that helped her work closely with students to improve their grades. She knows how it is important for students to feel confident in their work and approach problems from different angles such as using technology to address issues. Florina enjoys figuring out what motivates her students and getting things done which helps her build relationships and achieve results. In addition to her years of experience, she has strong interpersonal and communication skills that allows her to adapt to any challenge and relish the opportunity to improve academic performance, problem-solving solving and love of learning for students of different ability levels. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, boxing, dancing, and going out with friend and family to summer festivals or 5k races.
Dr. Ashley M.
Ashley is an accomplished educator with a passion for teaching. With a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and experience as a professor, Ashley brings a deep understanding of complex scientific concepts to her tutoring sessions. Over the years, she has honed her ability to break down challenging subjects, making them accessible and engaging to students of all levels.
Ashley’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that learning should be enjoyable and enriching! She specializes in math and science subjects, providing support that extends through college-level courses. Her highly personalized approach fosters a supportive and confidence-building learning environment that encourages students to excel and embrace the joys of discovery.
Beyond the classroom, Ashley is an avid reader. She also cherishes spending quality time with her dog. Ashley is dedicated to nurturing growth, understanding, and a lifelong love for learning in all her students, whether inside or outside the classroom.
Dr. Brandy P.
Dr. Brandy S. Pickens is a distinguished biochemist and dedicated educator with extensive experience in scientific research and environmental advocacy. Having earned a BA in Biochemistry from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. from Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Pickens is proficient in making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.
Dr. Pickens has dedicated over 15 years to biomedical research, specializing in biomedical research studies at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This background equips her with a robust understanding of the STEM disciplines, which she brings to the classroom to inspire and educate future scientists and STEM professionals.
Currently, Dr. Pickens serves as a Toxicologist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where she conducts technical analyses and reviews concerning the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Her role at the EPA underscores her commitment to public health and safety, themes she emphasizes in her educational outreach.
Passionate about fostering a love for science and environmental stewardship among young people, Dr. Pickens actively engages with community groups and schools. She organizes and leads educational programs and STEM initiatives, aiming to instill a sense of enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, particularly environmental science, and stewardship in the younger generation.
Dr. Pickens is not only a scientist and advocate but also a mentor who strives to encourage students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM and public service. Her commitment to education, combined with her expertise in biomedical sciences and environmental sustainability, makes her a great match for organizations dedicated to cultivating knowledgeable, responsible, and motivated students.
Christopher S.
Christopher earned his Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, San Diego, and he will soon earn his Master’s degree in biology from the Point Loma Nazarene University. His research interests revolve around plant biology for the past eight years especially with plant development and agriculture. During his years working in the lab, he also
had the chance to be a mentor in teaching different experimental techniques in molecular biology and plant tissue culture. He looks forward to working with different students and sharing with them his knowledge and experiences in the biological sciences.
Kristina N.
Kristina has taught Science and AP Psychology at Brunswick School in CT for ten years. She is excited to start a new chapter at Bishop’s School as a Biology Teacher! She has a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Claremont McKenna College, a Master’s of Art in Teaching from Manhattanville College, and a Master’s of Science in Biology from NYU.
Biology and Chemistry can be some of the most challenging classes in high school, and she enjoys breaking the material down into smaller, digestible parts. Incorporating the latest research in Cognitive Science, she likes to focus on the context, or big picture, and then tackles the nuances of the material. She utilizes videos, diagrams, drawings, and lots of practice problems to instruct all types of learners.
In her free time, she loves taking her 75lb golden retriever, Zeus, for walks!
Jessica B.
Jessica is currently pursuing a master’s degree in education for Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential with an emphasis on Inspired Teaching and Learning. Her goal is to teach Biology/Science to secondary level students (grades 7-12) once she receives her teaching credential.
Jessica’s teaching/tutoring experiences began while she was in school herself. She always helped her classmates when they were having difficulty understanding new concepts and worked as a student aid and student tutor in high school. While she served in the US Navy, she was an instructor for about three years and learned that each student is and learns differently and successfully tailored her lessons and instruction methods to meet the needs of every student.
Jessica loves learning about science and earned a BS in biology which made her even more curious and in awe of the world around her. She likes traveling, going for walks, observing the everyday phenomena she encounters, watching movies and shows, listening to a variety of music, teaching, and learning. As a future biology or science teacher she hopes to inspire the next generation of scientists to stay curious and do great things.
JOHNSON W.
Johnson moved from China to Canada in 2019 and can communicate in Mandarin and English. His educational journey was unique: from middle school in China to high school in Canada, from a public school to a boarding community, he is now studying life sciences at McGill University. His passion for teaching sprung out of leading his physics class when the teacher was away. He enjoyed delivering knowledge and seeing the smiles on the students’ faces. Ever since that day, he can often be found in the library or common room helping people out with math and science questions.
Johnson has also worked in a summer camp, instructing canoeing and camping skills. During his previous tutoring experiences, he has worked extensively with students from grades 9-12, teaching high school math and science. He passionately believes in the value of confidence and encouragement, and he loves having casual conversations with his students outside of class. As a result, he often becomes close friends with students, although his age may be the main contributing factor. Johnson feels honoured to accompany his students on their learning and witness them shaping their own educational journeys.
Saumya M.
Saumya has a vast background in various subjects that she is qualified to tutor. She has a background in Arts & Culture through her high school’s SHSM program, focusing on Vocal Music and Musical Theatre. During this time, she taught music theory to grades 9-11 students.
Saumya completed her undergraduate education in Neuroscience, Biology, and Chemistry at the University of Toronto. She is currently finishing her Master of Science degree from the University of Toronto in Cell and Systems Biology. She plans to complete an MD/PhD degree and eventually teach undergraduate university courses as a professor.
Saumya has experience teaching undergraduate small-group tutorials as a Teaching Assistant at U of T Mississauga. Her subjects of expertise include general chemistry, biology, and psychology. She has also given guest lectures and created advanced case studies for human anatomy courses at UofT.
Saumya has won numerous academic and public service awards for her commitment to student success. She has mentored high school and university students academically since 2017. In her free time, Saumya enjoys musical theatre, indoor cycling, solving sudoku puzzles, and trivia games!