Karen P.

Karen Perez is a Certified Teacher. She grew up in Melrose Park, moving to Chicago to complete an Undergraduate Degree in Secondary English Education. Karen grew up with a deep love of reading and writing. When she decided to pursue teaching as a career, Karen completed a Bachelor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Through teaching, Karen has been able to foster her love of reading and writing. During the summer months, she teaches High School Connection, a program designated to prepare incoming 9th graders for 9th grade ELA. Karen has also taught various ACT and SAT Prep courses for 11th grade students. She has supported improving their reading, writing, vocabulary and test-taking skills. Karen believes that by building a solid relationship with her students, she can better meet their needs and grow their learning. In her spare time, Karen enjoys strength-training, jogging, and the occasional donut or two because she believes that life is all about balance.

Joel K.

EN: Motivated, passionate, innovative secondary teacher with the ability to engage diverse students through culturally responsive pedagogy, project-based learning, outdoor education, gamification, and technology integration. Strong communication, collaboration, and organisation fosters positive and respectful learning environments. Advocate for student-centred, youth-led, success-oriented learning while actively leading revolutionary changes to education experiences with AI.

FR: Enseignant au secondaire motivé, passionné et innovant, capable de mobiliser une clientèle étudiante diversifiée grâce à une pédagogie culturellement inclusive, à l’apprentissage par projets, à l’éducation en plein air, à la ludification et à l’intégration des technologies. Doté d’excellentes compétences en communication, en collaboration et en organisation, il favorise des environnements d’apprentissage positifs, inclusifs et respectueux. Défenseur d’un apprentissage centré sur l’élève, guidé par les jeunes et axé sur la réussite, il contribue activement à transformer les expériences éducatives grâce à l’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle.

Ihsan

EN: Ihsan holds a Licence en Droit from Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and is currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and International Business at McGill University’s Desautels Faculty of Management, where she has received both the McGill and Desautels Faculty Awards.
She specializes in French baccalauréat preparation, French literature, elementary school support, SAT preparation, and TEFAQ/TEF exam coaching. As a French language facilitator, Ihsan has helped students prepare for the TEFAQ and TEF exams and has led French language workshops for corporate clients across Montreal.
A native speaker of both French and Arabic and fully fluent in English, Ihsan supports students from a wide range of linguistic backgrounds, whether they are building foundational language skills or preparing for high-stakes examinations. She brings the analytical rigour of her legal and business studies, along with a genuine passion for language and literature, to every session.
Outside of tutoring, Ihsan is passionate about cooking and pastry arts and holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies in Cuisine. She also teaches piano and enjoys spending her free time reading French literature.

FR: Ihsan est titulaire d’une Licence en Droit de l’Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne et poursuit actuellement un baccalauréat en commerce, avec une spécialisation en finance et commerce international, à la Faculté de gestion Desautels de l’Université McGill, où elle a reçu des bourses d’excellence de l’Université McGill et de la Faculté Desautels.
Elle se spécialise dans la préparation au baccalauréat français, la littérature française, le soutien scolaire au primaire, la préparation au SAT ainsi que l’accompagnement aux examens TEFAQ et TEF. En tant qu’animatrice en langue française, Ihsan a accompagné de nombreux étudiants dans leur préparation aux examens TEFAQ et TEF et a également animé des ateliers de français pour des clients corporatifs à travers Montréal.
De langue maternelle française et arabe, et parfaitement bilingue en anglais, Ihsan accompagne des élèves issus de divers horizons linguistiques, qu’ils soient en train d’acquérir les bases de la langue ou de se préparer à des examens importants. Elle apporte à chaque séance la rigueur analytique de sa formation en droit et en commerce, ainsi qu’une véritable passion pour la langue et la littérature.
En dehors du tutorat, Ihsan est passionnée par la cuisine et la pâtisserie et détient un diplôme d’études professionnelles (DEP) en cuisine. Elle enseigne également le piano et aime consacrer son temps libre à la lecture de la littérature française

Mariah M.

Sara

With over 4 years of experience working as a university Writing Tutor, Student Success Coach and Teaching Assistant for research methods, Sara is dedicated to providing high quality personalized tutoring to students. She has a passion for working with students and helping them achieve their academic goals. Sara aims to offer an encouraging learning environment for her students while helping them build a strong academic toolkit, including organization, time management and critical thinking skills.

Sara completed her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology from the University of Winnipeg while maintaining the highest GPA in the Faculty. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Education and Society at McGill.

Travis McG.

Travis McGinnis has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Regis University, with endorsements in both Gifted and Talented Education and Social Studies. With 15 years of classroom experience in the Adams 12 and Jeffco School Districts, Travis is an expert at guiding students through Reading, Writing, and Math using goal-setting and arts-integrated methods.

In 2017, Travis was awarded the Talented Teacher Award by the Jeffco School District, and recognized for “100% student achievement,” as all his students met or exceeded their goals in Reading, Writing, and Math. In 2016, he also contributed to Devinney Elementary School winning the National Blue Ribbon Award.

Outside the classroom, Travis enjoys playing soccer, boardgames, baking sourdough bread, and writing fantasy and science fiction novels. When he’s not writing, gaming, or baking masterpieces in the kitchen, he enjoys quality time with his wife, four children, and their mini-goldendoodle puppy.

Travis’s experience as an educator, his enthusiasm for learning, and zest for life make him an ideal “smart friend” for elementary and middle-school students who could use a little inspiration to overcome challenges and master the learning process.

Dr. W. Pannapacker

Dr. Pannapacker (MA, PhD, Harvard University), a professor emeritus of English, has counseled thousands of students on test preparation, study skills, curriculum-based learning, enrichment programs, and general academic coaching. Dr. Pannapacker’s coaching specialties include complex written assignments, research papers, and admissions essays and applications for elite colleges, universities, internships, and employers. With a master’s in rhetoric and composition, a second M.A. in English, a doctorate in American studies, and three decades of teaching and tutoring experience, Dr. Pannapacker’s content expertise includes literature, creative writing, history, philosophy, and art history, with extensive publications in those areas. His work as an educator has been recognized in The New York Times, The Economist, The Nation, The Atlantic, Slate, Wired, U.S. News, CNN, NBC, and NPR, and he has received $2.3M in funding for educational innovation from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Students describe him as a kind and supportive mentor who encourages their creativity and rigor at developmentally appropriate levels. The father of three daughters, he lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

Zach L.

Zachery Lundgren received his Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Writing, and Composition from East Carolina University. He also has an MFA from the University of South Florida, and a BA from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Zach has taught at the college level for seven years, and has tutored students from middle school to graduate school in a variety of subjects. His primary areas of expertise are English, Essay Writing, and Science.

When he isn’t teaching or tutoring, Zach loves hiking, camping, and backpacking in the Colorado backcountry. He is also an avid reader and has published a book of poetry: Turkey Vulture, published by Meadowlark Press.

Jacob C.

EN: Jacob is a current student in McGill University’s Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning (English Language) program. He holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree and brings nearly 10 years of experience in traditional media and corporate communications, where clear, effective language was central to his work.

Jacob specializes in reading, writing, and communication skills. He has a particular strength in helping students build confidence in their abilities. His background allows him to break down complex ideas across multiple subjects into clear, accessible concepts while adapting his approach to each student’s learning style.

Positive and encouraging, Jacob aims to create a personalized learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and progressing at their own pace.

FR: Jacob est actuellement étudiant dans le programme de maîtrise arts en enseignement et apprentissage (langue anglaise) de l’Université McGill. Détenant un baccalauréat en journalisme, il possède près de 10 ans d’expérience dans les médias traditionnels et les communications d’entreprise, où l’utilisation de langage clair et efficace était au cœur de son travail.

Jacob est spécialisé dans la lecture, l’écriture et la communication. Il excelle particulièrement dans l’aide apportée aux élèves pour qu’ils prennent confiance en leurs capacités. Son expérience lui permet de simplifier des idées complexes dans plusieurs sujets en concepts clairs et accessibles, tout en adaptant son approche au style d’apprentissage de chaque élève.

Positif et encourageant, Jacob vise à créer un environnement d’apprentissage personnalisé où les élèves se sentent à l’aise pour poser des questions, faire des erreurs et progresser à leur propre rythme.

Michelle R.

After receiving my Bachelors at the University of Maryland, I went on to earn a Masters degree from the University of South Florida in teaching.
This is my 12th year in education. I have taught in Manatee and Sarasota county public schools, including 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades. I currently work at a school in Sarasota that is a faith-based homeschool co-op. I teach classes of students in grades 4-8, providing instruction and academic support in all core subjects.