DARREN W.

Darren has been a classroom teacher 9+ years and a soccer and flag football coach. He has a BEd, BA in History, and additional certification in Special Education.

Alya S.

Alya is a dedicated and compassionate elementary school teacher with over four years of teaching experience. She has her master’s degree in Childhood Education and is licensed to teach students in grades 1-6. She has experience teaching students in a variety of settings, including public, charter, and accelerated curriculum schools.
Alya has extensive experience implementing targeted instructional approaches that meet various students’ academic learning styles and needs, including students with IEPs.

While in graduate school, Alya tutored elementary and middle school students in Reading, Writing, and Math. She also created supplemental curriculum material that aligned with state standards in order to provide differentiated instruction for these students.

In her free time, Alya enjoys practicing yoga, going for walks on the beach, and hiking. Alya believes that in order to best meet the learning styles and academic needs of each student, frequent and open communication with parents/guardians, and differentiated instruction is imperative. She looks forward to the opportunity to work with you!

Micaela M.

Micaela is an experienced educator specializing in reading, math, and ESL. She earned her Master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and her Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Micaela is passionate about teaching and has dedicated her career to helping students excel in English language learning, literacy, and math.

She has worked with students across various grade levels (EC-6), creating engaging and inclusive environments where they can thrive. Micaela develops customized lesson plans that support diverse learners using differentiated instruction and scaffolding. She is also trained in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) methods, which she integrates into her teaching to foster supportive relationships with her students. Additionally, Micaela has received her Texas Teachers License in EC-6, with an additional certification in ESL. She has 4 years of experience as an educator in both traditional classroom settings and non-traditional exploratory and project-based learning programs.

Outside of teaching, Micaela enjoys camping, hiking, drawing, and spending time with her cats, Beaux and Pasha, and her dog, Apple.

Diego C.

Diego is a dedicated educator with extensive experience working with children and youth with diverse needs. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care from Toronto Metropolitan University, Diego is now currently in his second year of his Master of Teaching program at the University of Toronto OISE, where he continues to learn and develop his skills in teaching students in the Primary and Junior Stream. Professionally, Diego has worked as a Long Term Occasional Educational Assistant at Bloorview School Authority for the past 5 years and continues to be an active community member within the school. Here he collaborates with multidisciplinary teams such as teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapist, and speech pathologists that support students’ academic and medical needs and provides Diego with many perspectives to learn from. His experience extends to roles such as Life Skills Assistant at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, where he created life skills programs for youth with disabilities. Diego has also worked as an online ESL teacher where he has mastered virtual classroom management skills while also supporting students with their reading and pronunciation. When Diego is not working, you can find him playing tennis or keeping up with the latest trends. His diverse experience in education makes him a well-rounded educator who cares about the students he works with.

Karina R.

Karina is a retired teacher and administrator with over 38 years of experience teaching and leading communities of learners. She has a love for education and connecting with her students and families.

Karina believes that the key to successful learning is making it fun, engaging and appropriate for each child’s instructional needs. Her specialty is differentiating and individualizing according to each child’s interests, strengths and academic goals. She is also a lifelong learner and enjoys traveling, reading, surfing, birding and hiking. Karina is thrilled to be a Prep Academy Tutor, which allows her to help children develop confidence in their abilities and achieve their full potential.

JACQUELINE D.

Jacqueline has a Graduate Diploma in Education and has 11 years of experience in education. She is an Ontario and UK certified teacher with expertise and success in Toronto’s model schools. Jacqueline has worked in Special Education with knowledge of direct instruction programs like Reading Mastery and Visualizing and Verbalizing, as well as phonics instruction programs such as UFLI. Jacqueline has taught Kindergarten to Grade 6 and is currently working as a Kindergarten teacher. Jacqueline is driven and committed to cultivating an equitable, inclusive and safe learning environment that supports all learners.

Dr. Lynda M.

Dr. Lynda’s professional journey, from a long-term substitute in a public school to earning a doctoral degree in Education, is a testament to her dedication and persistence. She has worked with a comprehensive array of demographics regarding students, ranging from early intervention with the youngest students to working with adults striving to earn a GED. She has tutored undergraduate students and non-traditional learners. Each new experience builds a knowledge base and broadens understanding of students’ diverse academic encounters.

Currently, Dr. Lynda provides learning support to young students with developmental disabilities, notably those with intellectual challenges, autism, sensory challenges, and behavioral issues, as well as typical learners. She connects well with people across age cohorts and with students’ families. Her down-to-earth nature is immediately apparent. Her commitment has led her to delve into delivering early learning opportunities, such as language development, phonemes, literacy, phonics, numeracy, and social-emotional development. She uses fun, interactive, collaborative brain breaks, sensitivity, and the learners’ strengths to help them meet their needs.

Dr. Lynda is eager to participate in problem resolution with her students, using her calming therapist skills as needed. She encourages open discussion about academic difficulties in a compassionate, nonjudgmental manner, always remaining a steadfast safety net.

LAXSHAA N.

Laxshaa N. is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, data analysis, digital content management, fitness, and nutrition. She holds a Master of Education specializing in Assessment & Evaluation, a Master of Management Analytics from Queen’s University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Honors Psychology and Criminal Justice & Public Policy from the University of Guelph. Laxshaa is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing and Leadership at Walden University.

She is currently a Student Success Project Manager at Centennial College, where she leads and manages quality assurance initiatives, develops comprehensive surveys, conducts environmental scans, and presents data-driven insights to enhance student success. Her expertise in data visualization techniques and statistical studies has been instrumental in improving advising operations and student engagement at the college.

Moreover, as a Professor of Marketing in the School of Business, she teaches various courses related to market research and analytics, has designed curricula, implemented active learning strategies, and created experiential learning opportunities, ensuring alignment with industry standards and academic excellence.

Outside of her professional life, Laxshaa is a fitness enthusiast, certified personal trainer, and nutrition coach. She enjoys promoting a healthy lifestyle and incorporates her love for cooking into her nutrition coaching. This passion for fitness and well-being complements her dedication to her professional work and personal growth.

Laxshaa’s blend of skills and experiences, combined with her commitment to continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making, make her a versatile and dynamic individual in both her professional and personal endeavors.

ZOYA C.

Zoya received an Honours Bachelor of Arts and Science degree from the University of Toronto with a double major in English Literature and Geography and a Minor in Political Science. Zoya is currently pursuing her Master of Teaching degree at University of Toronto, where she is focusing on becoming an Intermediate/Senor teacher in English and Geography. Zoya’s passion for teaching and education shows through her teaching practices where she approaches every student as individuals who have unlimited potential for growth and success.

Zoya has over nine years of tutoring experience, with two years of teaching experience through summer camps, and teaching in the TDSB and HDSB. Zoya’s strengths lies in her belief in ensuring every student has an individualised lesson plan where they can flourish in their learning and improve their own confidence. Throughout Zoya’s life she grew up in China, Indonesia, Switzerland, and Singapore before deciding to continue her education in Toronto. Thus, Zoya truly believes that fostering an inclusive and open environment that is grounded in trust is of the upmost importance for all students. One of Zoya’s strengths is her experience with academic coaching and learning strategies, where she as a teacher focuses not only on subject related content but also on teaching students what different test/assignment tools and strategies they can use to excel in and outside of the classroom.

When Zoya is not teaching or learning herself, you can find her enjoying whichever book she is currently emersed in, travelling to visit her family, or listening to music. Zoya love for music started when she was three years old, and since then you cannot find her in any relaxing moment where she is not humming a random tune to a random song that is stuck in her head that day.

Tim B.

Mr. Berg has been an educator for over 25 years. He has both Bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Norther Illinois University and a Master’s degree in History from Northeastern Illinois University so he is a highly qualified tutor.