Sarah I.

Sarah I. is a certified teacher. She grew up in Guelph, Ontario moving to Trinity College at U. of T. to complete an undergraduate degree in French and English. She attended Toronto Teachers College and later completed a Master’s degree in teaching and a specialist in Special Education. Through teaching, Sarah has been able to foster her love of learning in different environments. Today, she works one-on-one with students from 6 years old to university-aged young people preparing for graduation. She supports improvement in reading, writing for different purposes, expansion of vocabulary, organization, and fosters a desire for learning and excellence. Sarah believes that by building a solid relationship with her students, she can best meet their needs and encourage their learning. As a mentor, she continues to develop strategies for working with students of all ages. She finds these experiences rewarding and she often maintains long-term educational relationships as students carry on through the further stages of learning.

Heather C.

Heather C. is a certified, retired teacher with a 30 year history of working in public education. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology (University of Windsor), a Bachelor of Education (University of Ottawa), and a Master of Arts in Education (Concordia University). Heather is certified as a Specialist in Special Education, an experienced teacher of English as a Second Language, Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs, and qualified to teach the Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Divisions. Past assignments include teaching all subjects from kindergarten through to post secondary college and university, and private tutoring. Heather enjoys helping students to compose and edit essays and research papers. She specializes in improving communication skills. Heather believes strong written and verbal communication skills are the foundation for success in most academic subjects for all grades. Heather’s proven success with improving students’ confidence and attitudes towards learning was evident in the improvement of their academic grades. In addition to being knowledgeable about the public school system, Heather has firsthand experience in the independent school and Montessori systems. Heather retired early from teaching for school districts to pursue a PhD in Education (University of Western Ontario) and to travel. She returns to do what she finds most rewarding which is helping families with their educational experiences in any school system. In her spare time, Heather kayaks, cycles, swims, and walks her dog on trails.

Alex P.

Alex P. graduated from the University of Western Ontario’s Teachers College in 2017 as part of the first ever two-year STEM cohort. She has spent over five years teaching at the National Ski Academy in Collingwood, Ontario, where she mainly teaches intermediate science and senior biology but has also taught classes in social science, business, and health. Known for her kind, warm, and supportive approach, Alex strives to create engaging learning environments where students feel comfortable taking risks and building confidence.

Alex loves bringing creativity into the classroom and strives to connect lessons to students’ interests and what is happening in the world around them. Her classroom is always stocked with craft supplies so lessons can include hands on and visual learning wherever possible! Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, painting, spending time at the beach, and going for walks in the woods. Above all, Alex’s goal as a teacher is to help students feel confident in themselves and proud of what they can achieve.

Alanna D.

Alanna is an OCT‑certified educator and experienced tutor who brings over eight years of expertise in early childhood and elementary education to Prep Academy Tutors. With a Master of Arts in Child Study & Education (in progress at the University of Toronto) and a strong academic foundation in Early Childhood Studies, Alanna specializes in helping learners build self-confidence, independence, and a genuine love for learning.
Alanna has taught and supported students in a wide range of settings that go beyond the classroom. She excels at adapting lessons to meet diverse learning needs—whether supporting language and literacy through phonemic awareness and multimodal learning or guiding individualized math instruction and supporting students to find their voice across areas of curriculum.

Her tutoring approach is warm, relational, and highly individualized. Drawing on her background as both an educator and a former private tutor, Alanna collaborates closely with families to create customized learning plans that honor each child’s strengths, interests, and developmental needs. She uses tools such as anecdotal notes, checklists, photos, and student work samples to track progress and ensure her instruction is responsive and meaningful.

Beyond her classroom and tutoring experience, Alanna has worked extensively in enrichment settings, including STEM‑based programming, creative arts learning, and physical activity programs. She is passionate about fostering confidence, curiosity, and resilience in every learner she works with.

Alanna believes deeply in inclusive, equitable education and strives to create learning environments where every child feels seen, supported, and capable. As both an educator and former English Language Learner herself, she brings empathy, cultural responsiveness, and a strong advocacy mindset to her work.

In her free time Alanna is passionate about fitness, health and wellness. As a personal trainer she aspires to open a children’s gym for typically developing as well as neuro-divergent children in her future. Warm, patient, and deeply committed to student success, Alanna ensures that every learner she works with feels celebrated, supported, and empowered to grow

LINA P.

With over two decades of experience in education, Lina is a dedicated teacher committed to supporting students’ academic growth, confidence, and individual learning needs. She holds both a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts (Specialized Honours), and has completed extensive additional qualifications, including Specialist certifications in Religious Education, English, and Special Education. Her professional background spans teaching English and History in the Intermediate and Senior divisions, as well as supporting diverse learners in literacy and numeracy through specialized training in working with students with intellectual needs.

Throughout her career, Lina has focused on creating inclusive, structured, and engaging learning environments where all students can thrive. She is passionate about literacy, differentiated instruction, and helping students develop strong communication and critical-thinking skills.

Outside of her professional life, Lina enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, reading, and spending time outdoors. These moments keep her grounded, inspired, and connected to the world beyond the classroom.

Rebeca T.

Rebeca is a certified teacher in both New York and New Jersey with a passion for education that began long before her professional journey. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Special Education from Bloomsburg University, setting the stage for a meaningful career dedicated to student growth and inclusive learning.

For ten years, Rebeca taught in New York City across general and special education elementary classrooms. During her time there, she also served as the head of the Special Education department and a supervisor for teachers. These roles allowed her to lead with compassion, collaborate across teams, and ensure that students received high-quality, individualized support. Known for her creativity and expertise in differentiation, Rebeca has worked with students with a wide variety of needs, tailoring instruction, designing targeted interventions, and championing each child’s unique strengths.

Outside the classroom, Rebeca loves to travel and spend time with her husband and their two young kids. Her joy for learning, her commitment to children, and her warm, energetic presence continue to shape everything she does both professionally and personally.

Kelly B-R.

I am a 26-year veteran K–12 Reading and Language Arts teacher with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a specialization in Language and Literacy from the University of Miami.

Over the course of my career, I have worked as both a classroom teacher and a private reading coach, supporting neurotypical and neurodivergent learners who need targeted support to become confident, fluent readers and writers.

As an accomplished Youth Literacy & Learning Specialist, I provide one-on-one and small-group coaching to strengthen foundational reading skills—including phonemic and phonological awareness, decoding automaticity, vocabulary development, and text comprehension. My approach is structured, supportive, and rooted in evidence-based practices.

My goal extends beyond improving reading proficiency: I aim to help students enhance their executive functioning, organizational, and social-emotional learning (SEL) skills. These tools support focus, reduce anxiety, and build the academic confidence and competence students need to thrive.

Sara S.

Sara is an experienced educator with over 18 years of teaching expertise across diverse educational settings. She studied at both Rutgers University and Kean University, where she strengthened her foundation in child development and instructional practice. Sara has taught in the public school system for 13 years, spent two years in a Montessori environment, supported a family through a year of private homeschooling, and most recently founded and operated her own homeschool program for the past two years.

Sara specializes in supporting early learners from Kindergarten through Grade Five, with a particular passion for teaching children to read and developing strong foundational math skills. Her approach blends structure, patience, and warmth, allowing her to meet each child where they are and help them build confidence through personalized, engaging instruction.

Beyond her professional work, Sara is a devoted mother who loves spending time with her children, exploring nature, and caring for animals. Her long-term dream is to one day create an animal sanctuary—a reflection of her nurturing spirit both inside and outside the classroom.

Shelley H.

Shelley is an experienced mathematics tutor with more than 25 years of intermittent tutoring expertise, supporting students from kindergarten through grade 12 as well as those preparing for the SAT, ACT, and advanced math courses including Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics. She holds four academic degrees—Mathematics, Physics, Information Technology, and Opticianry—and spent over a decade as a computer programmer and systems analyst before becoming a Licensed Optician in Florida. Shelley’s lifelong passion for analytical thinking has shaped every chapter of her life, from excelling academically and earning induction into the National Honor Society to her success as a competitive athlete. A decorated golfer, she has won numerous championships, including titles at Pinehurst Country Club, and has achieved an impressive eight hole-in-ones.

Shelley’s background is equally defined by her dedication to children and learning. As a mother of five, she gained deep insight into supporting students with learning differences, including her own children who faced unique educational challenges. Her
experiences fueled her desire to help other families navigate academic struggles with empathy, structure, and high expectations. Over the years, Shelley has tutored with
several agencies and independently, helping many students achieve remarkable progress—including four students who earned perfect standardized-test scores under her guidance. She brings to her work a blend of humor, warmth, and discipline, drawing
from a lifetime of teaching skills developed through athletics, equestrian training, parenting, and her STEM-driven career.

In her tutoring practice, Shelley emphasizes the logic and clarity that make mathematics both approachable and empowering. She believes that math is only complicated when the steps are unclear—and she excels at breaking those steps into understandable and
repeatable processes. She expects students to arrive prepared, focused, and ready to work, encouraging habits that mirror the discipline required for college, careers, and personal achievement. Shelley is excited to bring her passion for teaching, her analytical expertise, and her unwavering commitment to student success to Prep Academy Tutors, where she strives to help every learner build confidence, master essential skills, and realize their full potential.

KATRINA S.

As a dedicated educator and instructional designer, Katrina is a certified and experienced tutor specializing in personalized in-home and online learning. With a Bachelor of Education and over two decades of experience in curriculum design and differentiated instruction, she excels at creating engaging, tailored learning experiences for students of all ages. Katrina is highly skilled in using educational technology to build a positive and supportive virtual or in-person environment where each student can thrive.