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.

Dr. Laxshaa Nadpurajah is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in education, data analysis, digital content management, fitness, and nutrition. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration; a Master of Education, specializing in Assessment & Evaluation; and a Master of Management Analytics, both from Queen’s University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology and Criminal Justice & Public Policy from the University of Guelph.

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 earned both Bachelor’s degrees in History and Political Science from Northern Illinois University, a Master’s degree in History from Northeastern Illinois University, and Master’s degree in Education from Lewis University. He is currently receiving his doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has previously taught in private elementary schools in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, as well as High School. He is a highly qualified tutor, having worked with elementary, middle and high school students. Mr. Berg enjoys spending time with his family. As a tutor, he loves seeing his student’s master a new concept and pushes them to success!

Mary R.

Mary has been teaching for the past 15 years, including working 9 years as a special education teacher for grades TK-12, 4 years as a general education high school English teacher, and 2 years as a Creative Writing adjunct professor at the University of California Riverside Extension. She has also worked as a writing tutor for the University of California, Santa Cruz for two years, and as an in-home tutor for students grade K-8 for 3 years (tutoring reading, writing, and math), and as a college admissions essay tutor. She currently works as a special education teacher for a local charter school, teaching reading, writing, and math, as well as supporting students in Social Studies and Science, for students grades TK-8 both virtually and in person at a local learning center.

Mary has a BA in Literature from UC Santa Cruz, where she received College Honors and Honors in the Major. She has also received an MA in English and MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University, and California credentials in Single Subject English and Mild/Moderate Special Education from Brandman University, and is certified to teach Wilson Reading. She has experience teaching and tutoring both online and in person, and worked as a freelance writer, and an editor of books and magazines before she became a teacher and tutor.

Mary has a great love of learning, which she brings to her students when teaching reading and writing. As an avid reader, and experienced writer of fiction, poetry, plays, and articles, she imparts her enthusiasm of reading and writing on her students. She especially loves to help her students improve their writing, and uses tools such as the Wilson Reading program to help struggling readers and spellers learn how to read and spell. As a teacher of students with a variety of ability levels, including students with disabilities, gifted and Honors students, and twice exceptional students, she knows how to tailor instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.

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.

Laura N.

Laura is a dedicated educator currently completing her Master of Teaching at the University of Toronto as a second-year candidate. With a background in an Honours Double Major in English and Creative Writing from Concordia University, graduating cum laude, Laura has a passion for the English language and storytelling. Through education and experience, she brings studied knowledge, creativity, and passion to her teaching practice.

In the prestigious JET Programme, Laura spent four years teaching English in Japan, refining her instructional skills and gaining a wealth of experience with students in grades one to six. Laura has taught at Lambton Kingsway Junior Middle School and Wedgewood Junior School in her practicums, teaching grades four and one respectively. Both students and teachers can attest that Laura left an indelibly positive mark on her classrooms in these practicums. Beyond teaching, Laura has served countless summers as a counselor and office administrator at summer camps in the GTA and Montreal, working with and creating unforgettable bonds with children and their families.

Laura brings her expertise and passion to students through Prep Academy, offering support in all subjects for grades one to six, particularly in literacy using the Direct Instruction program. She looks forward to embarking on this learning journey with you!

Thad F.

With a bachelor’s degree from the Air Force Academy and a master’s from theUniversity of Dayton, Thad’s credentials and experience run broad and deep. For over 30 years he has taught math, science, and English at the university level–all the way down through first grade. Thad’s passion and joy is helping students and their families overcome academic challenges and grow to thrive at the highest levels of their potential.

In his free time, Thad enjoys his six children and three grandchildren, tennis, hiking, photography, swing dancing, and food with his wife, Beth. He almost never meets a student with whom he does not enjoy working, and he hopes to continue teaching as long as his health allows–at least 50 more years!

“My son has had such a positive experience with his tutor from San Antonio Prep Academy! His SAT scores increased just after a few sessions. His tutor is diligent in working on exactly what my son needs, and it’s super convenient that he comes to our house! We love it!”

– Parent

“Prep Academy Tutors has been such a big help for our daughter this school year! Chemistry tutors are difficult to find in the area, but we were blessed to have found Thad at Prep Academy! He is so knowledgeable, patient, and calm when working with students. He truly loves his job. We love Thad and we know you will too!”

– Parent