KAROLINA S.

Karolina Solovka is a recent graduate of York University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance Creation and Research and a Bachelor of Education in Teacher College for grades 4-10. She currently teaches dance and drama at Ms. Marianne’s Power of Performing Arts studio, where she leads both recreational and competitive classes. Karolina also plays a key role in the studio’s productions, with the upcoming show being, Into The Woods Jr!

Karolina’s teaching philosophy is rooted in flexibility and adaptability, tailored to meet the diverse needs of her students. She is committed to continuous growth and development as an educator, aiming to provide her students with a rich foundation of knowledge and unforgettable learning experiences. Her ultimate goal is for her students to leave her classroom feeling confident in their abilities, eager to learn, and ready to seize every opportunity, regardless of the outcome. She is super happy to join the team here at Prep Academy and is so excited to meet her future students!

CINDI S.

Cindi has a Bachelors of Education from McGill University. After graduating, she worked at a private school in Mississauga. While working at the school, she started tutoring students who were having difficulty in the advanced classes and those trying to get into the school. Quickly, Cindi discovered that tutoring was her calling. For over twenty-five years, she has been tutoring and has never looked back. Cindy enjoys watching the success and growth of each of her students and all children have the ability to reach their full potential with the proper teaching. She has worked with children of all ages and learning abilities. Her learning instructions and methods are targeted to the unique needs and learning styles of each student. She really enjoys watching the success and growth of her students. In her spare time, She enjoys doing diamond painting puzzles, reading, hiking, and spending time with her son. She is excited to be part of our team

MICHELLE P.

Michelle is a dedicated educator with a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from York University, earned through the Concurrent Program. As an Ontario Certified Teacher, she specializes in the Primary/Junior Division and has taught grades K-6 across both public and private schools. Michelle is pursuing French certifications at the University of Toronto, with plans to attain FSL additional qualifications in the coming year.

Through her teaching experiences, Michelle has developed a keen ability to facilitate dynamic classroom environments and adapt her methods to accommodate diverse learning styles. She employs a range of strategies to engage students effectively, recognizing that each child learns differently and tailoring her approach to meet individual needs. Her belief in the potential of every student fuels her teaching approach, which prioritizes instilling confidence, promoting hard work, and cultivating perseverance.

Michelle is committed to the principles of a growth mindset, striving to inspire and support her students in reaching their full potential. Her dedication to education is reflected in her proactive pursuit of professional development and her unwavering support for her students’ learning journeys.

Leah M.

Leah is a bilingual graduate of Mechanical Engineering at UofT. After working as an engineer in 3D printing for 2 years, she is going back to school to pursue a Masters of Teaching at OISE. She specializes in math, science and french. As a tutor and teacher, Leah hopes to use her passion for STEM to inspire and help students reach their full potential.

Leah has worked for several years at a french summer camp, leading groups aged 3 to 14. She has also volunteered at a french high school as an “Engineer in Residence” leading workshops on engineering and 3D printing. During her undergraduate studies, she was a Teaching Assistant for 2 years for a first year engineering course that touched on topics such as organization, time management, ethics and mental health. In her spare time, Leah loves to make art, bike, dance and birdwatch.

Matthew N.

Matthew’s journey as an educator began at George Brown College where he studied Early Childhood Education, and later obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies at Toronto Metropolitan University. Matthew aspires to become a teacher, and is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Education at York University. He has experience teaching children in a variety of different settings, which includes working at a childcare centre with children between the grades of 1 and 7. There, he developed lesson plans for his students, which included activities surrounding their interests, and focused on improving skills such as language, math, gross/fine motor skills, and social development. He also has experience being a swim instructor, and assistant coach for a soccer team, where he enjoys the opportunity to learn and connect with the students he works with.

Joanne M.

Joanne holds an M.S.Ed. in Foreign Language Acquisition from the University of Kansas and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. She is certified to teach general subjects through Grade 8 and English and French through Grade 12. Joanne transitioned to education 19 years ago after a career in tech sales and marketing, discovering her passion for teaching while tutoring at Ivey Business School. She received an award in her first year of teaching for her work with special needs students, which inspired her to pursue further education. Joanne has since taught ESL in North Carolina and returned to Toronto in 2012. She is a warm, patient teacher with high expectations, dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.

JUDITH F.

Judith holds a Bachelor of Arts in Language and Psychology. She also holds an Early Childhood Education Diploma, as well as an Advanced Early Childhood Education Diploma. She has over 20 years of teaching experience at a Co-Ed Independent School, a Boys’ Independent School and a Montessori School. In addition to teaching math, literacy, social and social science from JK-Grade 6, Judith also has expensive experience working with students and families to prepare for the admission process at independent schools. 

Judith is passionate about teaching, mentoring and guiding her students to work to their potential and to be life long learners. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, swimming, walking, cooking and baking, travelling, as well as spending time with friends.

MAYA B.

Maya has completed a degree in English Education and a Master’s in Teaching Primary Specialization. Being a full-time teacher for six years, Maya has enriched students’ lives both in Malaysia and Australia. Clearly, her teaching experience has been as diverse as her travel itinerary! She is a firm believer in the idea that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education. She focuses on creating effective learning experiences tailored to each student’s strengths and areas for growth. Her skills in patience, creativity, and adaptability ensure that every lesson is as engaging as a page-turning novel or a catchy tune. In her spare time, Maya enjoys reading novels, listening to music and traveling with family and friends.

Andrea T.

EN: Andrea has a Bachelor’s Degree in High School English Education from McGill University. She has also completed her Master’s in Teaching and Learning from the University of Ottawa. She has four years of teaching and tutoring experience including ESL and loves being able to connect with students. Andrea completed her education in French and is bilingual in French and English.

FR: Andrea est titulaire d’un baccalauréat en éducation en anglais au secondaire de l’Université McGill. Elle a également complété sa maîtrise en enseignement et apprentissage à l’Université d’Ottawa. Elle a quatre ans d’expérience en enseignement et en tutorat et adore pouvoir se connecter avec les élèves. Andrea a complété ses études en français et est bilingue en français et en anglais.

Phillipa G.

With two decades of dedicated service in education, Phillipa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the classroom. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Honours Humanities and a Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior Divisions from York University, Phillipa has continuously expanded her knowledge through additional qualifications, including Special Education, Mathematics, Reading and Student Assessment and Evaluation.

Throughout her career, Phillipa has held roles in various educational settings, focusing on special education and inclusive learning environments. Recent positions include Special Education Resource Teacher, where she orchestrated targeted reading interventions and crafted engaging curriculum-aligned activities for students on the Autism spectrum. As a Primary Teacher, Phillipa excelled in adapting lessons to accommodate diverse learning needs, culminating in successful community-building initiatives such as holiday concerts and outdoor activity days.

For a number of years Phillipa worked as a Grade 1-8 Classroom and Arts teacher, emphasizing comprehensive student assessment and fostering positive learning outcomes through collaborative engagement with colleagues, parents, and administrators. Her commitment to educational excellence is further underscored by ongoing professional development, including certifications in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies and ABA for Educators.
Phillipa’s passion for education extends beyond the classroom, evident in her establishment of impactful extracurricular programs and community engagement sessions throughout her career.