Alessandra S.

Alessandra is a Teacher Candidate completing her first year of the Bachelors of Education program at Lakehead University. She holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature with a specialization in Education, providing her with a strong academic foundation in literary studies as well as a solid pedagogical foundation.

Alessandra is deeply committed to literacy education and believes that strong reading, writing, and communication skills are fundamental to student success across all subject areas and in everyday life. She views literacy not only as an academic skill, but as a tool for empowerment, critical thinking, and meaningful participation in society. Her goal is to support students in reaching their full academic potential while fostering confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

She understands that meaningful learning occurs when students are actively engaged and see relevance in what they are studying. As such, Alessandra prioritizes student-centered instruction, differentiated learning opportunities, and creative approaches that make complex concepts accessible and engaging. She strives to build supportive learning environments where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and grow.

In addition to her studies, Alessandra works as an Occasional Supply Teacher with the Durham Catholic District School Board. Through this role, she has gained valuable experience implementing the Ontario Curriculum across diverse classroom settings. She is committed to inclusive education and aims to ensure that instruction is accessible, equitable, and responsive to the different strengths and needs of all learners.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Alessandra enjoys listening to rock music, travelling, knitting sweaters, and ice skating. She has had two of her short stories published, and aspires to one day write and publish her own novel, continuing to cultivate and share her passion for storytelling and literature.

Quinn B.

Graduating in the of Spring 2026 from the University of Toronto, Quinn B. is pursuing a Honours Bachelor’s of Arts Degree with a double major in Political Science and Art History, as well as a minor in Sociology. Oringinally from Scarborough, Ontario, Quinn has nearly four years of tutoring experience and is passionate about helping students build confidence and achieve academic success. She focuses on developing strong relationships with her students and adapting her strategies to ensure they meet every students individual needs.

During high school, Quinn co-founded her school’s Peer Tutoring Program and received seven academic awards, including the Lamp of Learning Award and the award for highest academic standing in Grade 12 English. In her spare time, Quinn loves to play volleyball, play with her cat Kippy, workout, and spend time with her friends and family.

 

Seema M.

Seema brings forth a wealth of teaching experience. With over 25 years of service for the TDSB and private tutoring institutions, Seema has worked with students of varying levels in both elementary and secondary capacities. Graduating from UofT with an honours specialist degree in Chemistry and French, and a Bachelor’s of Education degree from Queen’s University Seema seamlessly moves between subjects within the Ontario curriculum. In her spare time she is a freelance writer and director who has contributed articles to literary journals and produced documentary films for the National Film Board of Canada.

 

Tessa H.

Tessa H. is a lifelong learner who became a teacher so she could grow personally and professionally. She loves meeting new people and sharing her interests with students while they solve problems together.

Tessa has taught everything from swim lessons for young children to college-level Geology labs to reading and math to elementary students with learning disabilities.

As an undergraduate at the University of Binghamton in New York, Tessa discovered her passion for science and the environment, which led to two bachelor’s degrees: one in Geology and one in Environmental Studies.

After graduating, her first “real job” was teaching reading and math to children with autism and other learning disabilities. Tessa enjoyed seeing her students grow so much that she stayed in that job for more than 7 years.

“Pairing with each student and learning how to integrate their interests into my lesson plans has helped me become a better teacher and made learning more fun for everyone.”

Tessa recently moved from New York to Colorado to pursue a career in science. Tutoring gives her the opportunity to continue her love of teaching and her passion for giving back to the community.

When she’s not teaching or tutoring, Tessa loves getting out into nature, going for a hike, or going on a picnic. I also love learning new skills — anything from knitting to breadmaking.

SARA W.

Sara is an Ontario Certified Teacher, Reading Specialist, award-winning YA author of White Lies and Defy, and most importantly, an educator who truly understands kids. With over 20 years of junior/intermediate teaching experience with the District School Board of Niagara, she brings deep knowledge of the Ontario curriculum. She has supported students across a wide range of abilities and learning styles, and is known for building strong, genuine relationships that help children feel both supported and capable.

As the mother of two young adults in post-secondary concurrent education programs who continue to compete in high-level sports, Sara understands firsthand the intensity of demanding schedules, travel, and the constant juggle between performance and academics. She appreciates how easily schoolwork can feel overwhelming and how vital strong grades can be for opportunities and scholarships.

Sara believes that meaningful progress starts with connection. Before diving into academics, she takes the time to understand who a child is: their strengths, frustrations, interests, goals, and even the pressures they may be carrying. From there, she creates personalized, purposeful sessions that build skills and confidence at the same time.

Families who choose Sara can expect thoughtful communication, individualized planning, and a tutor who is deeply invested in their child’s success, not just academically, but personally.

 

 

NEGIN A.

Negin is an educator dedicated to sparking students’ love for learning by nurturing their confidence, curiosity, and sense of self efficacy. As a junior/intermediate qualified teacher, she brings several years of experience supporting learners across multiple grade levels and subject areas through volunteering, one-on-one mentoring/tutoring, and completing practice teaching placements in diverse classroom settings. With an undergraduate background in Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto, Negin combines a strong foundation in scientific thinking with a deep commitment to student centred education. She refined her instructional practice through the Master of Teaching program at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE). Her patient, encouraging approach is rooted in the belief that every student thrives when they feel seen, supported, and capable. Outside of teaching, Negin enjoys reading, writing, watching movies, and sharing fun scientific facts – Did you know…that 1.3 million Earths could fit inside the Sun?

 

Tiasia T.

I am a dedicated Special Education teacher with a strong passion for literacy and reading development. I specialize in supporting diverse learners by providing individualized instruction tailored to each student’s unique strengths and needs. With experience working with students across a range of abilities, I focus on building foundational reading skills, strengthening comprehension, and increasing students’ confidence as learners. My goal is to create a supportive, engaging environment where every child feels capable, empowered, and successful in their reading journey.

Mikayla K.

Mikayla is a dedicated tutor and education student with a strong passion for supporting young learners and helping them build confidence in their abilities. She is currently completing a Concurrent Education program at Lakehead University where she has focused her studies on English, psychology, child development and education. Mikayla brings meaningful hands-on experience from her role as an Educational Assistant with the Simcoe County District School Board, where she worked closely with students with diverse learning needs, adapting instruction and creating calm, encouraging learning environments. Her tutoring journey began in Grade 8, where she was driven by a genuine love of helping children build knowledge, focus, and a strong foundation for learning. Parents value Mikayla’s patient, empathetic approach and her ability to connect with children in ways that make learning feel safe, positive, and achievable. She excels in one-on-one tutoring, supporting students in early reading, writing, math, organization, and study skills while fostering confidence and independence. Outside of tutoring, Mikayla spends her free time exploring hobbies including a wide variety of arts and crafts, cooking, baking, hiking, gardening, camping and reading.

Ivana D.

Ivana has a plethora of teaching experience in schools across the Toronto District School Board from Kindergarten to Grade 8. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Toronto, an Early Childhood Education diploma from George Brown College, and her Bachelor of Education from York University.

 

 

NICOLE H.

Nicole H. is a Master of Teaching candidate at the University of Toronto (OISE), where she is completing her professional teaching certification. Nicole specializes in helping elementary students build mastery and confidence in Math, English and Literacy, while also providing holistic support as a general student mentor.

Nicole believes that the best learning happens when a student feels truly understood and supported. Rather than just following a rigid lesson plan, she tailors her approach to match how each student’s mind works. She focuses on building students’ self-esteem and helping them develop “behind-the-scenes” skills like staying organized and managing their time effectively. Her goal is to create a stress-free environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, breaking down big tasks into manageable steps, and taking on new challenges.

Her background includes extensive work preparing high school students for the transition to university. By teaching advanced writing and literature, she helps students sharpen the critical thinking and communication skills they need for post-secondary success. Whether she is working with a young language learner or a senior student polishing a university-level essay, Nicole is committed to making learning an empowering and enjoyable experience for both the student and their family.