SHELDON G.

Sheldon Gomes, an Ontario Certified Teacher, is a dedicated and success-driven educator with a strong commitment to fostering student learning and engagement. With a Master of Education from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, he specializes in teaching general science, biology, chemistry, and social sciences to students in grades 6-12. Throughout his career with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Sheldon has cultivated inclusive, dynamic classroom environments that encourage curiosity and collaboration. His expertise in differentiated instruction, curriculum development, and student assessment ensures that his teaching practices effectively support diverse learners. Passionate about integrating technology and innovative teaching methods, he continually seeks ways to enhance student engagement. Outside the classroom, Sheldon enjoys hiking scenic trails, capturing moments through photography, traveling to new destinations, and immersing himself in a good book, always eager to explore new ideas and perspectives.

MICAELA M.

Micaela holds a bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in education, equipping her with a strong foundation in language instruction and pedagogy. She has also earned the DALF C1 (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates her advanced proficiency in French.

With a deep understanding of writing, grammar, and reading in both English and French, Micaela is passionate about helping students develop strong literacy skills and a love for language learning. She tailors her teaching approach to meet each child’s unique needs, ensuring they feel confident, supported, and motivated in their academics.

Beyond language instruction, Micaela is well-equipped to support students in Kindergarten through Grade 7 across all subjects. Whether helping with French language acquisition, English composition, or general coursework, she is committed to fostering a positive and encouraging learning environment where students can thrive.

Stephanie S.

Stephanie has been teaching for 30 years. She has a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University and is qualified to teach secondary school English, Visual Art and Drama, as well as all Primary subjects. She is also a qualified Guidance counsellor, and has her level 1 Principals’ Qualification. Stephanie has taught in Toronto, South America and England. She is very experienced working with children and young adults with a wide range of barriers to learning, including ASD, ADHD, specific learning difficulties, ESL, depression and anxiety.

Stephanie believes that every child has the potential for deep and meaningful learning. As a tutor, she tailors her lessons to her students’ interests, creating engaging lessons that help them overcome their academic challenges while meeting curriculum expectations. With her extensive teaching experience, she provides clear guidance on school assignments, helping students understand complex material and develop strong organizational and communication skills. She has particular expertise in teaching grammar. She is able to integrate art and technology into her instruction to enhance engagement and deepen comprehension.

Along with building skills, Stephanie works at boosting students’ self esteem and helping them to see and believe in their ability to be successful.

Kelly D.

Dr. Kelly D. brings over 16 years of educational experience, specializing in literacy development and student achievement. With a Ph.D. in Literacy and Curriculum Development from St. John’s University, he has a strong foundation in helping students enhance their reading and writing skills, improving literacy scores by up to 80% through targeted, evidence-based strategies. As a former ELA teacher and literacy coach, Dr. Downing is skilled in creating individualized learning plans that address each student’s unique needs, ensuring academic growth and confidence. His leadership as Executive Director of a college and career readiness institute further highlights his commitment to preparing students for long-term success, both academically and professionally. Dr. Downing is passionate about inspiring students to reach their highest potential.

Ian G.

After receiving Bachelor’s degrees in History and French in his home state of Arkansas, Ian moved to the Northeast to begin his professional career as an educator. While serving as a literacy coach in a public school in Washington, DC, Ian helped to integrate new strategies and hybridized learning amid the COVID lockdown. In the fall of 2021 Ian led a class of 5th graders in their transition back to in-person instruction after the shutdown. He served as a lead history and humanities teacher for two years before segueing into out-of-school time education. Ian helped to implement an afterschool program for students in Harlem, developing curriculum, and leading homework help and enrichment activities for participants. In total, Ian has over a decade of tutoring and education experience. Ian loves to inspire wonder in all of his students, and prioritizes an individualized approach to ensure all students get the education they deserve.

Michael N.

Michael is a patient and knowledgeable teacher, tutor for English, History, reading, writing, and test prep classes, with experience working with students of all levels of aptitude and academic interest. Born and raised in New York City, Michael is a product of its public schools system, and the later recipient of two Ivy League degrees, one from Cornell and the other from Columbia University. He’s worked for many years in both public and charter schools, teaching a diverse group of young learners, helping them to become stronger readers, writers, and critical thinkers. As a tutor, Michael has over ten years of experience working one-on-one with a vast array of clients, with ages ranging from pre-K to graduate school students and adult professionals. Michael likes to say that he works with “big kids, little kids and medium sized kids” and this has been the case throughout his extensive career.

Luami M.

Luami is a student at Montclair State University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education alongside a minor in Linguistics with fluency in both English and Spanish. She is immensely passionate in her pursuit to strengthen students’ reading and writing skills, deepening their understanding of literature’s connection to real-world concepts. Having received a perfect score on the AP Literature & Composition exam, Luami is well suited to help students navigate the aforementioned college level course and those similar to it. Despite having an education focused in the humanities, she often spends most of her time working alongside P-12 students in math subjects up to Algebra 2. From foundational math to advanced literature, Luami is a dynamic and engaging tutor dedicated to helping her students succeed. By putting students’ goals first and working hard in collaboration to achieve them, students walk away with a long lasting, positive impact on their education. In her spare time, Luami can be found reading a novel, relaxing with her 12-year-old Chihuahua named Lola, or running the registered student organization she founded: the Montclair State Music Club!

LARCIA F.

Larcia Fernandes is an enthusiastic and dedicated educator with a wealth of experience in inspiring young minds for the last 26 years. She has a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Psychology and later completed her Bachelor of Education. Larcia’s teaching journey began with a profound love for literature and a passion for nurturing students’ critical thinking skills. Having taught in various settings, both locally and internationally, Larcia brings a global perspective to her classroom. She has a unique ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and adapt her teaching methods to suit their individual needs. Larcia believes in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential. Outside the classroom, Larcia enjoys exploring new cultures through her travels and often incorporates her experiences into her lessons to make learning more engaging and relevant. In her spare time, she loves trekking, reading contemporary fiction, and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen for family and friends. Larcia’s commitment to education and her genuine love for teaching make her a cherished member of the academic community. She continues to inspire her students to embrace lifelong learning with enthusiasm and curiosity.

SOPHIE W.

Hi! My name is Sophie and I am currently in the first year of the BEd at York. I have over five years of experience in personalized, high-quality tutoring. My primary focus is on math, and I am very passionate about helping students develop their mathematical intuition, thinking, proficiency, and (importantly!) confidence. I also tutor other subjects, especially writing-based courses, and I find it very meaningful to work with students on the crucial skills of on argumentation, articulation, and research. In my free time I love to paint for relaxation and creativity, even though I have never had any formal training/great skill. I mention this because I feel strongly that everyone should feel comfortable and confident to pursue their interests even if they don’t feel like they have the “natural skill”, and I bring that philosophy to my teaching.

Julia R.

Julia spent five years teaching high school English in San Francisco Public Schools. She’s taught grade 9-12 as well as both AP English courses and worked as an AP Exam reader. As someone who loves to learn new things, Julia has earned an MA in German Literature from UC Berkeley, an MA in Teaching Reading from the University of San Francisco, and is currently a master’s student in the English Department at Villanova University. She also spent a year living in Germany on a Fulbright research grant to study political fairy tales.

Julia loves to help students to make connections between their lives and what they are learning in school. She is an experienced writing coach who specializes in supporting students to express their thinking with clarity, complexity, nuance, and style.