JOSEF S.

Josef Stetter is an Ontario educator and Assistant Curriculum Leader for Business and Co-op at Georges Vanier Secondary School, known for inclusive, real-world teaching that meets learners where they are. He holds a B.Ed. from Lakehead University and a B.A. in Economics from York University, along with wide-ranging Additional Qualifications that equip him to teach most subjects across Grades 1 through 12, including Math, Science, all Business strands, Social Sciences (world religions, philosophy, psychology), Humanities, Geography, History, English and ESL, Life and Learning Skills, Public Speaking and Debate, and French. He has taught and tutored broadly across these areas and continues to coach learners of all ages. In his current role, Josef expanded Business SHSM participation and led a large DECA cohort to regional and provincial success and had one student win the world Championship in her category beating out 25,000 students, while supervising diverse co-op placements that help students connect class to careers. Josef has lived in five countries and speaks English, French, Hebrew, and Spanish, and he makes learning lively by linking lessons to student interests such as video games, sports, photography, and travel.

Viacheslav L.

Viacheslav is an education professional with nine years of college-level tutoring experience. His background and knowledge base is broad, spanning legal studies, ESL, Science, Algebra, Physics, Computer Science, Biology, and Astronomy.  He focuses on clear explanations, structured practice, and real-world examples to build confidence and results. He is also fluent in Russian.

EDUCATION:
MS, Computer Science, Russia
PhD, Social Studies, Russia
JD, Russia
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Russia

A. Garza

Howdy! My name is Ms. Garza and I have been working in education for close to 6 years now. This is my 5th year teaching and I have experience in working with all grade levels, from pre-k to 11th grade. I am currently an AP English Language/English 1 teacher and taught middle school Social Studies for 4 years. One of my favorite things about teaching is helping students achieve that “a-ha!” moment and getting them to reach that next level in their learning. I enjoy building connections and learning more about my students, as I firmly believe that kids want to learn from people they enjoy being with. I’m looking forward to this next chapter of helping students one-on-one and to possibly working with yours!

SAJIDA J.

With over a decade of experience in child development and pedagogy, Sajida brings a compassionate, creative, and evidence-based approach to education. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and a Master of Teaching Degree from University of Toronto. Sajida has received additional qualifications in Special Education, English Language Learning, Reading, Mathematics, and the Integration of Technology in Instruction. As a teacher with the York Region District School Board (YRDSB), she possesses a deep understanding of the subject curriculum and utilizes a wide range of resources to support and enhance student learning. Her teaching practice is grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), with a strong commitment to differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of all learners.
Trained in the Science of Reading, she employs this structured, research-backed framework to support literacy development. By integrating phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension into her lessons, she helps students build strong and lasting foundations in reading and writing.
In her tutoring career, Sajida is dedicated to empowering each student to build confidence and independence in their learning journey, fostering both academic success and a lifelong passion for learning.
Outside the classroom, Sajida enjoys an active lifestyle, including hiking and pickleball. She is also passionate about world travel, which broadens her perspective and enriches her inclusive teaching practices. Above all, she is committed to nurturing academic achievement, student well-being, and the development of responsible, engaged global citizens.

Diana A.

Diana A. is a passionate English and Spanish educator with over 17 years of experience helping students develop their academic writing, reading comprehension, and communication skills. She holds a Master’s in TESOL, Literacy, and Culture from the University of San Diego and has taught across both high school and college settings. Diana empowers students to become confident, independent writers through engaging, student-centered lessons that make complex ideas accessible. Her approach combines structured skill-building with creativity—whether she’s guiding students through persuasive essays, college application writing, or literary analysis. Beyond academics, Diana fosters a supportive environment where learners build confidence in expressing their own voices. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys discovering new authors and designing lessons that connect language learning to real-world experiences.

Cheryl O.

With over 20 years of classroom experience in English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction and educational administration, Cheryl brings a strong blend of classroom teaching, online instruction, and individualized tutoring to help learners achieve their academic goals. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, TESOL certification, and a prior Special Education credential.

Over the past decade, Cheryl has supported students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds through online ESL instruction and one-on-one tutoring. She specializes in creating engaging, personalized lessons that meet each student’s unique needs. Cheryl is deeply dedicated to fostering language and academic growth, promoting cultural understanding, and building confidence in communication across academic, professional, and personal settings. She looks forward to continuing her work with students and helping them succeed in today’s world.

JULIAN S.

Julian S. is a dedicated teacher with the Durham District School Board who specializes in math instruction, literacy development, and supporting students with special needs. He began his teaching journey as a swimming instructor, where he first discovered his passion for helping learners succeed. This early experience inspired him to pursue an education in Early Childhood Studies, followed by a Bachelor of Education, solidifying his path as an educator. Julian has worked with many students struggling with literacy, helping them strengthen their reading and writing skills with personalized strategies. He has also taught internationally in China, where he worked with senior students and adults in ESL programs, gaining a strong foundation in language learning and communication. With extensive classroom and one-on-one experience, he is passionate about building confidence, fostering independence, and helping each student reach their full potential. Outside of teaching, Julian enjoys reading, rock climbing, swimming, and taking road trips across Ontario—always finding new experiences to bring back to his students.

Tareque M.

Tareque is a graduate of the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with majors in English and History. He is currently completing his Master of Teaching at OISE (University of Toronto) and is on the path to becoming an Ontario Certified Teacher. As part of his graduate work, Tareque is researching the benefits of using video games as pedagogy and course material, exploring how they can create new pathways for learning and highlight underrepresented skills in education.

In addition to his academic pursuits, Tareque holds TEFL/TESOL certification and has taught ESL/EFL to a wide range of learners, from young children to seniors. His tutoring philosophy emphasizes heuristic learning, strong study habits, and differentiated instruction, tailoring his approach to each student’s strengths, interests, and learning preferences.

Beyond teaching, Tareque enjoys music, film, reading, writing fiction, video games, and karaoke. He is passionate about bringing creativity, inclusivity, and innovation into his teaching to help students reach their full potential.

Samantha S.

Samantha is a bilingual educator with more than 20 years of experience helping students of all ages discover their strengths and enjoy learning. She has taught everything from core subjects in Elementary to Social Studies and English in Middle School to English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults and is known for turning challenges into confidence-building wins through social-emotional learning (SEL). With a Master’s in Positive Education and certifications in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and Family Coaching, Samantha combines expertise with a warm, encouraging approach that brings out the best in every learner. Samantha combines strong academic expertise with a supportive, student-focused approach. She partners with families to ensure students not only improve their grades but also grow in confidence, motivation, and prevailing learning skills. A lifelong student herself, she’s always taking new courses to keep life (and learning) exciting. When she’s not teaching, you’ll probably find her traveling with her family to eco-destinations where she can connect with nature, reading a thrilling novel, or singing her heart out—sometimes all at once!

Lisa S.

Lisa is a dedicated educator with decades of experience teaching students from kindergarten through grade 8. She has a deep passion for teaching children to read and firmly believes that every child can become a confident, independent reader when given the right instruction. Specializing in literacy, one-on-one remedial support, special education, ASD support, and ESL teaching, Lisa designs instruction that meets diverse learning needs while fostering critical thinking, independence, and student engagement. Making learning fun!

Highly skilled in evidence-based reading strategies, she creates interventions that equip students with the tools, guidance, and encouragement they need to succeed. Her approach emphasizes authentic praise, clear next steps, and adaptable strategies that students can apply across subjects. Above all, Lisa prioritizes compassion and individualized support, helping each student unlock their full potential, ignite curiosity, and cultivate a lifelong love of learning.