Stacey C.

With a robust foundation in early childhood and special education, along with her credentials as a licensed learning consultant specializing in neurodiversity, Stacey brings expertise and passion to her work with students.

As a Neurodivergent Specialist, Stacey’s approach, grounded in the constructivist theory, prioritizes experiential learning through dynamic, hands-on activities, social and emotional engagement, and meaningful project-based outcomes.

Colleen S.

Colleen Simmons realized as a child she wanted to become a teacher. She loved learning how to read and do basic math from her mother, Donna, who she says was still her best teacher ever! Growing up in Illinois, she started helping her peers and younger children with reading and math homework when she was in 6th grade. Like the acting bug that some folks get, teaching became her passion. Graduating in 1981 from Millikin University with a B.S. in Biology, she pursued further training and completed a teacher certification program at the U of I Springfield soon after. She began teaching and continued to add certifications and degrees to her resume. She obtained a middle school concept endorsement on her standard certificate, a second B.S. in Special Education from EIU, and two M.S. degrees in Educational Administration from EIU and Teacher Leadership from U of I Springfield, respectively. Throughout her career, she has not only worked in the classroom, but she also has privately tutored students after school. Her reputation as a caring and supportive teacher is something she cherishes. In 2019, Colleen and her husband retired to Texas. Retirement didn’t last long, since she found herself missing the enjoyment she got from working with students. In 2021, she began working once again as support staff, tutor, and ultimately, teacher in a science classroom. This year, she is working on a new challenge. She, along with a couple of friends, began developing a home-school pod service to help families who want another option for educating their children. Along with tutoring, Colleen enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and learning something new, like painting a watercolor, playing a new strategy game, or reading a mystery novel.

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.

Griffin W.

Born and raised in Montreal, Griffin recently graduated from the Institute of European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University. Prior to his two years in Ottawa, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at McGill University in 2022. During his time at Carleton, he was a teaching assistant, tasked with grading essays and exams, organizing and running discussion groups, and teaching lessons. These experiences, as both successful student and successful teaching assistant provided him with the knowledge of how young students can best succeed from both sides of the teacher-student perspective.

From an early age, Griffin had a passion for history and politics, even attempting to memorize the list of Canadian Prime Ministers in first grade. This passion eventually led him to double major in History and Political Science at McGill. At John Abbott College and McGill, his broad curiosity regarding historical and political events, along with new encounters with political theory and political economy, developed into a particular focus on the Soviet Union, which would come to serve as the foundation of his master’s thesis.

Outside of his academic pursuits, he is an avid hockey player and fan. A lifelong skater and dedicated supporter of the Boston Bruins, his other sporting interests include the NFL’s New England Patriots, the PWHL’s Montreal Victoire, and the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes.
When he’s not reading history, attending an Als game, or on the ice, Griffin can often be found at the movie theatre or staying up late into the night watching and analyzing live election coverage, both domestic and international.

Nazia M.

Nazia is an ECE and she grew up in Pakistan and then moved to Bahrain.  She travelled around the world and finished her postgraduate education at the University of Nottingham. Later, she moved to Canada and pursued her career as an Early childhood Educator.  She has worked with all age groups, from kindergarten to high school. Currently she is working in the Peel District School board and works with children with autism, learning difficulties and developmental disabilities at the high school level.  She has several years of tutoring experience.  She believes all children are gifted in their style and need support to reach their full potential. She provides interactive lesson plans, videos, games and worksheets. In her free time, she spends time with her children and friends. She loves to travel and enjoys cooking.

Keith W.

Keith earned his Bachelor of Education from Brock University and spent three years teaching before shifting his focus to Jake’s House Charity, where he now supports individuals with autism. He is qualified to teach across primary, junior, and intermediate divisions and is adept in all subjects. Keith originally completed his undergraduate studies at McMaster University, majoring in kinesiology. With a deep passion for fostering student learning, Keith is dedicated to making education both engaging and enjoyable, aiming to inspire life-long learning in his students. Beyond the classroom, he is an avid sports enthusiast with a particular love for baseball.

Samran M.

Samran is a passionate and dedicated Ontario Certified Teacher with seven years of rich teaching experience, both locally and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in English Literature and Creative Writing from York University, followed by a Bachelor of Education, where he specialized in English. His ongoing commitment to professional development led him to further specialize in ESL, Special Education, and Reading, culminating in a Master of Arts in English Literature and a Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing from York University. Driven by his deep love for learning and teaching, Samran’s journey naturally steered him toward Special Education and literacy remediation. His focus lies in supporting students who face unique challenges within public schools. At his previous school, Samran taught in an intensive literacy intervention class, where his expertise helped bridge achievement gaps ranging from one to five years. He firmly believes that every child has the potential for success, regardless of their circumstances, and that building meaningful rapport is key to making students feel valued and capable.

Samran strives to create engaging, student-centered learning environments where each lesson is infused with student interests and strengths. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of providing timely, meaningful feedback that fosters academic, social-emotional, and behavioral growth. Over the years, Samran has worked with students across a spectrum of exceptionalities, including ASD, ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, OCD, Tourette Syndrome, and more. He has also earned eight additional qualifications in Special Education, ESL, Reading, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Outside the classroom, Samran’s passion for creativity and learning continues. He is an avid reader, a creative writer, and runs a small Etsy shop where he sells prints of his original artwork. He also stays active by going to the gym and playing badminton.

Graciamaria R.

My name is Graciamaria, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as a dedicated academic tutor. With a diverse background in Education, I bring a unique perspective to my teaching approach, ensuring that each student I work with receives personalized and effective support.
I have a strong foundation in education, thanks to my M.A., B.Ed. and M.Ed. from the University of Waterloo, University of Western Ontario and Wilfrid Laurier University. My academic journey has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to understand the complexities of student learning, particularly in relation to Social Sciences, Literature and, Intermediate Mathematics. Additionally, my experience as a Special Education teacher for the past twenty years has allowed me to develop essential mentoring and leadership skills, which I bring into every tutoring session.
As a tutor, I am committed to creating a supportive and encouraging environment for every student. I understand the challenges that come with academic pursuits and strive to make learning an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. My goal is to help students build confidence, develop strong study habits, and reach their full potential.
I am also deeply connected to my Hispanic heritage, which has influenced my approach to education. I believe in the importance of cultural awareness and inclusivity in teaching, and I strive to create a learning space where all students feel valued and understood.
Whether your child needs help with homework, exam preparation, or developing a passion for learning, I am here to support them every step of the way. Together, we can work towards academic success and a brighter future.

James O.

James earned a BS in World History from Temple University and has been working in education for the past 16 years. He values the connections he makes with students and enjoys helping students understand their learning profiles. His academic expertise is with ELA, essay writing, college essay writing, SAT prep specifically in Reading and Writing sections and executive functioning skills. He is remarkable at supporting students in learning to rely on their strengths. He also has a knack for product design, graphic design, and loves panda bears.

Tangelica C.

Tangelica is an experienced and passionate educator.

Tangelica has a B.A. in English from California State University, Sacramento, a M.Ed in Multicultural Education from National University, a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in English with an ELD endorsement and Reading Specialist endorsement.

She has taught at the junior high school level for over 15 years and for three years as a Certificated Student Learning Coach (working with more than 1,000 students). Today, Tangelica is a full-time online English teacher and tutor.

Tangelica strives to help students achieve the self-confidence they need to succeed in school — and beyond. She supports students with their academics (reading, writing, and grammar), but also with their motivation, organization, study skills, self-reliance, and perseverance.

She thrives on helpings students learn how to fill in their learning gaps, because the skills learned in overcoming those “gaps” are often the ones that will help them succeed in all their future endeavors.