Alexander C.

Alexander is a graduate of Phillips Academy, an elite boarding school in Massachusetts, and currently studies at McGill University. He specializes in admissions consulting for boarding schools and colleges. After successfully guiding applicants to gain acceptance at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Tulane, and UNC, he began developing proprietary testing materials, as well as specialized courses in essay writing, interview preparation, and extracurricular activities.

Gabrielle S.

Gabrielle is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Toronto, specializing in Physics and Biology, with a strong focus on Mathematics. Her interdisciplinary academic background reflects a deep commitment to both analytical and creative disciplines. Complementing her science studies, Gabrielle has shown a special interest in courses revolving around English and advanced writing, underscoring her passion for effective communication. With over four years of tutoring experience, Gabrielle has provided personalized, one-on-one instruction in Mathematics, Physics, Biology, English, and essay writing. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and encouraging learning environment, tailoring her teaching methods to align with each student’s unique strengths and interests. Gabrielle believes that fostering mutual understanding and adapting to individual learning styles are key to building student confidence and achieving academic success. Beyond her academic pursuits, Gabrielle engages in hobbies such as crocheting, knitting, and weightlifting, activities that reflect her creativity, discipline, and attention to detail. These interests contribute to her holistic approach to education, where she strives to make learning an enjoyable and enriching experience for all her students.

Hannah G.

As an educator of 7+ years, Hannah (she/her) is eager to help students with social sciences, technical writing skills, reading comprehension, essay outlining, executive skills, and ESL conversation. Outside of tutoring, Hannah is a Ph.D. student in the Social and Cultural Analysis program at Concordia University. Her research, generously funded by the Faculty of Arts and Science Fellowship, explores online communities — specifically LGBTQIA+ and other minority-led spaces — and alternative media creation. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Media Studies from Concordia, which allowed her to develop a web series pilot about positive representation for sapphic women and non-binary folks in online fandoms. She likewise holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in English from the University of Regina with a concentration in creative writing. Professionally, she has experience as a researcher, instructor, journalist, and actress in film, theatre, and television. Hannah is passionate about intersectional feminist filmmaking, creative writing, and archival research.
In her spare time, she also enjoys volunteering for Archives gaies du Québec.

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.