TRISHA L.
Trisha Lee is a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies, with a minor in Sociology. She is currently in the first of two years at York University for Bachelor of Education. She will become an intermediate/ senior Teacher with the qualifications to teach Family Studies and General Social Science courses. Trisha has a background and passion for working with children and youth with disabilities and learning exceptionalities. She worked at the Geneva Centre for Autism for many years in the Group Services department as a Shift Leader. During her time at this organization, she had the pleasure of working one-to-one with individuals to learn and complete the goals set out by the families. She created strong rapport with the clients and families, through communication to help them achieve their goals and succeed to the fullest. Outside of work Trisha enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as reading and exploring nature. Trisha is currently a volunteer in an after-school program, where she helps students from grades three to eight with their homework and reading skills. She really enjoys helping others to understand material they may have learned in school and caters to the various learning styles of the students she helps.
JAMIE Z.
Jamie is currently a grade 2/3 teacher with the Toronto District School Board. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Teaching in Elementary Education, and is currently completing his Master of Arts in Social Justice Education. He also holds additional qualifications in Special Education, Primary/Junior Literacy, Mathematics, Reading, ESL, and Kindergarten.
During the summer months, Jamie fulfills the role of Program Director with Westcoast Connection. Over the past 10 summers he has directed programs all over Canada, USA, Europe and Australia.
CASEY S.
Hey there!
My name is Casey, I graduated from the University of Winnipeg in 2016 and I am currently in my 7th year teaching professionally. I started my career in Northern Manitoba, eventually settling down in the Southwest, teaching Literacy and English Language Arts. I am positive and energetic, and have taught students from Elementary to Senior High School. I am very passionate about education and always seek meaningful connections and creative ways to engage my students.
A little about me: I grew up in a small town, and I love the outdoors; including fishing, boating and camping. I also love animals, reading, and listening to podcasts.
I look forward to meeting you!
Anna M.
Anna is excited to be a part of the Prep Academy Team. She is a graduate of the University of Windsor’s six-year Bachelor of Education program and has additional qualifications in Special Education and Mathematics.
As an experienced teacher, Anna is proficient in grasping new course material and supporting students through natural changes in classroom routines. While teaching, her students benefit from a variety of external stimuli (multi-levelled books, manipulatives, charts, graphs, and display of student’s work) which is greatly beneficial for her student’s academic growth.
While tutoring, Anna develops an inclusive model to integrate students with exceptionalities into programs with their age-appropriate peers and discovers new ways of integrating academic theory into teaching. She provides enriched programs in all subjects to meet the intellectual needs of her learners. Using her expertise from an elementary and secondary level, she provides a high quality of tutoring while differentiating instruction to meet individual needs and interests.
Ashley S.
Ashley Shalmoni is a PhD candidate in the Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies department at York University, where she also works as Teachers Assistant. She is also working as a researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital, where she is using a feminist political economy approach to investigate the gender gap in STEM. In addition to this work, she uses an intersectional framework to examine the gender and racial disparities in labour.
Darien K.
Darien has been teaching for 5 years. He also has a Psychology degree and is certified by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He developed a Mindfulness Committee throughout his school’s community to better support mental health initiatives.
Darien has the experience to understand and tailor instruction to the many different learning styles, abilities and backgrounds. He has taught people with various and complex disabilities for 10+ years, is comfortable teaching various levels of English Language Learners and can teach foundational knowledge through Indigenous perspective.
As a teacher his focus is on an well rounded educational plan that consists of physical and mental wellness, cultivating self-worth, morals, values and supporting students’ expressions of identity. He received multiple scholarships based on athletic merit as a member of the University’s Cross Country Running team. He loves to take his dog paddle boarding and hiking. When they are not in the sunniest spots, he’ll likely be found playing Arceus or Zelda on his Nintendo Switch.
Janet D.
Janet is a Certified Teacher, with four years of teaching experience. She has worked in both the private and public sectors. She specializes in a variety of subject areas from MYP IB, to PE, Outdoor Ed, Business, Human Sciences, and Primary School English & Mathematics.
She grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and moved out west in 2015. She has an Undergraduate Degree in Physical and Health Education and a Minor in Business Admin. As well, she’s completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from UBC.
Janet has taught a variety of high school specialized courses outside of her teachables including ESL, Home Economics, Yoga, and Basketball Academy. She also spent a year teaching a grade 4-7 elementary school class, with a special focus on literacy and mathematics in those years.
She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and got into teaching physical and health education not only because of her love for sports, but because she thoroughly enjoys helping build her students’ confidence to succeed. She prides herself on the connections she’s built with her students and parents over the years.
Janet’s approach fosters an environment where community, global perspectives, and social responsibility become key fundamentals that will prepare her students to be true world citizens. Her goal is that the connections she makes allow others to leave at the end of the day feeling supported, and respected and that their opinions are heard. Since starting her career, she’s made it her mission to make her classroom environment a safe space for all everyone, where they can share experiences, and use their innovative thinking and creativity, to flourish. She loves working amongst the leaders of tomorrow and greatly appreciates all the connections she’s made along the way.
Additional Details
JUDY Z.
Judy is currently a teacher candidate completing her Masters of Teaching degree at OISE, University of Toronto. She has undergrad degrees in mathematics & psychology from U of T and can tutor all math courses from G7-G12. Judy has classroom experience teaching High School mathematics during her practicums and is passionate about math. Her own experience in Junior High & High School with kind and supportive math teachers inspired her to become a teacher herself. Judy has been actively engaged in volunteer and work opportunities related to education and has worked with students with diverse abilities and learning needs. She’s looking forward to helping students boost their academic skills and confidence in Math.
BIANCA I.
Bianca is an Ontario Certified Teacher since 2017. She grew up in Mississauga, moving to Hamilton, Ontario to complete an Undergraduate Degree at McMaster University and receiving a B.A in Humanities and a minor in religion. As well, she completed a Post Graduate Diploma, a Master of Science in Education in Buffalo, New York. Bianca grew up with a deep love of travel and took the opportunity to explore the world following the completion of her degrees. Since she was a young girl, Bianca discovered her passion for teaching and working with children. During the summer months, Bianca normally tutors student for the upcoming school year and continues to work with them throughout the year. In her spare time Bianca works one-on-one with children ranging from 6 years through middle school. She has taught almost all grades kindergarten through to grade 8 and while teaching, still supports students through tutoring. She has supported the improvement of their reading, writing, vocabulary and math skills. Additionally. Bianca has over 10 AQs (additional qualifications) and believes that all are life-long learners and is constantly building and adding to her career as an educator. Bianca believes that by building a strong relationship with her students she is better able to meet their needs and grow their learning.
Samantha F.
Samantha began her love of teaching at 17 years old when she became a volunteer assistant in a primary classroom. After high school, she attended the University of Toronto where she studied philosophy, history, and sociology. After completing her undergraduate, she took a big leap and moved to South Korea where she became a full-time kindergarten teacher. Although she did not make it as a K-pop star in South Korea, she did come to realize that teaching is one of her biggest passions. After her year abroad she came back to Canada and decided to become an ELL teacher at a school downtown, teaching adult students coming to Canada to learn English. During this time, she also became a private tutor working with students ages 7-11 who attended schools in the TDSB. She worked with students who had different exceptionalities and it was through this job that she realized that teaching is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. After two years, she decided to take another big leap and complete her Master of Teaching at OISE, University of Toronto. Samantha is delighted to officially be an Ontario Certified Teacher. In her lessons, Samantha takes the time to get to know every individual student in order to create individualized plans that tap into the interests, passions, and needs of the learner. She loves to incorporate educational games, technology, art, and movement into her lessons in order to make the lessons more enjoyable, less rigid, and tap into multiple ways of learning. On her days off you can find Samantha watercolour painting, getting lost around the city, trying not to overwater her plants, and starting a new book before finishing the last one.