Samuelle F.

EN: Samuelle Fortin is a bilingual educator and mentor specializing in secondary and post-secondary learning. She is completing her master’s in Sociology at McGill University, where she also earned a Joint Honours B.A. in Sociology and French Literature. As a Teaching Assistant in McGill’s sociology department, she helped students synthesize and process dense course material, designed visual learning aids for neurodivergent students and those with non-linear thinking patterns, and used relational teaching to connect abstract concepts to students’ lived experiences.
Samuelle currently tutors Ukrainian university students in English through the ENGin program and mentors youth aged 16 to 21 with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Montreal. She has expertise in essay writing and exam preparation. Her lesson plans follow a structured yet adaptable framework, beginning with goal-setting and a directive approach, and moving toward independent application. Her primary aim is to foster lasting academic independence so students can confidently apply their learning in the long term.

FR : Samuelle Fortin est une éducatrice et mentore bilingue spécialisée dans l’enseignement secondaire et postsecondaire. Elle termine actuellement sa maîtrise en sociologie à l’Université McGill, où elle a également obtenu un baccalauréat spécialisé conjoint en sociologie et littérature française. En tant qu’assistante d’enseignement au département de sociologie de McGill, elle a aidé les étudiants à synthétiser et assimiler un contenu de cours dense, conçu des supports visuels d’apprentissage pour les étudiants neurodivergents et ceux ayant des modes de pensée non linéaires, et mis en œuvre une approche pédagogique relationnelle pour relier des concepts abstraits aux expériences vécues des étudiants.
Samuelle est actuellement tutrice d’anglais auprès d’étudiants universitaires ukrainiens dans le cadre du programme ENGin et mentore des jeunes âgés de 16 à 21 ans avec Grands Frères Grandes Sœurs du Grand Montréal. Elle possède une expertise en rédaction de dissertations et en préparation aux examens. Ses plans de cours suivent un cadre structuré mais adaptable, commençant par la définition d’objectifs et une approche directive, puis évoluant vers une application autonome. Son objectif principal est de favoriser une autonomie académique durable afin que les étudiants puissent appliquer leurs apprentissages avec confiance à long terme.

SUSAN S.

Susan has happily been an educator for 20 years, teaching French and English predominantly with the York Region District School Board but also various private institutions. Susan graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Education from University of Toronto (OISE) including her Masters. Moreover, she has taught overseas and traveled in places like India, South Korea, South Americas and has studied in France and Quebec. Susan is dedicated to sports, fitness and dance as she has coached running clubs, dance teams and triathlons events When not teaching, Susan herself travels, competes and works in the triathlon industry which includes Iron Man, Olympic and kids events. She is also a mountaineer having climbed in South America and the USA. Susan is passionate about volunteering in the community which includes social justice and a love for animals and nature. Susan is looking forward to meeting and supporting families and learners in Toronto.

SAHAR P.

Sahar P. is a committed and energetic educator entering her second year of the Master of Teaching program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. She specializes in the Intermediate/Senior division, with a focus on French and Business Studies. Sahar earned her Honours Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Western Ontario, where she completed a double major in Business Human Resources and French Language & Literature.

With hands-on experience in classrooms, Sahar has taught Grade9 and 10 French—both Core and Immersion—as well as Grade 10 Business during her teaching placements. She also has experience working with younger learners in Grades 1 and 2, supporting their early French language development. Having been a French Immersion student herself, Sahar brings a unique perspective to language learning and understands how to support students at various stages of their French education. Currently, she is serving as a supply teacher at the Toronto District School Board, further enriching her classroom practice while working toward her Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certification.

Beyond her academic and teaching roles, Sahar has always been actively involved in her school communities. She previously served as the Vice President of Finance for her university’s French Club and mentored incoming students to help ease their transition into post-secondary life. A strong believer in well-rounded development, Sahar has also volunteered as a swim lesson assistant—combining her love of swimming with her passion for working with youth.

She speaks three languages fluently—and proudly claims a few more on the side (if being able to string together some sentences and order food counts, and she thinks it totally does!). Sahar brings this multilingual, multicultural perspective into every learning environment she enters. Her educational philosophy is grounded in the belief that learning should be engaging, empowering, and enjoyable. As she often says, her goal is to be “the teacher I never had”—someone who inspires confidence, nurtures curiosity, and makes education feel fun and accessible.

With one year left until she completes her master’s degree and becomes a certified teacher, Sahar is eager to make a difference in the lives of her students. She takes pride in being a reliable support system and finds deep fulfillment in seeing her students grow and succeed.

DIONNE V.

Dionne is an Ontario Certified Teacher with 18 years of experience with the Toronto District School Board. She grew up in Toronto and completed her Undergraduate Degree from Western University. After graduation, she travelled to Japan where she taught English for a year. It was there that she developed her passion for teaching. Upon returning to Toronto, she completed her Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education from York University and began teaching French Immersion at the Primary/Junior level. Over the years, she has taught a range of subjects and Grades from 1-5, Physical Education and Core French. She has a great sense of humour and loves a good laugh, which she finds is a great way to connect with the kids she works with. She also has a passion for travelling and is always eager to discuss her adventures in the various countries she has visited. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two teenage boys and her friends.

Keya T.

FR : Keya est actuellement dans la dernière année de son baccalauréat en sciences cognitives à l’Université McGill, avec une concentration en informatique et une mineure en études sud-asiatiques.
Ayant commencé en tant que tutrice par les pairs au secondaire, elle donne maintenant du tutorat dans des entreprises privées et des centres d’apprentissage depuis plus de trois ans et possède une expérience auprès d’élèves du primaire au cégep, tant en cours individuels qu’en petits groupes. Elle prend beaucoup de plaisir à aider les élèves à s’épanouir et à atteindre leur plein potentiel. Son approche du tutorat est adaptée au style d’apprentissage de chaque élève et privilégie l’établissement d’une relation solide entre l’élève et le tuteur.
Dans ses temps libres, vous la trouverez probablement en train de peindre, de faire de la randonnée ou de rattraper son retard de lecture !

EN: Keya is currently in the last year of her Bachelors in Honours Cognitive Science at McGill University, with a concentration in Computer Science and a minor in South Asian Studies.
Having started out as a peer tutor in high school, she has now been tutoring at private companies and learning centres for over 3 years and has experience working with students from elementary to CEGEP level, both one-on-one and using small-group instruction. She finds a lot of joy in helping students grow and reach their full potential. Her tutoring approach is adapted to each student’s learning style and prioritizes building a strong student-tutor relationship.
In her spare time, you will likely find her painting, hiking, or catching up on her reading list!

SARA H.

I hold a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg, with a major in French Studies and a minor in Psychology. My expertise lies in early years education, though I am comfortable working with students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. I recently returned from teaching abroad in Thailand, where I taught English, Math, and Science to EAL students in a Kindergarten English program. Throughout my career, I have completed multiple practicums in classrooms ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 6, which has allowed me to develop a diverse skill set in supporting and engaging students across various grade levels.

Sarah J.

EN: From an early age, Sarah had a keen interest in law. The injustices she witnessed in her community and around the world motivated her to earn her high school diploma at College Saint-Louis, known for its global awareness and openness to world issues. Inspired by her volunteer work with Lachine’s Youth Council and Amnesty International, she went on to study Law, Society, and Justice at Dawson College. Her commitment to promoting fair treatment and equal opportunities led her to pursue further studies in law at the University of Montreal. In addition to her academic pursuits, Sarah developed a passion for volunteering. One of her volunteering experiences was tutoring French and math at her local library for several years. This allowed her to gain experience teaching children of all ages and adapting to their learning needs. She has tutored both elementary and high school French to her peers, as well as at the local library. She also helped her classmates and the kids at the library with their homework throughout her academic journey. Her tutoring experience taught her to be patient, tailor her approach to each student’s learning style, and build strong connections to support their success.

FR: Depuis son plus jeune âge, Sarah s’est vivement intéressée au droit. Les injustices qu’elle a observées dans sa communauté et dans le monde l’ont motivée à obtenir son diplôme d’études secondaires au Collège Saint-Louis, reconnu pour sa conscience globale et son ouverture aux enjeux mondiaux. Inspirée par son engagement bénévole au sein du Conseil jeunesse de Lachine et d’Amnistie internationale, elle a décidé de poursuivre ses études en Droit, Société et Justice au Collège Dawson. Son engagement envers la promotion de l’équité et de l’égalité des chances l’a ensuite encouragé à poursuivre des études de droit à l’Université de Montréal. En plus de ses objectifs académiques, Sarah a développé une passion pour le bénévolat. L’une de ses expériences a été de faire du tutorat en français et en mathématiques à la bibliothèque de son quartier pendant plusieurs années. Cette expérience lui a permis d’enseigner à des enfants de tous âges et d’adapter sa méthode à leurs besoins d’apprentissage. Elle a également donné des cours de français, tant au niveau primaire que secondaire, à ses pairs ainsi qu’à la bibliothèque. Tout au long de son parcours scolaire, elle a aidé ses camarades de classe et les enfants de la bibliothèque avec leurs devoirs. Son expérience en tutorat lui a appris à faire preuve de patience, à adapter son approche au style d’apprentissage de chaque élève et à créer des liens solides pour mieux les accompagner vers la réussite.

SARA E. M.

Sara is an engaging educator who believes that language opens doors—not only to academic success, but to confidence, curiosity, and connection. With over nine years of experience teaching French Immersion, Spanish Bilingual and FSL in both Canada and Europe, Sara brings a wealth of expertise and a deep passion for helping students find their voice.

Fluent in French, Spanish, English, and Arabic, Sara holds three master’s degrees, including Educational Psychology and Intercultural Communication. She currently teaches within the French Immersion Program and is known for creating inclusive, student-centered environments where learners feel safe to take risks and grow.

Sara understands that every child learns differently, and she takes the time to truly connect—building trust, adapting to individual needs, and celebrating progress along the way. Her calm, encouraging presence helps even the most hesitant students gain confidence and joy in language learning.

Outside the classroom, Sara has coordinated youth programs for newcomers and volunteered at children’s camps, reinforcing her commitment to community and whole-child development. Parents appreciate her professionalism, dedication, and the lasting impact she has on their child’s growth—not just as a learner, but as a person.

AVA T.

My name is Ava T. I am a student teacher at the University of Winnipeg in the Integrated Education Program. I am currently obtaining a major in French and a minor in Psychology with a focus in the Senior Stream. My specialized areas include French (all ages), English (all ages) and Kindergarten to grade 5 general school work. I have lots of experience working with students from ages 6-11 as I was a CSI Instructor through Boys and Girls Club Canada. I independently ran a classroom while guiding and assessing students on their academic standing. I modified my lesson plans to better accommodate diverse needs, all while making it a fun summer program! I believe learning should be fun and there is always room for mistakes, that’s how we improve! I strongly consider reading and writing a key component not only in education, but in daily life as it’s transferable into everything we do. I grew up speaking three languages and I believe that bilingualism is such an important skill to have. I grew up as a French Immersion student myself, and It has brought me numerous opportunities both professionally and socially. In my spare time, I love doing Portuguese cultural dancing for Folklorama, reading, walking my dog and spending time with friends and family!

Maggie O.

Maggie is an Ontario Certified teacher. Her family emigrated from Ireland to Canada when she was nine years old. Now Maggie lives in Toronto with her eleven year old daughter Aisling and Sammy, their Nova Scotia Duck Toller puppy. Maggie is known for her kind and patient humour and her compelling confidence in children. With strengths across the curriculum, she describes her teaching practice as evidence-based, guided-inquiry as influenced by her lived experiences as a student, parent and academic. For example, her primary school language learning in Irish Gaelic and high school exchange in France, where she completed the Baccalauréat de langue et litterature francaises, planted seeds for her later interest in ethnomathematics and culturally responsive teaching. In 2003 Maggie graduated with a BA in Fine Art History from the University of Toronto, and went on to teach yoga and mindfulness in newcomer, youth and justice-adjacent facilities. Twenty years later she completed an Honours BA in Political Science and Indigenous Studies also at U of T, where she became a learner of a local Ojibwe language (Anishinaabemowin). This June 2025, she will receive an MA in Child Study and Education from the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, OISE, U of T. During this degree, Maggie’s studies focused on themes of student equity, motivation and peer-based learning and she further developed her knowledge of play and arts integration. Additional defining characteristics include her unreasonable enthusiasm for diving into icy cold water, and her favourite sock colour being tie-dye-rainbow. This summer, Maggie and Aisling are competing in their first triathlon events.