RYAN C.

Ryan is a passionate educator who believes in harnessing the unique interests and potential of each student. He graduated from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in music, has conducted graduate research in music theory and education, and is currently a Junior/Intermediate teacher candidate in the Master of Teaching program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. Ryan has been working with children as an educator and mentor since he was 14 and started as a hockey referee, which he still loves doing to this day. He has also worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, where he learned that play and imagination are just as important as learning the skills. Ryan is also a trained SSAT coach, and he enjoys guiding students to achieve success in the test-taking process. For the last five years Ryan has worked as a private music instructor, working with children of all ages to foster a love and passion for music and the arts. It is his goal to always ensure that students leave each lesson with new ways of engaging with their music. These experiences have helped develop Ryan’s philosophies around education; that each student is unique and should be given the chance to engage and produce knowledge in their own way. When students feel a connection to knowledge that is made meaningful from their own experiences, the passion for learning will follow.

Lauren J.

I have been teaching for four years in the Private and Independent School sector. I have experience teaching in a variety of subject areas and with a wide variety of courses (see full course list below for details). My specialties and interests include topics related to social, political, economic, and environmental issues. I am proficient in helping students with writing, editing and structuring essays as well as managing large projects. I enjoy breaking these large tasks down into manageable steps while making sure that the student stays on the timeline for completion. I ensure that we read over the requirements of the project or homework task so they do not miss any part of it as well as ensure that they are clear on how are being evaluated. I also enjoy helping students with day to day homework tasks as this builds their confidence and abilities, especially with their literacy skills which are essential for a students success. Lastly, my personal interest include music (singing, playing guitar, and DJing), practicing yoga, and making jewellery. I look forward to fostering the abilities of your child and helping them expand their academic potential.

Previously taught courses include:

SOCIAL SCIENCES
Geography and History, Grade 8, (HSC8J)
Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology, Grade 11, Uni.

Prep. (HSP3U)
Challenge and Change in Society, Grade 12, University Preparation (HSB4U)

PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy: Questions and Theories, Grade 12, University Preparation (HZT4U)

ECONOMICS
Analysing Current Economic Issues, Grade 12, University Preparation (CIA4U)

GEOGRAPHY
Issues in Canadian Geography, Grade 9, Academic (CGC1D)
Canadian and World Issues: A Geographic Analysis, Grade 12, Uni. Prep. (CGW4U)

POLITICS & CIVICS
Civics and Citizenship, Grade 10, Open (CHV2O)
Canadian and World Politics, Grade 12, University Preparation (CPW4U)

ENGLISH
English, Grade 11, (ENG3U)

BUSINESS STUDIES
Business, Grade 9, (BBI10)
International Business, Grade 12, (BBB4M)

CASSANDRA M.

My name is Cassie and I am a Junior/Intermediate/Senior certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers. I am currently an Occasional Teacher with the Toronto District School Board and Durham District School Board.

I completed my Bachelor of Music at Queen’s University, specializing in Education. I then completed my Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University specializing in Music and Outdoor and Experiential Learning. From there I went on to complete and my Master of Education at the University of Toronto, specializing in Developmental Psychology and Education with a special interest in mental health in the classroom. My interest in the field of mental health in the classroom has led me into the area of academic coaching. I enjoy working with students on time management, organization of school materials, proper note taking skills and overall mindfulness in an academic setting.

In addition, I have had several opportunities to work with children outside of the classroom. I worked as a camp counsellor, coordinator, and director for the University of Toronto, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, and the Kids Cancer Foundation of Alberta.

Oustide of teaching, I love reading, horseback riding, playing recreational softball, travelling, photography, being outdoors, and spending time with my family.

SAMUEL P.

Sam graduated from Brock University with a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in 2014. While he was there, he majored in both Dramatic Arts and Geography, and later moved on to complete his Bachelor of Education at OISE in May of 2015. He is an Ontario Certified Teacher, qualifying him to teach all subjects at an intermediate level. He has experience teaching English, History, Science, Religion, Special Education, Business Marketing, Geography, and Civics/Careers. Sam has experience working as an Academic Coach, helping students to fine tune how to better stay organized, improving test taking strategies and their personal at home study skills.

In the beginning of 2020, Sam set out to complete his Junior Basic Qualification, certifying him to teach Grades 4-10, while further developing his knowledge of students learning in Special Education by completing the second of three qualifying degrees in that field of expertise.

Sam has been teaching Dance, Drama, Geography and Special Education at a public secondary school in Toronto. When he isn’t teaching, Sam can be found singing along at a concert, exercising with friends, or planning his next travel destination.

RYAN L.

Ryan has recently graduated, with honours, from the University of Toronto with both a Bachelors degree in Education from OISIE and prior to that a degree in physical education where he specialized in biology. Most importantly, Ryan is passionate about the subject he teaches and the academic goals and success of the students he is teaching. From his experience, Ryan has discovered that student success hinges from the roots of differentiated instruction. He implements this idea by tailoring his lesson plans towards the interests and needs of the students. Ryan implements interactive and engaging in-class demonstrations, which in his experience he has seen truly reflected in the class’s performance. Uniquely, his dedication and use of humour has motivated to students to continue on trying their best and to never to give up. Ryan was highly respected at his placement schools and was viewed as a role model figure to look up to and gained valuable knowledge he is applying to his work in the field. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys watching all of Toronto’s sports teams compete as well as joining in on the action playing soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball.

VANESSA B.

In 2017, Vanessa received her Bachelor of Education at Lakehead University in the Primary/Junior division. As well as having received her Bilingual Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Hispanic Studies from York University’s Glendon Campus in 2015, Vanessa was previously working as a Dental Assistant at Mount Sinai Hospital before deciding to go back to school to become a teacher. She was motivated and became passionate about teaching after her experience working at the hospital, alongside resident doctors, faculty of dentistry students and assisting in running a weekly specialty clinic for patients with developmental disabilities.

Vanessa is currently teaching in the Toronto District School Board. She has further developed her teaching skills by continuing to work on her professional development. She has attained her additional qualifications in Special Education: Part 1, Mathematics Part 1 & 2,  Environmental Education Part 1, First Nations, Metis and Inuit Studies, and has training in Literacy Programs, Wilson and Direct Instruction: Expressive Writing and Corrective Reading Comprehension. She has built a variety of strategies and resources in working with diverse learners and has been able to apply them to all areas of her teaching. She is able to create fun, educational and engaging lessons for her students while simultaneously following the Ontario Curriculum and IEP guidelines. She respects that each student is unique in their process of learning and believes in the importance of creating an inclusive environment that values the individual learning needs of each student.

“Learning is fun when students see themselves reflected in the concepts and themes that are being taught and how they relate to real world issues. Using visuals, technology and hands-on materials enable students to engage all their senses in their learning. Busy hands, busy brains.”

During her free time, Vanessa likes to spend as much time outdoors as possible. She enjoys hiking, camping and exploring with her family, as well as working out regularly to stay active and mindful. She believes that good health and well-being is key to being successful in all other areas of life.