SHELDON G.

Sheldon Gomes, an Ontario Certified Teacher, is a dedicated and success-driven educator with a strong commitment to fostering student learning and engagement. With a Master of Education from the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University, he specializes in teaching general science, biology, chemistry, and social sciences to students in grades 6-12. Throughout his career with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Sheldon has cultivated inclusive, dynamic classroom environments that encourage curiosity and collaboration. His expertise in differentiated instruction, curriculum development, and student assessment ensures that his teaching practices effectively support diverse learners. Passionate about integrating technology and innovative teaching methods, he continually seeks ways to enhance student engagement. Outside the classroom, Sheldon enjoys hiking scenic trails, capturing moments through photography, traveling to new destinations, and immersing himself in a good book, always eager to explore new ideas and perspectives.

SOPHIE W.

Hi! My name is Sophie and I am currently in the first year of the BEd at York. I have over five years of experience in personalized, high-quality tutoring. My primary focus is on math, and I am very passionate about helping students develop their mathematical intuition, thinking, proficiency, and (importantly!) confidence. I also tutor other subjects, especially writing-based courses, and I find it very meaningful to work with students on the crucial skills of on argumentation, articulation, and research. In my free time I love to paint for relaxation and creativity, even though I have never had any formal training/great skill. I mention this because I feel strongly that everyone should feel comfortable and confident to pursue their interests even if they don’t feel like they have the “natural skill”, and I bring that philosophy to my teaching.

Maria Z.

With over 29 years of dedicated experience as a classroom teacher, Maria has cultivated a strong foundation in teaching and leadership in private schools in San Antonio, Texas. As a versatile educator for grades 3-8, Maria led various extracurricular activities, including chess and math clubs, while serving as a mentor for new staff and a coordinator for multiple programs. Being a tutor allows Maria to teach with differentiated learning techniques which is invaluable for addressing the diverse needs of students at varying levels of ability and learning styles. By tailoring instruction to meet individual strengths and challenges, she creates a more inclusive and engaging learning environment which not only accommodates different learning preferences but also fosters a sense of ownership over the student’s education. Being nominated for Teacher of the Year twice in her career, exemplifies the respect Maria has from her peers not only as an educator, but also as a person of character.
Holding a B.A. in International Relations from St. Mary’s University and a K-8 Texas Teacher Certificate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, Maria is passionate about leveraging her initiative and strong work ethic to make a meaningful impact in education. Coming from a military family with roots in New York, her wanderlust to travel America comes naturally. She brings concepts from her travels into her teaching to give her students a wider depth of knowledge and connections to material.

ELECTRA W.

Electra is currently pursuing a Master’s of Child Study and Education at the University of Toronto. She has completed a Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Studies with a minor in English accredited by Toronto Metropolitan University. Through her Master’s studies, Electra has completed a teaching practicum in a kindergarten classroom and is currently completing her second practicum in a grade four classroom. In her undergraduate studies, Electra completed placement experiences in a grade 1/2 classroom, a kindergarten classroom, and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre. Electra has a plethora of diverse employment experiences with respect to teaching and learning. Electra has hired, trained, and managed instructors for Engineering Outreach programs (STEM-based additional programming). Through this employment, Electra reviewed curriculum outlines, activity sheets, and material requests for grades 3 to 8. Electra has experience as a Senior Program Instructor for Engineering Outreach programs, where she created, developed, and delivered STEM programming to students from grades 1 to 12. Moreover, Electra has experience as an Emergency Supply Teacher, where she covered the duties and responsibilities of absent teachers ranging from kindergarten to grade 12. Electra has extended knowledge of curriculum, pedagogy, and best practices. She is culturally responsive and always incorporates an equity lens into her practice. Electra is highly experienced with children with exceptionalities and always implements strength-based approaches that consider the whole child.

EMILY S.

Emily received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Western University in 2022 and is a teacher candidate in the Master of Teaching program at OISE at the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience working with children in the classroom setting, with practicum experience surrounding EMPOWER reading intervention, as well as UFLI and math intervention. She has worked with children in a sport setting for the past 10 years, and is passionate about creating an environment in which children are inspired to be their best selves. In her free time, she loves reading, being active, and spending time with her cats!

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.

Amy H.

Amy grew up with an ardent love for reading and the English language. Thirsty for knowledge, Amy pursued a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Hodges University, graduating magna cum laude. She fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming an educator when she received her teaching certification in English/Language Arts. Amy’s expertise includes not only raising test scores but also cultivating enthusiasm for learning in her beloved students. She has supported students on every level from kindergarten to college, from whole-class to specialized one-on-one instruction. Her passions? Though she has many, Amy will tell you about her three Ps – poetry, photography, and pollinator gardening. Amy believes that kindness beats unkindness every day of the week and that kindness coupled with love can accomplish much.

EMILY M.

Emily is a graduate from the University of Toronto, with a honours bachelor’s degree in earth sciences and environmental geography, and an M.Sc. in Earth sciences! She also completed a minor in Spanish and is fluent in French – she adores languages and wants to learn 8 in total! Emily taught earth sciences at U of T as a teacher’s assistant for 2 years, and also has experience helping younger ones in learning elementary-level material in all subjects.

Aside from her passion for learning and academics, she is a varsity volleyball player at Seneca Polytechnic, and she coaches the sport to youth and adults when she isn’t training and playing herself! Emily is an artsy person at heart though, and is self-employed as an independent recording artist, while also working as an actor and a model part-time (she really like to keep busy if you can’t tell!) Emily can’t wait to meet you, and work with you on stimulating topics and any academic difficulties. Let’s learn together!

Aidin T.

Aidin, a PhD candidate in Environmental Studies at York University, brings extensive teaching experience and a deep passion for education to Prep Academy Tutors. With a first PhD in political geography and a robust background in urban and regional planning, his interdisciplinary expertise spans a diverse range of social sciences. Aidin has taught courses at York University and the University of Toronto, including Urbanization in Developing Countries and Planning and Governing the Metropolis.
Aidin offers private tutorials in English and the social sciences, with a focus on geography, history, and politics for high school students. Committed to enhancing students’ writing and critical thinking abilities, he guides them in organizing and crafting well-structured, coherent essays, preparing them for future academic success at college and university levels. Through tailored support, Aidin empowers students with the analytical skills needed to excel in their studies.
Aidin is an accomplished writer and researcher, with numerous publications in both English and Persian. His work has appeared in respected journals such as Global Iranian Studies Review, Radio Zamaneh, Cinema Iranica, Critique of Political Economy, and The Bullet. Aidin has also translated key political and philosophical works into Persian. He founded Space & Dialectics, the first online journal on critical urban theory and human geography in Farsi. Aidin’s commitment to emancipatory education and student advocacy is at the heart of his work, highlighted by his role as VP Community for York University Graduate Students’ Association. Aidin is an avid soccer player, enjoying the sport several times a week.

NICK M.

With over 12 years of experience in both private and public educational settings, Nick is a creative and engaging tutor known for making learning fun and motivating. As a college instructor and former elementary teacher, Nick has taught a broad range of subjects, including science, math, English, social studies, and college-level courses. He uses games, positive reinforcement, and foundational support to inspire intrinsic motivation and build character in students. By fostering a supportive environment, Nick helps learners develop confidence and achieve lasting academic results.