Richard M.

Richard Maloon has a proven track record in education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Elementary Education and later his Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) with a focus in Curriculum & Instruction. He has taught all grades 1 through 9, spending most of his time with grades 4 through 8. He taught for 14 years and served as a private school principal for 23 years. Mr. Maloon also had a career as a national certified consultant for MicroSociety, Inc., a successful, real-world school reform model. He was the consultant for many public schools in the southeast United States. He is very adept at teaching math, social studies, science, and English, and has been recognized for his creative approaches to teaching concepts and skills. He is considered by many to be a master teacher. He also was a school-wide program coordinator for implementing MicroSociety; his school was featured in many periodicals and on prime-time television. He has had an article published for a professional journal and has been a presenter at teacher conventions as well. Besides this, after school he has coached soccer, sponsored a chess club, and started a robotics tech club in many of his schools, taking teams to the finals in Lego Robotics. Mr. Maloon also enjoys traveling, being in nature, and learning more about neuroscience.

Steven T.

Steven is an Ontario certified teacher who specializes in teaching at the senior level. He has teaching qualifications in business, geography, and special education. Although he does not have qualifications in ESL and math, he is planning on getting them in the near future as he really enjoys spending time teaching people the English language and intermediate level math (grade 9/10).

Steven majored in commerce and graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Commerce. Additionally, he received his Bachelor of Education from York University.

Steven’s passion for teaching began during his high school years as a swim instructor. He loved seeing his students progress over time and become more confident in their own abilities. The joy of helping his students overcome their fears and master new skills fueled his passion for education. Each lesson was an opportunity for growth, along with building trust and rapport.

When it comes to teaching philosophy, Steven believes that being patient along with developing a positive relationship with students is the key to success. He is passionate about teaching and always wants all of his students to succeed!

In his free time, Steven loves to play and watch sports, cook, discover new music, and play video games! Besides English, Steven can fluently speak Vietnamese and is hoping to learn more languages.

Reena S.

Reena is working towards a Double Honours degree in English and Creative Writing at the University of Toronto. Her passion for education began early, from tutoring as a high school student to expanding her expertise through pedagogical study and hands-on teaching practice during her senior-year placement. With experience in both self-employed tutoring and formal instructional settings, Reena is dedicated to guiding students in developing critical thinking, refining their language and writing skills, and cultivating a deeper appreciation for learning.

Sharon C.

Sharon is a certified teacher from San Antonio who studied at Abilene Christian University where she earned her Bachelor of Science in History and Social Studies (2004). She has taught students in the classroom as a World History, US History II, and Sociology Teacher and as a substitute teacher from PreK to 12th Grade. She was also a Librarian Assistant for a few years. She guided students through the research process by showing them how to find information in books and computers and create a final product in a written paper, a project with pictures on poster board, or a slide show presentation. She has also tutored students in Math, Science, and Reading. Since 2021, she has homeschooled her three children.
She cares for her family of one husband, three kids, and two dogs. She enjoys using her skills to craft things, singing soprano, occupying her mind through reading books, and stepping into a different mindset by playing TTORPGs with friends and family.

JOSEPH D.

Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator with a strong background in mathematics. With 8 years years of tutoring experience, he has worked with students of all ages, helping them build confidence and master challenging concepts. Holding a BBA from Trent University he specializes in making learning engaging and tailored to each student’s unique needs.

Beyond teaching, Joseph enjoys working out and playing sports, bringing creativity and enthusiasm into every lesson. Whether breaking down complex equations or guiding students through literary analysis, he strives to make learning both effective and enjoyable.

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.

AMBER M.

Amber holds a 2-year early childhood diploma as well as a 3-year international Montessori pedagogy diploma. She is a lifelong learner and has attended many conferences, workshops, and webinars on various Montessori topics, as well as child development.
Amber has been a Montessorian for 16 years and has also worked as a private tutor. Montessori education focuses on the holistic child, with high academics as a byproduct when they enter Grade 1, as it is a very individualized program. These areas include Math, Language, Science, and Geography.
Over her 16 years of teaching, Amber has worked with age groups. She has worked with children who have challenges as well as those with high cognitive abilities. She knows how to adjust her approach to suit the child, whether by changing how a lesson is delivered, knowing when to challenge them, or repeating the lesson in a new, fun way to make the concept easier to grasp. Amber still works as a Montessorian and would like to help more children with her talents, as she believes that all children learn differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. She loves fostering a love of learning in all children and will continue to do so for many years to come.

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.