Dr. W. Pannapacker

Dr. Pannapacker (MA, PhD, Harvard University), a professor emeritus of English, has counseled thousands of students on test preparation, study skills, curriculum-based learning, enrichment programs, and general academic coaching. Dr. Pannapacker’s coaching specialties include complex written assignments, research papers, and admissions essays and applications for elite colleges, universities, internships, and employers. With a master’s in rhetoric and composition, a second M.A. in English, a doctorate in American studies, and three decades of teaching and tutoring experience, Dr. Pannapacker’s content expertise includes literature, creative writing, history, philosophy, and art history, with extensive publications in those areas. His work as an educator has been recognized in The New York Times, The Economist, The Nation, The Atlantic, Slate, Wired, U.S. News, CNN, NBC, and NPR, and he has received $2.3M in funding for educational innovation from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Students describe him as a kind and supportive mentor who encourages their creativity and rigor at developmentally appropriate levels. The father of three daughters, he lives in Oak Park, Illinois.

Mya K.

Mya is a dedicated Teacher Candidate currently pursuing her Bachelor of Education at Ontario Tech University, with teachable subjects in History and English. She is passionate about supporting learners as they build academic confidence and work toward achieving their individual goals. Mya brings a thoughtful and encouraging approach to her work, always striving to help students feel capable, supported, and motivated in their learning.

During the summer months, Mya works with Durham Continuing Education, where she provides one-on-one academic support to students working toward earning their high school credits. Through this experience, she has gained valuable insight into the impact of individualized instruction and has become a strong advocate for tutoring as a powerful tool for student success. She has seen firsthand how personalized support can help students strengthen skills, overcome challenges, and regain confidence in their abilities.

As a future educator, Mya is guided by the belief that every student is unique, capable, and deserving of meaningful support. She is committed to creating welcoming and inclusive learning environments that reflect the individual needs of each learner. By using compassionate, evidence-based teaching practices, Mya helps students develop confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to achieve academic success.

Elias A.

Elias A. graduated from Columbia University with an MA in Russian & Eastern European Studies in 2025 and from University of Oxford in 2017 with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. He worked as an SAT prep teacher and tutor for AP US History, AP World History, and AP Literature in DC and Maryland from 2018 to 2019. Elias served as a Peace Corps TEFL Volunteer in Kosovo from 2019-2020 and from 2022-2023, teaching English to K-12 students. In 2020 and 2021 he worked as a tutor in Oregon for elementary and middle school students, tutoring English, reading comprehension, writing, math, and coding. In 2021 Elias taught English and critical thinking skills to students in Kosovo virtually in the Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot Program. He currently works as a tutor for middle and high school students. In his free time Elias enjoys playing basketball, ping pong, and tennis.

Hannah G-C.

Hannah is certified in English- Secondary Education and Mild to Moderate- Special Education and has been working in education for over eight years. She has taught and supported students at every level, from pre-k, elementary, middle, and high school, and currently works as the Instructional Specialist over the Humanities Department at a local high school. Born and raised in New Orleans, Hannah earned her degree in English Literature from LSU before completing a dual M.A.T in Secondary Education and Special Education at Xavier University of Louisiana. She believes that every student learns differently and is passionate about meeting students where they are, building confidence, consistency, and the skills they need to reach their goals, including preparation for state and standardized tests such as LEAP. Outside of the classroom, Hannah loves spending time with her dogs at the park, trying new restaurants, traveling, and indulging her passions for fashion and antiquing.

Dani S.

Dani is a dedicated Teacher Candidate at Ontario Tech University, currently completing her Bachelor of Education. Her two teachable subjects are History and English for Grades 7–12, and she brings a strong passion for supporting student learning both academically and emotionally. Dani is particularly interested in student mental health and believes that students learn best when they feel supported, understood, and confident in their abilities.

She values the opportunity to work one-on-one with students, as individualized instruction allows her to tailor lessons to each student’s unique learning style, strengths, and goals. Dani is enthusiastic about helping students deepen their understanding, strengthen essential skills, and build confidence in their academic abilities. Through tutoring, she is eager to continue expanding her teaching experience while creating a positive, encouraging learning environment that supports both student growth and well-being.

SAM R.

Sam is a recent graduate from the Master of Teaching program at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), University of Toronto. During his practicum placements, Sam has taught high school English for grades 9, 10, and 12, along with Philosophy, Law, and History. Essentially, Sam loves teaching everything related to reading and writing. With that being said, he also loves teaching sciences, arts and the humanities in general at different grade levels.

Sam also works at Action Potential Lab as a Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) instructor for students ranging from ages 3 to 12 years old. This role has strengthened his adaptability to the various needs and stages of learning for every unique student.

Overall, Sam leads his lessons with flexibility and compassion to meet students where they are at and find strategies to keep growing and learning.

In addition to his recent work experience, Sam also completed his Master of Arts degree at Queen’s University in the department of History. During this time, he volunteered as a Peer Writing Assistant at the library to help undergraduate students with essays, formal reports, and general tutoring needs. Sam also worked for 5 summers as a counselor at Camp Ponacka where he taught sailing and led nature expeditions for campers ranging from ages 8 to 15.

To add a little bit more about Sam, he is very passionate about music, as he achieved his Advanced Rudiments with High Honours in music theory along with grade 7 piano certification. He also loves poetry, songwriting, yoga and meditation, visual arts, and snowboarding!

Sarah I.

Sarah I. is a certified teacher. She grew up in Guelph, Ontario moving to Trinity College at U. of T. to complete an undergraduate degree in French and English. She attended Toronto Teachers College and later completed a Master’s degree in teaching and a specialist in Special Education. Through teaching, Sarah has been able to foster her love of learning in different environments. Today, she works one-on-one with students from 6 years old to university-aged young people preparing for graduation. She supports improvement in reading, writing for different purposes, expansion of vocabulary, organization, and fosters a desire for learning and excellence. Sarah believes that by building a solid relationship with her students, she can best meet their needs and encourage their learning. As a mentor, she continues to develop strategies for working with students of all ages. She finds these experiences rewarding and she often maintains long-term educational relationships as students carry on through the further stages of learning.

Grace H.

Grace is a dedicated educator with a dual-degree background, holding a Bachelor of Psychology and a Bachelor of Education. With extensive experience in Resource Teaching, she specializes in supporting students with diverse learning needs, including Autism, Down syndrome, and physical disabilities. Grace is officially trained in the UFLI program, providing her with a research-backed foundation in early literacy and the science of reading.

Having worked directly in elementary classrooms, Grace understands how to bridge the gap between school curriculum and individualized support. Her holistic approach is further enriched by her background in teaching music, allowing her to incorporate rhythm and creativity into her sessions. Throughout her career, she has completed numerous specialized courses to better advocate for and support individuals of all abilities, ensuring every student feels empowered to succeed.

Kathryn H.

Kathryn H. is an experienced educator, learning specialist, and former intelligence professional who brings exceptional depth, structure, and insight to her work with students. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Mary Washington, and is currently completing her MBA at Harvard Business School.

Kathryn is an Orton-Gillingham Associate (dyslexia specialist) and holds a TEFL certification from Cambridge University, England. She spent over 10 years as an SAT and SAT II tutor and has taught students across all grade levels, now specializing in reading, writing, and executive functioning—particularly for neurodivergent learners with Dyslexia, ADHD, or Autism.

Prior to her career in education, Kathryn served for 20 years with the USMC and CIA, working at the Pentagon and spending several years in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Combat Operations Planner, an experience that deeply informs her calm, strategic, and highly individualized approach to learning. Known for building strong relationships and confidence in her students, Kathryn blends evidence-based instruction with real-world problem-solving.

Outside the classroom, she is a Le Cordon Bleu alumna who enjoys cooking, playing soccer, and horseback riding—proof that discipline, curiosity, and creativity can thrive side by side.

Zenab S.

Zenab is an Ontario Certified Teacher with over ten years of experience teaching and tutoring high school, undergraduate, and postgraduate students in Business, Economics, Finance, and related disciplines across Canada, the UAE, and India. She holds a Master of Arts in Education (Critical Policy, Equity, and Leadership Studies) from Western University, an MBA in Human Resources and Information Technology, and formal teaching qualifications in Business Studies and English. Zenab has taught in secondary schools, business institutes, and professional training environments, supporting students with coursework, exam preparation, academic writing, and applied problem-solving. Her teaching style is structured, analytical, and student-centred, with a strong emphasis on conceptual clarity, confidence building, and real-world application of knowledge. Drawing on her global experience and leadership background, Zenab builds strong learning relationships and helps students at both the high school and university levels achieve sustained academic success. Outside the classroom, she remains actively engaged in equity and leadership initiatives and enjoys mentoring students toward long-term academic and career goals.