EMMA C.
Emma is a passionate educator with a degree from the University of Calgary, specializing in teaching K-9 students with extensive and specialized experience in both literacy and math instruction. She has worked as a Literacy & Math Instructor at a school for students with learning disabilities, where she customized educational plans to meet the unique needs of each learner. Trained in specialized instructional methods such as Wilson Reading System, Orton-Gillingham, Woodin Math, Jump Math, Chisanbop and Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing, Emma is dedicated to helping students build confidence and succeed academically.
Emma’s approach to teaching emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive, engaging environment where students feel empowered to grow. Her expertise in both literacy and math, combined with her background in early childhood and outdoor education, science and social studies enables her to connect with students in a variety of ways.
In her personal life, Emma is fun-loving, and enjoys painting, hiking, skiing, travelling, playing sports, and spending time with her dogs and cat. Her diverse passions make it easy for her to relate to students from all walks of life, fostering strong, positive connections with the students she works with.
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.
RALPH S.
Ralph is near completion of his combined degree program at the University of Lethbridge. He is in the General Major in the Sciences/Math Education. Ralph has completed teaching practicums through the University of Lethbridge and aspires to be a teacher. Ralph is passionate about helping students succeed and enjoy their learning. He also has experience tutoring. You can expect Ralph to be flexible and punctual in addition to building positive relationships with his students. Ralph understands that learning is enhanced through positive relationships and so strives to connect with his students. Some of Ralph’s hobbies and interests are reading, being in the outdoors, dogs, space, and running.
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.
Victoria W.
Victoria is a dynamic and creative teacher with years experience working with Prep Academy. She has experience in the classroom with every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 9 including French Immersion, Extended French, and Core French. Her specialities include working with French learners, teaching students to read, strengthening reading, writing, and math skills while making learning fun. Victoria’s interests include sustainability, community growth, global initiatives, volunteering, well-being, and empowering others. Victoria’s teaching pedagogy is that each child is unique and thus must have an interesting educational environment that fosters physical, mental, emotional, and social growth and such an environment allows students to achieve their goals. She desires to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. She is also creative with a high interest in sports and games which she uses in creating a fun and encouraging learning environment.
Cian L.
Cian is a dedicated and enthusiastic educator with a passion for helping young learners build confidence and excel in their studies. With four years of experience working with elementary students, he specializes in creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences that make complex concepts easy to understand. His ability to break down challenging topics into manageable, relatable lessons ensures that students feel supported and motivated every step of the way.
With a patient, encouraging, and student-centered approach, Cian tailors his teaching to accommodate a wide range of learning styles and abilities. Whether working with struggling learners who need extra reinforcement or advanced students seeking new challenges, he adapts lessons to meet each child’s unique needs. His focus on strengthening reading, writing, and math skills is complemented by an emphasis on building positive study habits and critical thinking skills, equipping students with the tools they need for long-term success.
Beyond academics, Cian believes that fostering a growth mindset and a love for learning is just as important as mastering core subjects. By creating a warm, supportive environment where students feel safe to take risks and ask questions, he helps them develop resilience, curiosity, and confidence in their abilities. His goal is not just to help students succeed in school, but to inspire a lifelong passion for learning that will benefit them far beyond the classroom.
Juan F.
Juan F. is a highly experienced tutor with over seven years of expertise in guiding students through Mathematics, English, and Reading. With a M.S. in Data Science and a B.S. in Operations Research, he helps students develop strategic problem-solving skills, ensuring they approach the Test/Exam with confidence and efficiency.
His proficiency in mathematics, data analysis, and reading comprehension allows him to craft tailored lesson plans that emphasize critical thinking, time management, and test-taking strategies. Juan understands the challenges students face and focuses on ensuring students maximize their scores by understanding question patterns rather than just memorizing formulas. Juan also makes learning engaging, whether through interactive problem-solving or real-world applications of test concepts. His ability to connect with students and his expertise makes him a dedicated and highly effective tutor who helps students unlock their full potential.
Rebecca H.
Rebecca H. is currently completing the Ontario Certified Teacher Program in the Master of Teaching Program (Primary/Junior Division) at OISE, University of Toronto. She also holds a Master of Education in Administration and Leadership from Brock University.
With over five years of experience teaching and working in Ontario’s public and private elementary and high schools, such as TDSB, YCDSB and TCDSB, Rebecca is committed to creating inclusive classrooms where every student feels valued and supported. She specializes in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, ensuring her teaching reflects and respects the diverse cultural backgrounds of her students. Skilled in differentiated instruction, Rebecca tailors her lessons to meet the needs of all learners, making education accessible and engaging.
Rebecca is passionate about fostering a sense of belonging in her classrooms, empowering students to express their thoughts and emotions confidently. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and exploring creative storytelling.
Luami M.
Luami is a student at Montclair State University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education alongside a minor in Linguistics with fluency in both English and Spanish. She is immensely passionate in her pursuit to strengthen students’ reading and writing skills, deepening their understanding of literature’s connection to real-world concepts. Having received a perfect score on the AP Literature & Composition exam, Luami is well suited to help students navigate the aforementioned college level course and those similar to it. Despite having an education focused in the humanities, she often spends most of her time working alongside P-12 students in math subjects up to Algebra 2. From foundational math to advanced literature, Luami is a dynamic and engaging tutor dedicated to helping her students succeed. By putting students’ goals first and working hard in collaboration to achieve them, students walk away with a long lasting, positive impact on their education. In her spare time, Luami can be found reading a novel, relaxing with her 12-year-old Chihuahua named Lola, or running the registered student organization she founded: the Montclair State Music Club!