Ruta L.

Ruta L. is an Ontario Certified Teacher who grew up in Toronto and attended Essex Public School, Harbord Collegiate and Metropolitan Toronto University. After living in Portugal and France, she received her Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Toronto in 1990 and then worked as a Primary/Junior teacher for over 25 years at the Toronto District School Board. Ruta enjoyed teaching Reading, Writing and Mathematics, as well as Art, Music and Drama to children from Kindergarten to grade six. She also provided instruction as a Core French and Special Education teacher for many years. Ruta’s passion for singing and music enabled her to lead various children’s choirs while teaching at various schools in Toronto, and she continues to be a member of several community choirs. In her spare time, Ruta plays squash and coordinates a house league for beginner squash players at the West End YMCA. As a tutor, she endeavours to draw from her teaching experiences in order to build strong relationships with her students and she is determined to meet their needs and grow their learning. Ruta lives in Toronto with her husband and two adult daughters.

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.

Shan T.

Shan has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto, where he double majored in Population Health and Psychology. With a solid understanding of both science and human behavior, he enjoys helping students understand complex topics in a way that makes sense to them.

Having worked with students from elementary to high school, Shan knows how to break down lessons into easy-to-understand steps. He is patient, supportive, and always encourages students to ask questions and stay curious. His goal is to help students feel confident and capable in their studies.

When he’s not tutoring, Shan enjoys spending time with his family and friends. He values these moments and believes in the importance of a good work-life balance.

HAYLEY W.

Hayley is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) with a diverse range of teaching experience across various grade levels. Currently working at an independent IB school in Toronto, she is passionate about creating engaging, inquiry-based lessons that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. With a Bachelor of Education in Primary/Junior, Hayley is skilled at designing hands-on lessons that cater to the individual needs of her students.

Her teaching experience spans a variety of settings, including Montessori classrooms and outdoor education programs, allowing her to bring a well-rounded and flexible approach to her work. She believes in the importance of tailoring lessons to each student’s interests and strengths, creating a positive and supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.

Outside the classroom, Hayley is passionate about gardening and cooking. She is also a proud pet owner of Frankie, her clever cat who loves to show off his tricks! With a commitment to continuous professional growth, Hayley is dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey, helping them develop both academic skills and a lifelong love of learning.

TANAKA S.

Tanaka holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from UBC Okanagan and a Fashion Design Diploma from the Visual College of Art and Design. A lifelong learner, she is passionate about language, communication, and helping students succeed.

She specializes in structured, adaptive learning for English Language Arts students and has experience tutoring elementary and high school students in reading comprehension, writing, and Math.

Her professional background includes:

Back-of-House Operations Coordinator – Trained new hires from diverse cultural backgrounds, enhancing communication and adaptability.
Freelance English Tutor – Helps students improve reading comprehension, writing skills, and confidence in English.
Tanaka is self-motivated and continually explores language, learning, entrepreneurship, and leadership through teaching. She is also passionate about creative expression through fashion, meaningful networking, and mastering yoga.

Hilary R.

Hilary completed her undergrad education at Western University, majoring in Psychology and Studio Art. She has always wanted to be a teacher, which she feels was a calling for her. She completed her Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University, specializing in Environmental Education and is currently working towards getting her Intermediate teachable in Phys-Ed. Through education and experience, Hilary infuses her teaching practice with passion, creativity, vibrant energy, and a deep sense of patience.

Hilary has worked in classrooms from Kindergarten to Grade 7, with experience teaching internationally at a nature-based school in England for children aged 4 to 8. Both students and teachers can attest that Hilary left a positive mark on her classrooms in these practicums. She currently works as a middle school teacher in Toronto.

In addition to her teaching experience, Hilary has supported children and adults with disabilities, working in elderly care homes and as a disability support worker. Hilary is passionate about the arts and enjoys activities such as painting, pottery, and drawing. She also loves staying active, whether through running, walking, working out, or spending time outdoors.

Hilary brings her expertise and passion to students through Prep Academy, offering support in all subjects from K-8. She looks forward to embarking on this learning journey with you!

JOYET C.

Joyet holds a Master’s Degree in Child Study and Education from the University of Toronto and has been a teacher with the TDSB for almost 20 years. Her strong foundation in child development informs her teaching approach, allowing her to adapt her instruction to meet the unique needs of each student. Joyet has extensive experience teaching a wide range of subjects across grades 1 to 8, as well as special education. For the past five years, she has led an intensive remedial reading program, finding immense joy in helping struggling readers develop confidence and fluency. She is particularly devoted to teaching mathematics and implementing systematic, structured approaches to literacy instruction. Joyet recognizes that students’ emotional and mental well-being are critical to their learning and is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where they feel safe and valued. Her tailored approach ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive academically and personally.

In her spare time, Joyet enjoys spending time in her garden, doing DIY projects, and spending time with her family

LEISHA D.

Leisha competed her Education degree while simultaneously completing a Psychology minor at the University of Calgary. Her teaching experience ranges from being a teaching assistant in preschools to currently being an online K-12 tutor with the Werklund School of Education. Her specializations include Math, Science, and English Language Arts at the K-6 level.
Her major combined with her tutoring experience has given her a strong foundation of the Alberta Curriculum and the confidence to teach it. Additionally, she has gained a deeper understanding of working with online teaching platforms and Zoom, which complements her teaching as an online tutor. Utilizing a student-centered teaching approach is a crucial lesson she has learned from her degree, and it is something she ensures to incorporate into her teaching.
She believes teaching is a privilege where one gets the opportunity to guide, support, and help students succeed through their educational experiences. Here, she intends to create a student-centered learning space where she can help students thrive in their journeys.

Sara V.

Sara is a Junior/Intermediate teacher candidate in her second year of the Bachelor of Education program at Wilfrid Laurier University. She previously earned a Bachelor of Kinesiology from Wilfrid Laurier in 2021, with Health and Physical Education as her teachable subjects.

Her decision to pursue education stems from a commitment to fostering student success and creating inclusive learning environments. Inspired by the impactful educators in her own academic journey, she strives to support diverse learners through differentiated instruction and culturally relevant pedagogy.

With experience teaching Grades 3 to 8 through four practicum placements, Sara has been recognized for her professionalism, competency, and strong relationship-building skills. She is dedicated to continuous learning and growth, ensuring her teaching practices evolve to meet the needs of all students.

Justin B.

Justin is a certified teacher originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, who relocated to British Columbia to pursue his teaching career. Before heading West, he earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours in Biology Research) and a Master of Science (Research-Based Thesis in Pathology) at Dalhousie University.

As a lifelong athlete, Justin grew up playing competitive hockey. Through years of coaching, he discovered his passion for teaching young people, which ultimately led him to a career in education. He went on to complete his Bachelor of Education at Acadia University in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley.

During his academic career, Justin was awarded over $100,000 in research and academic scholarships and contributed to eight research publications, including three as a first author.

In his spare time, he enjoys snowboarding, playing hockey, golf, and volleyball, and road-tripping across the country with his family. As an intermediate French immersion teacher, Justin is passionate about building strong relationships and creating a supportive learning environment where all students can thrive.