JAN C.

For the past decade, Jan had her own private reading remediation practice in Fairfield County and the Hamptons (summers).  She started as a public high school English teacher of junior English (both advanced and basic levels), before shifting to become a community college lecturer, then becoming a learning center reading specialist using the Orton-Gillingham approach before becoming a private reading specialist.

Jan holds two Ivy League degrees, was credentialed as an award-winning high school English teacher, and trained in Connecticut’s only Orton Gillingham institution where she worked directly under a Fellow, who later sat on the Academy’s Board of Directors.  In addition to learning the OG approach, Jan used the Wilson Reading System, FUNdations, SPIRE, and the Language Tool Kits.

The Orton GIllingham approach has been validated by the test of time– for 75 years, diagnosing educational psychologists have recognized that it is the best means of remediating diagnosed dyslexia.  Dyslexia affects 15% of the population with reading challenges comprising 85% of Special Education referrals.  However, the public schools have not conquered this problem, as the typical SpEd student enters the program reading two grade levels behind his peers, and he exits the program still reading two grade levels behind his peers.  The Orton Gilliingham approach actually closes skill gaps, rather than simply making progress.

Among the attributes that make the OG approach unique are its emotional sensitivity and its customization.  The Orton Gillingham practitioner creates a lesson for that individual’s specific needs and skill levels in order for him/her to achieve 80% or better accuracy.  During the lesson, the specialist adjusts the lesson’s administration accordingly to realize that result.  Allowing such a curated sense of competency to emerge (albeit in a vacuum) builds a newfound sense of confidence in written-language capability for the dyslexic student.  Also, the Orton Gillingham approach, because it is not a program (pre-scripted) or a one-size fits all curriculum, permits the instructional intensity necessary to closing deficits.  There is no need for covering ground already familiar to the student, and there is the freedom to bear down on those skills eluding the student.

DANIELLE B

Danielle, a 27 year veteran of the public school system, has a Master of Science Degree in Special Education with specialization in wide-spectrum learning disabilities.  Over her long tenure in education, Ms. Bucolo has taught in the general education setting, teaching both general education students as well as those with various learning difficulties and styles.  Ms. Bucolo has extensive training with programs that have given each of her students access to and success with rigorous academic standards.  Currently, Ms. Bucolo teaches fifth grade in a general education classroom with five students who have IEPs.  Although the majority of her experience has been with students who either have IEPs or who are at risk, she has a passion for teaching all students in all settings. Outside of school, Ms. Bucolo is busy with three children of her own.  She enjoys her book club, listening to music and tutoring students privately.

ENRIQUE R.

My name is Enrique Ramirez, I am a French as a Second Language (FSL) and Math teacher from Toronto, Ontario.

 

My Bachelor of Education was conferred as part of the first Consecutive cohort of French teachers trained at the Glendon campus of York University. I also earned my undergraduate double major in French Studies and Math (along with the Trilingual Certificate of Excellence in English, French and Spanish) at the same campus. 

 

I started my Masters of Education (with a focus on math teaching) at the end of August 2020.

 

From October 2019 to June 2020, I completed a work year abroad in southwest France as the official English language assistant and Spanish tutor. My duties principally entailed leading classroom activities and reinforcing the teacher’s lessons, in both the elementary and secondary levels, at “Lycée Jean Taris” in the Bordeaux Academy school board.

 

I look forward to bringing my strengthened French skills to the classroom when I teach FSL (and math in French) along with elementary and junior school subjects in an english or francophone classroom environment.

SHAHRAM A.

Shahram has been quite the globetrotter from an early age. He was born in Tehran, Iran; raised in Copenhagen, Denmark; socialized and educated in Toronto, Canada, which he now refers to as home. To date, Shahram has lived in 6 different countries (Denmark, Canada, Hong Kong, China, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates) and traveled to 62 others.  

Shahram received an Honours Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Sociology and also a Bachelor of Education from the University of Windsor. Additionally, he completed his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management with a certificate in International Baccalaureate (IB) Administration from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia. Prior to making the transition back to Canada, Shahram taught internationally at prestigious private schools for nearly a decade. These schools followed the Ontario, British Columbia and IB curricula and framework. 

As​ an extremely passionate educator, ​Shahram’s teaching experiences have helped him refine a personal teaching philosophy and pedagogy in education that combines the importance of inclusion within the classroom, ongoing feedback, respect, and creating meaningful student-centered lessons. Shahram’s defining characteristic as an educator revolves around the joy, pleasure and passion that ​he receives from teaching beyond the required curriculum. He branches off into various learning atmospheres by becoming actively involved in the development of the ​​whole child.​​ The ‘aha!’ moment in students and seeing everything begin to click for them provides him with an immense pleasure and continuously drives his passion and pedagogy as an educator. It is important to nurture a child’s creative abilities to develop a sense of themselves, understand others and the world around them, and navigate information so that they can confidently take risks and solve problems. ​Reflection​ and ​introspection​ are fundamental components of Shahram’s pedagogy and also his own personal growth and commitment to lifelong learning. 

ALICE B.

Alice taught middle school English and reading remediation for 21 years at a public school in Westchester County, New York. She majored in English and writing as an undergraduate student at SUNY Empire State College. She received her Master of Arts in Elementary Education and her New York State certifications in English 7-12 and Reading K-12 from Manhattanville College.

Drawing on years of teaching experience, Alice incorporates proven reading comprehension strategies, expository writing skills, and grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary skills in a multisensory instructional approach. Furthermore, through the use of interpretive questioning, she encourages her students to think critically about literature and nonfiction texts. Her modeling of this method of questioning also prepares her students to generate their own critical analysis questions and use the process independently.

In addition, Alice has experience assisting students with the writing of admissions essays for entry into private high schools and colleges. She understands the importance of guiding her students to hone in on an interesting, memorable topic, which reveals something meaningful about themselves or their view of the world.

Finally, Alice prides herself on being patient and nurturing and enjoys the respectful rapport she has with her students and their families. Her goal is to help set a path for her students to grow academically and gain confidence in themselves as lifelong learners.

SAMANTHA I.

CAROL W.

Carol Waters is a retired elementary school teacher with thirty years experience. She taught kindergarten to grade three during her career, and her qualifications include primary specialist and special education. A Lead Literacy teacher for seven years, she coordinated various workshops for colleagues centred on language development for primary students. She also taught the well-regarded Kindergarten Language Program (KLP) for ten years, also known as the KELLI Program, which focuses on enhancing oral communication and early literacy skills.

Carol has a Bachelor of Arts and Education degree as well as a diploma for Developmental Service worker. She coached volleyball, track and field, the Junior W5H teams and the Eco club.
Carol’s love of reading and literature extends to volunteering to read with students at her former school, and participating in an adult book club. She greatly enjoys outdoor activities, particularly exploring hiking trails throughout the province.

KAYLA T.

My name is Kayla Tavares and I am a full-day kindergarten educator within a school board. The three guiding principles that reflect my philosophy are: enabling success for every child through admiring and equally respecting them and their families for their uniqueness and their diversity, facilitating optimism and goodness in all situations and promote superior learning experiences. I have had many experiences working within diverse childcare settings and elementary schools, which provided me with substantial knowledge regarding child development and child-rearing practices. I have gained knowledge and had experience planning and implementing Emergent Curriculum utilizing the FDK Communication of Learning Curriculum as well as the ELECT Framework. I have worked specifically with children from kindergarten to grade 1, and in addition children with exceptionalities such as ADHD and autism. In my spare time I enjoy reading and cooking healthy meals.

YASMIN G.

Yasmin is a Primary Junior Ontario Certified Teacher and is currently working as a supply teacher for the TDSB. She was born and raised in the United Arab Emirates and studied in an International Baccalaureate (IB) school before moving to Toronto to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Toronto. Through teaching, Yasmin hopes to share her love for the arts whether it is through reading, writing, or performing. In her spare time, you will be sure to find Yasmin coming out of her favorite spin class, debating another workout, and definitely thinking about her next meal. If it wasn’t for her love of teaching, Yasmin would be running her own coffee shop with a few furry friends in close proximity.

MARISSA B.

Marissa joined Prep Academy Tutors in 2014 after completing her Bachelor’s of Education (Primary/Junior) with a program focus in Special Education at Queen’s University. Since then, Marissa has taken additional qualifications in Special Education (part 1 and 2), Communication Needs: Autism, Reading, Kindergarten, and Primary/Junior Mathematics. In 2015, Marissa participated in a conference in Oregon to learn how to train teachers in Direct Instruction. In addition to Direct Instruction, Marissa also has trained teachers in the Wilson Reading System.

Marissa is passionate about making learning come alive for her students.  She works hard to find new and creative ways to reach every learner.  As an educator, it is her mission to inspire her students to become life-long learners who strive to ask questions and find answers.  Developing confidence and making learning fun are top priorities during Marissa’s tutoring sessions.  Students learn that it is through challenging themselves that they can learn and grow (even if they make mistakes along the way).  Marissa firmly believes that all students are unique and deserve to be educated in a way that incorporates their strengths and interests into their learning process.  

When Marissa isn’t teaching, you can find her hanging out with her puppy Rufus, or riding her horse, Rex.