Zoë M.

Zoë graduated magna cum laude from the University of Toronto, specializing in research psychology and minoring in English.
They graduated from York University with an MA in critical psychology, their thesis focusing on accessibility in undergraduate education.

Zoë’s passion is teaching and learning, and they have expertise in a variety of subjects. Most notably, they have been an SAT tutor for over ten years — tutoring 1-1, teaching intensive courses, designing lesson plans and curricula, training other instructors, and even writing an SAT Teacher’s Manual, which was sold to various test prep and tutoring companies, and which they still update yearly for personal use.

Zoë’s teaching style is reflexive, engaging, agile, and learner-centred, informed by their extensive knowledge of psychology and pedagogy, and enriched by their confidence in every student’s ability to succeed when given the right tools.

MARZIA H.

Marzia is currently completing her undergraduate Honours degree in Cellular Molecular Microbial Biology with a minor in Psychology at the University of Calgary. Marzia has been tutoring young students for over 8 years, developing her own unique strategies and best practices along the way. Marzia’s passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education extends beyond tutoring. She has been working with Minds in Motion to deliver hands-on STEM concepts to groups of students from grades 1- 9 through summer camps, kid’s clubs, and classroom workshops. Marzia focuses on fostering excitement about the intricate world of STEM, creating an inclusive environment, and sparking curiosity in young minds.

Having worked extensively with students across different age groups and academic levels, Marzia is adept at tailoring lessons to meet the individual needs and learning styles of each student. She believes in creating a supportive and engaging environment where students feel empowered to reach their full potential. Marzia is known for her patient and encouraging approach and is skilled at building strong, positive relationships with students and parents alike.

In addition to Marzia’s passion for knowledge through reading and watching various genres of documentaries, she enjoys painting as a way to express creativity and relax. Marzia often incorporates random bits of obscure knowledge into her teaching, relating to her students, making learning more engaging and enjoyable!

Simone T.

Ms. Timbers joins Prep Academy Tutors with 10 years of teaching experience and has taught Preschool through Fourth grade in two different states. Ms. Timbers graduated From West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2014 with a degree in Elementary Education and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at St. Joseph’s University. She won the “Most Valuable Teacher Award” for elevating her student’s math scores tremendously during her time as a third-grade teacher in Arizona.

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Timbers is a new mom and an only child. Her personal goal is to write a cookbook and she collects healing crystals.

MARIE CELESTE F.

Celeste graduated from Queen’s University in Kingston with a Bachelor of Honours in Arts and Science. She majored in Global Development Studies, a cross-disciplinary department teaching courses exploring politics, philosophy, economics, environmental justice, public relations, global governance, religion, history, geography, and social justice. Celeste was also a concurrent education student working to complete her teaching certification alongside her undergraduate degree. She is entering her final year of teacher’s college, completing three classroom placements and fulfilling her teachable subjects, history and geography. Celeste has been engaged in teaching since she began coaching volleyball at fourteen. This sparked her love for teaching and encouraged her to seek further opportunities. She has worked at Olympia Sports Camp as a counsellor and a summer schoolteacher for their outdoor ed high school leadership credit. She has taught grade nine English, science, and geography, as well as grade twelve English, grade ten world religions, grade ten civics and careers, and grade eleven world history while on placement. Celeste has experience working with elementary school students through her responsibility of caring for students from junior kindergarten to grade five at Pickering Colleges After Care Program. She has worked with the Helen Tufts Society in Kingston, where she was paired with a grade four student whom she met with once a week for tutoring. In her free time, Celeste enjoys being outside with nature, whether walking her dog Aussie, going for a bike ride, or playing pickleball. Celeste is honoured to be a part of a student’s success and learning in the same way her tutors were for her.

Rachel B.

Rachel is a former teacher and nanny with a passion for helping students succeed. With a master’s degree from DePaul University, and a 4.0 GPA, Rachel loves to learn and share her knowledge. She gets to know her students’ background and interests before starting her lessons, as to make the information at hand pertinent to each child. With kindness and enthusiasm, Rachel strives to make learning a fun and comfortable experience for both the student and their families. Communication is her strong suit, as she enjoys sharing milestones and challenges with parents to ensure student success. In her spare time, Rachel travels the world with her husband, Cole. The pair resides in the Northwest suburbs with their two cats, and in her spare time, Rachel runs a successful photography studio out of her home office. Get in touch with Rachel today – she cannot wait to get to know you!

Neha N.

Neha is currently a teacher candidate with the Master’s of Teaching program at the University of Toronto. She recently moved to Canada, having completed her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Chapman University in California. After graduating, Neha started working as a tutor at an adolescent rehabilitation centre, where she discovered her love for teaching. She delighted in sharing her love of science with young people, organizing lab activities and educational games with the students while helping them keep up with their regular schoolwork. Working at the rehab, Neha learned the importance of rapport: she approaches each individual with compassion, humour, and the impel to not just teach, but also learn about the unique people under her care.

Neha has previously tutored in math, English, and science, teaching students from grades 2 to 12. Currently she is in the intermediate/senior cohort of her program, specializing in general science and biology. Neha also has experience tutoring in Dubai, where she attended high school and completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma program. While she enjoyed the warm weather of Southern California and the Gulf, Neha fell in love with the Canadian winter. In her free time she takes pleasure in admiring and appreciating nature, where she undeniably finds much of her inspiration for teaching about the natural world.

Shaylee C.

Shaylee Chen is a dedicated and passionate educator with a B.A. in Education, Communities, and Organizations (ECO) from the University of Washington. She is currently pursuing her M.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Having grown up in various countries and immersed in diverse cultures, Shaylee has cultivated a profound appreciation for multiculturalism and linguistic diversity. This international background has not only refined her mastery of Mandarin Chinese but also developed her fluency in French. Her global upbringing enriches her teaching with a unique and inclusive perspective. With three years of experience in multilingual teaching environments, Shaylee possesses the skills necessary to support and inspire students from diverse backgrounds. Her commitment to fostering engaging, personalized lessons, is driven by her belief that curiosity and interest are key to student success. Shaylee is eager to bring her expertise and passion for education to new opportunities and make a positive impact on the lives of her students. Outside of her professional and academic endeavors, Shaylee enjoys exploring new cultures, playing billiards, and swimming.

BRADEN K.

Braden is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree, with a specialization in Inclusive Education. He is widely recognized for his amiable nature and his genuine interest in forging meaningful connections with others, coupled with his penchant for exploring new avenues. Outside of his academic pursuits, Braden finds joy in engaging in deep conversations, hiking amidst natural landscapes, capturing moments through nature photography, and immersing himself in story-driven media.

He previously held the role of Regional Manager at a sales company before transitioning into the realm of education due to his leadership experience there where he maintains a consistent strong work ethic and a dedicated approach to any task at hand.

Braden’s teaching philosophy has been meticulously crafted to advocate for a mentorship-oriented approach within the realm of education, emphasizing the importance of nurturing individual potential over conventional instructional methods. He aspires to gain tutoring experience by establishing bonds of trust and accountability with students, guiding them towards unlocking their inherent capabilities as they progress on their educational journey.

Florina C.

Florina is a junior at the University of Illinois at Chicago completing her undergraduate studies in biological sciences. She grew up with natural curiosity making sense of the world around her. Florina has always been eager to learn and explore new information around her. It was during her sophomore year of high school she discovered her passion for chemistry. Her chemistry teacher facilitated the learning of a difficult subject that inspired Florina to teach teenagers and young adults in the same manner.

Florina was a college tutor and TA in her local community college that helped her work closely with students to improve their grades. She knows how it is important for students to feel confident in their work and approach problems from different angles such as using technology to address issues. Florina enjoys figuring out what motivates her students and getting things done which helps her build relationships and achieve results. In addition to her years of experience, she has strong interpersonal and communication skills that allows her to adapt to any challenge and relish the opportunity to improve academic performance, problem-solving solving and love of learning for students of different ability levels. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, boxing, dancing, and going out with friend and family to summer festivals or 5k races.

Dr. Brandy P.

Dr. Brandy S. Pickens is a distinguished biochemist and dedicated educator with extensive experience in scientific research and environmental advocacy. Having earned a BA in Biochemistry from Oberlin College and a Ph.D. from Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Pickens is proficient in making complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.

Dr. Pickens has dedicated over 15 years to biomedical research, specializing in biomedical research studies at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. This background equips her with a robust understanding of the STEM disciplines, which she brings to the classroom to inspire and educate future scientists and STEM professionals.

Currently, Dr. Pickens serves as a Toxicologist at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, where she conducts technical analyses and reviews concerning the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. Her role at the EPA underscores her commitment to public health and safety, themes she emphasizes in her educational outreach.

Passionate about fostering a love for science and environmental stewardship among young people, Dr. Pickens actively engages with community groups and schools. She organizes and leads educational programs and STEM initiatives, aiming to instill a sense of enthusiasm for STEM disciplines, particularly environmental science, and stewardship in the younger generation.

Dr. Pickens is not only a scientist and advocate but also a mentor who strives to encourage students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM and public service. Her commitment to education, combined with her expertise in biomedical sciences and environmental sustainability, makes her a great match for organizations dedicated to cultivating knowledgeable, responsible, and motivated students.