Payman J.

Payman has a Ph.D. in Tectonophysics from the University of Toronto, a 1st class honour bachelor’s degree in Geophysics from the University of Calgary, a Master of Science in Medical Physics, and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics.

His Ph.D. research was on improving earthquake detection using computer vision algorithms. He has over 20 years of teaching experience in the science, engineering, and environmental fields and currently teaches at Humber, Mohawk, and Sheridan Colleges. He has also worked in the industry as a data scientist, but his passion is teaching. Payman’s teaching style focuses on developing intellectual confidence in his students by guiding them through systematic problem-solving approaches.

He is an avid road cyclist and mountain biker, has raced ultra marathons for 14 years in Canada and Europe, and is a former climber.

Amir M.

Amir is a passionate educator with extensive experience tutoring high school, university, and MCAT sciences, including biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as mathematics courses such as advanced functions and calculus. With a strong academic background in biomedical sciences and a 3.96 GPA from Toronto Metropolitan University, he excels at breaking down complex scientific and mathematical concepts into engaging, easy-to-understand lessons. Amir has worked with students from diverse backgrounds, designing personalized study plans, practice exams, and interactive sessions tailored to individual learning styles. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and building confidence, ensuring students develop a strong foundation in both the sciences and mathematics. Fluent in English and Farsi, Amir is dedicated to creating a supportive and motivating learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential. Outside of tutoring, he enjoys powerlifting, exploring new research topics, and mentoring students to help them achieve their academic and career goals.

JOSEPH D.

Joseph is a dedicated and passionate educator with a strong background in mathematics. With 8 years years of tutoring experience, he has worked with students of all ages, helping them build confidence and master challenging concepts. Holding a BBA from Trent University he specializes in making learning engaging and tailored to each student’s unique needs.

Beyond teaching, Joseph enjoys working out and playing sports, bringing creativity and enthusiasm into every lesson. Whether breaking down complex equations or guiding students through literary analysis, he strives to make learning both effective and enjoyable.

Natnael M.

Natnael is a Computer Science student at Toronto Metropolitan University. He has 7+ years of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science experience, 8+ years of Mathematics Experience, both at High-School and University levels. Natnael also has 2+ years of Tutoring experience, with both one-to-one and in groups. Lesson plans are flexible and catered to the student, with an emphasis on understanding why something happens, not only what to do to solve it.

Heather M.

Heather loves meeting students where they are. She approaches teaching by first asking what is it the student understands and where are the gaps in knowledge that block success. Then, with sensitivity to how the student learns best, she works with the young person to fill in those gaps. She enjoys learning along with the student if it is new subject matter or if there is a new way of learning the subject matter. When she was in the classroom, in three years, Heather taught three different Geometry curriculums as directed by the Math Chair because of her ability to implement new ideas quickly. Heather is an educator, a writer, an encourager, and one who makes learning fun. Heather asked a student “Isn’t it fun to learn about these things?” And the student looked at her and said, “It is fun with you.”
Heather looks forward to making learning fun again for your child.

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.

VANESSA G.

Vanessa graduated with a Master of Science from the University of Toronto, specializing in cell and developmental biology. She is currently a Research Scientist at the University of Toronto, studying a protein pathway involved in epithelial (skin) cancers. Vanessa is also a Teacher’s Assistant and teaches lab sections of undergraduate level biology courses. She also has 3+ years of formal tutoring experience, teaching all levels of Biology and Chemistry (AP, IB, University level), as well as Science at the elementary-high school level. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys going out for coffee and pastries with her friends, and training martial arts. Vanessa believes that each student learns differently, and she believes that getting to know your student is the best way to understand how they learn, as well as implementing accountability and self-discipline through a mentor-mentee relationship rather than the traditional teacher-student relationship.

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.