Priyanka C.
Priyanka is a Senior Analyst at the Canadian Institute for Health Information, and a recent graduate of the Masters of Health Informatics program from the University of Toronto. She grew up in Toronto and Mississauga and completed her undergraduate degree in neuroscience and psychology from the University of Toronto. Priyanka has a deep love for travel and the arts. She had the opportunity to explore several beautiful countries where she presented her work in infectious disease and tropical medicine. She was a Teacher’s Assistant for Organic Chemistry and Biology; it was through these experiences she fostered her love for Science. She is also a trained dancer and continues to learn as well as teach beginners. In the past, Priyanka worked one-on-one with children ranging from middle school to high school. She believes in creating individualized learning plans for each of her students so she is better able to meet their needs and grow their learning, as well as help them in reaching their personal academic goals; a concept she is very passionate about. Priyanka is also passionate about sustainability, healthcare, and technology
SHAWNEE W.
Shawnee has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Calgary. Prior to completing her Education program, Shawnee received degrees in Geological and Biological Sciences. Shawnee has taught various subjects and grade levels; her primary experience is teaching Junior High math and science. She loves watching students grow and develop and helping to facilitate that.
Shawnee’s personal interests include working in animal rescue, spending time camping with her family and travelling.
Shannon P.
Shannon Pappas is a Queen’s University Teacher Candidate who graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Global Development and from a Master’s of Education in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Originally from Ottawa, Shannon is a bilingual French-English speaker with teaching specialized for the primary/junior levels with strong abilities up to high school level Social Sciences, History, and English subjects. She is an enthusiastic and compassionate person who has spent years involved in sports, camping, and teaching swimming lessons. Her passion for working with children evolved from the many years she spent working at a summer camp. Having recently added a chocolate lab puppy to her family she is thrilled to see what opportunities lay ahead this year.
HANNAH R.
Hannah is a Primary/Junior teacher in the TDSB. She is a graduate of Carleton University and the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education where she earned her Masters of Teaching. She is working to be a math specialist in the TDSB. This past year, Hannah worked at two different schools and landed in a grade one position, which she absolutely loved. Hannah’s approach to teaching and learning is about creating relationships where students feel safe and heard. In her spare time, Hannah enjoys running, riding her spin bike and walking her roommate’s dog
LYN O.
Lyn Ogilvy is an Ontario Certified Teacher. Lyn grew up in Montreal and completed her Honours Wildlife Biology Degree and her Bachelor of Education in Ontario. Lyn spent a memorable first year teaching in New Zealand, where she discovered a passion for teaching and took advantage of the extraordinary outdoor activities she loves. Lyn has taught High School Science for over 30 years in Ontario, coaching and chaperoning outdoor education trips throughout her career. As an experienced High School Science Teacher, Lyn has extensive experience teaching and illustrating science concepts in a variety of ways that caters to individual student needs. She was a team leader in developing course materials for Grades 11 and 12 Biology with an emphasis on the development of a creative approach to the illustration of complex biological processes. She also worked closely with school librarians to develop curriculum to enhance student research skills and critical thinking. Former students of Lyn have reconnected with her to share their appreciation for excellent University preparation. Lyn’s enthusiasm for teaching science is due to her love to share the wonder of science and the natural world.
MARK G.
Mark is a Primary/Junior Ontario Certified Teacher from Toronto. He graduated from the University of Guelph with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English, and he completed his Bachelors of Education at Queen’s University. Mark has continued his professional development in teaching by taking additional qualification courses in Primary/Junior Math and Reading, as well as Intermediate English. These studies have helped Mark expand his teaching strategies to help students build on their mathematical thinking, reading, writing, and vocabulary. Mark also has experience as an ESL teacher through TDSB’s Teaching English as a Second Language program. Reading and writing has been a lifelong passion for Mark, and he is always excited to share that passion with his students.
Mark’s passion for teaching started with soccer coaching. This job showed Mark how satisfying teaching can be, in making lessons fun and engaging, as well as watching students progress with each session. This passion carried over to his practicum experience teaching in Toronto as well as his time as a supply Educational Assistant in Ottawa. Working as a teacher, especially as an Educational Assistant, gave Mark an insight into how impactful a 1 on 1 interaction can be. Mark firmly believes in the importance of getting to know his students on an individual basis. Mark uses students’ individual interests to attach meaning to their learning, and caters the lesson to fit the individual needs of that student. Mark finds his inspiration in teaching by helping students forge their own path as lifelong learners.
Outside of the classroom, Mark enjoys being active and continues his in-home workouts though he misses intramural sports very much. He is an enthusiastic supporter of all the Toronto sports teams. Mark is looking forward to working with his students at Prep Academy.
Christine L.
Christine J. Loh, PMP, ISTQB certified and is a Manager of Data Science at a tech start-up. A former national mathematics contest competitor from Toronto, Ontario, she earned her bachelors from the University of Toronto. Her students come from a diverse background and needs (AP/IB/remedial/SAT/SSAT/PSAT/GMAT/competitions ie. Caribou, Canadian Math League, Waterloo contests, Kangaroo, Beaver etc) She collaborates with parents, tutoring companies, consultants, and organizations to promote mathematics excellence and equity for young people. Her students have gained interviews to the University of Toronto Schools, scored in the top 2-15% of admission tests, top 7-30% of worldwide/national math contests. top 7% in Ontario, and top 10% in Peel District School Board. Christine has been recognized as the Tutor of the Month, for her efforts. She has also published an article in “Authority Magazine” entitled “5 Things You Need To Know To Be A Highly Effective Educator”. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, chess, travelling, and playing the violin.
GABRIELA G.
Gabriela is a graduate from the Master of Teaching program at the University of Toronto – OISE, in the primary/junior/intermediate divisions. She holds a certification as an Early Childhood Educator. Gabriela is also fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish. Gabriela has experience teaching all subject areas and has volunteered in elementary school classrooms. During her time at the University of Toronto, she focused her research on different types of supports that can be provided for students with ADHD, within the school system. As such, she understands that students have different needs, and as teachers, their primary job is to support students’ individual learning needs. She believes students have an extensive range of abilities and are capable of achieving anything and everything they put their minds on, with the correct guidance and support. In her spare time, Gabriela enjoys being around nature, hiking, running, training and spending time with family and friends.
CAITLIN H.
Caitlin Heppenheimer has been in the education field for several years now. She has worked with students on the autism spectrum and attention deficit disorders. She began her teaching journey when she lived in Plattsburgh, New York where she attended college. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education as well as a Master’s of Science in Counseling Education. After college she became a paraprofessional in Vermont where she worked in small groups with students in a fifth grade classroom. She realized she enjoyed working one on one with students to help them hone their academic skills. Later in life, she moved back home to the east end of Long Island where she was hired as a teaching assistant at a local elementary school. A few years ago she began teaching full time at that same district as a first grade teacher and now currently teaches fourth grade. Caitlin has worked with age groups from pre-school to seventh grade.
Within her teaching, Caitlin strives to provide hands-on activities to help students learn. Caitlin believes every child has a unique way of learning and works with each of her students to help them learn their very best by providing manipulatives, organization charts, as well as various strategies to help in reading, writing, and math.
GRETCHEN J.
Gretchen holds a permanent certification from NYS in Mathematics. She attended Suffolk College and the State University College at Buffalo, where she received her B.S. in Mathematics Education with a concentration in computational math. Gretchen received a Master’s in Education from Stony Brook. Gretchen has worked for the Westhampton School district for twenty years, working with children in elementary through high school. She has worked with children with a variety of learning differences and strives to meet each child at his or her level and works to support them in all academic skills. Gretchen has worked with children in special education throughout the year. Gretchen enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, needlepoint and watching anything having to do with Sci-Fi and spending time with her eleven nieces and nephews.