SIMON M.

Simon has a Masters Degree in Education focused on Curriculum and ESL from Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia. After volunteering as an ESL and ECE teacher, Simon gained a passion for supporting families new to Canada – particularly as they transition between different international school systems.

Simon focuses on grammar as the foundation of reading and writing. By zooming-in on sentences and zooming-out to see the connected meanings needed to complete complex assignments, Simon helps students improve basic grammar, plan clear writing, and understand exam questions under pressure.

With extensive experience working in international and ecological education in rural and urban areas, as well as with students who have a first language other than English, Simon also researches best practices in language education methods to support all types of learners.

Simon grew up in Brockville, Ontario, and attended MSVU and Saint Mary’s University in Halifax Nova Scotia. He has 12 years experience as an educator and holds TESL Canada Level 3 and CELTA teaching certificates. In his free time, he likes to cycle, snowboard, and read.

Magdalene S.

Magdalene is currently enrolled in OISE’s Master of Teaching program and has her Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. Magdalene has been teaching in professional and social settings since 2015 and has experience working with diverse learners. She has taught grades 1 through 12 with a focus on English, math, and the social sciences. Magdalene also has experience teaching English internationally.

Magdalene seeks to advance students’ self-confidence and self-efficacy while cultivating a love of learning and empowering students on their journey to academic success. She embodies and exemplifies an ideology that centres around self- discovery and personal growth, with an emphasis on critical thinking, adaptability, and resiliency.

When Magdalene isn’t in school or tutoring, you can find her curled up with a good book, visiting the animals at the Toronto Zoo, or taking pictures of different foods she’s tried around the city.

FIONA M.

Fiona is an Assistant Professor in the School of Early Childhood Studies at Ryerson University, a Research Scientist at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and an Assistant Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Fiona completed her Masters and Doctoral Degrees at the University of Toronto in Health Psychology. Fiona’s research is dedicated to enhancing the psychosocial wellbeing of children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. She has worked with medically complex children, such as children with cancer, cystic fibrosis, and congenital heart disease, for decades. Fiona is also in the 4th year of the Psychotherapy Training Program at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto where she one day hopes to open a practice dedicated to the psychotherapy needs of children and families living with disabilities. Fiona has authored over 40 research articles that further knowledge of the psychosocial lives of children with long-term illnesses. 

Fiona grew up in Toronto but spent time living between Canada and South Africa during the apartheid system. Fiona’s great love for education was instilled by her parents at a very early age who taught her to “shoot for the moon, for even if you miss, you will still land amongst the stars”. Fiona has educated thousands of University students across three Canadian Universities. She believes in cultivating critical thinking, curiosity, and a life-long love and passion for learning. 

In her spare time, Fiona loves to engage in creative writing and reading. As well, she is an avid runner and yogi. Her favourite pose is warrior pose! Fiona also loves to travel and often spends summertime with her partner travelling around Europe. Finally, due to her parent’s political influence, Fiona is dedicated to social justice and inclusion for marginalized communities who face systemic barriers in society. As such, Fiona is dedicated to the democratization of education for children. Fiona hopes to work with your child in a family-based approach to education and pedagogy. Fiona’s heroes are Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, and Toni Morrison because they lived with the courage to tell the truth.

CHRIS R.

Chris graduated from York University with Bachelors Degrees in Professional Writing, Religious Studies, and Education. He has worked in classrooms across Toronto, from Oakdale Park Middle School to SEED Alternative, giving him a diverse experience as an educator. He has also worked for close to a decade in the non-profit/charitable sector, training and developing skills in public speaking and communications. He is also a published author, with several other books on the go, and is intimately familiar with the world of creative writing and publishing. Altogether, Chris is an expert tutor in the fields of writing, research, and presentation, capable of preparing anyone for what they will need to access whatever post-secondary institution they’re aiming for, and ensuring they will be successful there.

Alix F.

Alix currently attends Concordia University, where she is completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Specialization of Art Education. She has tutored for over 4 years. Her specialties include all subjects at the Elementary-school level, French, and Fine Art.

Alix uses her creativity to both engage her students, and to build trust.

Inez B.

Inez is a certified teacher both in Ontario and in New York. She has taught every grade between Kindergarten and Grade 12, and is passionate about sharing French language skills with her students. She supports English Language Learners as well. She has taught in the Netherlands, New York, and now she teaches in Kitchener-Waterloo which she now calls home.

JAMES C.

James graduated with his Bachelor of Education Degree from OISE at the University of Toronto in 2005 and has been a certified educator in the elementary independent school system ever. Prior to entering the teaching profession, James spent 12 years in the private sector working in the areas of sales, sales management, and sales training for two Fortune 500 companies. Since entering the teaching profession, he completed a one-year internship program at Havergal College in Toronto working with the Junior Division teachers in grades 4-6. He then spent two years as a homeroom teacher for grades 4 and 7 at Bayview Glen in North York; eight years as a homeroom teacher for grade 5 at Pickering College in Newmarket; and most recently, the last three years as a homeroom teacher for grade 6 at Kingsway College School in Etobicoke. He is trained in the delivery of the JUMP Math Program as well as the remedial Direct Instruction Reading Mastery Program.

It is through these experiences that he has learned first-hand that all children are unique – no two have the same needs, interests, or learning styles. It is important for educators to invest the time to understand and connect with each student and support them in a way that is both effective and meaningful.

In his spare time, James enjoys officiating house league hockey for the GTHL and spending summers at his family cottage in Muskoka.

LAURA T.

Laura is an academic administrator, research writer, and artist, whose work focuses on the critical theory of visual culture within the context of history. She grew up in remote north Ontario before moving to Toronto, where she has earned her Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Visual and Critical Studies from OCAD University, a degree that allowed her to combine studies of psychology, philosophy, the history of science and medicine, and literature into an interdisciplinary framework from which art and society can be analysed. She won the program medal, the highest distinction within each program’s graduating class, in 2016, and went on to complete her Master’s of Art History at the University of Toronto in 2018. Laura has showcased her research papers in various academic conferences throughout North America, and uses her studies to inform her visual arts practice, creating a fruitful cycle of critical investigation followed by the creation of visual language in support of the research. It is her personal philosophy that learning is an amazing and enriching experience, and that curiosity and engagement with the world around us should be nurtured; she strives to make education a positive and inspiring experience for all her students.
In her spare time she likes to get back to her roots and explore the wilderness, whether it be hiking, camping, climbing, or some combination of the three, and advocates for the personal and social benefits of appreciating and preserving nature. Her passion for the outdoors stems from a childhood fascination with geology, palaeontology, and evolutionary biology, as well as a love of animals. Laura has taught several clinics on backcountry safety, and can show you what to do in case of a bear encounter.

Veronica R.

Veronica holds her BEd from McGill University in Secondary Social Sciences. She holds her DEC From John Abbott University’s Literature and Communication department and her IB diploma from Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School, where she was the recipient of The Principal’s Award in High School for academic and leadership skills, and the IB Learner Award.

Veronica has worked as an assistant for the Montessori daycare in Pointe-Claire, and for years as a tutor for Kumon in math and English.

Her specialties include: all subjects at the Elementary level, and the social sciences (including essay writing) at all levels, including University.

Veronica’s enthusiastic personality, combined with a deep love of teaching and learning, creates a stimulating and nurturing environment within which students thrive.

Jason V.

Jason holds his BA in Liberal Arts and Western Society and Culture (Honors) from Concordia University, from where he graduated with distinction. He completed his Bachelor’s Honors Thesis in Game Studies and holds his DEC in Social Sciences from Vanier College.

Jason has worked for years teaching ESL and math at Kumon Tutoring. His specialties include: ESL, math, and all subjects at the Elementary level.

Jason’s professionalism, combined with his experience and patience, create the perfect environment for student success.