NATASHA M.
Natasha graduated from Brock University in 2016 with an Honours degree in English Language and Literature, and a Bachelor of Education. She then completed her Master’s degree in Education to further explore her passion for teaching, literature, learning and empathy. She also has experience with implementing Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) and differentiated learning strategies. Her previous work as a teaching assistant at the university level equips her with knowledge and skills to nurture critical thinking skills in an engaging and meaningful way. She enjoys working with students of all ages and backgrounds. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, cooking amateur gourmet meals and spending time with her friends and family.
TAMARA M.
Tamara has been an Ontario Certified Teacher (O.C.T.) since 2005, teaching grades K-12 across most subject areas. Tamara held a variety of classroom teaching positions with the York Region District School Board for 11 years before transferring to private education, then more recently, tutoring. Tamara is certified and trained in specialized reading programs such as Direct Instruction (D.I) and Wilson Reading Systems (WRS). She has Teachables in the following subjects: Reading, Primary/Junior Mathematics, Special Education, Visual Arts, Instrumental/Vocal Music, and Guidance/Career Studies. Tamara also holds a Master’s of Psychology from Chicago School of Professional Psychology, specializing in Child/Adolescent development and behavior. (M.A. Psych) She is certified in Mental Health First Aid/Crisis Intervention (M.H.F.A., 2018), and has co-facilitated a therapy group for counseling children ages 7-9 years who present with A.D.D./A.D.H.D. at Kinark Family Services. As well, at Prep Academy Tutors, Tamara teaches and coaches students at all grade levels, and differentiates instruction for a variety of learning needs and diagnosed learning challenges, supporting them through many academic, and social-emotional challenges. Tamara believes in a holistic approach to teaching, and designs lessons that adhere to most recent evidence-based teaching practice (such as learning for/as/of understanding), develop social-emotional learning (SEL), which promotes students’ overall intellectual, social/emotional and mental needs. Outside of teaching, Tamara enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, as well as reading, exercise, painting, and photography.
Katherine P.
Hi everyone! My name is Katherine Putzig and I recently graduated from OISE in downtown Toronto! I completed the Concurrent Education Program and received an Honours Bachelor of Arts in 2017. I majored in French linguistics and sociology. I have been tutoring since I was 11 years old, mostly in French and have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a diverse group of students of all age groups. I was recently hired by the Halton District School Board and have been supply teaching a variety of different subjects at many different schools. The most important aspect of tutoring for me is the creation of a positive, inclusive learning space in which my students feel comfortable and are not afraid to ask questions and try new things – making mistakes contributes to the development of critical thinking skills which every student should develop! When I’m not in the classroom, you can find me singing, watching professional sports and scoping out the newest and most interesting places to eat!
Katrina B.
Katrina received her Honours Bachelor Degree from the University of Toronto with a major in English Literature and a double minor in History and Political Science. She also holds a Masters in Education with a focus on English and Special Education. Katrina is currently a secondary school teacher with the Peel District School Board, where she teaches English (all levels, including IB and Vocational) and Special Education. Throughout her career, Katrina has maintained a desire to gain rich and varied teaching experiences and is therefore active within her high school and within her community as Katrina believes that connecting with the various interests and hobbies of her students’ will strengthen bonds and enrich the learning experience by connecting the curriculum to real life. Throughout her career and through various volunteer placements, Katrina has worked with many students of various ages who had behavioural and developmental learning exceptionalities and, by doing so, helped students gain confidence and positive results with reading and writing skills. Katrina believes that building relationships and fostering resilience is essential in order to help build confident learners who are able achieve success in all aspects of life. Katrina takes pride in helping her students to reach their full potential and encourages a range of skills to help ensure they are successful in both their academic and personal lives.
Wendy M.
From an early age, I recognized my ability to explain things to people in a manner for them to understand. I also acknowledged that I love to help people. So I started on a journey to do some soul searching, then I realized that I really loved teaching others.
This love for teaching was also my passion and a dream. Having recognized my deepest dream, my love and my passion I decided to prepare myself to be trained as a teacher.
But before I acquired formal training in academia, many persons saw my natural ability to impart knowledge and came asking for my help. I managed to tutor a number of persons who were all successful in their national examinations.
Eventually, I acquired a bachelor’s degree in education specializing in History and Social Studies with additional qualifications in School Librarianship. I also completed a masters of education degree at York University with specialization in post-secondary and urban education.
For a number of years I have been teaching children to gain academic freedom while accomplishing academic excellence. Under my tutorage many have passed national examinations, gain acceptance in colleges and universities and some have become owners of successful businesses.
Today I continue to prepare and train young minds as they themselves prepare to take on the challenges of society. My experience includes teaching for the Ministry of Education in publicly funded schools, teaching in privately established schools, being a teaching assistant at York University and tutoring children in the comfort of their homes.
My deepest dream is still alive. I always find ways and means to reach out to learners. I love to encourage people to do well in whatever they do. One of my greatest philosophies in this life is never to do less than my best, because only my best is good enough. I don’t believe in mediocrity.
I believe in setting high standard and doing everything in my power to accomplish set goals. As a vibrant educator with differentiated experience, dedicated to promoting the holistic development of learners, I intend to continue to employ culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy, technology and multiple instructional strategies in order to bring out the best in every learner I will teach.
Lauren J.
I have been teaching for four years in the Private and Independent School sector. I have experience teaching in a variety of subject areas and with a wide variety of courses (see full course list below for details). My specialties and interests include topics related to social, political, economic, and environmental issues. I am proficient in helping students with writing, editing and structuring essays as well as managing large projects. I enjoy breaking these large tasks down into manageable steps while making sure that the student stays on the timeline for completion. I ensure that we read over the requirements of the project or homework task so they do not miss any part of it as well as ensure that they are clear on how are being evaluated. I also enjoy helping students with day to day homework tasks as this builds their confidence and abilities, especially with their literacy skills which are essential for a students success. Lastly, my personal interest include music (singing, playing guitar, and DJing), practicing yoga, and making jewellery. I look forward to fostering the abilities of your child and helping them expand their academic potential.
Previously taught courses include:
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Geography and History, Grade 8, (HSC8J)
Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology, Grade 11, Uni.
Prep. (HSP3U)
Challenge and Change in Society, Grade 12, University Preparation (HSB4U)
PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy: Questions and Theories, Grade 12, University Preparation (HZT4U)
ECONOMICS
Analysing Current Economic Issues, Grade 12, University Preparation (CIA4U)
GEOGRAPHY
Issues in Canadian Geography, Grade 9, Academic (CGC1D)
Canadian and World Issues: A Geographic Analysis, Grade 12, Uni. Prep. (CGW4U)
POLITICS & CIVICS
Civics and Citizenship, Grade 10, Open (CHV2O)
Canadian and World Politics, Grade 12, University Preparation (CPW4U)
ENGLISH
English, Grade 11, (ENG3U)
BUSINESS STUDIES
Business, Grade 9, (BBI10)
International Business, Grade 12, (BBB4M)
LENSSA O.
Lenssa has been teaching senior science, accounting, and mathematics as an Ontario & BC Certified teacher since September 2013. After completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto in 2011 (attaining a Bachelor of Science with high distinction, majoring in Integrative Biology and Psychology), she took a year off to explore the world as a flight attendant. She returned to the school in the next fall for their teacher education program (OISE), graduating with Intermediate/Senior Biology and Social Sciences teachables. Lenssa immediately began her teaching career at an international school in Saint Lucia where she taught happily in the sunshine for two years. In search of adventure, she moved to China and taught at in international school there for three wonderful years. Since she started teaching, she has returned to school to add Junior/Intermediate Math to her teachables as well as getting a certificate for AP Chemistry. She is currently back in school (at University of Toronto), taking courses to add Senior Chemistry to that list.
Born in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Lenssa moved to Canada as a young child with her family. Since then, she’s moved around a number of times and has loved every minute of it. Having a teacher for a father and a family the impressed upon her the value of education, her love for the field was nurtured from childhood. From spending her summers as a youth helper in summer camps, a volunteer soccer coach, and babysitting the children of friends to volunteering as a tutor/ mentor to underprivileged kids during her undergrad, she has always made room for teaching. Her favourite parts of teaching are getting to know some wonderful kids and the continuous opportunity to learn new things. When she’s not teaching, she likes to spend her time with her family/friends, travelling, and exploring all that the world has to offer.
ERICA L
Erica will be an Ontario Certified Teacher specializing in the Primary/Junior division at the end of March. She currently attends the University of Toronto for her Masters of Teachings, and has completed her honours in English and Anthropology. Erica has worked in both the Catholic and Public School Board, and has experience teaching Grades 1-5, 10, and 11. Erica has experience working with students who have Special Needs, and those who require Reading Recovery. Erica is dedicated to helping students grow academically, and enjoys creating engaging activities for her learners. Furthermore, Erica explores different methods of teaching to engage various styles of learners, and works towards creating inclusivity.
In addition to helping educate young learners, Erica has interests in baking, spending time with her family, watching movies, horseback riding, and painting.
JESSICA G.
Jessica is a recent graduate of the Master of Teaching program at the University of Toronto (OISE). Jessica currently works as an Occasional Teacher for Halton District School Board with Primary, Junior and Intermediate Students. As an educator Jessica strives to support students in developing their knowledge, skills, and values for active citizenship. As a new teacher, Jessica is passionate and dedicated to the implementation of research-based practice, innovative learning, and student inquiry. Jessica is certified for the elementary panel. As a native of Etobicoke, Jessica has grown up with a passion for the outdoors and walking alongside the lakeshore with her dog Snooks, this passion for exercise has inspired her to also be qualified for Intermediate Physical and Health Education. In addition to being an Ontario Certified Teacher, Jessica has over 6 years of experience working with children two to twelve at Ryerson Early Learning Centre as an Early-Childhood Educator. With her passion for research and twenty-first-century learning, she is certainly an innovative and exciting candidate.
Throughout Jessica’s work as an early-childhood educator and teacher candidate, She has developed a sincere desire to inspire innovation and build challenging but supportive learning environments for her students. Within her work, she has used differentiated instruction and experiential learning opportunities to support learners with exceptionalities as these opportunities for learning are invaluable for promoting student engagement and supporting the individual needs of students. Throughout the Masters of Teaching program, Jessica had devoted her research to exploring the way teachers incorporate Aboriginal perspectives and environmental education to support the whole child. With this research experience, Jessica is passionate about implementing teaching strategies that have proven effective and efficient throughout educational research to best support her students.
Throughout Jessica’s experience, she has planned lessons that promote personalized learning opportunities to meet the needs of students. It is important to Jessica that her students feel valued and have a sense of trust and value in their learning. Professionally, Jessica’s has a strong interest in working with students with various exceptionalities and has had experience working with students in enrichment programs and students with executive functioning needs. Jessica strongly believes that students can and should look forward to learning in a safe space where it is recognized that their individual differences make the learning experience come alive. A part of this is building strong relationships and knowing her students. Jessica believes that in order to personalize learning opportunities, you truly need to know your students.
Through Jessica’s combined experiences learning from and working in the field of education, specifically the early years, she has discovered her passion for special education and early intervention. Jessica’s desire to learn more about how to appropriately adapt instructional tools for such a diverse population of learners has allowed her to make the decision complete her qualifications for Primary/Junior Special Education Part 1 and Reading. Personally, along with lakeshore hikes, Jessica has played volleyball, figured skated and has a strong passion for literacy and reading. Her favorite genre of books is non-fiction as she enjoys learning about the world around her. With a strong passion for reading, she aims to support students love or learning and discover the ways to best support students with exceptionalities. Throughout Jessica’s undergraduate and graduate studies, she has engaged in several professional development workshops to better equip herself as an elementary teacher to provide an effective and sustainable education for her students.
CASSANDRA M.
My name is Cassie and I am a Junior/Intermediate/Senior certified teacher with the Ontario College of Teachers. I am currently an Occasional Teacher with the Toronto District School Board and Durham District School Board.
I completed my Bachelor of Music at Queen’s University, specializing in Education. I then completed my Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University specializing in Music and Outdoor and Experiential Learning. From there I went on to complete and my Master of Education at the University of Toronto, specializing in Developmental Psychology and Education with a special interest in mental health in the classroom. My interest in the field of mental health in the classroom has led me into the area of academic coaching. I enjoy working with students on time management, organization of school materials, proper note taking skills and overall mindfulness in an academic setting.
In addition, I have had several opportunities to work with children outside of the classroom. I worked as a camp counsellor, coordinator, and director for the University of Toronto, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka, and the Kids Cancer Foundation of Alberta.
Oustide of teaching, I love reading, horseback riding, playing recreational softball, travelling, photography, being outdoors, and spending time with my family.