Garrett R.

With 15 years experience in New York City public schools, Garrett Ramirez has a long track record of tutoring students in a wide range of subjects. His listening and communication skills have been honed through numerous one-to-one assignments across varied grade levels, supporting students in reading, writing, vocabulary, math skills and, his specialty, social studies. In his free time, he loves the outdoors and volunteering in his community.

Shenell D.

Shenell is a certified educator and accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience supporting students with diverse abilities. She holds two Master’s degrees in Education and is in the final stages of her doctoral studies. As an educational leader, Shenell excels at fostering a culture of collaboration and driving academic success, demonstrated by notable improvements in student growth and school performance scores. As a teacher, she is celebrated for her ability to customize engaging lessons that meet the unique needs of her students. Her expertise spans working with students with intellectual disabilities and those identified as gifted and talented. Outside of her professional pursuits, Shenell loves spoiling her fur babies, Bella and Bacchus, cooking hearty meals, and exploring new culinary creations.

Kelly H.

Kelly is joining Prep Academy Tutors with a long-standing passion for supporting students and their families in the educational process. Her experience entails teaching children with autism, ADHD, OCD, and other similar diagnoses, as well as managing an inclusion program for children with special needs. With seven years of classroom experience, Kelly is thrilled to be able to work with students in a focused fashion, helping them reach their goals and feel more confident in their academic performance. She believes every child is capable of succeeding in the school environment, and enjoys helping students learn about themselves in order to do so. Kelly specializes in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, as well as English Language Arts.

In her free time, you can find Kelly outdoors, hiking, hanging out with her family and friends (usually around food, board games, or football–Go Bills!!), enjoying her energetic pup, or reading a fantasy book. She also has a penchant for ice cream (mint chocolate chip, any day of the year!). She looks forward to working with your family to support your students’ progress!

Karen D.

With a Masters in Education degree from Niagara University and an Honours Music Undergraduate degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, Karen has worked as a special education and elementary classroom teacher for over 20 years, specializing in primary/junior education, early literacy intervention, social-emotional learning and individualized education planning and implementation.

While in the role of Mental Health and Well-being consultant at the Waterloo District School Board in Ontario, over 12,000 students accessed a Social-Emotional Program she created for children and youth in grades one through eight. This past year, Karen was a part-time lecturer with Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Education, teaching “Mental Health in the Classroom” to teacher candidates.

Karen believes all children can learn and thrive, and it’s the teacher’s role to create a space that is safe, kind and inspiring. Having recently relocated to the area, Karen is thrilled to be joining the team at Prep Academy to work with students here in Whistler!

Elizabeth B.

Elizabeth is a highly experienced educator with over 30 years of expertise in special education, literacy, and early childhood development. Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland and a Master’s Degree in Communicative Disorders from Johns Hopkins University, where she also earned certifications in Special Education and Reading for grades K-12.

Throughout her career, Elizabeth has worked in both public and private educational settings, teaching students with diverse needs, including cognitive disabilities and learning differences. She is deeply passionate about fostering student growth through a “learning by doing” approach, empowering children to explore, think critically, and achieve their goals in a supportive and inclusive environment. Whether working on reading comprehension, math skills, or self-regulation, Elizabeth’s innovative, multi-sensory techniques have consistently driven success for her students.

Elizabeth’s teaching philosophy centers on creating a community where every child feels understood and accepted. She believes in the transformative power of education, seeing it as an opportunity to inspire curiosity and nurture authentic self-expression. Her passion for teaching stems from the joy of learning from her students, whom she views as partners in an ever-evolving journey of discovery.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys sharing her Baltimore roots, from cheering on the Ravens and Orioles to savoring Maryland’s famous steamed crabs. Her dedication to her craft and her students makes her a trusted and inspiring guide for learners of all ages.

KADEEN M.

Kadeen is an OCT certified teacher who holds Primary/Junior qualifications and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning. She is also a Special Education and Reading Specialist who possesses over ten years of experience in diverse and inclusive classroom settings. She was trained to deliver Mathematics content using a multi-sensory approach to students with learning disabilities in Mathematics. Kadeen is also a trained Phonics Academy tutor who has ample experience in applying appropriate teaching and assessment methodologies and is an expert at designing and developing educational activities and preparing teaching material. She taught at the Primary and the Secondary levels internationally and is currently an elementary teacher in Ontario. In her current role, she successfully implemented instruction that fosters academic growth and personal development for students with varying needs. She collaborates closely with parents, therapists, and other educators to ensure that their approaches are holistic and tailored to maximize educational outcomes.

A nature enthusiast at heart, Kadeen finds solace in the serenity of tranquil environments, where the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft whisper of the wind provide a soothing backdrop to contemplative moments. Her love for nature is matched only by her affection for the beach, where the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore and the expansive horizon offer a sense of freedom and peace. Whether it’s a quiet walk through a lush forest, a moment of reflection by a serene lake, or a day spent basking in the sun by the sea, these experiences are not just hobbies but essential rituals that rejuvenate Kadeen’s spirit and connect her to nature.

NICK M.

With over 12 years of experience in both private and public educational settings, Nick is a creative and engaging tutor known for making learning fun and motivating. As a college instructor and former elementary teacher, Nick has taught a broad range of subjects, including science, math, English, social studies, and college-level courses. He uses games, positive reinforcement, and foundational support to inspire intrinsic motivation and build character in students. By fostering a supportive environment, Nick helps learners develop confidence and achieve lasting academic results.

KHADIDJA K.

Khadidja is a dedicated teacher candidate who is in the BEd program at Mount Royal University with a minor in Linguistics. She is passionate about teaching, especially when working with students who have learning disabilities. Her tutoring experience at CanLearn Society as a Reading Pilot as well as completing practicum in diverse CBE programs, such as the Pace Learning Program (PLP) and Montessori have equipped her with effective learning strategies that are personalized for her students. She holds an asset-based approach, highlighting students’ strengths to try to shift their focus from being stuck on learning obstacles to problem solving and practicing key skills that enable them to grow and thrive. She is a firm believer that learning is for all as she hopes to engage students in their learning to gradually build independence and confidence in their skills.

Jessica H.

Jessica has been working in education for nearly 15 years in various settings. She received her B.A. in Theatre Education from Emerson College and her M.Ed. in Special Education (mild/moderate disabilities) from Lesley University. Jessica has experience teaching charter and private schools, tutoring, and supporting homeschool families. Throughout her years in education, she has supported upper elementary, middle, and high school students in all core content areas. In the past few years, Jessica has specialized in supporting reading and language development in middle school students and has received countless hours of training in Orton-Gillingham.
As a part of her educational philosophy, Jessica believes that all students can grow and succeed with the right support and encouragement. Jessica is a passionate life-long learner and works to share that passion for learning with all her students.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys being a mother, reading, math, and taking walks around San Diego. Jessica also enjoys challenging the students with puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers regularly to help encourage out-of-the-box thinking. She also welcomes being challenged by her students in kind.

Lisa H.

Lisa received a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Special Education) and has dedicated 23 years to teaching in various roles, including kindergarten, second, and third grades. She has also worked in specialized areas such as Prekindergarten, Life Skills, and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE). During several of those years, she also did specific training for neurodivergent students. Lisa is deeply committed to her students’ growth and development, bringing patience, creativity, and a nurturing spirit to her classroom. Outside of teaching, she is a loving wife and mom, balancing her family life with her passion for education. Her and her family love to travel. The beach is their favorite destination. Her extensive experience and dedication make her an invaluable educator and mentor to her students.