Amber D.

Amber is passionate about helping children build confidence, independence, and meaningful skills through compassionate, individualized support. She incorporates ABA-informed strategies into her work, using structured, evidence-based approaches to help children develop communication, behavioural, and everyday life skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Amber has been working in the childcare field since 2021 and holds a diploma in Child and Youth Care from Algonquin College, which she completed in 2020. Through her experience in childcare and ABA-based support, she has developed strong skills in working with children with a variety of learning and behavioural needs. Amber focuses on building strong relationships with the students she supports, using patience, encouragement, and structured strategies to help them succeed both academically and in everyday life.

Amber enjoys celebrating each child’s progress and takes pride in helping students reach their personal goals.

In her free time, Amber enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and partner, as well as her two dogs and one cat.

Francesca S.

Francesca holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education from York University. She is certified to teach in the Intermediate/Senior divisions and has extensive experience teaching all subjects across the Primary and Junior divisions. Francesca is currently completing her Additional Basic Qualification (ABQ) for the Junior Division and is qualified to teach Mathematics up to and including Grade 9.

Francesca gained valuable experience teaching in both elementary and secondary schools within the Toronto District School Board during her practicum placements and volunteer work. She is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) and is currently teaching within the Durham District School Board.

Fully trilingual, Francesca has extensive experience supporting students in Core French from the Primary through Intermediate divisions. She is known for her patience and ability to break down challenging concepts—especially in math—into clear, manageable steps that help students build confidence and understanding.

Francesca uses a variety of engaging strategies tailored to each student’s interests and learning style. She offers both in-person and online tutoring and values maintaining open communication with parents by providing regular updates on student progress.

In her free time, Francesca enjoys reading, writing, swimming, rock climbing, sudoku, and spending time with friends.

Alessandra S.

Alessandra is a Teacher Candidate completing her first year of the Bachelors of Education program at Lakehead University. She holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature with a specialization in Education, providing her with a strong academic foundation in literary studies as well as a solid pedagogical foundation.

Alessandra is deeply committed to literacy education and believes that strong reading, writing, and communication skills are fundamental to student success across all subject areas and in everyday life. She views literacy not only as an academic skill, but as a tool for empowerment, critical thinking, and meaningful participation in society. Her goal is to support students in reaching their full academic potential while fostering confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

She understands that meaningful learning occurs when students are actively engaged and see relevance in what they are studying. As such, Alessandra prioritizes student-centered instruction, differentiated learning opportunities, and creative approaches that make complex concepts accessible and engaging. She strives to build supportive learning environments where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and grow.

In addition to her studies, Alessandra works as an Occasional Supply Teacher with the Durham Catholic District School Board. Through this role, she has gained valuable experience implementing the Ontario Curriculum across diverse classroom settings. She is committed to inclusive education and aims to ensure that instruction is accessible, equitable, and responsive to the different strengths and needs of all learners.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Alessandra enjoys listening to rock music, travelling, knitting sweaters, and ice skating. She has had two of her short stories published, and aspires to one day write and publish her own novel, continuing to cultivate and share her passion for storytelling and literature.

Umar A.

Umar is a certified teacher with over three years of classroom experience and is qualified to teach across all elementary divisions. He has taught students in every elementary grade and previously taught science and mathematics at a private high school, where he developed a strong ability to explain complex concepts in clear and engaging ways.

Umar holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from Tyndale University. His teaching philosophy focuses on building confidence, fostering curiosity, and creating a supportive environment where students feel encouraged to take risks and grow as learners.

Umar was drawn to tutoring after seeing the powerful impact personalized academic support can have on student success. He works closely with students to strengthen foundational skills, deepen their understanding of key concepts, and develop effective study habits. Whether helping students catch up, keep up, or get ahead, Umar strives to make learning both meaningful and enjoyable.

Outside of teaching, Umar enjoys staying active, working out with his brother, and spending time with his two young children while embracing the adventures of new dad life.

Caitlyn W.

Caitlyn is currently completing her Bachelor of Education in the Primary/Junior division at Trent University. She holds an undergraduate degree in Child and Youth Studies, where she developed a strong foundation in child development and student learning.

Caitlyn works as an Occasional Supply Teacher with the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board, and as an Educational Assistant with the Durham District School Board. Through these roles, along with her studies in the Bachelor of Education program, she has gained strong familiarity with the Ontario curriculum and extensive experience supporting students across a wide range of grade levels and diverse learning needs.

Her teaching approach centres on building student confidence, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, and ensuring students develop a deep understanding of the material they are working on. Caitlyn believes that when students feel supported and capable, they are more willing to take academic risks, ask thoughtful questions, and grow as independent learners.

She is passionate about helping students strengthen their skills, develop effective learning habits, and take pride in their progress and accomplishments.

Jonathan H.

Jonathan is an enthusiastic and dedicated emerging educator currently studying at Ontario Tech University in the Intermediate/Senior division, with teachable subjects in Physics and Mathematics. He holds an undergraduate degree in Physics from Trent University and a Master’s degree in Astroparticle Physics from Queen’s University, where his research focused on the luminescent behaviour of various materials.

Jonathan brings both strong academic expertise and genuine curiosity to his teaching. Beyond physics and math, he has a keen interest in astronomy and enjoys spending his free time hiking, canoeing, and baking.

His passion for education began while working as a summer camp counsellor at Arrowhead Camp, where he taught outdoor skills such as canoeing and kayaking, while also fostering teamwork, collaboration, and communication among campers. This experience helped shape his belief that meaningful learning happens when students feel engaged, supported, and confident.

Jonathan’s teaching approach is rooted in inquiry-based learning. Rather than emphasizing rote memorization, he encourages students to ask thoughtful questions and deepen their understanding through prediction, observation, and reflection. His goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire students to develop a lasting appreciation for the world around them.

Amber A.

Amber is an Ontario Certified Teacher (OCT) qualified to teach from Kindergarten to the Senior level, with five years of professional teaching experience in both Canada and the Middle East. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Education from Wilfrid Laurier University.

Over the course of her career, Amber has taught in private international schools in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where she served as a homeroom teacher. Her experience spans a wide range of grade levels and learning contexts. Teaching students from primary through high school has given Amber a strong understanding of developmental needs at each stage. She is committed to creating a structured, supportive, and encouraging learning environment where students feel safe to take academic risks and ask questions. Her approach is student-centered: she identifies individual strengths and areas for growth, sets clear and achievable goals, and provides targeted strategies to help students succeed.

Amber is passionate about helping students build both competence and confidence. Whether supporting foundational skills, preparing students for assessments, or developing effective study habits, she is dedicated to ensuring each learner reaches their personal academic goals.

Outside of teaching, Amber enjoys spending time in nature, staying active at the gym, practicing yoga, and listening to audiobooks.

Travis N.

Travis is an Ontario Certified Teacher with experience working in both the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN). He earned his Bachelor of Education from the University of Western Ontario in 2024, following the completion of his Bachelor’s degree in Biophysics at Brock University in 2022. This strong academic background allows him to bring depth, curiosity, and real-world relevance to his teaching.

Having grown up helping in his family’s daycare, Travis developed a passion for teaching and supporting children from a young age. This early exposure to working with students sparked his commitment to education and helping learners reach their full academic potential. He began tutoring in 2017, an experience that further reinforced his enthusiasm for teaching and his belief in the power of individualized support.

In his teaching practice, Travis emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary learning and views education as a holistic process. He strives to incorporate real-world applications and student interests into his lessons to make learning meaningful, engaging, and accessible. Through this approach, Travis aims to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine love of learning in every student he works with.

Mya K.

Mya is a dedicated Teacher Candidate currently pursuing her Bachelor of Education at Ontario Tech University, with teachable subjects in History and English. She is passionate about supporting learners as they build academic confidence and work toward achieving their individual goals. Mya brings a thoughtful and encouraging approach to her work, always striving to help students feel capable, supported, and motivated in their learning.

During the summer months, Mya works with Durham Continuing Education, where she provides one-on-one academic support to students working toward earning their high school credits. Through this experience, she has gained valuable insight into the impact of individualized instruction and has become a strong advocate for tutoring as a powerful tool for student success. She has seen firsthand how personalized support can help students strengthen skills, overcome challenges, and regain confidence in their abilities.

As a future educator, Mya is guided by the belief that every student is unique, capable, and deserving of meaningful support. She is committed to creating welcoming and inclusive learning environments that reflect the individual needs of each learner. By using compassionate, evidence-based teaching practices, Mya helps students develop confidence, resilience, and the skills they need to achieve academic success.

Alanna A.

Alanna is currently completing her Bachelor of Education at Ontario Tech University in the Primary/Junior stream, qualifying her to teach Kindergarten to Grade 6. She also holds a Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University, along with a post-graduate diploma in Health Promotion from Centennial College, giving her a strong foundation in both education and health sciences.

With over 15 years of professional experience in the community healthcare sector, Alanna brings a deep understanding of individualized support and holistic care to her teaching practice. She recognizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning and is committed to ensuring that each student receives the academic and emotional support they need to succeed. Her background allows her to approach learning with empathy, patience, and a strong awareness of student well-being.

Alanna’s teaching style is patient, encouraging, and highly student-centred. She strives to design lessons that are engaging, meaningful, and connected to students’ interests and real-world experiences, with a strong focus on building confidence and independence as learners. She is passionate about creating a positive, supportive learning environment where students feel safe to take risks and grow.

Outside of the classroom, Alanna enjoys volunteering her time by visiting retirement homes and schools with her therapy dog, Duke, sharing her love of community connection and compassionate service.