Sarah M.
Sarah MacDonald is a Certified Elementary and Core French Teacher. She is borrowed by the mountains, but belongs to the ocean, as she grew up on the East Coast in Nova Scotia. Sarah graduated high school with French Immersion and her DELF French Proficiency Certificate. She went on to complete both her Bachelor of Kinesiology (‘18) and Bachelor of Education (‘20) at Acadia University.
Sarah has 3 full-time years of classroom teaching under her belt, with a wide range of grade levels and subjects taught. Most of her time has been spent teaching grade 6 (all subjects), and grades 4-9 core French. She has also taught junior high social studies, art, and health, as well as K-3 English Language Arts.
Sarah’s teaching experience goes beyond the four classroom walls. She is also a certified swim instructor, and spent the summer working for WETS Kelowna, and she teaches highland dance.
With this range of ages and abilities, Sarah recognizes that building relationships and ensuring students feel they play an active role in their learning is a major key to success. She understands each child learns differently and makes it a priority to engage learners in ways that make sense for them.
Sarah’s goal when tutoring is to foster personalized, one-on-one interactive and engaging lessons. She believes in developing a deep understanding rather than memorization, and often incorporates the student’s curiosity and interests to make learning more meaningful (and fun!).
In her spare time, Sarah loves to play and watch sports, explore the outdoors, and spend time with friends and family. She loves a good punchline, her cat, Rhubarb, and will never turn down a snack!
Keith R.
Keith Robinson is a professionally certified teacher with more than thirty years’ teaching experience. He grew up in Vancouver, where he developed a keen interest in marine biology. After earning a degree in Biology from UBC, he spent several years working on various research projects at sea, through the Pacific Biological Station in Nanaimo. In the mid-1980s, he decided to go into high school teaching, where he could share his love of science with young people. His teaching career has seen him engaged with students in high school laboratories in northern Canada, and more recently online. His repertoire includes all senior levels of Biology, Chemistry, Math, Physics, Earth Science, and Junior Science.
During his teaching career, Keith’s expertise has been frequently sought by the Ministry of Education on matters related to curriculum, learning resources, and testing. And recently, Keith returned to university, earning his MSc at Royal Roads in Victoria.
No longer in the school lab, Keith Robinson continues to author online courses and to teach senior Chemistry part-time online, where he greatly enjoys connecting with students virtually and helping them achieve their goals. When he is not teaching, Keith can be found cycling and skating the ski trails around Kelowna. During down times, he reads a lot—mostly Tolkien, CS Lewis, Orwell, and Russian literature in translation.
Ravi S.
Ravi completed his Masters in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Material Science from University of Saskatchewan. While at University, he also worked as a laboratory assistant for first year students teaching Mathematics & Physics. He continued at UofS as a Research Assistant in Nuclear materials and published several research articles. He then worked as a Mechanical Engineer at a reputed agricultural equipment company in Saskatchewan. Ravi moved to Kelowna, BC to start his new role as a Mechanical Engineer at an Electrical Vehicle component manufacturing company. He has experience teaching Mathematics to Grade 11 students. He is very passionate about teaching and sharing knowledge to those willing to learn. He enjoys spending time outdoors with family and loves exploring trails and hiking.
JUSTINA M.
Darien K.
Darien has been teaching for 5 years. He also has a Psychology degree and is certified by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. He developed a Mindfulness Committee throughout his school’s community to better support mental health initiatives.
Darien has the experience to understand and tailor instruction to the many different learning styles, abilities and backgrounds. He has taught people with various and complex disabilities for 10+ years, is comfortable teaching various levels of English Language Learners and can teach foundational knowledge through Indigenous perspective.
As a teacher his focus is on an well rounded educational plan that consists of physical and mental wellness, cultivating self-worth, morals, values and supporting students’ expressions of identity. He received multiple scholarships based on athletic merit as a member of the University’s Cross Country Running team. He loves to take his dog paddle boarding and hiking. When they are not in the sunniest spots, he’ll likely be found playing Arceus or Zelda on his Nintendo Switch.
Janet D.
Janet is a Certified Teacher, with four years of teaching experience. She has worked in both the private and public sectors. She specializes in a variety of subject areas from MYP IB, to PE, Outdoor Ed, Business, Human Sciences, and Primary School English & Mathematics.
She grew up in Barrie, Ontario, and moved out west in 2015. She has an Undergraduate Degree in Physical and Health Education and a Minor in Business Admin. As well, she’s completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from UBC.
Janet has taught a variety of high school specialized courses outside of her teachables including ESL, Home Economics, Yoga, and Basketball Academy. She also spent a year teaching a grade 4-7 elementary school class, with a special focus on literacy and mathematics in those years.
She is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and got into teaching physical and health education not only because of her love for sports, but because she thoroughly enjoys helping build her students’ confidence to succeed. She prides herself on the connections she’s built with her students and parents over the years.
Janet’s approach fosters an environment where community, global perspectives, and social responsibility become key fundamentals that will prepare her students to be true world citizens. Her goal is that the connections she makes allow others to leave at the end of the day feeling supported, and respected and that their opinions are heard. Since starting her career, she’s made it her mission to make her classroom environment a safe space for all everyone, where they can share experiences, and use their innovative thinking and creativity, to flourish. She loves working amongst the leaders of tomorrow and greatly appreciates all the connections she’s made along the way.
Additional Details
Aman S.
Aman has completed his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of British Columbia, Okanagan where he primarily worked on Aluminum Alloys for designing an Aircraft Fuselage. At university, he also had the chance to work with first- and second-year undergrad students helping them with mainly calculus and statistics in one-on-one and group sessions. Before moving to Canada, he has been part of an India-based NGO where he was focused on teaching Math and Science to the underprivileged section of society. During his time as a tutor, Aman has come across a variety of students and he believes in tailoring his teaching methods to his student’s ability to grasp the topic. His consistent support to students has helped them improve their grades and develop an interest in the subject. Aman has a passion for teaching and is keen to work with students at all levels from grades K-12.
Apart from teaching, Aman enjoys outdoor running and has been a marathon runner. He is also a trained rifle shooter and has won various competitions. Staying in Kelowna, he has lately developed a keen interest in hiking as well.
Jennifer P.
Jennifer is a certified teacher in British Columbia. She obtained her Bachelor of Education in 2020 from UBC Okanagan with a specialty in elementary education. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Psychology. Jen has worked with students aged K-12 as she has been a Teacher on Call in Kelowna since 2020. She is passionate about making learning fun and helping students discover all their strengths while ensuring they have the support and confidence to push through challenges. Jennifer loves to connect with her students and include things that they love in their learning. She truly believes that when you make learning meaningful, children will find success in whatever they are working on.
In her spare time Jen loves to stay active by teaching spin classes, spending time with her family and friends and traveling to new places.
Racquel R.
Racquel holds a BC Teaching Certificate and a Bachelor of Education Degree in Primary Education from the International University of The Caribbean in Kingston, Jamaica. Racquel has taught grades 2 -9 throughout her 12 years of teaching in Jamaica.
Upon migrating to Canada over six years ago, Racquel has worked as an Early Childhood Assistant with the YMCA of the Okanagan prior to relocating to northern BC to chase her goal of continuing in her profession as an elementary teacher; a role she continues to enjoy today. She has spent the last three years teaching in a multi-grade classroom and is familiar with the BC Curriculum.
Racquel’s love and passion for education keep her interested in opportunities that help to foster students’ desire to learn and succeed in their studies. She enjoys celebrating small victories on their educational journey. She also enjoys walks, long drives, enjoying and appreciating the natural sceneries of the countryside, and socializing with family and friends.