KAREL C. R.

Karel is a biologist and a Science and Math teacher. He was born in Havana, Cuba, where he studied at the University of Havana, Cuba’s top high center of studies. He graduated from Biology, later taking the courses for the Master’s Degree of Marine Ecology, becoming a researcher in Marine Biology, specialized on Fish Biology and Ecology. He has done research on coral reefs and other tropical marine ecosystems, mostly focused on fish communities and occasionally also assessing sharks for both Ecology and Fisheries. He’s done a lot of marine research on vessels, which includes many hours of SCUBA diving, performing fish community censuses. He has taught postgraduate courses about his specialty, and also contributed for High School and University teaching, back in Cuba, for both general Biology and for national courses on Environmental Education, including being one of the advisors for “Universidad para todos” (University for everyone) for the Cuban national TV. He started teaching in Ontario in 2019, where he has taught Math (Functions) for 11 and 12 grades, including Calculus for 12, as well as Chemistry for 11 and 12 and of course, Biology for both grades, that being his own field. He has also taught some optional courses, like Kinesiology for 12 grade. He loves diving, hiking and camping, and on his spare time he reads History and also sings regularly with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (mostly classical music), the one singing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, something he finds to be very rewarding emotionally.

YURI D. A.

Yuri is a teacher candidate in the Master of Arts Child Study and Education program at the University of Toronto, with an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. She has extensive experience working with young learners as a registered early childhood educator, primarily working with preschool and kindergarten age groups. During her practicums, she gained valuable experience in both TDSB schools and the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study, where she worked with diverse groups of students in the primary and junior grades and supported various classroom activities, including UFLI instruction and the development of Individual Education Plan (IEP). Her educational philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child is unique, curious, and capable, and she strives to create inclusive and accessible learning environments that build on each child’s strengths. Outside of teaching, Yuri enjoys embroidering and spending time with her two dogs, Bello, a chihuahua, and Bella, a golden retriever.

EMILY S.

Emily received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from Western University in 2022 and is a teacher candidate in the Master of Teaching program at OISE at the University of Toronto. She has extensive experience working with children in the classroom setting, with practicum experience surrounding EMPOWER reading intervention, as well as UFLI and math intervention. She has worked with children in a sport setting for the past 10 years, and is passionate about creating an environment in which children are inspired to be their best selves. In her free time, she loves reading, being active, and spending time with her cats!

SYRENA B.

Born and raised in Toronto’s West End, Syrena is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and Ontario Certified Teacher who is committed to making learning engaging and enjoyable for the students in her care.
Attending University of Toronto and George Brown College allowed her to stay close to family and friends while pursuing her educational aspirations.
Syrena completed her Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science before receiving her Diploma in Early Childhood Education from George Brown College and her Master’s in Teaching from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE, U of T). Throughout her educational pursuits, Syrena gained experience working in the nonprofit sector, within organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA. Her work within these two organizations combined spans over a decade.

Syrena’s warm and welcoming demeanor has been recognized by many as part of her charm in meeting new people and most specifically, building caring and comforting relationships with children. In fact, her initial opportunity to work with Boys and Girls Club was recommended to her by the Program Coordinator who recognized that she would be a natural working with children in the after school and summer camp program. In reflecting on her own early childhood experiences, Syrena attributes her training in Taekwondo to her confidence in providing clear instruction and her patience in supporting students who require extra time to achieve their learning goals.

Since Syrena was a student in the gifted program, she is passionate about working with students with exceptionalities and additional needs. She has completed the Special Education Part 1 Additional Qualification and is planning to obtain her Special Education Specialist Qualifications in 2025. She is currently completing the Reading Part 1 AQ.
In addition to having her black belt in Taekwondo and being a certified yoga instructor, Syrena has completed 4 half marathons. Needless to say she is quick on her feet and flexible!

Hongyu Z.

Hi! I’m Hongyu and I am currently studying for my Master of Education at OISE, University of Toronto. I’m also a certified teacher (OCT). I completed my Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education in Kamloops, BC, where I got my BC teaching certification before moving to Toronto.

I specialize in teaching math and physics for grades 9-12, and I’ve also taught Chemistry 11. Whether it’s Pre-Calculus, Advanced Functions, or Calculus, I love helping students tackle challenging concepts and build confidence.

I’m originally from China, so Mandarin is my first language, but I’m fluent in English too—so no worries about communication! Outside of teaching, I’m into photography, traveling, working out, and I’ve recently started learning video editing.

Looking forward to working with you and helping you reach your academic goals!

KIRBY L.

Kirby is an experienced tutor and teaches grade 9-11 maths, advanced functions, calculus and computer science. With a degree in computer science and two years of industry experience in software development, Kirby brings practical knowledge and expertise to the classroom, helping students master complex concepts with ease.
Kirby is planning to pursue a Bachelor of Education in the near future so that he can use his expertise and knowledge to help students achieve their academic goals. He is committed to student success and finds that one/one tutoring can make a big difference to his student’s competence and confidence.

NAWI M. V.

Nawi has been working with children of all ages and abilities for many years, in classroom settings and one-on-one. Currently, he is a Teacher Candidate at OISE in the Primary/Junior Program. He has a BA in English and History from the University of Toronto, which makes him confident in tutoring Intermediate and Senior students in those subjects. He is fluent in Spanish, speaks intermediate French, and has worked in schools in Canada, Guatemala, and the UK. His love of language, working with children, and his ability to build strong relationships led him to teaching. Working with children of various abilities has helped Nawi develop a patient and open teaching approach that is tailored to his students’ individual needs. Nawi can be found biking and running through the city, at the TIFF Lightbox, and on the hunt for the best street food.

Anita M. M.

Anita has always loved to teach—whether it was multiplication tables at the kitchen table with her younger brothers or helping her friends study for History exams, she has many fond memories of supporting others in their academics. Anita has recently graduated from a Marketing Management certificate at Humber, and has an undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto in English and Media Studies under her belt. She is dedicated to providing a high-quality, collaborative tutoring experience to her students, ensuring that her teaching style adapts to their unique needs. Anita’s specialties include English literature/literacy, college essay prep, humanities, and social science.

When she isn’t working, you can find Anita cooking up a storm in her kitchen or obsessing over her newest craft (air-dry clay at present). She loves to learn new things, and this passion is what drives her to inspire the same love for learning within her students.

MONICA F.

Monica is a teacher candidate pursuing a Master of Teaching at OISE (University of Toronto) in the Primary/Junior stream. She has over a decade of volunteer and work experience in education, from leading a Saturday school program in Vientiane, Laos as a high school student to teaching English and World Religions in a literacy centre in Kampala, Uganda. More recently, Monica has worked at a private daycare and completed teaching placements with JK/SK and 4/5 classes at TDSB schools. Monica is passionate about environmental education and supporting students’ individual needs and interests in multicultural learning contexts. In her spare time, she loves baking and exploring Toronto’s ravines and trails.

EMILEE D.

Emilee D. is a dynamic and compassionate educator currently in her second year at Teacher’s College. With a background in Psychology from York University and extensive international experience, Emilee’s teaching journey took her to France, where she excelled as an English teacher, teaching assistant, and tutor. This global perspective has enriched her approach, allowing her to craft engaging, tailored lessons that resonate with students’ individual strengths and needs. Emilee’s enthusiasm and commitment to fostering
meaningful student-teacher connections define her teaching philosophy. As she joins Prep Academy, she is excited to leverage her diverse experience to support and inspire students, all while continuing to grow as an educator. When she’s not tutoring, Emilee enjoys exploring new languages and cultures, often indulging in her love for French cuisine. She believes that teaching is like a puzzle—sometimes all it takes is a little bit of creativity to find the perfect fit.