FRANKTONNY C.

Franktonny is the first Canadian-born member of his family to successfully pursue his university degree. Franktonny graduated from Brock University’s Concurrent Education Program (majoring in Health and Physical Education) in 2017. In 2018, he sought to complete various additional qualification courses: Special Education, Visual arts, Science, and Primary Education. At this time, Franktonny also made his mark as an Outdoor Leadership Field Instructor and Resident Youth Counselor Support Worker for Pine River Institute – a therapeutic boarding school located in Northern Ontario. Through these experiences, Franktonny has learned to embrace the importance of making meaningful connections with students as a way to most effectively support them through times of conflict and hardship. These professional relationships are built with a focus on mutual respect and growth. Additionally, Franktonny’s patience, flexibility and openness to alternative perspectives allow him to remain mindful and focused on the present needs of students in all levels of development/exceptionality.
Franktonny believes in a holistically developmental learning environment – providing academic and social support through organizational teaching practices. He willingly shares his behaviour management tactics and believes that there is a lesson to be learned with every experience had. This being said, Franktonny is a firm believer in the learning that occurs beyond the classroom walls. Though qualified to teach at all elementary levels, he also embraces those experiences had outside of the classroom: being an outdoor enthusiast (a regular at High Park or Lakeshore), a foodie (open to eating all types of food), and a health & fitness junkie.
Clearly, Franktonny has a long name, and a lot to say. He is compassionate, enthusiastic and prides himself on being an intellectual teacher/ support worker/ coach. Franktonny is always welcoming new opportunities to connect and learn from others.

LUIZA S.

I believe teaching offers a unique chance to make a difference. Every child has the potential to learn and succeed and I work hard to ensure that my students are engaged and that their voice is heard. I am passionate and excited about teaching French and History in a way that is authentic and meaningful. My main goal is to have a balance between making learning relevant for my students, encouraging them to connect what they are learning to their own experiences, and equipping them with transferrable skills for life. For the past 12 years, I have been using my passion for the French language to work as a tutor, interpreter and a tour leader, taking groups of students to various Canadian destinations! As a graduate of the IB program, I have learned about the importance of developing strong communication and critical thinking skills, and this is something I focus on with my students as well. When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family, cooking, and going for walks in the park with my dog, Romeo.

VICTORIA F.

Victoria graduated with distinction from Ryerson University in 2018, with an honours degree in Biomedical Science and a minor in Psychology. Victoria has always been passionate about school and she is currently in the process of completing a Master of Teaching degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, with General Science and Biology at the Intermediate/Senior level as her teachable subjects. Victoria is easy to get along with and enjoys building professional relationships with her students. One of her focuses is to encourage students to develop good study habits that will last a lifetime.

MIRA F.

Mira has been teaching for over 9 years, after graduating from Canisius College with her MEd. She has taken many Additional Qualification courses including Spec. Ed., Reading and Kindergarten and is currently working as a Kindergarten teacher in Toronto. Mira has experience working as a Spec. Ed. and ESL teacher with students from Grade 2 to Grade 8. She has worked with many children that are on IEPs, with exceptionalities such as ADHD, Gifted and ASD. Mira is qualified to tutor children in all areas, from Kindergarten to Grade 8.

KAYLA T.

My name is Kayla Tavares and I am a full-day kindergarten educator within a school board. The three guiding principles that reflect my philosophy are: enabling success for every child through admiring and equally respecting them and their families for their uniqueness and their diversity, facilitating optimism and goodness in all situations and promote superior learning experiences. I have had many experiences working within diverse childcare settings and elementary schools, which provided me with substantial knowledge regarding child development and child-rearing practices. I have gained knowledge and had experience planning and implementing Emergent Curriculum utilizing the FDK Communication of Learning Curriculum as well as the ELECT Framework. I have worked specifically with children from kindergarten to grade 1, and in addition children with exceptionalities such as ADHD and autism. In my spare time I enjoy reading and cooking healthy meals.

ALETHEA A.

In 2016, Alethea graduated George Brown College with a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Having
found her passion, she continued her education at Ryerson University, where she obtained her Degree in
Early Childhood Studies. By completing both programs, she has gained a thorough understanding of child
development and learning strategies through practical application, theory, and research. Throughout her
studies, Alethea has completed six internships, working with children between the ages of infancy to 12
years of age. Her internships included special education, ESL, and an opportunity to implement the ‘We
Will Read’ program with the TDSB. Prior to her post-secondary studies, Alethea studied classical violin
at the Royal Conservatory of Music from age 4, as well as visual arts. Both her arts training and academic
experience established her beliefs in utilizing our skills to challenge ourselves, push ourselves out of our
comfort zone, and achieve our personal bests. Alethea inspires and motivates her students with her
patience, support, and creativity. She believes there is a solution for every obstacle, and well-developed
problem-solving skills, social ability, and confidence are the key to success.

PATRICIA M.

Hello, 

My name is Patricia Martins and I am a tutor at Prep Academy Tutors. I am currently finishing my final semester in teachers college at Brock University and have completed my undergrad in early childhood education. I have had multiple experiences working in classrooms within the Toronto Catholic and Public School Board, as well as in, Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board. I have worked specifically with children from kindergarten to grade 6, and in addition children with exceptionalities such as ADHD and autism. I believe in an inclusive learning environment where all students are given the opportunity to learn at their own pace. In my spare time I enjoy taking my dog daisy to dog parks and reading!

TORI H.

Victoria (Tori) Horrobin is a primary/junior teacher candidate in the Master of Teaching program at University of Toronto’s OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education). She completed a diploma in Early Childhood Education at St. Clair College and then upgraded to her bachelor of arts honours degree in Early Childhood Care and Education at the Institute of Technology Tralee in Ireland. Tori loves to work with children, investing in their lives to help them achieve their full potential. She has tutored privately on and off over the last several years, working with various learning styles and levels of ability. She has spent the last eight summers working for a day camp for elementary aged children in her local community and has volunteered at weekly children’s programs and a summer soccer league. She has completed practicum placements in a preschool and kindergarten setting here in Canada. She is currently doing her practicum in a grade six classroom and loving it! She has also completed placements in China and Ireland. Tori loves to see how education is implemented in different parts of the world, learn about different cultures and explore new places. When she’s not gallivanting off to some other part of the globe, Tori enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, baking cookies and petting all the dogs she meets.

NICOLE T.

Nicole joins Prep Academy with an extensive background working with youth in an educational context, both in and out of the classroom. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2013 at the University of Toronto in Life Sciences – majoring in Human Biology and double minoring in Physiology and Psychology. After taking a year off to travel, Nicole returned to pursue a Studio Arts certificate from Seneca College. She discovered her passion lay in education and making science learning accessible and enjoyable for all, using visual arts as a means to accomplish this. She then spent the following two years at the University of Toronto’s OISE pursuing a Masters of Teaching, graduating with qualifications in Junior/Intermediate Science and an additional qualification in Senior Biology. Her research focused on the effectiveness of Problem-based learning (PBL) strategies in intermediate science education. During this time Nicole worked as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Toronto teaching a second year Neuroscience course. With a variety of instructional roles in her portfolio (skating instructor, swimming instructor, Me to We Trip Facilitator, T.A., certified teacher, private tutor etc.) Nicole is equipped to teach a wide range of learners across a variety of subject areas and learning skills. She is a very visual learner herself, and frequently strives to incorporate art, colour, and creativity into content learning, no matter what the subject. She loves being outside, playing team sports (especially ice hockey and soccer), travelling, and surrounding herself with family, friends, and lots of food!

MARY L.

Mary completed her undergraduate and teacher training at the University of Toronto and her Masters of Education in Special Education at OISE. Ministry courses completed included Developmental Reading, Special Education (Specialist) and the Principal courses.
The last 15 years of Mary’s career were as an Assessment and Programming teacher, a position of responsibility outside the classroom. In this capacity she conducted assessments, including WISC and WIAT testing, report writing, liaison with parents and teachers and guidance to young students. As an integral member of an Interdisciplinary team in many Scarborough and downtown schools, Mary collaborated in providing recommendations to school staff and participated in IPRCs both as a presenter and a committee member. She also assisted parents in their journey through the often intimidating identification process and in the development of IEPs. As her passion for Special Education includes education of the Gifted, Mary was on a steering committee that developed the protocol for identification at the Board level and conducted Gifted screening and assist them when necessary.
assessments and presentation to IPRC.
Mary is very passionate about her three children as well as with lifelong learning and has personal experience participating on “the other side of the table” in IPRCs. She believes all children have a desire to succeed and meet their full potential and it is our responsibility to assist them in achieving their goals.